WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.660 The scripture today comes from the book of 1 Corinthians chapters 1 and 2. 00:00:04.940 --> 00:00:08.080 Please follow along your Bible and the bulletins are on the screen. 00:00:09.099 --> 00:00:11.839 Starting in verse 26, we read, 00:00:12.780 --> 00:00:15.259 For consider your calling, brothers. 00:00:16.120 --> 00:00:19.559 Not many of you were wise according to worldly standards. 00:00:20.400 --> 00:00:21.940 Not many were powerful. 00:00:22.980 --> 00:00:24.940 Not many were of noble birth. 00:00:24.940 --> 00:00:30.220 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise. 00:00:30.880 --> 00:00:34.859 God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 00:00:35.939 --> 00:00:39.820 God chose what is low and despised in the world, 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:42.020 even things that are not, 00:00:42.380 --> 00:00:44.820 to bring to nothing things that are, 00:00:45.540 --> 00:00:49.500 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 00:00:50.640 --> 00:00:54.060 And because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, 00:00:54.060 --> 00:00:57.620 who became to us wisdom from God, 00:00:58.380 --> 00:01:01.719 righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 00:01:02.219 --> 00:01:04.960 so that as it is written, 00:01:05.980 --> 00:01:09.240 let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. 00:01:10.659 --> 00:01:13.379 And I, when I came to you, brothers, 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:17.320 did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God 00:01:17.320 --> 00:01:19.659 with lofty speech or wisdom. 00:01:19.659 --> 00:01:23.560 For I decided to know nothing among you 00:01:23.560 --> 00:01:26.239 except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 00:01:27.019 --> 00:01:32.000 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling. 00:01:32.539 --> 00:01:36.900 And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, 00:01:37.400 --> 00:01:41.259 but in demonstration of the spirit and of the power, 00:01:41.819 --> 00:01:45.439 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men, 00:01:45.819 --> 00:01:47.319 but in the power of God. 00:01:47.319 --> 00:01:48.979 So, this is the word of God. 00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:52.759 Great. Thanks, Anastasia. 00:01:53.579 --> 00:01:54.839 Let's pray together briefly, 00:01:55.219 --> 00:01:57.000 and then we'll look at the scripture. 00:01:57.280 --> 00:01:59.319 Heavenly Fathers, we come to your word this morning. 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:02.659 We want what Paul says in Corinthians, 00:02:02.839 --> 00:02:05.759 that our faith will not rest in the wisdom of man, 00:02:06.539 --> 00:02:08.219 but on the reality of who you are. 00:02:08.299 --> 00:02:10.419 We want that to be true for us and our church. 00:02:10.419 --> 00:02:14.619 God, we pray that you will be speaking to us 00:02:14.619 --> 00:02:16.139 by your spirit through your word. 00:02:16.259 --> 00:02:17.099 That's what we want, God. 00:02:17.159 --> 00:02:18.539 We want to encounter the living God. 00:02:19.219 --> 00:02:22.179 We're not interested in just self-help tips, 00:02:22.439 --> 00:02:23.579 how to make life work. 00:02:23.679 --> 00:02:25.119 We want to meet with the living God. 00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:27.399 So, God, I pray, come by your spirit and be with us. 00:02:28.060 --> 00:02:30.539 Help me, God, to explain your word. 00:02:31.019 --> 00:02:33.279 Help us as a congregation, including myself, 00:02:33.419 --> 00:02:36.000 to respond and to apply it to our lives. 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:37.620 We pray in your great name. 00:02:38.379 --> 00:02:38.780 Amen. 00:02:40.599 --> 00:02:43.680 I wonder how long you have been part of Watermark Church. 00:02:44.539 --> 00:02:45.800 I wonder if there's some, 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:47.219 I think there are some that have been here 00:02:47.219 --> 00:02:50.379 since the very beginning, 14 years and counting. 00:02:51.219 --> 00:02:53.979 Some of us, it's your very first Sunday with us this morning. 00:02:54.780 --> 00:02:57.900 For some of us, you may have been part of many churches. 00:02:58.639 --> 00:03:01.319 Maybe for some of us, Watermark is their only church 00:03:01.319 --> 00:03:02.659 you've ever been a part of. 00:03:03.500 --> 00:03:05.319 For some of us, maybe you'll move overseas 00:03:05.319 --> 00:03:08.099 and you'll have to look for a new church sometime. 00:03:08.759 --> 00:03:11.039 For others of us, maybe you will stay here, 00:03:11.180 --> 00:03:13.219 part of this church, for many, many years to come. 00:03:13.959 --> 00:03:16.139 Some of us are so deeply involved in the church, 00:03:16.219 --> 00:03:18.959 it feels like you have no time for anything else, 00:03:19.919 --> 00:03:21.219 i.e. some of the young adults. 00:03:21.879 --> 00:03:24.359 And some of us are less so involved. 00:03:25.139 --> 00:03:29.400 Some love the church and some are weary about the church. 00:03:30.120 --> 00:03:32.659 Friends, when you look for a church, 00:03:32.659 --> 00:03:36.919 what is it that you look for when visiting a church? 00:03:37.620 --> 00:03:40.280 What makes you want to stay in a church? 00:03:41.280 --> 00:03:43.159 What impresses you the most? 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:48.620 What makes a really good Sunday at church? 00:03:48.620 --> 00:03:52.140 If you're new to Watermark this morning, 00:03:52.259 --> 00:03:53.219 we have been working, 00:03:53.360 --> 00:03:55.780 we're just starting to work through the book of 1 Corinthians 00:03:55.780 --> 00:03:56.539 and the New Testament. 00:03:57.060 --> 00:03:59.500 It's one of two letters that the Apostle Paul writes 00:03:59.500 --> 00:04:03.819 to a church in the ancient city of Corinth around 53 AD. 00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:05.439 And he writes these letters. 00:04:06.040 --> 00:04:07.480 And as we heard a few weeks ago, 00:04:07.819 --> 00:04:10.759 the church in Corinth is going through a difficult time. 00:04:11.159 --> 00:04:12.780 It's quite a messy situation. 00:04:12.939 --> 00:04:13.960 There's lots of conflict. 00:04:13.960 --> 00:04:15.060 There's lots of division. 00:04:15.060 --> 00:04:17.939 The church has camps and factions. 00:04:18.259 --> 00:04:19.579 There's this group over here. 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:21.259 And they really like this leader. 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:22.339 They're impressed with him. 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:23.800 And they want to follow him. 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:25.399 And there's this group over here. 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:26.620 They like this leader. 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:27.280 And so they think, 00:04:27.579 --> 00:04:28.459 he's our guy. 00:04:28.560 --> 00:04:29.420 We are his follower. 00:04:29.780 --> 00:04:33.800 And there's all these camps and divisions and factions in the church. 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:36.500 And Paul writes and he shows them 00:04:36.500 --> 00:04:38.959 that the division in the church 00:04:38.959 --> 00:04:41.199 is a result of their wrong thinking. 00:04:41.199 --> 00:04:45.139 And their wrong thinking is a result of their wrong values. 00:04:45.860 --> 00:04:46.339 And he says, 00:04:46.420 --> 00:04:47.300 you guys in Corinth, 00:04:47.519 --> 00:04:49.759 you've adopted the values of your culture. 00:04:50.159 --> 00:04:53.319 Your culture in Corinth values what's impressive 00:04:53.319 --> 00:04:55.560 and brilliant and smart and sophisticated. 00:04:56.060 --> 00:04:58.019 And you're thinking just like your city. 00:04:58.639 --> 00:04:59.659 And so what you do is, 00:04:59.899 --> 00:05:02.219 you align yourself with those that you think are smart 00:05:02.219 --> 00:05:04.819 and sophisticated and intellectual and brilliant. 00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:07.959 And that's causing all this division in the church. 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:11.359 What's important to you is what's important to the city, 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:13.779 but not necessarily what's important to God. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:17.299 What impresses God is not what's impressing you. 00:05:17.739 --> 00:05:19.959 You're impressed by the things that impresses your city. 00:05:20.740 --> 00:05:21.079 And he says, 00:05:21.159 --> 00:05:22.219 God is not at the center. 00:05:22.339 --> 00:05:24.159 And that's why the church is divided 00:05:24.159 --> 00:05:26.299 into all these groupings and these factions. 00:05:27.039 --> 00:05:28.060 Now in today's passage, 00:05:28.219 --> 00:05:29.779 Paul continues this same thought. 00:05:30.039 --> 00:05:31.500 And what he's going to show us 00:05:31.500 --> 00:05:34.139 is that worldly thinking suggests 00:05:34.139 --> 00:05:36.740 that what makes a great church 00:05:36.740 --> 00:05:39.539 is impressive people 00:05:39.539 --> 00:05:41.319 and impressive leaders. 00:05:42.120 --> 00:05:43.199 And most people think 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:44.899 that's what's going to make a great church. 00:05:44.979 --> 00:05:45.779 If I can find a church 00:05:45.779 --> 00:05:47.419 where they're really outstanding people, 00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:49.039 really outstanding leaders, 00:05:49.159 --> 00:05:50.639 that's going to make a great church. 00:05:51.300 --> 00:05:52.139 And Paul shows us 00:05:52.139 --> 00:05:54.360 that God's thinking is inverse to that. 00:05:54.839 --> 00:05:55.879 It turns it on its head. 00:05:56.319 --> 00:05:58.079 Because in God's economy, 00:05:58.839 --> 00:06:00.300 greatness has nothing to do 00:06:00.300 --> 00:06:01.839 with how great the people are, 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:04.419 but how great God and the gospel is. 00:06:05.339 --> 00:06:06.299 In God's economy, 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:08.939 greatness flows downstream 00:06:08.939 --> 00:06:11.319 not from how impressive people are, 00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:12.839 human brilliance or wisdom, 00:06:13.500 --> 00:06:15.319 but actually from the greatness of God 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:16.439 and the gospel. 00:06:17.299 --> 00:06:17.500 Okay. 00:06:17.939 --> 00:06:18.959 And to do this, 00:06:19.139 --> 00:06:19.899 what he does is 00:06:19.899 --> 00:06:21.159 he's going to give us 00:06:21.159 --> 00:06:22.279 two pieces of evidence. 00:06:22.459 --> 00:06:23.959 He's like a barrister in court. 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:24.779 And he says, 00:06:24.959 --> 00:06:27.000 let me give you two pieces of evidence. 00:06:27.299 --> 00:06:29.319 Exhibit A is the church. 00:06:29.739 --> 00:06:31.659 Exhibit B are the leaders. 00:06:32.099 --> 00:06:32.239 Okay. 00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:33.239 Exhibit A, 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:34.119 you guys. 00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:35.219 Exhibit B, 00:06:35.419 --> 00:06:35.599 me, 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:36.079 he says. 00:06:36.199 --> 00:06:36.299 Okay. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:36.799 That's not me. 00:06:36.879 --> 00:06:37.319 That's Paul. 00:06:37.719 --> 00:06:38.339 Paul says me. 00:06:38.500 --> 00:06:39.159 Exhibit B. 00:06:39.399 --> 00:06:40.839 So let's look at this together. 00:06:41.299 --> 00:06:41.939 Exhibit A, 00:06:42.519 --> 00:06:44.659 God chooses unlikely people. 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:45.879 Now remember, 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:46.739 Paul's, 00:06:46.839 --> 00:06:47.959 the thrust of argument, 00:06:48.099 --> 00:06:49.319 of Paul's argument here is, 00:06:49.639 --> 00:06:50.599 God's thinking 00:06:50.599 --> 00:06:52.239 is not the way 00:06:52.239 --> 00:06:53.859 that we typically think. 00:06:54.719 --> 00:06:56.059 Cole Truman says it like this. 00:06:56.060 --> 00:06:57.139 We assume 00:06:57.139 --> 00:06:59.300 there's this basic continuity 00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:00.120 between the way 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:01.220 the world is 00:07:01.220 --> 00:07:02.259 and the way God is. 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:03.800 So in the world, 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:04.800 if power 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:06.060 is established 00:07:06.060 --> 00:07:07.780 by raw strength 00:07:07.780 --> 00:07:08.319 on earth, 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:09.519 then we assume 00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:10.319 God's power 00:07:10.319 --> 00:07:11.160 must be the same, 00:07:11.280 --> 00:07:12.819 but just to the infinite degree. 