REGARDING GOD-I—1Corinthians 1:26-31
Attention:
Golf Tickets
A man had two of the best tickets for the Augusta Masters.
As he sat down, another man came along & asked if anyone was sitting in the seat next to him.
"No", he said, "the seat is empty."
"This is incredible!" said the man, "who in their right mind would have a seat like this, the biggest golfing event of the whole world, & not use it?"
He said, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. My wife was supposed to come with me, but she passed away. This is the first Masters we haven't been together since we got married."
"Oh... I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. I guess you couldn't find someone else?... a friend or relative or even a neighbor to take the seat?"
The man shook his head. "No, they're all at the funeral."
To Glory=To take great pride or pleasure in.
Paul guided the Corinthian church to properly ascribe glory to God.
Paul guided the Corinthian church in their regard for God.
Only the church properly ascribes glory to God.
Only the church has a proper regard for God.
*When is God properly regarded?
How is God properly regarded?
5 recognitions properly regarding God.
1—Regard for God is resolved thru validating...
Our COMPANY We Keep(:26)
Explanation:(:26)In league with
:26—“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.”
The church at Corinth, & indeed at large, is composed of individuals who are “called” of God to Himself. This concerns a ‘general’ call to trust Christ as a believer. One result of this “calling” is a common/shared family or brotherhood(“brethren”). God “calls” us & we, in turn, must respond to that call in order to be considered “brethren.” Those who answer are deemed the “called,” while those who refuse the call are not in league with those “called.”
Once the general call to Christianity is answered, then we receive a subsequent ‘call’ to specific ministry(ies).
Paul urges the church to observe themselves...That is, to observe the makeup of those God has “called.” He urges the church, first of all, to consider the utter scarcity of certain types of people among their number. Not that they are totally absent, but that they are few.
Paul has his audience to consider at least three measures of acceptability/fitness in/as/per the world’s standard. This ‘listing’ is not intended to be exhaustive but rather, it is to be informative, illuminating, & instructive.
1)Those with whom Christians align themselves, are by-&-large “not” considered “wise”...That is, they are “not” “wise” in the eyes of the world or by their fleshly standards of “wise.”
Very few recognized as “wise” would even consider Christianity(trust in Christ) as valid, given that their trust would instead arise from their ability to sway people & circumstances, in their present life, by means of their definitive capacity for reason. CEO’s/Professors/Presidents
Prov. 1:7—“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom & instruction.”
Prov. 9:10—““The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
1Cor. 3:18-20—“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; & again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.””
Lk. 10:19-21—““Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents & scorpions, & over all the power of the enemy, & nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit & said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven & earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise & prudent & revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.”
2)Those with whom Christians align themselves, are also by-&-large “not” considered “mighty”...That is, they are “not” “mighty” in the eyes of the world or by their fleshly standards of “wise.”
Very few of recognized “might” would even consider Christianity(trust in Christ) as valid, given that their trust would instead arise from their ability to sway people & circumstances, in their present life, by means of their sheer strength. Imposing stature—Generals/Admirals, etc.
Zeph. 3:8-12—““Therefore wait for Me,” says the LORD, “Until the day I rise up for plunder; My determination is to gather the nations To My assembly of kingdoms, To pour on them My indignation, All my fierce anger; All the earth shall be devoured With the fire of My jealousy. For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, That they all may call on the name of the LORD, To serve Him with one accord. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, The daughter of My dispersed ones, Shall bring My offering. In that day you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds In which you transgress against Me; For then I will take away from your midst Those who rejoice in your pride, And you shall no longer be haughty In My holy mountain. I will leave in your midst A meek & humble people, And they shall trust in the name of the LORD.”
2Chron. 14:8-12—“And Asa[king of Judah] had an army of three hundred thousand from Judah who carried shields & spears, & from Benjamin two hundred & eighty thousand men who carried shields & drew bows; all these were mighty men of valor. Then Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men & three hundred chariots, & he came to Mareshah. So Asa went out against him, & they set the troops in battle array in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, & said, “LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, & in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!” So the LORD struck the Ethiopians before Asa & Judah, & the Ethiopians fled.”
Zech. 4:6—“So he answered & said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.”
2Chron. 32:7-8—““Be strong & courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. “With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us & to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”
Ps. 20:7—“Some trust in chariots, & some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
Ps. 33:16-17—“No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.”
2Cor. 10:3-6—“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments & every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, & being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
3)Those with whom Christians align themselves, are also by-&-large “not” considered “noble”...That is, they are “not” “noble” in the eyes of the world or by their fleshly standards of “nobility.”
Very few of ‘high rank’ as it were would even consider Christianity(trust in Christ) as valid given their trust in the ‘finer’ things of life which their high position would yield them in their present life. Kings/Queens/Presidents/Senators/Congressmen/Empire builders
Lk. 18:22-27—“So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him[rich ruler], “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have & distribute to the poor, & you will have treasure in heaven; & come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.””
