Daily Bible Plan

25. July 2025

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Living your Faith in the Public Sphere

Fortified City Church & Love City Church, Basel

“Foolish to Some, Power to Us”

🕊️ Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 (NLT)

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“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18

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🧎‍♂️ Devotion:

It is no surprise that the gospel seems outdated or even foolish to many people today. In a world driven by sight, logic, and scientific reasoning, faith in a crucified Savior appears unintelligent. People often mock Christianity as brainwashing or religious control. But if someone is perishing, isn’t it logical for them to reject what they cannot spiritually discern? That’s exactly what Paul says: “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing…” (v. 18).

Jesus Himself responded to such blindness on the cross by saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34). So we do not condemn them—we understand that spiritual things are spiritually discerned. Through human wisdom alone, the world will never grasp the mystery of the gospel. Yet it is this so-called “foolish” preaching that God has chosen to use in saving souls.

I once heard someone who is not from our church say, “At FCC, they just preach from their minds—nothing deep or substantial.” I even heard this person call us all sorts of names. But let’s pause and consider this: if we were truly preaching from our minds, there would be no power—and no one would be saved.

Yet the so-called “foolish” message of the gospel is exactly what is saving people every day. Week after week at FCC, we witness real transformation—salvations, breakthroughs, deliverance, and renewal. That is not the work of man’s intellect—it’s the power of the gospel.

Paul once said:

“I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom… but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:1–5)

As your pastor, I can boldly say the same. I have not come to you with polished words or personal wisdom—I have nothing to give except what the Spirit supplies. What we preach carries power, not because of us, but because it is rooted in Christ and fueled by the Holy Spirit.

The individual I heard speaking seems to be operating under a religious mindset mixed with philosophical ideology—exactly what Paul warned about. He described such people this way:

“They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.” (1 Timothy 1:7, NIV)

We must remember: not everyone who speaks confidently is speaking truth. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned—and those who resist the Spirit will always find fault with what they cannot understand.

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✨ Two Groups That Resist the Gospel (v. 22):

1. The Jews – Religious but Empty

These are people who may wear the title “Christian” but operate with religious spirits, lacking true encounter with the Holy Spirit. They demand signs—spiritual performance—before they believe. Their walk is based on ritual, not relationship. For such people, “Christ crucified” is offensive and even foolish. They cannot comprehend the simplicity of grace because they are bound by legalism and outward form. (Matthew 12:38, John 4:22)

2. The Greeks – Philosophical and Empirical Thinkers

These are the world’s intellectuals—philosophers, scientists, data-driven minds. They approach everything by logic and demand proof, evidence, and rationality. I once met a young man on a business trip who had read the Bible, the Qur’an, and many religious texts—not to believe, but to argue. The Holy Spirit in me immediately withdrew; such a heart is not fertile ground unless there’s a supernatural encounter. As Scripture says, “always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7)

Let’s not forget: though God loves the whole world, only those who believe are saved. And those who believe are those God has drawn to Himself (John 6:44). If you are reading this and you believe, it is because God found you, not because you were wise or better. Otherwise, like many, you could have been a “Jew” or a “Greek”—religious or intellectual—but lost.

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🔍 Now open your Bibles and read 1 Corinthians 1:24–30.

Highlight your personal touch.

Share a video to the media team commenting on this. We shall share one at a time on church announcements on Sundays.

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📜 Summary Reflection:

“This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.” — 1 Corinthians 1:25–30 (NLT)

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🙏 Prayer:

Father, thank You for choosing what the world calls foolish to reveal Your power. Thank You for saving me not by logic, ritual, or status, but by Your mercy and grace. Help me never to boast in my own strength or wisdom, but only in Christ. Give me boldness to proclaim this gospel, even when it’s rejected. For it is the power of God to all who believe. Amen.

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💬 Group Reflection:

• Which of the two categories—the religious Jew or the intellectual Greek—do you think most people around you fall into today?

• How does verse 30 impact your understanding of your identity in Christ?

With love and urgency,

Pastor Joseph Antwi

Fortified City Church | Love City Church Basel | Global Prayer Hub