WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.940 A rest in men's wisdom, but in God's power. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:14.400 Thank you very much, Stephen. 00:00:14.960 --> 00:00:16.679 Well, please keep your Bibles open. 00:00:17.740 --> 00:00:19.240 And we're going to pray. 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:27.660 Let's do that now. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Let's do that now. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:11.819 Father, as we look at your word together, and as I speak, we pray that we would all be filled 00:01:11.819 --> 00:01:22.099 with the power of your Holy Spirit, so that our faith might rest not in our own clever thoughts, 00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:28.099 our own clever ideas, or anything about us, 00:01:28.099 --> 00:01:37.500 but our faith would rest in the one and only true God and his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:37.500 --> 00:01:41.799 Father, be at work amongst us, we pray. 00:01:42.640 --> 00:01:43.739 In Jesus' name. 00:01:44.579 --> 00:01:45.040 Amen. 00:01:45.040 --> 00:01:56.600 Well, sadly, division had taken place. 00:01:57.600 --> 00:02:05.860 Small groups within this church at Corinth had formed, and they all thought themselves to be spiritually superior. 00:02:05.859 --> 00:02:09.080 Have a look back at chapter 1, verse 11. 00:02:12.699 --> 00:02:15.139 He tells us how the division came about. 00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:15.560 He says, 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:24.640 What I mean is this. 00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:26.719 One of you says, 00:02:26.719 --> 00:02:28.719 I follow Paul. 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:35.280 You see, Paul started the church, and he baptized me, so I'm in Paul's gang. 00:02:37.379 --> 00:02:38.159 Another said, 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:39.439 Well, we follow Apollos. 00:02:40.500 --> 00:02:45.060 It was through his ministry that I got my great gifts, and I am where I am today. 00:02:45.060 --> 00:02:48.719 Still another said, 00:02:48.819 --> 00:02:50.759 Well, we follow Cephas, or Peter. 00:02:51.099 --> 00:02:53.159 You know, he was a disciple of Jesus. 00:02:53.379 --> 00:02:54.580 He knew Jesus. 00:02:54.979 --> 00:02:56.460 He always knows what's best. 00:02:56.780 --> 00:02:58.020 We're in Peter's group. 00:03:00.140 --> 00:03:04.400 Instead of uniting around Christ and his cross, 00:03:04.900 --> 00:03:08.400 they were dividing over people and their status. 00:03:08.960 --> 00:03:12.460 Each group all looking down on each other, 00:03:12.460 --> 00:03:16.180 thinking themselves to be spiritually superior. 00:03:18.700 --> 00:03:22.800 Now, scratch the surface, and we can find the same things going on today. 00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:27.659 You know, I've been in the church here now from the very beginning. 00:03:27.920 --> 00:03:29.480 I'm a founding member, you know. 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:33.439 Well, I've been a Christian for 30 years. 00:03:35.340 --> 00:03:39.340 My church has seen three people come to faith in this last month, 00:03:39.480 --> 00:03:41.879 and last week we baptized five. 00:03:43.420 --> 00:03:47.060 Well, our church has seen two new churches planted, 00:03:47.320 --> 00:03:49.040 and we're now planting our third. 00:03:51.200 --> 00:03:54.860 Our pastor, well, he's always invited to speak at conferences. 00:03:55.219 --> 00:03:57.620 He's such a dynamic and well-liked guy. 00:03:59.040 --> 00:04:02.360 Well, our pastor, he led a healing service the other week, 00:04:02.400 --> 00:04:03.879 and 12 healings were reported. 00:04:03.879 --> 00:04:07.439 It's ugly, isn't it? 00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:09.979 It causes division. 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:14.960 Each one looking down on other people and other churches, 00:04:15.340 --> 00:04:18.480 thinking ourselves to be spiritually superior, 00:04:18.980 --> 00:04:21.079 that we're God's elite. 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:26.680 So how do we, as Paul was encouraging them, 00:04:26.740 --> 00:04:28.399 to be perfectly united 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:33.500 and to stop all this sinful behavior from taking effect? 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:38.819 Well, there's two big things that he teaches us, 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:41.300 and they're really quite shocking, 00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:44.519 because they humble us. 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:48.519 The first thing that we must remember is 00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:54.319 that we are all foolish people called by grace. 00:04:55.419 --> 00:04:58.539 Foolish people called by grace. 00:04:58.540 --> 00:05:05.580 Brothers and sisters, 00:05:06.300 --> 00:05:09.640 think of what you were when you were called. 00:05:10.820 --> 00:05:12.980 So if you're a Christian here this morning, 00:05:13.460 --> 00:05:15.660 think about what your life was like 00:05:15.660 --> 00:05:18.200 when you became a Christian. 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:22.540 And in case we can't remember what that was like, 00:05:23.060 --> 00:05:24.420 he goes on to show us. 00:05:24.420 --> 00:05:30.240 First, he reminds us that we had nothing to offer. 00:05:31.900 --> 00:05:33.780 Look at the rest of verse 26. 00:05:34.460 --> 00:05:37.520 Not many of you were wise by human standards. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:40.520 Not many of you were influential. 00:05:41.860 --> 00:05:44.340 Not many of you were of noble birth. 00:05:46.580 --> 00:05:51.379 Some, perhaps, but I guess most of us here 00:05:51.379 --> 00:05:54.980 were not leading professors in the world of academics. 00:05:57.040 --> 00:05:58.579 There may be some people, 00:05:58.740 --> 00:06:03.319 but most of us were not powerful CEOs or politicians 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:05.659 influencing the nation's economy. 00:06:08.159 --> 00:06:11.839 There may be some who were born into great wealth, 00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:17.180 but most of us were not born with status and privilege. 00:06:17.180 --> 00:06:21.120 It's really quite shocking. 00:06:21.280 --> 00:06:23.240 He's saying, catch yourselves on. 00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:26.000 We're a bunch of nobodies. 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:29.319 As far as the world's elite and standards go, 00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:30.800 we're nothing. 00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:33.759 We don't even register on the scale. 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:36.519 Yes, of course, we have our education 00:06:36.519 --> 00:06:39.379 and we've got a few letters after our name, perhaps, 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:40.939 and we've got a few qualifications, 00:06:41.460 --> 00:06:43.100 but we're not being chased up 00:06:43.100 --> 00:06:46.139 to have our thoughts published to the world. 00:06:46.139 --> 00:06:49.740 And when God looked at us, 00:06:49.979 --> 00:06:52.039 we weren't standing out in the crowd. 00:06:52.500 --> 00:06:55.259 We weren't spotted by God in Hello magazine 00:06:55.259 --> 00:06:57.259 or the pages of the Irish Times. 00:06:58.459 --> 00:07:02.000 We had nothing to offer in the eyes of the world. 00:07:02.139 --> 00:07:03.759 We're just nothing special. 00:07:06.699 --> 00:07:09.259 And that's a very humbling thought, isn't it? 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:14.740 Because we all like to think we're somebody special. 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:17.819 Or at the very least, 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:22.539 I'm a little bit better than the person sitting next to me. 00:07:22.540 --> 00:07:27.500 So if we have nothing to offer, 00:07:28.460 --> 00:07:30.900 how did we ever become a Christian 00:07:30.900 --> 00:07:32.840 in the first place? 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:36.240 Well, he goes on to remind us 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:37.320 we have nothing to offer, 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:41.000 but we have been chosen by God's grace. 00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:42.240 Look at verse 27. 00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:48.139 But God chose the foolish things of the world 00:07:48.139 --> 00:07:50.439 to shame the wise. 00:07:51.340 --> 00:07:53.780 God chose the weak things, 00:07:53.879 --> 00:07:55.240 that is, weak people, 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:57.360 to shame the strong. 00:07:57.620 --> 00:08:00.400 He chose the lowly people of the world 00:08:00.400 --> 00:08:02.460 and the despised people 00:08:02.460 --> 00:08:04.699 and the people that are not 00:08:04.699 --> 00:08:07.680 to nullify the things that are. 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:12.639 Let me make it crystal clear. 00:08:14.280 --> 00:08:16.840 We did not choose God. 00:08:17.840 --> 00:08:19.620 God chose us. 00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:21.780 If you're a Christian, 00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:24.319 you didn't become a Christian 00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:25.819 because one day you woke up 00:08:25.819 --> 00:08:26.579 and you decided, 00:08:26.960 --> 00:08:30.780 today I think I'll become a Christian. 00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:32.639 No. 