Js. 1:9-11—“Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, & its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.”
Dan. 4:27-37—“Therefore, O king[Nebuchadnezzar], let my[Daniel] advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, & your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.” All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power & for the honor of my majesty?” While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, & your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; & seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, & gives it to whomever He chooses.” That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men & ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers & his nails like birds’ claws. And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, & my understanding returned to me; & I blessed the Most High & praised & honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?” At the same time my reason returned to me, & for the glory of my kingdom, my honor & splendor returned to me. My counselors & nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, & excellent majesty was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise & extol & honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, & His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.”
God can render nobility poverty & vice-versa...so why would we regard fleshly nobility?
James gives much press to the Christian’s relationship to the rich(worldly nobility), encouraging their patience with it, as it opposes God’s work in them.
A.T. Robertson reminds us that these are “the three claims to aristocracy(culture, power, birth).”
The Christian’s consideration of the above three areas of acceptance by the world, is intended to force the Christian to reexamine their reasons for being Christians & as such, to measure what they accept as ‘wisdom’ by what God has wrought in them, rather than by the aristocratic determinations of the world.
“See”—blepw—1) To see, discern, of the bodily eye; 2) metaph.--To see with the mind's eye; 3) in a geographical sense--Of places, mountains, buildings, etc. turning towards any quarter, as it were, facing it. Gives prominence to the particular mood or point. When the physical side recedes, blepw gets a purely outward sense. Strong—To look at(literally or figuratively).
“Calling”(See :24—klhtov)—klhsiv—1) A calling, calling to; 2) A call, invitation. Strong—An invitation(figuratively).
“Brethren”—adelfov—1) A brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother; 2) Having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman; 3) Any fellow or man; 4) A fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection; 5) An associate in employment or office; 6) Brethren in Christ. Strong—A brother(literally or figuratively) near or remote.
“Wise”(See :19, 20, 25)—sofov—Adj.—1) Wise—1a) Skilled, expert: of artificers, 1b) Wise, skilled in letters, cultivated, learned—1b1) of the Greek philosophers & orators, 1b2) of Jewish theologians, 1b3) of Christian teachers, 1c) Forming the best plans & using the best means for their execution. Strong—wise(in a most general application).
“Flesh/Human standards”—sarx—1) Flesh(the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones & is permeated with blood) of both man & beasts; 2) The body; 3) A living creature (because possessed of a body of flesh) whether man or beast; 4) The flesh, denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, & therefore prone to sin & opposed to God. Strong—Flesh(as stripped of the skin), i.e. strictly--The meat of an animal(as food), or by extension--The body(as opposed to the soul[or spirit], or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or by implication--Human nature(with its frailties[physically or morally] & passions), or specifically--A human being(as such).
“Mighty”(See :27— iscurov)—dunatov—1) Able, powerful, mighty, strong; 2) To be able (to do something). Strong—Powerful or capable (literally or figuratively).
“Noble”—eugenhv—1) Well born, of a noble family; 2) Noble minded. Strong—Well born, i.e. (literally)High in rank, or figuratively--Generous. Used 3X.
“Are called”—Absent in Greek but supplied in English.
Argumentation:
Mat. 21:28-32—[Jesus to the chief priests & elders]““But what do you think? A man had two sons, & he came to the first & said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ “He answered & said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it & went. Then he came to the second & said likewise. And he answered & said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors & harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, & you did not believe him; but tax collectors & harlots believed him; & when you saw it, you did not afterward relent & believe him.”
Mat. 7:21—““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
Mat. 12:50—““For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother & sister & mother.””
Lk. 15:1-10—“Then all the tax collectors & the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees & scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners & eats with them.” So He spoke this parable to them, saying: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, & go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends & neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, & search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends & neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.””
Illustration:
Look at who you hang around, the company you keep.
Not just the business we’re in together...But the brand of ‘enjoyment’(worldly or godly enjoyment) we get out of being with others.
The adage—‘Birds of a feather flock together’—is true.
Oystermen in our area—Not many are well-respected/If you get over the stigma—Enjoy the work!/Yet a particular ‘wisdom,’ ‘might’ & ‘nobility’ are all experienced in oystermen circles/Our COMPANY
Application:
?You Validate your Christian COMPANY?
?You have a proper regard for God?
2—Regard for God is resolved thru validating...
Our POWER We Wield(:27-28)
Explanation:(:27-28)
:27—“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, & God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;”
These two verses answer verse :26 in pitting—“Foolish” against “Wise”, “Weak” against “Mighty”, & “Base” against “The things that are.”
It has been by God’s perfect “choice” that such “foolish things”(aristocratic acceptances in the eyes of the lost world) be employed to “shame” that which is accepted as “wise”(in the eyes of the lost world). God has secured that “shame” by means of those “things” which are regarded by the world as “foolish.”