00:07:13.899 --> 00:07:14.600 And likewise, 00:07:14.740 --> 00:07:14.959 he says, 00:07:15.160 --> 00:07:16.240 if we think honor 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:17.060 and praise 00:07:17.060 --> 00:07:17.819 is given to those 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:18.680 that are impressive 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:19.639 or rich 00:07:19.639 --> 00:07:20.879 or influential, 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:22.079 we assume 00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:22.500 that God 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:23.379 must just operate 00:07:23.379 --> 00:07:24.120 the same way. 00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:25.740 But actually, 00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:26.600 in God's economy, 00:07:26.779 --> 00:07:28.319 things are often inverse, 00:07:28.459 --> 00:07:29.399 upside down. 00:07:30.060 --> 00:07:30.800 God works 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:32.040 in the opposition 00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:33.339 to how we naturally think. 00:07:33.959 --> 00:07:34.620 And so Paul says, 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:35.860 let me give you 00:07:35.860 --> 00:07:36.439 Exhibit A. 00:07:36.980 --> 00:07:38.000 Just look at yourselves. 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:39.439 Verse 26, 00:07:39.540 --> 00:07:39.800 he says, 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:41.399 consider your own calling, 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:42.420 brothers and sisters. 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:44.100 Not many of you 00:07:44.100 --> 00:07:44.659 were wise 00:07:44.659 --> 00:07:46.019 according to worldly standards. 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:47.240 Not many of you 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:47.959 were powerful 00:07:47.959 --> 00:07:49.360 or of noble birth, 00:07:49.779 --> 00:07:50.680 but that's deliberate. 00:07:51.480 --> 00:07:52.259 For God 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:53.719 chose what is foolish 00:07:53.719 --> 00:07:54.300 in the world 00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:55.120 to shame the wise. 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:56.219 God chooses 00:07:56.219 --> 00:07:56.860 what is weak 00:07:56.860 --> 00:07:57.279 in the world 00:07:57.279 --> 00:07:58.079 to shame the strong. 00:07:58.560 --> 00:07:59.300 God chooses 00:07:59.300 --> 00:07:59.959 what is low 00:07:59.959 --> 00:08:00.800 and despised, 00:08:00.879 --> 00:08:01.459 even things 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:02.360 that are not 00:08:02.360 --> 00:08:03.019 that impressive 00:08:03.019 --> 00:08:04.600 to show up 00:08:04.600 --> 00:08:05.040 the things 00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:06.360 that seem impressive. 00:08:07.159 --> 00:08:07.939 And so Paul says, 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:08.639 here's my evidence. 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:10.000 Just look at the church. 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:10.839 There's nothing 00:08:10.839 --> 00:08:11.819 particularly impressive 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:12.920 about us. 00:08:14.040 --> 00:08:15.040 And here we see, 00:08:15.180 --> 00:08:15.980 I know we touched 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:16.800 on this last week, 00:08:17.219 --> 00:08:18.819 an incredibly important 00:08:18.819 --> 00:08:19.560 principle 00:08:19.560 --> 00:08:20.839 in the Bible. 00:08:21.540 --> 00:08:22.639 that God's ways 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:23.199 of working 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:24.100 is often 00:08:24.100 --> 00:08:27.259 the opposite, 00:08:27.459 --> 00:08:28.019 the inverse 00:08:28.019 --> 00:08:29.620 to how we work. 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:30.759 God accomplishes 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:31.300 His plans 00:08:31.300 --> 00:08:31.980 through the opposite 00:08:31.980 --> 00:08:32.980 of what we expect. 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:35.019 As we said last week, 00:08:35.320 --> 00:08:36.960 if you're going to know God 00:08:36.960 --> 00:08:37.879 and know Him deeply, 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:39.279 you must be willing 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:40.799 to be surprised by God, 00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:42.960 even challenged by God. 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:44.800 Because God often 00:08:44.800 --> 00:08:46.080 encompasses His plans 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:46.720 and purposes. 00:08:46.940 --> 00:08:48.259 He takes what's ordinary, 00:08:48.400 --> 00:08:49.200 what's unimpressive, 00:08:49.340 --> 00:08:50.240 even what's rejected 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:50.960 and despised 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:51.360 and says, 00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:52.540 that is going to be 00:08:52.540 --> 00:08:53.620 my instrument of choice. 00:08:54.420 --> 00:08:55.400 And so we see this 00:08:55.400 --> 00:08:56.680 throughout the whole Bible. 00:08:57.160 --> 00:08:58.259 Just think in the Old Testament 00:08:58.259 --> 00:09:00.340 how often God chooses 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:01.840 not the firstborn, 00:09:02.019 --> 00:09:03.500 but the secondborn sibling 00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:04.500 to be the one 00:09:04.500 --> 00:09:05.680 through whom His blessing comes. 00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:07.580 Which in ancient culture, 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:08.759 I guess similar to 00:09:08.759 --> 00:09:09.720 modern Asian culture, 00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:11.300 was completely inverse 00:09:11.300 --> 00:09:12.100 to thinking, right? 00:09:12.540 --> 00:09:14.019 In ancient Middle East culture, 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:15.700 the firstborn son 00:09:15.700 --> 00:09:17.040 gets all the goods 00:09:17.040 --> 00:09:18.660 and the rest 00:09:18.660 --> 00:09:19.139 just kind of 00:09:19.139 --> 00:09:19.840 follow in the footsteps. 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:21.240 And yet how often 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:22.100 does God choose 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:23.620 the secondborn? 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:25.120 He chooses Isaac, 00:09:25.220 --> 00:09:25.779 not Ishmael. 00:09:26.320 --> 00:09:27.279 He chooses Jacob, 00:09:27.420 --> 00:09:28.000 not Esau. 00:09:28.620 --> 00:09:29.580 He chooses Joseph 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:31.300 rather than his ten brothers 00:09:31.300 --> 00:09:32.060 in front of him. 00:09:32.700 --> 00:09:33.740 Or think of King David, 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:34.019 right? 00:09:34.019 --> 00:09:35.200 One of the greatest leaders 00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:36.040 in the Old Testament. 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:38.540 And God says to Samuel, 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:39.060 the prophet, 00:09:39.059 --> 00:09:40.279 go to Jesse's house, 00:09:40.459 --> 00:09:41.079 Jesse's father, 00:09:41.219 --> 00:09:42.319 David's father, 00:09:42.739 --> 00:09:44.059 and choose one of his sons 00:09:44.059 --> 00:09:44.519 to be king. 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:46.179 And so Samuel goes 00:09:46.179 --> 00:09:46.439 and he says, 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:47.500 Jesse, bring your sons 00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:48.059 before me. 00:09:48.119 --> 00:09:48.979 And so he parades 00:09:48.979 --> 00:09:51.039 seven sons before him. 00:09:51.539 --> 00:09:52.739 And God says to Samuel, 00:09:52.839 --> 00:09:53.699 no, none of these 00:09:53.699 --> 00:09:54.319 are going to be king. 00:09:55.179 --> 00:09:55.579 And he says, 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:56.359 do you not have 00:09:56.359 --> 00:09:57.359 another son somewhere? 00:09:58.119 --> 00:09:58.699 And Jesse says, 00:09:58.739 --> 00:09:59.559 yeah, yeah, there's one, 00:09:59.659 --> 00:10:01.139 but he is so young, 00:10:01.439 --> 00:10:02.139 he's so mature, 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:03.419 we left him in the fields, 00:10:03.479 --> 00:10:04.319 we didn't even bring him in. 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:05.699 You don't want to see that guy. 00:10:06.559 --> 00:10:07.619 One of these seven 00:10:07.619 --> 00:10:08.419 will surely do. 00:10:09.059 --> 00:10:09.559 And God says, 00:10:09.619 --> 00:10:10.639 no, that's the one I'll choose. 00:10:10.939 --> 00:10:11.339 Despised, 00:10:11.439 --> 00:10:12.319 rejected, forgotten, 00:10:12.539 --> 00:10:13.139 out of the way, 00:10:13.219 --> 00:10:14.659 that's the one that I want. 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:15.699 Well, friends, 00:10:15.739 --> 00:10:16.579 think of Gideon, right? 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:17.659 God calls him 00:10:17.659 --> 00:10:19.559 to defeat the Midianites, 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:21.779 the enemies of the Israelites. 00:10:22.579 --> 00:10:24.000 And Gideon says, 00:10:24.199 --> 00:10:24.679 no, no, God, 00:10:24.719 --> 00:10:25.519 you've got it wrong 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:27.419 because I'm the weakest member 00:10:27.419 --> 00:10:28.279 of my family 00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:29.479 and my family 00:10:29.479 --> 00:10:30.259 is the weakest member 00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:31.139 of my clan 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:31.919 and my clan 00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:32.659 is the weakest member 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:33.839 of our tribe. 00:10:34.199 --> 00:10:34.339 God, 00:10:34.340 --> 00:10:35.080 I'm the weakest 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:35.980 of the weakest. 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:37.440 And God says, 00:10:37.560 --> 00:10:37.740 yes, 00:10:37.800 --> 00:10:39.300 that's why I've chosen you. 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:41.639 Or think of, 00:10:42.160 --> 00:10:43.360 think of Ruth. 00:10:44.180 --> 00:10:45.360 Why does God choose Ruth 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:46.320 to be the great grandmother 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:46.899 of David, 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:48.180 the ancestor of Jesus? 00:10:49.180 --> 00:10:50.480 Because she's a Moabite, 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:51.440 she's an outsider, 00:10:51.620 --> 00:10:52.519 she's an outcast, 00:10:52.680 --> 00:10:53.899 she's not part of God's people 00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:54.519 and God says, 00:10:54.660 --> 00:10:55.240 I want you. 00:10:56.460 --> 00:10:56.639 Well, 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:57.259 think of Jesus. 00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:58.840 Who does Jesus choose 00:10:58.840 --> 00:10:59.639 to be his disciples? 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:01.259 Not the rich 00:11:01.259 --> 00:11:01.879 and the powerful, 00:11:02.039 --> 00:11:02.620 the sophisticated, 00:11:02.960 --> 00:11:03.519 the educated, 00:11:04.200 --> 00:11:04.759 the fishermen, 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:06.159 the tax collectors, 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:07.620 the outlaws, 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:08.879 the terrorists. 00:11:10.319 --> 00:11:10.559 Friends, 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:12.460 remember how Jesus rejects 00:11:12.460 --> 00:11:13.659 the rich young ruler, 00:11:13.779 --> 00:11:15.360 the guy that has it all together? 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:17.139 And who does he 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:18.639 in the very next breath 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:19.759 invite to himself? 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:21.179 Grubby, 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:22.899 dirty children. 00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:24.580 Those that have got 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:26.159 nothing to contribute 00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:28.079 to his kingdom campaign. 