Intro

I love to eat jumbo shrimp!!  That’s an oxymoron.  

The word oxymoron” comes from two Greek words: “oksús” (sharp, pointed) and “m¬ôrós” (dull, foolish). From “môrós” we get the English word “moron.” Putting “oksús” and “m¬ôrós” together we get “sharply dull” or “pointedly foolish.”

In English, oxymoron refers to words that, when placed together, create paradoxes or contradictions. These contradictions, at first glance appear to be foolish but, when we think about them a bit, often turn out to be sharp observations about our world.

Some oxymorons are playful. For example, “that joke is seriously funny,” or “that steak was awfully good,” or what my wife says to me, “you are clearly confused. 

Some oxymorons reveal a deeper meaning. For example, “the directive was met with deafening silence.” It refers to a silence that you can cut with a knife, communicating disapproval or opposition. If you gave the directive, you need to take note! 

The title of this message is an oxymoron with a deeper meaning: “God’s Foolish Wisdom.” How could wisdom be foolish? Why would God’s wisdom be foolish? By the end of the message, I hope we have a better understanding of what the title means.

Today, I will speak about three illustrations of God’s foolish wisdom:

1. Foolish Method (vs. 18-21)
2. Foolish Message (vs. 23-25)
3. Foolish Members (vs. 26-31)

Reflection Questions:

1. How much of the “wisdom of the world” do you think you have absorbed?
2. As you live your daily life (work, family, studies, etc.), does God’s wisdom of the cross appear to be foolish?  In what ways?
3. In your relationships, right now, is there an opportunity to live the foolishness of the cross, die to yourself, and reach out in love to another person?