Overview

1. The Lord’s wisdom far surpasses the wisdom of the world
2. In times of trouble, some seek power while others seek wisdom
3. Through the cross, we can freely receive all that we need
4. In Christ is both power and wisdom for us today!

The Lord’s wisdom far surpasses the wisdom of the world

The world is not without wisdom. Even those who don’t know the Lord can operate in common sense and practical insight. And it is possible to experience a degree of success or prosperity by applying these principles of natural wisdom to our lives.

But as helpful as human wisdom may be, Scripture points us to something far greater.

The Bible tells us that when God gave Solomon His wisdom, “Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt” (1 Kings 4:30). This Scripture reveals 2 remarkable points. First, the people of the East and Egypt (which represents the world) possessed wisdom, even though they didn’t know God.

And second, the wisdom of God is far greater than and far surpasses the wisdom of the world. When Solomon received the Lord’s wisdom, it lifted him above them all. Not only was he regarded as the wisest man of his time, but that wisdom also brought with it such favor and prosperity that he became the wealthiest man in all of history!

Human wisdom also has its limits. For all its benefits, it can only operate within the realm of what can be seen, touched, tested, or proven. Science, medicine, and technology are valuable, but they remain confined to the visible world.

That’s why the apostle Paul reminds us: “For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).

Just because something is invisible doesn’t mean it’s not real. Think about the peace that steadies your heart, the favor that opens doors, the quiet joy that rises in a moment of stillness. These are visible blessings, but their true source—the blessing of the Lord resting on you, His presence with you, and His finished work flowing into every area of need—is unseen.

More importantly, for all the knowledge and innovation in the world today—for all our access to artificial intelligence, scientific discoveries, and endless streams of information—human wisdom cannot lead us to know God.

In His divine wisdom, God chose what the world considers foolish to carry the greatest power of all and deliver the greatest rescue plan: salvation for those who believe. We don’t come to know Him by leaning on our intellect, or by learning more and thinking harder. It takes a revelation by the Spirit for us to truly understand the gospel.

That’s why we have to keep coming back to the preached word—and not just any word from the Scriptures, but to the message of Christ crucified. It is through this word that we are saved, healed, and delivered. And it is through this word that we come to truly know Him!

In times of trouble, some seek power while others seek wisdom

When challenges arise—whether in our health, marriage, work, or finances—people often respond in one of two ways. Some say, “I need a miracle… this is beyond me. I need God to do something.” Others think, “If someone could help me understand what’s going on or show me what to do, I could fix this.”

These two responses aren’t new. In fact, the apostle Paul pointed to this very search for power and wisdom when he wrote:

The Jews pursued signs. Even today, many are drawn to symbolism, patterns, and numerical codes in Scripture (what’s known as gematria). But the Bible was never meant to be deciphered through intellect or formulas. It is a living Word, meant to be opened up to us by the Holy Spirit so that the person of Jesus is unveiled—just as He was to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:27).

To the Jewish mind, the idea of a crucified Christ was a stumbling block. They expected a Savior who would come in visible strength and miraculous displays of power, not One who would hang on a cross. In fact, according to the law, anyone who was hung on a tree was considered cursed (Deut. 21:23). What they couldn’t see was that the Lord bore that curse for them, so that His blessings might come upon them instead. They were looking for miracles, yet they missed the very foundation of every miracle: the cross.

Conversely, the Greeks—representing the Gentile world—pursued wisdom and knowledge. They prized intellect, reason, and logic, and they still do today. That’s why, to the Greeks, the message of salvation through a crucified Christ seemed absurd. It didn’t fit their ideals of greatness or strength. What they couldn’t see was that the cross wasn’t foolishness but the wisdom of God revealed in humility and love.

My friend, here’s the beauty of the gospel. God didn’t wait for the world to understand before acting. In His grace, He sent His Son to the cross—and through that one act, salvation was made available to all. And to those who believe, Christ becomes the power of God and the wisdom of God—not one or the other, but both.

