Regarding God-1

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.”