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:34.600 God chose you. 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:36.680 God worked in your life 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:37.559 in such a way 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:39.519 that he gave you the desire 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:41.279 to call out to God 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:43.039 and he gave you the faith 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:44.620 to believe in him. 00:08:46.079 --> 00:08:47.179 And let's be clear 00:08:47.179 --> 00:08:49.299 that when God chose us 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:51.279 and when he gave us that desire 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:52.099 and that faith, 00:08:52.459 --> 00:08:53.859 it wasn't because any of us 00:08:53.859 --> 00:08:55.219 were particularly special. 00:08:57.979 --> 00:09:00.159 Do you remember your school days? 00:09:01.539 --> 00:09:02.519 Rewind the clock. 00:09:03.699 --> 00:09:05.659 There you are standing in the playground. 00:09:06.679 --> 00:09:08.000 They're picking teams 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:09.019 to have a race. 00:09:10.259 --> 00:09:11.899 All the sporty people 00:09:11.899 --> 00:09:12.779 and the fast ones, 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:13.899 they always got picked. 00:09:15.199 --> 00:09:16.359 Wonder where you came 00:09:16.359 --> 00:09:17.279 in the pecking order. 00:09:18.699 --> 00:09:20.219 The ones that couldn't run 00:09:20.219 --> 00:09:21.059 weren't fast. 00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:21.959 Well, they were ignored, 00:09:22.079 --> 00:09:22.519 weren't they? 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:24.959 Or do you remember 00:09:24.959 --> 00:09:26.319 your first time 00:09:26.319 --> 00:09:27.519 at the school dance? 00:09:29.239 --> 00:09:30.699 The music slows 00:09:30.700 --> 00:09:33.140 and all the good-looking girls 00:09:33.140 --> 00:09:34.080 are swooped upon 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:35.340 like bees round honey. 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:37.520 Where were you? 00:09:37.780 --> 00:09:39.259 Were you ever asked to dance? 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:41.500 Rejected? 00:09:42.400 --> 00:09:43.960 And it's no different today 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:44.879 as we get older. 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:46.680 The world still picks 00:09:46.680 --> 00:09:47.800 the beautiful, 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:49.440 the wealthy, 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:50.780 the clever, 00:09:50.780 --> 00:09:52.520 and the popular ones. 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:54.960 The world likes them. 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:58.139 But God does not choose 00:09:58.139 --> 00:09:59.040 by the standards 00:09:59.040 --> 00:09:59.980 of the world. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:02.280 God isn't influenced 00:10:02.280 --> 00:10:03.800 by anything about us, 00:10:03.860 --> 00:10:04.600 whether it's good 00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:05.540 or bad, 00:10:05.720 --> 00:10:06.480 how we look 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:07.460 or what we do. 00:10:07.660 --> 00:10:08.519 He is simply 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:09.940 motivated and driven 00:10:09.940 --> 00:10:11.840 by his grace. 00:10:12.740 --> 00:10:13.280 Look again 00:10:13.280 --> 00:10:14.340 at verse 27. 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:17.139 God chose 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:19.860 the foolish things, 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.220 people like us, 00:10:21.220 --> 00:10:23.639 to shame the wise, 00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:25.399 to show that, 00:10:25.580 --> 00:10:25.779 well, 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:27.540 wisdom does not 00:10:27.540 --> 00:10:28.840 give you credibility 00:10:28.840 --> 00:10:30.160 with God. 00:10:31.500 --> 00:10:32.360 God chose 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:33.139 the weak things 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:33.660 of the world 00:10:33.660 --> 00:10:34.860 to shame the strong, 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:36.000 so those who are 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:37.540 influential and powerful, 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:39.840 that's got no street cred 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:40.700 with God either. 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:42.720 He chose 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:43.860 the lowly things, 00:10:44.540 --> 00:10:45.720 the things that are nothing, 00:10:46.220 --> 00:10:46.840 to show 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:47.860 the world 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:50.340 that by their standards 00:10:50.340 --> 00:10:52.200 God works 00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:52.820 in a totally 00:10:52.820 --> 00:10:53.620 different way, 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:56.220 motivated by his grace. 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:00.620 You see, 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:02.580 if we are Christians, 00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:05.399 we can never ever say, 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:07.139 it was me. 00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:09.100 I decided. 00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:10.300 Why? 00:11:10.940 --> 00:11:11.780 Well, look what he says 00:11:11.780 --> 00:11:12.780 in verse 29. 00:11:13.780 --> 00:11:15.540 So that no one 00:11:15.540 --> 00:11:16.300 may boast 00:11:16.300 --> 00:11:18.080 before him. 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:20.360 if ever I say, 00:11:20.940 --> 00:11:21.879 I'm a Christian 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:22.700 because 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:23.740 I, 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:26.660 then I have reason 00:11:26.660 --> 00:11:27.360 for boasting. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:29.080 Because then it becomes 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:30.220 something I've done. 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:32.160 I responded. 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:33.980 I decided. 00:11:35.660 --> 00:11:36.700 And that makes me 00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:37.980 spiritually superior 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:39.500 to the other person 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:40.759 beside me. 00:11:41.040 --> 00:11:41.280 No, 00:11:41.400 --> 00:11:42.520 I didn't choose God. 00:11:42.820 --> 00:11:43.920 God chose me 00:11:43.920 --> 00:11:45.259 by his grace, 00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:47.300 motivated by his grace, 00:11:47.299 --> 00:11:49.240 so that he may show 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:51.039 how great he is. 00:11:52.699 --> 00:11:53.759 So we have nothing 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:54.379 to offer. 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:57.219 We're chosen by grace 00:11:57.219 --> 00:11:58.419 and nothing that we do. 00:11:59.699 --> 00:12:00.259 And third, 00:12:00.359 --> 00:12:00.799 and wonderfully, 00:12:00.939 --> 00:12:01.259 he says, 00:12:01.319 --> 00:12:02.000 we've been made 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:03.120 God's new people. 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:04.859 Look at verse 30. 00:12:06.319 --> 00:12:07.379 It is because of 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:08.159 him 00:12:08.159 --> 00:12:10.419 that you are in 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:11.519 Christ Jesus. 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:13.419 There we have it again, 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:13.859 don't we? 00:12:14.099 --> 00:12:14.979 It's because of 00:12:14.979 --> 00:12:15.559 him. 00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:17.259 It's because of God, 00:12:17.359 --> 00:12:18.519 not us, 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:20.659 that we are 00:12:20.659 --> 00:12:22.479 in Christ Jesus. 00:12:23.299 --> 00:12:24.679 Now that little phrase 00:12:24.679 --> 00:12:25.299 there when it says 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:27.059 we are in Christ Jesus 00:12:27.059 --> 00:12:27.919 is important. 00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:29.179 It means that we 00:12:29.179 --> 00:12:30.719 become part of Christ, 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:32.019 that's true, 00:12:32.699 --> 00:12:33.919 but we become part 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:34.639 of his body. 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:35.579 And we remember 00:12:35.579 --> 00:12:36.239 from last week, 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:38.039 his body is the church, 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:39.500 the family of God. 