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:29.199 Jesus says, 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:30.299 I'll take you children, 00:11:30.539 --> 00:11:30.980 but you, 00:11:31.199 --> 00:11:31.399 rich, 00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:32.360 sophisticated ruler, 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:33.879 actually you're not quite ready 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:34.799 for my kingdom yet. 00:11:35.439 --> 00:11:35.740 And friends, 00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:37.779 we could go on day after day. 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:39.360 Throughout every chapter 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:40.019 of the Bible, 00:11:40.120 --> 00:11:41.360 the Bible says the same thing. 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:43.620 This is how God works. 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:46.019 God takes the weak 00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:47.299 to shame the strong. 00:11:47.299 --> 00:11:48.759 God chooses the simple 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:49.620 over the wise. 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:50.699 God chooses the poor 00:11:50.699 --> 00:11:52.299 over the impressive. 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:55.059 God works in the world 00:11:55.059 --> 00:11:56.679 by working the inverse 00:11:56.679 --> 00:11:57.919 to how we would work. 00:11:59.219 --> 00:11:59.519 Friends, 00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:00.219 the world thinks 00:12:00.219 --> 00:12:00.819 that blessing 00:12:00.819 --> 00:12:01.399 and goodness 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:02.079 and prosperity 00:12:02.079 --> 00:12:03.019 flow downstream 00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:04.459 from human brilliance. 00:12:05.099 --> 00:12:05.559 And God says, 00:12:05.679 --> 00:12:06.099 no, no, no, 00:12:06.099 --> 00:12:06.819 they don't at all. 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:07.679 They flow downstream 00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:08.759 from my grace. 00:12:09.699 --> 00:12:10.079 Now, 00:12:10.439 --> 00:12:11.500 there's one objection here. 00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:12.679 You may have a question 00:12:12.679 --> 00:12:12.959 in your head. 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:13.659 You may say, 00:12:14.119 --> 00:12:14.299 okay, 00:12:14.359 --> 00:12:15.919 I get that biblical principle, 00:12:16.599 --> 00:12:18.500 but what about those of us 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:19.439 that are wealthy 00:12:19.439 --> 00:12:20.899 or are educated 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:22.299 or are sophisticated 00:12:22.299 --> 00:12:23.620 or are impressive 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:24.519 in the world's eyes? 00:12:25.199 --> 00:12:26.539 Because let's be honest, 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:27.719 maybe some of us here 00:12:27.719 --> 00:12:29.500 come from underprivileged backgrounds 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:31.059 or disadvantaged backgrounds, 00:12:31.459 --> 00:12:33.459 but probably most of us 00:12:33.459 --> 00:12:35.359 come from very privileged backgrounds. 00:12:36.099 --> 00:12:36.939 And most of us here 00:12:36.939 --> 00:12:39.139 are probably far more educated 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:41.139 than maybe even many villages 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:42.279 in parts of the world. 00:12:43.059 --> 00:12:43.240 Friends, 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:43.740 some of us here 00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:45.019 will earn more in one year 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:46.319 than many people in the world 00:12:46.319 --> 00:12:47.799 will earn an entire lifetime 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:48.839 or 10 lifetimes. 00:12:49.479 --> 00:12:50.599 And so what does that mean for us? 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:50.800 I mean, 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:52.820 are we excluded from God's kingdom? 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:54.180 Are we not, 00:12:54.320 --> 00:12:55.639 never going to be used by God? 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:55.840 Well, 00:12:55.840 --> 00:12:56.620 that's a good question. 00:12:57.480 --> 00:12:58.360 And what the Bible says 00:12:58.360 --> 00:13:00.700 is that we do have a real problem. 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:03.100 And we have two problems. 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:04.120 One problem 00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:04.759 is that 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:06.779 we tend to compare ourselves 00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:08.120 to those that are much, 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:09.879 have much more than us. 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:11.279 And so even though 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:12.920 we are generally pretty privileged, 00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:14.460 we tend to look at those 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:15.440 that are more privileged 00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:15.940 and say, 00:13:16.180 --> 00:13:16.379 okay, 00:13:16.440 --> 00:13:17.379 I know I own a car, 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:18.840 but at least my car's not like that. 00:13:19.300 --> 00:13:20.580 Or I know I have a house, 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:21.360 but at least my house 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:22.220 is not that big. 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:24.159 Or I know I have seven degrees, 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:25.580 but I don't have 10 degrees, 00:13:25.680 --> 00:13:25.920 you know. 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:28.080 And we always compare 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:29.180 to those that are further 00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:30.060 and bigger and better 00:13:30.060 --> 00:13:30.540 and we think, 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.500 I'm not that privileged. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.120 And so we fool ourselves. 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:35.519 But the other problem is this, 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:36.779 that privilege 00:13:36.779 --> 00:13:37.480 and wealth 00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:38.379 and sophistication 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:38.980 and strength 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:39.700 and impressiveness 00:13:39.700 --> 00:13:40.980 is not wrong 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:41.940 in and of itself, 00:13:42.540 --> 00:13:44.060 but it does have a tendency 00:13:44.060 --> 00:13:45.440 of getting in the way 00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:46.940 of us knowing God 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:48.820 and knowing Him deeply. 00:13:48.820 --> 00:13:50.940 And so we need 00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:52.280 to be really careful 00:13:52.280 --> 00:13:53.100 about the dangers 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:53.760 of privilege 00:13:53.760 --> 00:13:56.080 because what elevates us 00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:57.240 and makes us admirable 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:58.680 and respectable 00:13:58.680 --> 00:13:59.980 in society's eyes 00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:01.460 are often the things 00:14:01.460 --> 00:14:02.500 that get in the way 00:14:02.500 --> 00:14:03.660 of us knowing God 00:14:03.660 --> 00:14:04.640 and knowing Him deeply 00:14:04.640 --> 00:14:06.140 and being dependent 00:14:06.140 --> 00:14:07.360 upon His grace. 00:14:08.060 --> 00:14:08.780 And we see again 00:14:08.780 --> 00:14:09.660 this often in the Bible 00:14:09.660 --> 00:14:12.120 how God so often removes 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:13.700 that which is praiseworthy, 00:14:13.820 --> 00:14:14.460 commendable, 00:14:14.700 --> 00:14:16.160 before He uses someone. 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:17.879 Surely that's the point 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:19.139 of the rich young ruler, right? 00:14:19.199 --> 00:14:20.139 This rich young man 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:20.879 comes to Jesus 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:21.219 and He says, 00:14:21.319 --> 00:14:21.919 Okay Jesus, 00:14:22.439 --> 00:14:23.459 I'm all in. 00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:24.539 I'm ready to follow You. 00:14:24.839 --> 00:14:25.939 Here's my resume. 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:26.939 Here's my credentials. 00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:28.139 This is what I can bring 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:28.699 to the party. 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:31.379 And Jesus just removes them 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:32.879 one by one by one 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:33.139 saying, 00:14:33.219 --> 00:14:34.299 Oh, let's just lay that aside. 00:14:34.439 --> 00:14:35.799 Let's just lay that aside. 00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:37.199 Actually take that away 00:14:37.199 --> 00:14:38.279 and eventually He says, 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:38.539 Okay, 00:14:38.939 --> 00:14:40.279 take all your wealth, 00:14:40.699 --> 00:14:41.779 go sell your possessions, 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.860 give it away to poor 00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:44.500 and when you've got nothing, 00:14:45.180 --> 00:14:45.379 okay, 00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:45.860 come to me. 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:46.379 Then you're ready. 00:14:46.820 --> 00:14:48.419 Then I can use you. 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:51.080 Or think again of Gideon, right? 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:52.460 Eventually Gideon says, 00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:53.039 Okay God, 00:14:53.180 --> 00:14:53.740 you are God, 00:14:53.800 --> 00:14:54.259 I am not. 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:55.080 I'll trust you. 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.480 Here's my army, 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:57.899 32,000 people. 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:58.740 It's not a lot 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:01.080 against 125,000 Midianites. 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:01.779 But God, 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:02.480 I trust you. 00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:03.919 My 30,000, 00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:05.360 I guess we can take them on. 00:15:05.940 --> 00:15:06.460 And God says, 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:07.360 30,000, 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:08.759 that's a bit too many for me. 00:15:09.180 --> 00:15:09.899 Why don't we just 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:11.480 whittle it down to 300? 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:11.720 300,000, 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:12.920 okay, 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:13.279 okay, 00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:13.980 now you're ready. 00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:14.519 Okay, 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.759 now I can use you. 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:17.620 300 against 120,000. 00:15:17.800 --> 00:15:17.960 Okay, 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:19.460 that feels good. 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:20.759 Well friends, 00:15:20.800 --> 00:15:21.440 think of Moses, 00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:21.759 right? 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:23.700 God's great deliverer 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:25.420 from the people of God 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:26.000 from Egypt. 00:15:26.820 --> 00:15:27.860 Moses is raised 00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:29.200 in the palace of Egypt 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:30.279 for 40 years. 