Kneel Down To Rise Up

1 Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Our culture and the Church pressure us into seeking degrees, certifications, status, power, prosperity, etc. Yet, Christ calls the exact opposite of that.

Many pastors have tried to call their members to active service for the Kingdom with little or no response. The average person looking at their pastor or the celebrity pastors will look at themselves and say, "I have no training. I am not an eloquent speaker. I am not like any pastor or leader I know. What can I possibly do that would be of any real value?"

1 Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

The most educated and theologically correct person besides Jesus emphasized Christ and Him crucified. His presence and presentation was a bit more like most of us would be rather than the eloquently refined speaker. He did not try to use man's wisdom. Human reasoning and wisdom might make some intellectual changes in some, but not to salvation. Indeed, it may hinder their salvation. Paul relied on the Spirit and power.

Have you been saved? Is your life with Him far different that it was without Him? If yes, then the power of God and His Spirit has already equipped you to be a witness and an Ambassador of the Kingdom. Most of the people used by God were not in any way superstars and the ones who people thought were superstars He had to humble them before He could use them, especially the ones who thought they were superstars.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

They proclaimed the name of Jesus. Their enemies looked at who they were and considered them unlearned and ignorant. Because these men had been with Jesus was how they were able to stun their enemies. That is what gave them their wisdom and boldness. Having a breathing miracle before them left them speechless.

When you toss away the cultural norm for pastors and leaders and consider yourself weak, base and foolish, you have entered into the path of wisdom and your calling. You see your that is there is no reason in your flesh or hope to be a leader or used by Him.

That is why you are called because you know you have to fully depend on Him. Anything that is good or useful that comes out of you will have to come from Him. It will be Him empowering you as you spend time with Him that will give you boldness. In many cases, the miracle person will be you. You were once blind, wretched, etc. Now you stand before them a miracle of redemption, restoration and renewal. It will give a new connotation to stunning as He will stun them for His glory.

Be careful that you do not lose that dependence as you grow. Many who get educated start relying on their education or their persona to gain success and win people. That is when they start losing power, but they have things down to a fine science and can continue to what they do not knowing that like Sampson their hair has been shorn and the Spirit is not empowering them. They are now showmen or businessmen taking a demotion from being an Ambassador and good shepherd.

Again, I say to the weak, base and foolish, fall to your knees and accept your calling. Rise up in His power and see what the Lord can do through the most unlikely of you. At the BEMA, many of you that have walked in full dependence will see more fruit and get more rewards than many who shine in the eyes of men, but are a dim bulb in the Kingdom, if indeed they are in the Kingdom. Seek Him, His Spirit and He will give both wisdom and power to fulfill all He wishes to accomplish in you. Stay humble. Stay faithful! Maranatha!!!