SCRIPTURES: 
Old Testament 
Proverbs 9:1-6 
New Testament 
Matthew 11:11, 16-22, Matthew 26:62-67, Matthew 27:37-44, Mark 3:20-29, Luke 1:8-17, Luke 2:33-35, Luke 16:14-15, John 16:7-10, Acts 2:23-24, 36, 1 Timothy 3:16, Romans 1:1-4, Romans 8:16-17, 1 Corinthians 3:18-19, 1 Corinthians 4:8-17, 1 Peter 5:1

Tim Miller

Christ/Cross

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<li>John in God’s eyes</li>
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15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord (Lk. 1:15, HCSB)
11 “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. (Mt. 11:11a, NLT)
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<li>John in the world’s eyes</li>
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7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? (“A reed shaken by the wind?” [ISV, NET], “A blade of grass bending in the wind?” [TEV], “A reed being shaken to and fro by the wind?” [BHT]) 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet (a divinely sent representative)? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet (not just a prophet, but one specially appointed to precede the Messiah)…. 16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17“ ‘We played the flute for you (“wedding songs” [NLT], “wedding music” [TEV], “happy songs” [TEV]), and you did not dance; we sang a dirge (“funeral songs” [NLT], “a woeful dirge” [ISV], “a sad song” [NCV]; “we lamented with funeral songs and wailing” [BHT]), and you did not mourn (“yet you did not weep” [NET]).’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking (“fasted and drank no wine” [TEV]; “fasting often and abstaining from wine” [BHT]; cf. Lk. 1:15), and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ (implication: worthy of death as a false prophet or sorcerer). 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking (“feasts and drinks” [NLT], “came doing just the opposite” [BHT]), and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ (Nobody can please these people!) But wisdom (the course chosen by “the just” [cf. Lk. 1:17]) is proved right (“vindicated” [HCSB, NET]) by her actions (“wisdom is shown to be right by its results” [NLT]; Lk. 7:36—“by all her children” [[HCSB]) (i.e., wisdom (her claims/promises/counsel, etc.] is on trial being accused, but when the results of her counsel are brought in as evidence, she is vindicated).” 20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities (Jesus himself now begins to sing “a dirge”!) in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent (mourning/weeping/repentance is the expected response). 21 “Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!&#8230;(Mt. 11:7-9, 16-22b, NIV)
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<li>9:1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out its seven pillars. 9:2 She has prepared her meat (“a great banquet” [NLT]), she has mixed her wine; she also has arranged her table. 9:3 She has sent out her female servants; she calls out on the highest places of the city. 9:4 “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,” she says to those who lack understanding. 9:5 “Come, eat some of my food, and drink some of the wine I have mixed. 9:6 Abandon your foolish ways so that you may live, and proceed in the way of understanding.” (Pr. 9:1-6, NET)</li>
<li>17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom (or attitude, or ways, or mindset, or wisdom, or understanding, or prudence) of the just (or the righteous; those who take the covenant seriously), to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (Luke 1:8-17, ESV)</li>
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<li>The big question: Whom exactly is it we want to please—God, or man? In whose eyes do we want to be “great”? What God calls wise, clean, just, acceptable, holy, and worthy of life, the world calls demonized, unclean, and worthy of death. What God calls unclean, defiled, demonic, and worthy of death, the world celebrates and calls “just” and “good” and “moral.” Whose side are we on? Whose wisdom is really wisdom?</li>
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14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable (“revolting” [HCSB]; “hateful” [NCV]; “worth nothing” [TEV], “utterly detestable” [NET]) in God’s sight. (Lk. 16:14-15, NIV)

POINT

33 His father and mother  were amazed at what was being said about Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel  and to be a sign that will be opposed — 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Lk. 2:33-35, HCSB)
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<li>33 The child’s father and mother were astonished at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon invoked divine blessing upon them and said to Mary his mother, “Listen very carefully. This child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a warning and example from God, one that is going to be fiercely resisted. 35 And as for ˢyou, grief, like a sword, will pierce your very soul. And as a result of these things, the inmost thoughts and motives of many hearts will be disclosed.” (Lk. 2:33-35, BHT)</li>
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20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” (if an impersonal plural: “people were saying”; “A rumor was going around, you see, that Jesus had lost his mind” [BHT]; in this case, Jesus’ family may be feeling embarrassed socially). 22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” 23 So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house. 28 I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. 29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.” 30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an evil spirit.” (Mk. 3:20-29, NIV)
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?” (Mt. 26:62-67, NIV)
37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. 38 Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (Mt. 27:37-44, NIV)

WISDOM ON TRIAL AND ACCUSED

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<li>Jesus’ vindication</li>
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23 This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him…. 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Ac. 2:23-24, 36 NIV)
7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness (or concerning innocence, or concerning vindication, or concerning justice; Gk. peri dikaiosunēs), because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (Jn. 16:7-10, ESV)
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<li>7 Yet I tell ᵖyou the truth: It is to your advantage that I am leaving. If I don’t leave, you see, the Helper will not come to you. If I go, however, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning its guilt and concerning my vindication and concerning the certainty of judgment to come: 9 Concerning its guilt, because people refuse to put their faith in me; 10 concerning my vindication (cf. Ac. 2:36), because I am going back to the Father, and ᵖyou will no longer see me; 11 concerning the certainty of judgment to come, because doomed is the ruler of this world. (Jn. 16:7-9, BHT)</li>
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16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness  is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit&#8230;(1 Tim. 3:16, HCSB)
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 1:1-4, NRSV)

WISDOM VINDICATED

18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. (1 Cor. 3:18-19a, NIV)
8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings—and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you! 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles (his authorized representatives) on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena (see BHT below). We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. 14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. 15 Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me (“follow my example” [NCV, TEV). 17 For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. (1 Cor. 4:8-17, NIV)
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<li>9 For it seems to me that God, when it comes to us apostles, has assigned us to the least important place of all, at the very back of the victor’s procession, utterly humiliated in front of everyone like men sentenced to die in the arena; we have become for the world, for both angels and men alike, a spectacle. (1 Cor. 4:9, BHT)</li>
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<li>9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Php. 4:9, ESV)</li>
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16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Rom. 8:16-17, NIV)
1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed (1 Pt. 5:1, NIV)
10:25 It is enough for the disciple to become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more will they defame the members of his household! (Mt. 10:25, NET)

THE INVITATION AND THE PROMISE

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