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:31.120 He's educated 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:31.700 and trained 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:32.399 in all the ways 00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:33.019 of the Egyptians, 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:34.440 the most sophisticated nation 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:35.060 of the time, 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:36.320 trained. 00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:37.320 And then God wants 00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:37.840 to use him. 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:38.240 So He says, 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:38.700 okay, 00:15:38.800 --> 00:15:39.480 first I will 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:41.360 take you out of Egypt 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.519 and I'll just 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:43.620 let you languish 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:44.120 in the desert 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:45.039 for 40 years. 00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:46.480 And maybe just 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:48.480 exchange your prince's robe 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:49.759 for a shepherd's crook. 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:51.159 For 40 years 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:52.060 become a nobody. 00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:53.460 Okay, 00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:53.779 Moses, 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:54.800 now I can use you. 00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:55.879 Now I'll send you 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.480 back to Egypt. 00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:57.879 You can be my deliverer. 00:15:57.960 --> 00:15:58.240 And friends, 00:15:58.279 --> 00:15:58.820 here's the point 00:15:58.820 --> 00:16:00.340 that God's way 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:01.100 of working 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:02.480 is often 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.940 diametrically opposed 00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:04.240 to the way 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:04.940 that we think 00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:05.659 God would work. 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.480 And why is that? 00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:07.700 Well, 00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:09.060 look at verse 29. 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:11.120 Paul tells us here. 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:11.820 Verse 29 00:16:11.820 --> 00:16:12.240 and again 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.000 in verse 31. 00:16:13.800 --> 00:16:15.440 So that no human being 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:16.240 might boast 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:17.759 in the presence 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:18.320 of God. 00:16:18.400 --> 00:16:18.780 And again, 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:19.460 verse 31. 00:16:19.660 --> 00:16:20.960 So that as it is written, 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:22.340 quoting Jeremiah 9, 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:24.040 that the one 00:16:24.040 --> 00:16:25.080 who boasts 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:26.340 boasts 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:27.360 in the Lord. 00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:29.180 Friends, 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:29.740 why does God 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.620 work like this? 00:16:31.140 --> 00:16:32.520 So that it will be 00:16:32.520 --> 00:16:33.460 absolutely, 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:35.120 abundantly clear 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.500 this is all 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.960 God's doing. 00:16:38.659 --> 00:16:39.720 Everything the church 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:39.879 is, 00:16:40.039 --> 00:16:40.940 everything God does, 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:42.460 everything God accomplishes 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:43.480 is all 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:44.879 His great kindness. 00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:47.500 As Ephesians 1 says, 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.460 to the praise 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.740 of His glory 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:51.080 and His grace. 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.019 So that no one 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:52.879 may look at anyone 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.259 and say, 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:53.960 wow, 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.060 you are a great leader. 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:55.759 You have done 00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:56.500 a great job here. 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:57.139 No, no, 00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:58.299 that God may get 00:16:58.299 --> 00:16:59.180 all the glory. 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:01.060 We sang earlier, 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.299 how great 00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:03.240 thou art. 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:04.779 that's the anthem 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.359 of the church, 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:05.620 right? 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:06.420 God, 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.140 how great 00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:08.059 thou art. 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.220 Not us, 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:09.460 God, 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:09.700 you. 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:10.940 Okay, 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:11.500 exhibit A. 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.039 He says, 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.940 just remember yourselves. 00:17:14.620 --> 00:17:15.420 Exhibit B, 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:17.359 remember the leaders. 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:18.500 Paul brings 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:19.200 the second piece 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:19.680 of evidence 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.160 and he says, 00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:21.180 let's consider 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:21.880 the leaders 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:22.480 of the church. 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.519 Look at chapter 2, 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:24.559 verse 1. 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:24.960 He says, 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.839 and I, 00:17:26.140 --> 00:17:26.940 brothers and sisters, 00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:28.079 when I came to you, 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:29.299 I did not come 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.279 proclaiming to you 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:31.420 the testimony of God 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:32.799 with lofty speech 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:34.119 or brilliant wisdom. 00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:35.759 I decided to know 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.799 nothing amongst you 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:38.099 except Jesus Christ 00:17:38.099 --> 00:17:39.099 and Him crucified. 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:40.220 That means I decided 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.559 to forget everything else 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.279 except Christ 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:42.879 and the gospel. 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:44.579 And I was with you 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:45.579 in weakness 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:47.059 and in fear 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:48.519 and much trembling. 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:49.960 And my speech, 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:50.500 my message, 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.899 were not in plausible 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:53.460 or persuasive words 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:53.960 of wisdom, 00:17:54.399 --> 00:17:55.299 but in demonstrations 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:56.159 of the Spirit 00:17:56.159 --> 00:17:57.119 and of power 00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:58.500 so that your faith 00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:59.299 might not rest 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.440 on the wisdom of man, 00:18:00.919 --> 00:18:02.399 but on the power of God. 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.299 Paul says, 00:18:03.379 --> 00:18:03.879 just think about 00:18:03.879 --> 00:18:05.339 when you became a Christian. 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.159 You heard the gospel 00:18:06.159 --> 00:18:06.680 from me 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:08.299 and you believed the gospel 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:09.339 and God forgave you 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:09.940 of your sins. 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:10.980 He welcomed you 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.680 into His family. 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.180 He changed your life. 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.519 He gave you an identity 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.579 and a security 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.639 and a peace. 00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:18.099 He completely changed 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:18.579 your life. 00:18:18.899 --> 00:18:19.500 And how did this 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:20.220 all come about? 00:18:20.879 --> 00:18:21.639 Was it because I, 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.000 Paul, 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:23.079 was a great speaker? 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.700 Was it because of my 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:26.960 arguments 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:28.779 and convincing style? 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:29.879 Was it because 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:30.879 I'm so wise 00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:31.440 and eloquent? 00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:32.200 Is it because 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:32.940 I'm a great leader 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:33.420 and I can just 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:34.300 attract the following? 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:35.480 No, no, none of that. 00:18:35.520 --> 00:18:35.720 He says, 00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:36.440 I was with you 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.020 in weakness 00:18:37.020 --> 00:18:37.940 and with fear 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.760 and much trembling. 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:39.960 My speech 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:41.360 were not persuasive 00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:44.180 but in foolishness. 00:18:45.340 --> 00:18:46.300 None of these things 00:18:46.300 --> 00:18:46.960 came to be. 00:18:47.540 --> 00:18:48.840 All that I brought 00:18:48.840 --> 00:18:50.460 was my insecurity, 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.020 my fear, 00:18:52.760 --> 00:18:53.700 my inadequacy, 00:18:54.260 --> 00:18:55.040 my weakness. 00:18:55.840 --> 00:18:57.300 God worked amongst you 00:18:57.300 --> 00:18:57.780 in power. 