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:42.000 So by his grace, 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:44.139 he is taken weak 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:45.940 and foolish 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:47.399 and lowly 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:48.779 and despised 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:50.019 and nobodies 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:51.039 and nothings 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:52.159 and he takes us 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:53.039 by his grace 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:54.740 and he makes us 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:57.039 his new people 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:57.879 of God, 00:12:58.559 --> 00:12:59.340 the church. 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:01.539 Verse 30. 00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:03.240 It's because of 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:04.939 him that you are 00:13:04.939 --> 00:13:06.360 in Christ Jesus 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:07.879 who has become 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:08.719 for us 00:13:08.719 --> 00:13:10.139 wisdom from God. 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:11.139 That is, 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:13.299 Christ is our 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:13.860 righteousness, 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.620 Christ is our 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:16.059 holiness 00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:17.639 and Christ is 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:18.419 our redemption. 00:13:20.179 --> 00:13:21.419 Christ on the cross 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:22.679 took all our 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:23.980 unrighteousness 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:25.199 on himself 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:26.379 and he took 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.020 the punishment 00:13:27.020 --> 00:13:27.960 that we deserve 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:29.300 and in its place 00:13:29.300 --> 00:13:30.740 he has clothed us 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:32.060 with his righteousness 00:13:32.060 --> 00:13:33.940 so that we are 00:13:33.940 --> 00:13:34.740 now acceptable 00:13:34.740 --> 00:13:35.340 to God. 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:37.300 That is God's 00:13:37.300 --> 00:13:37.660 wisdom. 00:13:38.800 --> 00:13:39.660 And Christ 00:13:39.660 --> 00:13:40.200 has taken 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:41.600 all our unholiness, 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:42.900 all our impurity 00:13:42.900 --> 00:13:43.900 and he has now 00:13:43.900 --> 00:13:44.440 given us 00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:45.540 his holiness 00:13:45.540 --> 00:13:46.680 so that we can 00:13:46.680 --> 00:13:47.660 now begin 00:13:47.660 --> 00:13:48.879 to be living 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:49.640 his way 00:13:49.640 --> 00:13:50.700 and treated 00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:51.940 as blameless. 00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:52.920 That 00:13:52.920 --> 00:13:54.560 is God's 00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:54.940 wisdom. 00:13:55.200 --> 00:13:57.580 And Christ 00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:58.440 has redeemed 00:13:58.440 --> 00:13:59.340 us from a life 00:13:59.340 --> 00:13:59.980 of slavery 00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:00.540 to sin 00:14:00.540 --> 00:14:01.160 where we are 00:14:01.160 --> 00:14:01.940 always saying 00:14:01.940 --> 00:14:03.400 yes to sin 00:14:03.400 --> 00:14:04.220 and he has now 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:04.820 filled us 00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:05.500 with his spirit 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.040 and he has now 00:14:06.040 --> 00:14:06.840 given us a new 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:07.440 way to live 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:07.759 for him 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.600 so we say 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.520 yes to what 00:14:09.520 --> 00:14:10.060 is right. 00:14:11.060 --> 00:14:11.740 That is 00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:12.500 God's wisdom. 00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:14.100 And it has 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:15.500 all come to us 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:17.040 through Jesus 00:14:17.040 --> 00:14:17.720 Christ. 00:14:18.160 --> 00:14:18.900 None of us 00:14:18.900 --> 00:14:19.780 by ourselves 00:14:19.780 --> 00:14:21.140 qualify us. 00:14:21.560 --> 00:14:22.400 It is all 00:14:22.400 --> 00:14:23.160 through him 00:14:23.160 --> 00:14:23.960 and he 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:25.020 qualifies us 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:25.759 he makes 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:26.220 us his 00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:27.079 very own 00:14:27.079 --> 00:14:28.000 part of his 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:28.399 body 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:29.299 the church 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:30.319 a righteous 00:14:30.319 --> 00:14:30.919 people 00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:32.399 a holy 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:32.960 people 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:34.199 and a 00:14:34.199 --> 00:14:34.860 redeemed 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:35.419 people. 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:38.819 Now can you 00:14:38.819 --> 00:14:39.539 see what he's 00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:40.379 building up to 00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:41.199 in all of this? 00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:43.539 That once we 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:44.759 begin to apply 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:46.240 grace to our 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:46.840 lives 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:48.220 there is 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:48.779 absolutely 00:14:48.779 --> 00:14:50.139 no room 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:52.100 for superiority. 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:53.839 None of us 00:14:53.839 --> 00:14:54.399 here this 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:54.939 morning 00:14:54.939 --> 00:14:56.100 can claim to 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:56.799 be better 00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:57.939 or more 00:14:57.939 --> 00:14:58.480 deserving 00:14:58.480 --> 00:14:59.500 than the 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:00.220 person next 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:00.779 to us. 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.319 The reality 00:15:02.319 --> 00:15:03.319 is every 00:15:03.319 --> 00:15:04.059 single one 00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:04.620 of us 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:06.480 are foolish. 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:08.819 Foolish people 00:15:08.819 --> 00:15:10.159 called 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:12.159 by God's 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:13.299 amazing grace. 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:15.079 There is no 00:15:15.079 --> 00:15:16.519 elitism here. 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:18.379 look again 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:19.259 at verse 31 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:21.259 therefore as 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:21.939 it is written 00:15:21.939 --> 00:15:23.500 let him who 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.199 boasts 00:15:24.199 --> 00:15:26.120 boast in 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:26.659 the Lord. 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.139 Not in 00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:28.659 myself 00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:30.159 not in my 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:31.019 wisdom or my 00:15:31.019 --> 00:15:32.059 cleverness or my 00:15:32.059 --> 00:15:33.500 intellectuality or 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:34.500 can't even say the 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.100 word that's how 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:36.179 intellectual I am. 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:38.220 We have nothing 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:39.079 to boast in 00:15:39.079 --> 00:15:41.539 only in 00:15:41.539 --> 00:15:42.019 Christ. 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:44.720 So we are 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:45.740 foolish people 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:47.000 chosen by 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:47.759 God's grace. 00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:48.399 Here is the 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:49.139 second big thing 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:49.899 he tells us. 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.019 We are weak 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:51.419 people. