Sermon Central
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Nobodies
Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Jan 18, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: Generally speaking, God has chosen His servants from those the world calls "foolish". It seems that he often takes those whom the world considers "nobodies" and works in their lives in such a manner as to produce heroes of faith.
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE:
The saintly Scottish pastor Robert Murry McCheyne one day gave a gospel tract to a woman, and she was greatly offended. “You must not know who I am!” she said in an offended manner. “Madam,” McCheyne replied, “there is coming a day of judgment, and on that day it will not matter who you are!” (Source Unknown).
It was Abraham Lincoln who said, "God must have loved the common people, since He made so many of them." I would modify that to say, "God must have loved the common people, since He made the way of salvation plain enough to be grasped by all." From the human viewpoint, wisdom, and people with influential background were scarce. Paul did not say- "not any", but he did say- "not many were chosen." Generally speaking, God has chosen His servants from those the world calls "foolish". It seems that he often takes those whom the world considers "nobodies" and works in their lives in such a manner as to produce heroes of faith. The reason He does this is so "no flesh should glory in His presence"(v. 29). God called them not because of what they were but in spite of what they were!
The Corinthians had a tendency to be “puffed up” with pride (vv. 4-6; 5:20). If the Lord chose many who were highly intelligent and very successful in life they might begin to think that it was by their own power that the work was being accomplished. By using "nobodies" God proves that wisdom and power are entirely His own. Therefore the Christian who boasts should never boast of himself but rather glory in the Lord (v. 31). We tend to say that because a person has natural ability, he will make a good Christian. It is not a matter of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us; not a matter of knowledge, or of experience -- all of that is of no avail. The only thing of value is the compelling purpose of God and being made one of His.
APPLICATION:
What situations can you think of where God used the weak, lowly, and despised to build His kingdom in our day? I want to be thinking of ways He has used me in the past and ways He wants to use me in the future, not because of my ability but because of my availability.