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.279 God is the one 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.879 who built the church. 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:01.960 Paul says, 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:02.500 it's like God 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.000 looked around 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:03.440 and said, 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:04.859 in the city of Corinth, 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:06.039 I've got a really 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:08.240 important project here. 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:09.200 It's an important city. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:10.299 I want to establish 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:10.879 a church. 00:19:11.339 --> 00:19:13.460 I need a special 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:14.299 assignment there. 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:15.440 Who is the most 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:15.920 weak, 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:16.759 feeble, 00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:17.980 insecure person 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.720 I can choose? 00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:19.720 Okay, Paul. 00:19:19.899 --> 00:19:20.720 Paul, you're the guy. 00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:21.319 Okay, Paul, 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:22.139 you go to Corinth. 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.200 I need you 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:24.460 because you've got 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.059 nothing 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:26.700 of what that city 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.319 needs 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:28.659 but you depend 00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:29.079 on me 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:31.539 so that your faith 00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:32.419 might not rest 00:19:32.419 --> 00:19:32.940 on the wisdom 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:33.500 of man 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.159 but on the power 00:19:34.159 --> 00:19:34.639 of God 00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:35.859 and of the Spirit 00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:36.500 so that everyone 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.079 will know 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:38.460 it's not me, 00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:39.159 it's all him 00:19:39.159 --> 00:19:40.700 so that no one 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.139 will be drawn 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:41.980 to follow me 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:43.399 but follow him. 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.980 Do you see what 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.639 God is saying 00:19:45.639 --> 00:19:46.940 to us in the Bible here? 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:48.099 Paul says, 00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:48.919 let's consider 00:19:48.919 --> 00:19:49.839 two bits of 00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:51.000 human elements 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:51.579 in the church. 00:19:51.659 --> 00:19:52.720 We've got the church 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.920 and we've got the leaders 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:56.100 and it's none of us. 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.480 It's all him. 00:19:58.120 --> 00:19:59.120 It's all him 00:19:59.120 --> 00:20:01.720 so that we may know 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.839 it's all his power, 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.500 his spirit, 00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:04.180 his choosing, 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:04.960 his grace. 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:06.079 It's all him 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:08.000 and why is this? 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.059 Well, again, 00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:10.180 look at verse 30 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:11.720 because look at what 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.900 verse 30 tells us. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.360 He says, 00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:15.259 he wants us to see 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:16.319 that everything 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.740 that we need, 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:19.259 everything that 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:21.400 in a hundred million 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:22.200 years from now 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:22.759 we're still 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.660 going to be having, 00:20:24.100 --> 00:20:25.019 everything that's 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:25.900 going to last 00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:27.680 the ups and downs 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.400 of life 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:30.019 are found in Christ. 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:31.299 Not in the leaders, 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:32.299 not in the church, 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.240 not in the people. 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:34.000 He says, 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.160 because of him, 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:35.900 that's God, 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:37.240 because of him 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:38.580 you are in Christ 00:20:38.580 --> 00:20:40.299 who became for us 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.400 wisdom from God. 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:43.279 So Christ's wisdom 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:43.799 as opposed to 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:44.500 wisdom of man 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.680 is how we get saved. 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.100 Christ came for us 00:20:47.100 --> 00:20:47.860 righteousness, 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:49.059 that means right standing 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.559 with God. 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:51.100 Christ was for us 00:20:51.100 --> 00:20:51.900 sanctification, 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:52.600 that means being 00:20:52.600 --> 00:20:53.960 set apart for God. 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.480 Christ was our 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.040 redemption, 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.140 which means freedom 00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:58.880 from guilt and shame. 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.360 So in a hundred 00:21:00.360 --> 00:21:01.500 million years from now, 00:21:01.800 --> 00:21:02.700 what are the things 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.220 we're going to be 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:03.900 boasting in? 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.840 It's not our building, 00:21:06.560 --> 00:21:07.700 it's not our church, 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:08.940 it's not Watermark, 00:21:09.040 --> 00:21:09.640 our website, 00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:10.360 our leaders, 00:21:10.620 --> 00:21:11.100 nothing. 00:21:12.080 --> 00:21:14.120 What is our confidence 00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:14.640 going to be? 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.000 Christ. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.099 Christ. 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:18.240 Christ and Christ 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:19.259 alone. 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:20.460 Friends, 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:20.940 the point is, 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:23.180 everything we need, 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:25.240 peace with God, 00:21:25.619 --> 00:21:26.640 belonging to God, 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:28.299 freedom from guilt 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:28.980 and sin 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:30.039 and shame, 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.819 being accepted 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:33.160 and loved, 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:34.619 security, 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.160 identity, 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:37.980 peace in this 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:39.000 restless world, 00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:41.220 hope in an anxious world, 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:42.600 everything that we 00:21:42.600 --> 00:21:43.539 really need 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:45.480 is found in Christ. 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:47.539 Christ is 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:49.220 our hope. 00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:50.180 Friends, 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.059 privilege can't give you 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.620 those things, 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.299 advanced degrees 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:53.900 can't give you 00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:54.480 those things, 00:21:55.360 --> 00:21:56.079 a great career 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.640 can't give you 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.100 those things, 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.880 your family, 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.380 your parents 00:21:58.380 --> 00:21:58.860 can't give you 00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.100 things, 00:21:59.380 --> 00:22:00.420 money can't buy 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.140 those things, 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.640 but Christ can. 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:04.120 And so, 00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:05.960 Paul's imperative 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.840 to us is this, 00:22:07.060 --> 00:22:08.200 let the church 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:09.840 be built on Christ 00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:11.340 and Christ alone, 00:22:11.820 --> 00:22:13.240 so that your faith 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.100 might rest not 00:22:14.100 --> 00:22:15.080 on the wisdom of man, 00:22:15.580 --> 00:22:16.500 but on the power 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.040 of God. 00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:18.500 Exhibit A, 00:22:19.120 --> 00:22:20.160 God's unimpressive 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:20.740 church. 00:22:21.600 --> 00:22:22.280 Exhibit B, 00:22:22.780 --> 00:22:23.800 God's unimpressive 00:22:23.800 --> 00:22:24.420 leaders. 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:25.820 Conclusion, 00:22:26.560 --> 00:22:27.340 it's all Jesus, 00:22:28.300 --> 00:22:29.200 it's all Christ. 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.020 Okay, 00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:31.720 so what does this 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:32.440 mean for us? 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.640 How do we apply 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:34.860 this to our lives? 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.460 Well, 00:22:35.580 --> 00:22:36.640 let me close 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:38.860 with four bits 00:22:38.860 --> 00:22:39.540 of application 00:22:39.540 --> 00:22:40.420 for us here. 00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:41.880 Four things 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:42.680 for us as a church 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:43.500 to think about, 00:22:43.580 --> 00:22:44.040 and some of them 00:22:44.040 --> 00:22:44.620 apply to us 00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:45.440 as a church, 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:47.000 some apply to us 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.620 individually. 