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:51.960 If you thought 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:53.179 foolish was 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:54.259 bad enough 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:55.500 we are weak. 00:15:57.799 --> 00:15:58.779 Weak people 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.299 used by 00:15:59.299 --> 00:16:00.079 God's power. 00:16:01.199 --> 00:16:01.519 You see 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:02.240 the reality 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.439 is if we 00:16:03.439 --> 00:16:04.319 do anything 00:16:04.319 --> 00:16:05.179 for God 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:07.879 if we 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:09.079 lead somebody 00:16:09.079 --> 00:16:09.919 to Christ 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:10.120 Christ. 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:11.500 If our 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.240 church should 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:12.860 manage to 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:13.639 plant a 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.479 new church 00:16:14.479 --> 00:16:16.899 it's not 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:17.719 because of 00:16:17.719 --> 00:16:18.059 our 00:16:18.059 --> 00:16:18.919 superiority 00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:21.740 it's all 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.860 because of 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.459 God's 00:16:23.459 --> 00:16:24.099 power. 00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:26.120 Did you get 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:26.519 that? 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:27.839 If we lead 00:16:27.839 --> 00:16:28.500 somebody to 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:28.919 Christ 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:30.139 or if our 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:30.860 church happens 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:31.519 to plant a 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:31.959 new church 00:16:31.959 --> 00:16:32.699 if we do 00:16:32.699 --> 00:16:33.319 any kind 00:16:33.319 --> 00:16:33.959 of service 00:16:33.959 --> 00:16:35.339 it's not 00:16:35.339 --> 00:16:35.879 because of 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:36.679 our superiority 00:16:36.679 --> 00:16:37.000 superiority 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.479 or because 00:16:38.479 --> 00:16:39.120 we're special 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:39.959 it's because 00:16:39.959 --> 00:16:40.559 of God's 00:16:40.559 --> 00:16:41.039 power. 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:43.019 First he 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:43.699 reminds us 00:16:43.699 --> 00:16:44.159 that we are 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:45.159 nothing special. 00:16:45.719 --> 00:16:46.299 Verse 1 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:47.419 chapter 2 00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:48.039 verse 1 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:50.379 Paul says 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:50.779 look it's 00:16:50.779 --> 00:16:51.399 exactly the 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:51.979 same for me 00:16:51.979 --> 00:16:52.439 as it is 00:16:52.439 --> 00:16:52.839 for you. 00:16:53.239 --> 00:16:53.599 When I 00:16:53.599 --> 00:16:54.159 came to 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:54.620 you brothers 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.279 and sisters 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:56.120 I did 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:56.599 not come 00:16:56.599 --> 00:16:57.519 with eloquence 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:58.620 or superior 00:16:58.620 --> 00:16:59.179 wisdom 00:16:59.179 --> 00:17:00.039 as I 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:00.799 proclaimed to 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:01.179 you the 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:01.639 testimony 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.479 about God. 00:17:03.699 --> 00:17:04.460 I wasn't 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:04.940 great at 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:05.799 public speaking 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:07.899 I wouldn't 00:17:07.899 --> 00:17:08.599 get a job 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:08.899 in the 00:17:08.899 --> 00:17:09.599 lecture halls 00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:10.180 of Corinth. 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:11.899 No one 00:17:11.899 --> 00:17:12.539 was taking 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.659 my number 00:17:13.659 --> 00:17:14.339 and asking 00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:15.000 me to come 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.460 back and 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.200 speak again. 00:17:16.659 --> 00:17:17.180 In fact 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:17.919 verse 3 00:17:17.919 --> 00:17:19.500 he says 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:20.019 I came 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:20.579 to you 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.639 in weakness 00:17:21.639 --> 00:17:23.079 and fear 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:24.159 and with 00:17:24.159 --> 00:17:25.079 much trembling. 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:27.059 Paul we 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:27.599 know was a 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:28.519 physically weak 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.079 person. 00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:30.619 He was 00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:31.220 somebody who 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.180 suffered bad 00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:32.519 health. 00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:32.859 We know 00:17:32.859 --> 00:17:33.299 that from 00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:34.019 his other 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:34.440 letters. 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:35.620 he 00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:36.259 struggled 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:38.000 and he 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:38.620 was fearful 00:17:38.620 --> 00:17:39.240 of going 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:39.779 to such 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:40.180 a great 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:40.840 intellectual 00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:41.320 city 00:17:41.320 --> 00:17:41.660 like 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:42.059 Corinth. 00:17:42.600 --> 00:17:43.080 What if 00:17:43.080 --> 00:17:43.680 people don't 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:44.140 listen to 00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:44.840 my message? 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:45.799 What if 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.220 they think 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:46.779 the gospel 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.460 is stupid? 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.299 What if 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:48.660 they have 00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:49.019 better 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:49.620 debaters 00:17:49.620 --> 00:17:50.240 than me? 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.460 And it 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:52.120 all caused 00:17:52.120 --> 00:17:52.559 him such 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:53.000 a great 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.580 concern 00:17:53.580 --> 00:17:54.340 it tells 00:17:54.340 --> 00:17:54.720 us in 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.160 verse 3 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:55.539 that he 00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:55.779 was 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:56.600 trembling. 00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.380 You know 00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:59.220 that knot 00:17:59.220 --> 00:17:59.640 that you 00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:00.019 get in 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:00.840 your stomach 00:18:00.840 --> 00:18:01.660 where you 00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:02.180 just feel 00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:02.940 like throwing 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:03.220 up. 00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:03.660 You're so 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:04.220 nervous. 