So, whatever situation you might be facing today, remember this: If you need a miracle, Jesus is the power of God. If you need clarity, direction, or understanding, He is the wisdom of God. And it all flows from one place—the finished work of the cross.

Through the cross, we can freely receive all that we need

At the cross, our Lord Jesus put away our sins once and for all. Pastor Prince shared a powerful story to illustrate what took place at the cross:

There once was a king who ruled a land with good and just laws. But one day, his beloved daughter broke one of those laws—a crime punishable by scourging till death. Despite deeply loving and cherishing his daughter, the king did not pardon her. And on the day of her judgment, the king did something unexpected. He stepped down from his throne, wrapped his arms around his daughter, and took the punishment in her place. He didn’t change the law or lower the standard. Justice had to be fulfilled, but love bore the cost.

My friend, God did not overlook our sin—He judged it fully in His Son at the cross. There, justice was satisfied, and God’s love was poured out beyond measure.

But that’s not all. The Greek word for “saved” in the New Testament is sōzō, which encompasses more than just salvation and the forgiveness of sins. It speaks of healing, deliverance, protection, and wholeness in every area of our lives. So, because our Lord Jesus bore the judgment we deserved and took our place at the cross, every blessing heaven has to offer is now ours to receive freely.

And yet, this is where many believers struggle. We feel the need to prove ourselves worthy. There’s something in our human nature that resists receiving what we haven’t earned. But to bring in our own efforts when Jesus has already paid the price isn’t just unnecessary, it’s prideful.

We need to recognize that what came freely to us didn’t come cheap. It cost Jesus everything. That’s why the most humble thing we can do before the Lord is simply to receive, to say, “Lord, I don’t deserve it—but You paid for it. And I receive it, not because I’ve earned it, but by Your grace.”

So, how do we receive what Jesus has fully paid for us to enjoy?

This passage describes God’s delivery system. He supplies the fullness of His blessings through what the world often overlooks—what seems weak, ordinary, or even foolish. The cross may appear unimpressive. The preached word may sound simple. But these are the very channels through which the power and wisdom of God are released into our lives.

Even the Holy Communion works this way. To the natural eye, it’s just a small piece of bread. But many have testified of healing—even from cancer—when they partook in faith, discerning the Lord’s body.

So, don’t underestimate what seems small or ordinary. It is the wisdom of God to use the things that are not to bring to nothing the things that are.

In Christ is both power and wisdom for us today!

Today, we have what the Jews and the Gentiles sought—both miraculous power and divine wisdom. We have God’s power, which He infuses into our situations to transform them and bring about miracles. And we have Christ Himself, the wisdom of God, who leads us with insight that is beyond human understanding.

In Christ, we’re not limited to just one or the other—we’re called to walk in both!

There are times when the Lord supplies wisdom for what we’re going through. Maybe you’re facing tension in a relationship, and a verse suddenly comes alive in your heart. Or maybe you’re unsure how to handle a challenge at work, but after praying about it, the solution becomes clear. It’s like a light turns on and you say, “Why didn’t I see this before?” That’s the wisdom of God at work, revealed to you by the Holy Spirit.

But there are also times when wisdom alone isn’t enough. Maybe you’ve done everything you know to do—prayed, sought counsel, applied every principle—and still, nothing has changed. That’s when you need the power of God to bring about a miracle and a supernatural breakthrough.

That’s why we need to be led by the Lord each day. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring. You could be the most intelligent, capable person in the room, and still find yourself helpless in the face of what lies ahead.

But there is One who sees it all. He knows the end from the beginning, and the beginning from the end. And when you tell Him, “Lord, guide me today,” you’re not just being humble—you’re allowing the Lord, in whom is both power and wisdom, to lead you one step at a time.

My friend, everything you need is already yours in Christ. So this week, will you draw near to Him? Let Him lead you, moment by moment. As you walk with Him, He will show you what to do, give you the grace to do it, and carry you through—with the wisdom to navigate every situation and the power to overcome.

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These sermon notes were taken by volunteers during the service. They are not a verbatim representation of the sermon.