00:22:48.520 --> 00:22:48.720 Friends, 00:22:48.780 --> 00:22:49.520 first thing is this, 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.240 let the grace 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.020 of God 00:22:52.020 --> 00:22:53.840 melt the pride 00:22:53.840 --> 00:22:54.800 of our hearts 00:22:54.800 --> 00:22:56.280 and evaporate 00:22:56.280 --> 00:22:57.100 the division 00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:58.080 in churches. 00:22:59.840 --> 00:23:00.400 Remember, 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:01.800 what's the issue 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.819 in the church 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.039 here? 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.220 The issue 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.700 in Corinth 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.759 is the division 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.599 and the conflict 00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:07.159 in the church. 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:07.919 There's groups, 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.680 there's factions, 00:23:08.879 --> 00:23:09.460 there's fighting, 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.019 there's division. 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:11.200 There's this group 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:11.779 over here, 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.559 and they think 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:14.139 this leader's 00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:14.539 impressive, 00:23:14.659 --> 00:23:15.240 and they want to, 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.299 by association, 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.279 look impressive 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:17.799 themselves. 00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:19.039 And there's this group 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.480 over here, 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.519 and they vicariously, 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.519 because he's a great 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:21.940 speaker, 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:23.720 want to look impressive 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.759 and sophisticated. 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:25.940 And so there's all 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:26.460 these groups 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.379 and divisions. 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:29.079 And Paul says, 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:29.599 what? 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:31.079 You're thinking 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:32.019 just like the world. 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.579 Don't you see, 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:34.680 the church is not 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.460 a place where we 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.700 promote ourselves, 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:38.059 where we try 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:39.220 and outdo one another 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:40.259 with our impressiveness. 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:42.240 The church is a community 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:43.259 of nobodies. 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:45.180 The church is a community 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:46.960 of sinners saved by grace. 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:47.980 From the leader 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.700 on the stage 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:51.160 to the six-month-old 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.700 at the back 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.259 that's crying, 00:23:52.560 --> 00:23:53.080 hey, the church 00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:54.220 is nobodies. 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.980 There's one person 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.580 that's important 00:23:56.580 --> 00:23:57.000 in this church. 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.820 His name is Jesus. 00:23:58.600 --> 00:24:00.279 And so let the grace 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:00.980 of God, 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.039 which is the one 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:02.960 common denominator, 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.500 melt the division 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.240 and the conflict 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:05.980 in the church. 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.100 Friends, 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:07.860 how is it possible 00:24:07.860 --> 00:24:09.220 that we can look down 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:10.180 upon one another 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:11.480 when we grasp 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.019 the grace 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:12.840 and the mercy of God? 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.039 I mean, 00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:13.900 how is that possible? 00:24:14.820 --> 00:24:15.500 How is it possible 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.440 that we can sit 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:16.940 in judgment 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.680 of one another, 00:24:17.860 --> 00:24:18.660 keep a distance 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.400 with one another 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.400 when we see 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:21.320 that everything 00:24:21.320 --> 00:24:22.019 we have, 00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:23.259 everything we've been given 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.680 is the grace 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.740 and the mercy of God? 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.380 Friends, 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.100 let the grace 00:24:29.100 --> 00:24:29.840 of God melt 00:24:29.840 --> 00:24:31.580 the conflict 00:24:31.580 --> 00:24:32.019 and the division 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.820 of our hearts. 00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:34.100 So friends, 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:34.980 let's just say, 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.040 Oscar, 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:36.700 Oscar's one 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.480 of my best friends, 00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.740 so let's just say, 00:24:39.080 --> 00:24:40.160 I don't like Oscar, 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:40.519 right? 00:24:41.040 --> 00:24:41.320 I mean, 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.519 he dresses funny 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.680 and he's, 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:44.480 you know, 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:46.259 there's a lot 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.680 of reasons 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.120 to be upset 00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:47.540 with Oscar, 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:47.900 right? 00:24:48.860 --> 00:24:49.180 But friends, 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:49.640 when I look 00:24:49.640 --> 00:24:50.180 at the mirror 00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:50.940 of God's word 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.600 and I see 00:24:51.600 --> 00:24:52.759 what an idiot 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.380 I am, 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:54.640 who am I 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:56.280 to distance 00:24:56.280 --> 00:24:57.060 myself from him? 00:24:57.780 --> 00:24:58.360 Who am I 00:24:58.360 --> 00:24:58.940 to judge him? 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.019 So friends, 00:25:02.080 --> 00:25:02.460 here are two 00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.440 questions for us. 00:25:04.900 --> 00:25:05.820 Is there somebody 00:25:05.820 --> 00:25:06.340 in the church 00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:07.120 you don't get along 00:25:07.120 --> 00:25:07.420 with? 00:25:08.860 --> 00:25:09.620 Is there anybody 00:25:09.620 --> 00:25:10.160 in the church 00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:10.759 you're tempted 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:12.079 to keep 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:12.680 your distance 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:12.960 from? 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:15.339 Is it possible 00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:15.839 that maybe 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.319 we're thinking 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:16.799 of ourselves 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.379 more highly 00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:17.980 than we're ought? 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:20.039 Is it possible 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:20.700 that we think 00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:21.160 of ourselves 00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:21.960 more impressive 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.619 than we are? 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.460 Is it possible 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.279 that the thinking 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:26.759 of our meritocracy 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.420 of Hong Kong 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:27.940 has gotten 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:28.779 to our hearts 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:30.259 and we keep 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:30.700 a distance 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.440 from one another? 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:32.480 Friends, 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.460 let's let the grace 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:33.819 of God 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.680 melt our pride 00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:35.140 and division. 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:36.119 Secondly, 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.400 let's be a church 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:38.519 of prayer. 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.540 If the Corinthians 00:25:40.540 --> 00:25:41.560 aren't that impressive 00:25:41.560 --> 00:25:42.680 and they're not 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:44.340 and Paul is not 00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:44.980 that impressive 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:46.780 and he's not, 00:25:47.320 --> 00:25:48.900 where does the power 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:49.519 lie? 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:50.440 I mean, 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:51.920 where is the power 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.740 in this church? 00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:54.500 What makes the church 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.220 the church? 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:56.460 And Paul gives 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.019 two answers. 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:57.500 He says, 00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:58.800 Christ and the gospel 00:25:58.800 --> 00:26:00.240 and the power 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.000 of the Holy Spirit. 