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:05.840 That's 00:18:05.840 --> 00:18:06.140 how he 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:06.480 feels 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:06.820 as he 00:18:06.820 --> 00:18:07.220 entered 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:07.500 into 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:07.740 that 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.120 city. 00:18:09.320 --> 00:18:09.920 And I 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:10.299 imagine 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:10.620 that's 00:18:10.620 --> 00:18:10.880 how we 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:11.380 all feel 00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:12.000 at times. 00:18:13.340 --> 00:18:13.779 Perhaps 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.180 we're the 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:14.860 only Christian 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:15.240 in our 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:15.820 class or 00:18:15.820 --> 00:18:16.299 college. 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:17.759 We're 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:18.519 afraid 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.580 that if 00:18:19.580 --> 00:18:20.100 we say 00:18:20.100 --> 00:18:20.660 something 00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:21.980 we won't 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.380 know how 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:23.160 to answer 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:24.759 or we'll 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.360 even look 00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:26.340 stupid to 00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:26.720 the rest 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:26.980 of the 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.440 class. 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:28.900 Maybe 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:29.200 we're 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:29.740 terrified 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.580 that somebody 00:18:30.580 --> 00:18:31.120 at home 00:18:31.120 --> 00:18:31.460 or at 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:31.720 work 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.500 will find 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:32.920 out that 00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:33.259 I'm one 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:33.559 of those 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.139 people who 00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:35.159 believe the 00:18:35.159 --> 00:18:35.500 Bible. 00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:38.179 Maybe we 00:18:38.179 --> 00:18:38.899 feel weak 00:18:38.899 --> 00:18:39.480 and inadequate 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:39.980 because, 00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:40.200 well, 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:40.559 we just 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:40.899 go to 00:18:40.899 --> 00:18:41.339 that odd 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:41.839 church that 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.259 meets in 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:42.819 the community 00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:43.319 center. 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.359 The point 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:45.799 is, 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.480 we're just 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:48.419 nothing special. 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.019 We're just 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:51.539 ordinary folk. 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:52.159 people who 00:18:52.159 --> 00:18:54.399 speak up. 00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:55.240 He says 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:55.639 we're nothing 00:18:55.639 --> 00:18:57.720 special and 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.119 we just 00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:58.619 have a very 00:18:58.619 --> 00:18:59.119 simple 00:18:59.119 --> 00:18:59.740 message. 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.639 Because when 00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:02.319 we do speak 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:02.659 up, when 00:19:02.659 --> 00:19:03.220 we do say 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:03.619 something, 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:05.139 what we have 00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:05.639 to say 00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:06.420 seems utterly 00:19:06.420 --> 00:19:07.200 foolish and 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:07.799 stupid to 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.220 the world. 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.059 Look at 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:10.579 verse 2. 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:11.240 He said, 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:11.619 for I 00:19:11.619 --> 00:19:12.319 resolved to 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:12.799 know nothing 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:13.279 while I 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:13.720 was with 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:15.119 you except 00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:16.200 Jesus Christ 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:16.619 and him 00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:17.139 crucified. 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:18.900 we don't 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:19.380 have some 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:19.759 kind of 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.860 new teaching 00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:21.280 that the 00:19:21.280 --> 00:19:21.720 world is 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.140 going to 00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:22.460 love and 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:22.800 we'll have 00:19:22.800 --> 00:19:23.080 all the 00:19:23.080 --> 00:19:23.540 reporters 00:19:23.540 --> 00:19:24.100 coming in 00:19:24.100 --> 00:19:24.940 wanting to 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:25.960 declare it 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.240 to the 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:26.620 nations. 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.400 We don't 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:29.900 have this 00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:30.500 killer 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.560 argument that's 00:19:31.560 --> 00:19:31.840 going to 00:19:31.840 --> 00:19:32.740 stop everybody 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.080 in their 00:19:33.080 --> 00:19:33.620 tracks and 00:19:33.620 --> 00:19:34.259 make everybody 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:34.720 listen. 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:36.340 No, we've 00:19:36.340 --> 00:19:37.040 got a message 00:19:37.040 --> 00:19:37.480 he's been 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:38.140 telling us in 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:38.640 chapter 1 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:39.259 that the 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:39.900 world thinks 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:40.500 is foolish 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:41.380 and stupid. 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:45.180 Of course, 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:45.600 there are 00:19:45.600 --> 00:19:46.140 those who 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:46.759 change the 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.100 message, 00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:47.500 to make 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:47.820 it more 00:19:47.820 --> 00:19:48.480 popular and 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.020 acceptable. 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:51.800 Like the 00:19:51.800 --> 00:19:52.220 new book 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:52.800 that I saw 00:19:52.800 --> 00:19:53.259 advertised 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.480 recently called 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.680 The Power 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.500 of I 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:56.900 Am. 00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:58.200 Here's what 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:58.520 the little 00:19:58.520 --> 00:19:59.220 blurb said 00:19:59.220 --> 00:19:59.480 on the 00:19:59.480 --> 00:19:59.820 back. 00:20:01.060 --> 00:20:01.580 The Power 00:20:01.580 --> 00:20:02.340 of I 00:20:02.340 --> 00:20:03.100 Am shows 00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:03.780 readers how 00:20:03.780 --> 00:20:04.160 they can 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:05.500 redirect the 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:05.980 course of 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.540 their lives 00:20:06.540 --> 00:20:07.180 through the 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.700 words they 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:08.080 say. 00:20:09.080 --> 00:20:09.940 When you 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:10.480 speak the 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.759 right words, 00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:12.840 the I 00:20:12.840 --> 00:20:13.400 Am's, 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:14.240 you're 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.220 inviting God's 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.220 goodness into 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.740 your life. 