Conversely, the wise, mighty & noble are NOT “chosen” of God as His instruments of humbling man toward loving Him. Thus these rarely come. these must first re-evaluate their station in life.
Likewise by His perfect choice, God has secured the “shame” of those “things” considered “mighty”(in the eyes of the lost world). He has done this by bringing His message of salvation via the Cross, thru what is considered ‘unwise’ & ‘“weak”(in the eyes of the lost world).
Such shameful irony is incomprehensible to the willingly lost.
Foolish things”(See :23— mwria)(See :25)—mwrov—1) Foolish; 2) Impious, godless. Strong—Dull or stupid(as if shut up), i.e. Heedless, morally--Blockhead, apparently--Absurd.
“Chosen”2X—eklegomai—1) To pick out, choose, to pick or choose out for one's self. Strong—To select.
“Put to shame/Confound/Shame”2X—kataiscunw—V.—1) To dishonor, disgrace; 2) To put to shame, make ashamed. Strong—To shame down, i.e. Disgrace or by implication--Put to the blush.
“Weak”—asyenhv—1) Weak, infirm, feeble. Strong—Strengthless (in various applications, literal, figurative & moral).
“Mighty/Strong”(See :25)(See :26—dunatov)—iscurov—1) Strong, mighty. Strong—Forcible(literally or figuratively).
:28—“& the base things of the world & the things which are despised God has chosen, & the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,”
God “called”(:26) His own people to Himself, whom the world regards as “base things.” These ignoble(“base”) “things” so “despised” & rejected by fleshly man, God “chose” as His faithful representatives. In the world of lost mankind, there is a constant striving for greater knowledge. However knowledge attained thru worldly means is completely nullified by means of the very “things” the world despises. These “base things”(the message of the Cross & Christians), which are non-existent in the eyes of the world, are the very things “chosen” of God to entirely undo the false reality established by the world.
“Base/Lowly”—agenhv—1) Ignoble, coward, mean, base, of no family, that is: low born. Strong—properly--Without kin, i.e. Of unknown descent, & by implication--Ignoble. Used 1X.
“Despised”—exouyenew—1) To make of no account, despise utterly. Strong—To make utterly nothing of, i.e. Despise.
“Not”—mh—
“Bring to nothing/Bring to nought/Nullify/Annul”—(See :27—“Put to shame”)—katargew—V.—1) To render idle, unemployed, inactivate, inoperative—1a) To cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency, 1b) to deprive of force, influence, power; 2) To cause to cease, put an end to, do away with, annul, abolish. Strong—To be(render) entirely idle(useless), literally or figuratively.
“Are”—ousa—Present participle of eimi—1) Being, etc.
From— eimi—1) To be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
Argumentation:
2Cor. 12:2-10—“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- how he was caught up into Paradise & heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Ex. 3:10-15—““Come now, therefore, & I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, & that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel & say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ & they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, & the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, & this is My memorial to all generations.’”
Moses’ ability(power) to bring Israel out of Egypt to their own land, was because Moses would allow himself to be used for YaHWeH’s ends. He would employ YahWeH’s power instead of his own.
Ex. 4:10-12—“Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech & slow of tongue.” So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? “Now therefore, go, & I will be with your mouth & teach you what you shall say.””
Isa. 43:1-7—“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia & Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth--Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.””
Mat. 10:16-20—““Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents & harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils & scourge you in their synagogues. “You will be brought before governors & kings for My sake, as a testimony to them & to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”
1Cor. 15:10—“But by the grace of God I am what I am, & His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
Isa. 40:28-31—“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint & be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run & not be weary, They shall walk & not faint.”
1Pet. 4:10-14—“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory & the dominion forever & ever. Amen. Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory & of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”
Illustration:
A drunk will very often do not die in a car crash involving a sober person, whereas the sober one will die/Why?/Because the drunk is entirely helpless—he cannot even control his own body—He doesn’t even fight for his life/
In a similar manner the Christian who gives himself up for God’s use, has yielded-surrendered control of himself to the Holy Spirit! He is unconcerned for his own life, going about as does the wind, wherever God desires(Jn. 3:8)
Running with a pack of thugs—In NC at Balfour Quarry(deserted & filled with 60 ft. of water)/Notorious for redneck partying—Drugs, drunks, guns, swimming—Not a good combination!/Teens are pressured to take part—They pick on the little guys(powerless ones) on the genteel girls(powerless ones)/But those who refuse to be involved(the little & genteel) really have the power in such a situation!/These don’t die young with everything to lose!/Our POWER
Power in a lack of power.
Edsel
Application:
?You Validate your Christian POWER?
?You have a proper regard for God?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Empty seat at the Masters—I guess you couldn't find a friend or relative or even a neighbor to take the seat?" "No, they're all at the funeral."
Action:
Regard for God is resolved thru validating Our...
1. COMPANY(:26)
2. POWER(:27-28)
Presented 10/27/2013am to:
FBC Cbelle
206 Storrs Ave. SE
Carrabelle, FL 32322