00:26:01.540 --> 00:26:03.280 This is the power 00:26:03.280 --> 00:26:03.860 of the church. 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:04.740 This is the secret 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.019 weapon. 00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:05.540 Look at verse 00:26:05.540 --> 00:26:06.540 four and five. 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:06.860 He says, 00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:07.859 my speech 00:26:07.859 --> 00:26:08.459 and my message 00:26:08.459 --> 00:26:09.599 were not persuasive 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.799 but I came 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.399 in demonstration 00:26:11.399 --> 00:26:12.539 of the spirit 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.799 and of power 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:15.119 so that your faith 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:16.079 might not rest 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.579 in the wisdom 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.219 of man 00:26:17.219 --> 00:26:18.399 but on the power 00:26:18.399 --> 00:26:18.979 of God. 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.539 Now, 00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:21.099 Watermark, 00:26:21.679 --> 00:26:22.939 I think we as a church 00:26:22.939 --> 00:26:23.939 are quite clear 00:26:23.939 --> 00:26:24.500 on Christ 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.059 and the gospel, 00:26:25.219 --> 00:26:25.819 that first one. 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:26.719 We try to be 00:26:26.719 --> 00:26:27.659 quite clear on that. 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:28.579 If you're new 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:29.059 to Watermark, 00:26:29.159 --> 00:26:29.579 one of the things 00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:30.639 if you come again, 00:26:30.979 --> 00:26:31.459 you'll notice 00:26:31.459 --> 00:26:32.579 we talk about Jesus 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.359 and the gospel 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:33.899 a lot. 00:26:35.159 --> 00:26:35.639 The one thing 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:36.279 I think we're not 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:36.960 so good at 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:38.559 is prayer. 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:40.619 We are not 00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:41.819 a praying church. 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.420 I think we're 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.460 quite weak at prayer 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:46.139 and as this week 00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:46.799 I was thinking 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.879 about this on Friday 00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:48.539 as I was walking 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.279 down the hill 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:50.539 to go get something 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:51.139 from the shops, 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:53.119 I was deeply convicted 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:53.720 of my own 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.319 prayerlessness 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:57.039 and I just had 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.559 to repent. 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.099 God, 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:58.899 I am so sorry. 00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.639 I am not a man 00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:00.059 of prayer. 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:02.180 I think our church 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:02.859 is not a church 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:03.399 of prayer 00:27:03.399 --> 00:27:05.000 and maybe 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.539 that's why 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:05.939 we don't 00:27:05.939 --> 00:27:06.419 encounter 00:27:06.419 --> 00:27:07.179 the power 00:27:07.179 --> 00:27:07.819 and the spirit 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:08.240 of God 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:08.639 in ways 00:27:08.639 --> 00:27:09.179 that we long 00:27:09.179 --> 00:27:09.439 for. 00:27:09.979 --> 00:27:10.240 Friends, 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:10.779 can I be honest 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:10.979 to you? 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:12.319 I long 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:13.099 for revival 00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:13.659 to come to 00:27:13.659 --> 00:27:14.099 Watermark. 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.240 I long 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.059 for a powerful 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.919 move of God 00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:17.679 that is beyond 00:27:17.679 --> 00:27:18.799 anything anybody 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.599 can explain 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:20.399 in human terms. 00:27:21.179 --> 00:27:21.439 I long 00:27:21.439 --> 00:27:22.219 for God's spirit 00:27:22.219 --> 00:27:22.779 to be here 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:24.079 in such a tangible 00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:24.740 powerful way 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.419 that it changes 00:27:25.419 --> 00:27:26.119 people and sets 00:27:26.119 --> 00:27:26.859 people free 00:27:26.859 --> 00:27:27.459 in an instant. 00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:29.319 But that's nothing 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:30.219 that any human being 00:27:30.219 --> 00:27:30.939 can manufacture. 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:31.420 That's something 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.539 only God can bring 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:33.360 and God can give. 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:34.900 And so how is that 00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:35.460 going to happen? 00:27:36.340 --> 00:27:37.200 As we become 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:38.559 a people of prayer. 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:40.019 Dear friends, 00:27:40.080 --> 00:27:40.820 we'll never encounter 00:27:40.820 --> 00:27:41.580 the power of God 00:27:41.580 --> 00:27:42.860 by wisdom of man alone. 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:44.539 And so here's a couple 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:44.920 of questions. 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:45.980 If you're a CG leader, 00:27:46.100 --> 00:27:47.259 do we pray for the people 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.799 in our CG? 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:50.480 If we're a kids ministry leader, 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:51.640 do we pray for the kids 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.680 in our classes? 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:54.900 If you're a youth leader, 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:56.779 do you pray for the kids 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.380 in the youth? 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.080 Friends, 00:27:59.320 --> 00:28:00.180 for those of us 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:00.700 that are elders, 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:02.059 do we pray for the church 00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:02.600 regularly? 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:05.720 Friends, 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.799 how much do we pray? 00:28:08.840 --> 00:28:09.720 What we need 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.860 is the power of God, 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:12.080 not the wisdom of man. 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.480 Here's a third 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:16.039 application for us. 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:18.200 For those of us 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:18.720 that are Christians, 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:20.220 when we share the gospel, 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.900 share the gospel, 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:22.900 talk about Christ 00:28:22.900 --> 00:28:23.539 on the cross. 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:25.740 My assumption is that 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.900 if you are a Christian 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:27.420 this morning, 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:29.440 you long to tell people 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.140 about Jesus. 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:31.799 My assumption is that 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.819 you long to tell 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:33.640 your colleague 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:35.200 who sits across the way 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:36.440 from you in the office 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:37.600 about the wonder 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:38.299 of what Christ 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.340 has done in your life. 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:40.700 My assumption is that 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.440 we long to tell 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:42.240 our family members 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:43.120 or the person that lives 00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:44.360 across the hallway from us 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:46.640 about Christ and the cross. 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:47.539 Friends, 00:28:47.580 --> 00:28:48.299 if you're a parent, 00:28:48.600 --> 00:28:49.319 my assumption is that 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:51.000 we long for our kids 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.880 to know Jesus 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:53.319 more so than to get 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:54.340 into the best schools. 00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:55.679 friends, 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:57.559 when you share the gospel, 00:28:58.119 --> 00:29:00.279 don't try gimmicks 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:00.799 and tricks. 00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:02.339 Don't try and be 00:29:02.339 --> 00:29:03.859 brilliant or winsome 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.459 or persuasive 00:29:04.459 --> 00:29:05.399 in your own wisdom. 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:07.299 Tell your friends 00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:08.179 about Christ 00:29:08.179 --> 00:29:09.139 and the cross. 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:11.179 Don't try and be brilliant 00:29:11.179 --> 00:29:12.079 in your own eyes. 00:29:12.679 --> 00:29:13.740 You can't force anyone 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:14.559 to become a Christian, 00:29:14.679 --> 00:29:16.119 but you can pray. 00:29:16.919 --> 00:29:17.779 You can pray. 00:29:18.919 --> 00:29:19.879 And so tell your friends, 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.599 tell your neighbors, 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.500 tell your colleagues 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.740 about Jesus 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.339 and what He's done 00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:23.980 in your life. 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:24.880 Tell them about 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.859 how He died on the cross 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:26.599 and rose again 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:28.000 to save us, 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:29.200 to forgive us. 