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:17.339 I 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:18.380 am victorious, 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:19.220 I 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:20.099 am blessed, 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:20.720 I 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.579 am talented, 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:22.500 I am 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:22.980 anointed. 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.200 Your words 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:25.039 have creative 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:25.539 power, 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.339 with your 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:26.880 words you 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:27.480 can bless 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.160 your future. 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.400 Wow, 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:32.420 sounds great, 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.059 doesn't it? 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:34.599 God's 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:34.940 but it's 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.599 not true. 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.079 It's 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:37.519 not the 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:37.879 gospel 00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:38.539 message. 00:20:40.659 --> 00:20:41.240 Paul 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:41.639 says, 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.279 verse 2, 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:42.899 I 00:20:42.899 --> 00:20:43.599 resolved to 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:44.159 know nothing 00:20:44.159 --> 00:20:44.740 while I 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.159 was with 00:20:45.159 --> 00:20:46.059 you except 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.779 Jesus 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:48.179 Christ and 00:20:48.179 --> 00:20:48.899 him crucified. 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:50.159 I'm not 00:20:50.159 --> 00:20:50.419 going to 00:20:50.419 --> 00:20:51.039 change that 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:51.539 message. 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:52.839 I'm going 00:20:52.839 --> 00:20:53.339 to present 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:53.679 to you 00:20:53.679 --> 00:20:54.919 Christ and 00:20:54.919 --> 00:20:55.539 the cross. 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:56.740 That 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.259 beaten, 00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:58.659 broken and 00:20:58.659 --> 00:20:59.179 disfigured 00:20:59.179 --> 00:20:59.619 body, 00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:00.659 hanging on the 00:21:00.659 --> 00:21:00.980 cross, 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:01.860 bleeding and 00:21:01.860 --> 00:21:02.339 dying, 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.240 rejected, 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.620 mocked and 00:21:04.620 --> 00:21:05.140 ignored. 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:07.500 It may be 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.099 weak and 00:21:08.099 --> 00:21:08.680 foolish to 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.180 the watching 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:09.680 world, 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:11.039 but it is 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:11.940 God's power 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:12.500 to save 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.220 people like 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:13.839 you and 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.140 me. 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.019 So he 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:17.240 says, 00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:17.539 look at 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:17.759 you, 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.120 look at 00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:19.519 us, 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:20.680 we're 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.160 nothing 00:21:21.160 --> 00:21:21.819 special. 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.900 And we've 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:25.539 got a 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.360 very simple 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:27.339 message. 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:29.920 But, 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:32.580 we have 00:21:32.580 --> 00:21:33.140 God's 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:33.680 great 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.320 power. 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:35.960 Verse 4, 00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:37.640 he says, 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.259 my message 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.620 and my 00:21:38.620 --> 00:21:39.000 preaching 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.420 were not 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.420 with wise 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.180 and persuasive 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.700 words, 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.440 but with a 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:44.279 demonstration 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:45.320 of the 00:21:45.320 --> 00:21:46.060 Spirit's 00:21:46.060 --> 00:21:46.620 power. 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.220 You see, 00:21:48.300 --> 00:21:48.740 if any 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:50.019 good comes 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:51.300 through us, 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:52.840 if our 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.900 church does 00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:54.680 anything 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:55.420 that is 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.000 good, 00:21:56.840 --> 00:21:57.620 it is all 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.460 down to the 00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:59.060 power of 00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.659 God at 00:21:59.659 --> 00:22:00.139 work through 00:22:00.139 --> 00:22:00.720 simple 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.740 people with 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.279 a simple 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:02.899 message. 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.559 If somebody 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.359 becomes a 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:07.119 Christian through 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:07.839 your witness, 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.779 because you've 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.240 shared your 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.679 testimony, 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:10.379 or you've 00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:10.799 given them 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.039 a book, 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:11.599 and you've 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:12.399 explained to 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:13.000 them something 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.619 of the good 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:14.059 news of 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:14.359 Christ, 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.039 and they 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.579 turn to 00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:15.980 Christ, 00:22:16.179 --> 00:22:16.819 it's not 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.419 because of 00:22:17.419 --> 00:22:17.779 you, 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.500 it's God's 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:19.919 power. 