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:31.099 Don't come with lofty speech 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:31.960 or human wisdom. 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.359 Decide to forget 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:34.359 everything except 00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:35.500 Christ and the cross 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.980 and share that. 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:38.119 Friends, 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:39.259 point people to Jesus 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:40.559 and then pray and trust 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:41.420 in the power of God 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:43.119 to speak to their hearts. 00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:44.519 And then, 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.680 last thing is this. 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:47.259 If you're not a Christian 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:47.880 this morning, 00:29:48.619 --> 00:29:49.539 I know that some of us here 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:50.819 are not yet followers 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.359 of Jesus, 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:53.259 I hope you can see 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.859 that our greatest longing 00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.579 as a church 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:57.220 is not to be impressive, 00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:59.319 is not to be smart, 00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:01.720 is not to try and show you 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:03.299 how brilliant Christians are, 00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:04.940 is to help you 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:06.539 to see the wonder of Jesus. 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:07.819 Friends, 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.720 we feel so privileged 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.500 that you would spend 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.920 a Sunday morning with us. 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:11.859 There are a thousand 00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:12.440 other places 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.180 that you could be. 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:14.579 Thank you for the privilege 00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:15.559 of joining us 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:16.319 this Sunday morning. 00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:18.480 Our greatest longing, 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:20.519 our deep desire 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.379 of our hearts, 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.559 is not that you will 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:26.119 be impressed by Christians, 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.279 but that actually 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.660 you'll see how ordinary 00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:30.759 and unimpressive we are. 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:31.519 But that you'll see 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:33.019 through the ordinariness 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:33.759 of the church, 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:35.460 you'll see something remarkable. 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:36.879 You'll see something 00:30:36.879 --> 00:30:37.720 of the power 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:38.799 of the living God. 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:40.879 Through the unimpressiveness 00:30:40.879 --> 00:30:41.599 of the leaders 00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:42.200 and the band 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:42.859 and the church here, 00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:44.079 you'll see something 00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:45.660 that no human being 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:46.279 could organize 00:30:46.279 --> 00:30:47.139 or orchestrate. 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.660 And you'll see 00:30:48.660 --> 00:30:49.240 the power 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.319 of the living God. 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:51.940 The God who went 00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:52.859 to the cross for you. 00:30:53.660 --> 00:30:55.539 The God who loves you 00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:56.220 so much 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:57.700 that He's calling you 00:30:57.700 --> 00:30:58.319 to Himself. 00:30:59.460 --> 00:30:59.680 Friends, 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.359 if you're not a follower 00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:01.200 of Jesus this morning, 00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:02.619 our great desire 00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:03.440 is that you will come 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:05.240 to not just see that, 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:07.299 but experience that 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.759 and know God 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:09.519 for yourself. 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.379 So friends, 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:12.299 when you go to church, 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:12.839 what makes 00:31:12.839 --> 00:31:13.619 a church impressive? 00:31:14.619 --> 00:31:15.359 When you look 00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:16.159 for a new church, 00:31:16.239 --> 00:31:17.619 what kind of church 00:31:17.619 --> 00:31:17.959 are you going 00:31:17.959 --> 00:31:18.579 to stay at? 00:31:19.879 --> 00:31:20.279 Friends, 00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:20.939 when you decide 00:31:20.939 --> 00:31:21.699 to join a church, 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.819 what impresses you 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:23.339 the most? 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:25.039 Don't let it be 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:25.539 the leaders. 00:31:26.399 --> 00:31:27.039 Don't even let it 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:27.619 be the people. 00:31:28.639 --> 00:31:29.319 Let it be 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.519 the power of God 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:31.299 and the Christ 00:31:31.299 --> 00:31:31.839 and the gospel 00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:32.579 at the center. 00:31:33.639 --> 00:31:34.259 That here is 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:35.239 a community of people 00:31:35.239 --> 00:31:35.699 that are not 00:31:35.699 --> 00:31:36.639 impressed with themselves, 00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:38.559 but impressed by God 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:39.639 and want to keep 00:31:39.639 --> 00:31:40.339 Him at the center. 00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:42.399 And let the power 00:31:42.399 --> 00:31:43.379 of God change 00:31:43.380 --> 00:31:43.900 your life 00:31:43.900 --> 00:31:44.820 as you seek God 00:31:44.820 --> 00:31:46.420 together with Him. 00:31:47.040 --> 00:31:48.060 Let's pray together. 00:31:51.060 --> 00:31:51.980 Oh, Father God, 00:31:52.040 --> 00:31:53.840 as we conclude, 00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:55.120 we remind ourselves 00:31:55.120 --> 00:31:57.580 that, Lord, 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.500 so often our thinking 00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.380 is like the thinking 00:31:59.380 --> 00:31:59.960 of our world. 00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:01.920 It's like the thinking 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:02.700 of Hong Kong, God. 00:32:02.780 --> 00:32:04.340 We seek to try 00:32:04.340 --> 00:32:05.100 and be impressive. 00:32:05.280 --> 00:32:05.900 We seek to try 00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:07.800 and look impressive 00:32:07.800 --> 00:32:08.740 in the eyes of others. 00:32:09.580 --> 00:32:10.920 God, we want to 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:15.500 we want to try 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:16.420 and boast in ourselves, 00:32:16.580 --> 00:32:16.779 God. 00:32:18.660 --> 00:32:20.160 God, won't you remind us 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:20.660 that 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:24.820 the cross reminds us 00:32:24.820 --> 00:32:26.800 the only thing 00:32:26.800 --> 00:32:27.620 in this church 00:32:27.620 --> 00:32:29.900 that is praiseworthy 00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:30.720 and commendable 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.400 is you 00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:32.660 and what you've done 00:32:32.660 --> 00:32:33.160 for us. 00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:35.800 God, we pray also 00:32:35.800 --> 00:32:36.820 for the power 00:32:36.820 --> 00:32:37.600 of the Holy Spirit 00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:38.659 to be at work 00:32:38.659 --> 00:32:39.480 in our church, God. 00:32:40.359 --> 00:32:41.159 We pray, God, 00:32:41.159 --> 00:32:42.639 more than anything else 00:32:42.639 --> 00:32:43.500 or anyone else 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:44.319 that this church 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:45.079 will be marked 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:46.339 by a move 00:32:46.339 --> 00:32:47.359 of the Holy Spirit, God, 00:32:47.379 --> 00:32:48.279 and your power. 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:50.000 That you, God, 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:51.099 will make yourself 00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:51.819 known to us. 00:32:51.879 --> 00:32:52.480 God, we pray 00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:54.119 the words of John the Baptist 00:32:54.119 --> 00:32:55.980 that we will decrease 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:57.099 and you will increase. 00:32:57.319 --> 00:32:58.219 That more and more 00:32:58.219 --> 00:32:59.539 the song 00:32:59.539 --> 00:33:00.539 of this church 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.679 will be 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:02.600 how great 00:33:02.600 --> 00:33:03.580 thou art 00:33:03.580 --> 00:33:05.140 and not us, God. 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:07.039 And God, 00:33:07.120 --> 00:33:08.700 where we are tempted 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:10.160 to look down 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:10.640 on others, 00:33:10.820 --> 00:33:11.620 where we are tempted 00:33:11.620 --> 00:33:13.340 to stay away 00:33:13.340 --> 00:33:13.840 from others, 00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:14.460 we are tempted 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:17.420 to pull back 00:33:17.420 --> 00:33:18.019 from others, 00:33:18.299 --> 00:33:19.620 God, won't you remind us 00:33:19.620 --> 00:33:21.200 of the cross? 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.580 Won't you remind us 00:33:22.580 --> 00:33:23.200 that your way 00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:23.720 of working 00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:24.180 and your way 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:24.560 of thinking 00:33:24.560 --> 00:33:25.840 is so inverse 00:33:25.840 --> 00:33:26.360 to the ways 00:33:26.360 --> 00:33:26.940 of our world? 00:33:28.039 --> 00:33:28.920 And may your gospel, 00:33:29.120 --> 00:33:29.299 God, 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.240 melt the division 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:31.519 of our hearts. 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:33.440 Lord Jesus, 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:34.519 we need you. 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:38.759 Come and have your way, 00:33:38.839 --> 00:33:39.160 I pray. 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:41.839 In your great 00:33:41.839 --> 00:33:43.220 and glorious name, 00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:44.539 Amen.