00:22:21.179 --> 00:22:21.759 If we 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.359 manage to 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:22.859 plant a 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.319 church, 00:22:24.159 --> 00:22:24.679 and as a 00:22:24.679 --> 00:22:25.099 group of 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:25.440 churches, 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:25.960 as we'll be 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:26.559 thinking next 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:26.839 Sunday, 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.839 we delight 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:28.139 in the 00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:28.539 fact that 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:28.759 yes, 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:29.159 so many 00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:29.539 churches 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:29.899 have been 00:22:29.899 --> 00:22:30.259 planted, 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:30.959 but it's 00:22:30.959 --> 00:22:31.399 not down 00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:32.000 to us, 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:34.000 it's God's 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:34.539 power. 00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:36.679 If a 00:22:36.679 --> 00:22:37.259 pastor is 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:37.699 used to 00:22:37.699 --> 00:22:38.119 grow a 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:38.399 church, 00:22:38.679 --> 00:22:39.119 or if a 00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:39.599 pastor is 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:39.939 used to 00:22:39.939 --> 00:22:40.459 do wonderful 00:22:40.459 --> 00:22:40.839 things, 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.559 it's not 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:41.959 him, 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:44.179 it's God's 00:22:44.179 --> 00:22:44.559 power. 00:22:45.899 --> 00:22:46.599 It doesn't 00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:47.359 happen by our 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:47.919 wisdom or 00:22:47.919 --> 00:22:48.980 persuasive words, 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:49.859 it's not the 00:22:49.859 --> 00:22:50.480 message we 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:50.839 choose, 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:51.379 or the 00:22:51.379 --> 00:22:52.279 technology that 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:52.720 we have, 00:22:52.939 --> 00:22:53.480 it's not 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:53.899 slick 00:22:53.899 --> 00:22:54.699 presentations, 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.259 or the 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:55.720 dynamic 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.240 speaker, 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:56.880 or the 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:57.380 amount of 00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:57.960 letters that 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.640 comes after 00:22:58.640 --> 00:22:59.180 their name, 00:22:59.240 --> 00:22:59.480 or the 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.140 colleges that 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:00.539 they come 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:00.859 from, 00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:02.539 it's all 00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:04.319 because of 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:04.980 God's 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:06.960 power at 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.900 work in 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:09.019 simple people 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:10.440 with a 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.480 simple message. 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.940 Why is it 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.539 like this? 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:15.839 Well, 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:16.120 look at 00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:16.799 verse 5. 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:19.680 So that 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.680 our faith 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.640 might not 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.500 rest on 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.140 men's 00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:23.500 wisdom, 00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:25.500 but on 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:25.900 God's 00:23:25.900 --> 00:23:26.259 power. 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:28.299 We don't 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:28.839 want people 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.539 trusting in 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:30.079 us, 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:31.339 or the 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:31.779 church. 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.099 We don't 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:33.759 want followers 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.119 of a 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:34.819 preacher or 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:35.380 a program. 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.180 We want 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:36.740 people to 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.920 follow Christ 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:38.380 and his 00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:38.859 cross. 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.519 You see, 00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:42.900 when we 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:43.420 begin to 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:44.319 apply this 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:45.700 power and 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.380 this grace 00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:46.900 of God 00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:47.259 in our 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:47.799 lives, 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.079 there is 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.980 absolutely 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:50.759 no room 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.680 for superiority. 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:53.539 not one 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:53.860 of us 00:23:53.860 --> 00:23:54.320 here can 00:23:54.320 --> 00:23:54.920 stand up 00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:55.519 and say, 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:56.960 it's because 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.779 of me 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:59.519 that God 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.060 has done 00:24:00.060 --> 00:24:00.920 X, Y, 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.240 or Z. 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:02.720 It's because 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.400 of what I 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:03.840 have or 00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:04.500 what I do 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.000 or what I 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:06.600 say that 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:07.100 makes the 00:24:07.100 --> 00:24:07.640 difference. 00:24:08.600 --> 00:24:09.600 The reality 00:24:09.600 --> 00:24:10.120 is, 00:24:10.620 --> 00:24:11.799 we are all 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:13.120 weak people 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:14.519 used by 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.160 God's 00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:15.920 power. 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:17.779 There is 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:19.119 no elitism 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:19.859 here. 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:22.859 So how 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.180 do we 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:23.859 deal with 00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:24.920 spiritual 00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:25.940 superiority? 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:27.180 If we 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:27.859 spot it, 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.259 if we 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:28.700 see the 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:29.180 roots of 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:29.440 it in 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:29.920 our own 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.399 lives, 00:24:30.879 --> 00:24:32.160 if we 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:32.639 begin to 00:24:32.639 --> 00:24:33.079 see it 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:33.559 at work 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:33.839 in the 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:34.180 life of 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.519 the church, 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.079 how do 00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:35.539 we deal 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:35.879 with it? 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:36.180 How do 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:36.660 we nip 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:36.920 it in 00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:37.359 the bud 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.220 and cut 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.660 it out? 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:40.700 Well, 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.359 we remember 00:24:41.359 --> 00:24:42.500 that we're 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.500 foolish people 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.180 chosen by 00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:44.619 God's 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.039 grace, 00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:46.899 and we 00:24:46.899 --> 00:24:47.399 are weak 00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:48.120 people used 00:24:48.120 --> 00:24:48.720 by God's 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.100 power, 00:24:49.600 --> 00:24:50.759 and that 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.400 changes 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.000 everything. 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:53.800 Because 00:24:53.800 --> 00:24:54.440 instead of 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.060 superiority, 00:24:55.820 --> 00:24:56.820 we now 00:24:56.820 --> 00:24:57.080 have 00:24:57.080 --> 00:24:57.640 humility, 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.160 because we 00:24:59.160 --> 00:24:59.720 all suddenly 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.360 wake up to 00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:00.820 the fact that 00:25:00.820 --> 00:25:00.980 well, 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:01.320 I am 00:25:01.320 --> 00:25:01.620 nothing 00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:02.140 special, 00:25:02.580 --> 00:25:03.000 and I've 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.440 got nothing 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:03.960 to bring. 00:25:05.320 --> 00:25:06.120 Instead of 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:06.660 superiority, 00:25:07.120 --> 00:25:07.519 we have 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:08.500 equality, 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.640 because we 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:11.300 are all 00:25:11.300 --> 00:25:12.240 chosen by 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.780 God's 00:25:12.780 --> 00:25:13.140 grace, 00:25:13.560 --> 00:25:14.140 all by 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:14.720 the same 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.280 simple 00:25:15.280 --> 00:25:15.900 message, 00:25:16.560 --> 00:25:17.380 all equally 00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:17.800 loved, 00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:18.240 and all 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:18.640 equally 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:19.400 treasured. 00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:22.080 And instead 00:25:22.080 --> 00:25:22.840 of superiority, 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:23.540 we now 00:25:23.540 --> 00:25:24.200 have unity. 00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:25.800 We are 00:25:25.800 --> 00:25:26.200 God's 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:26.940 new people, 00:25:27.800 --> 00:25:28.120 gathered 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:29.300 together as 00:25:29.300 --> 00:25:29.840 the holy, 00:25:30.100 --> 00:25:30.440 redeemed, 00:25:30.580 --> 00:25:31.040 and righteous 00:25:31.040 --> 00:25:31.700 people of 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:31.980 God, 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.820 gathered to 00:25:33.820 --> 00:25:35.080 serve him 00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:36.340 together with 00:25:36.340 --> 00:25:37.040 the gifts that 00:25:37.040 --> 00:25:38.000 he has given 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:39.980 to us by 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:41.600 his amazing 00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:42.400 power. 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:42.420 power. 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.980 No elitism 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:47.240 in the 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.720 church of 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.040 God. 00:25:49.100 --> 00:25:49.660 Humble, 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:50.820 gracious 00:25:50.820 --> 00:25:51.960 people 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:53.160 filled with 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:53.740 the power 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.560 of God. 00:25:54.560 --> 00:25:55.560 Let's 00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:56.920 pray. 00:25:56.920 --> 00:26:19.940 Father, would 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:20.460 you please 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.320 help us to 00:26:21.320 --> 00:26:22.660 see ourselves 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.340 correctly, 00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:26.299 not to 00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:27.019 see ourselves 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.419 as the 00:26:27.419 --> 00:26:28.079 world looks 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:28.559 at us, 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:30.339 or to 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:31.079 judge others 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:31.740 by the 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.379 standards of 00:26:32.379 --> 00:26:32.859 the world, 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:35.039 but to 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:35.699 see ourselves 00:26:35.699 --> 00:26:36.179 as you 00:26:36.179 --> 00:26:36.740 see us, 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.919 as weak 00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:40.159 and as 00:26:40.159 --> 00:26:40.500 nothing, 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:44.959 but changed 00:26:44.959 --> 00:26:45.519 by your 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.539 amazing grace 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:48.439 to become 00:26:48.439 --> 00:26:49.299 the righteous, 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:52.359 holy and 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:53.019 redeemed 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.720 people of 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.079 God, 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:55.879 God's new 00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:56.759 community, 00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:58.419 God's special 00:26:58.419 --> 00:26:58.899 people, 00:26:59.659 --> 00:27:01.359 filled with 00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:01.919 the power 00:27:01.919 --> 00:27:02.240 of your 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:03.019 Holy Spirit. 00:27:04.419 --> 00:27:05.519 We thank 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:05.980 you that it 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.579 isn't because 00:27:06.579 --> 00:27:07.319 of us, 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:08.859 anything we 00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:09.799 do or say, 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:11.700 but all 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.200 down to 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:13.000 your amazing 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.480 grace. 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:15.619 We pray 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:15.980 that you 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:16.440 would work 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.159 this deep 00:27:17.159 --> 00:27:17.639 into our 00:27:17.639 --> 00:27:18.119 lives, 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:19.539 so that 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:19.879 this 00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:20.399 church 00:27:20.399 --> 00:27:21.379 and that 00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:22.339 our lives 00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:23.419 would be 00:27:23.419 --> 00:27:24.099 marked with 00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:24.919 humility, 00:27:26.239 --> 00:27:26.979 with that 00:27:26.979 --> 00:27:27.679 equality, 00:27:28.879 --> 00:27:29.619 and that 00:27:29.619 --> 00:27:30.219 we would be 00:27:30.219 --> 00:27:31.059 strengthened in 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.699 our unity, 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:33.359 all for the 00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:33.919 glory of 00:27:33.919 --> 00:27:34.239 God. 00:27:34.239 --> 00:27:35.719 Amen.