Embracing Our Calling: Glory in Weakness and Humility

 

Summary

In our journey through 1 Corinthians, we delve into the heart of the Christian calling and identity. The Corinthian Church, much like our modern society, was a melting pot of opinions and ideologies, often influenced by external philosophies rather than the truth of the Gospel. The message of the Cross, while deemed foolishness by the world, is the power of God for those being saved. It is this message that defines us, not the wisdom or the power of the world.

Paul urges us to consider our calling. Our calling is not tied to our professions or our skills, but to something far more profound. The Westminster Shorter Catechism encapsulates this beautifully: our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This is the lens through which we must view all aspects of our lives. Our actions, our passions, and our very being should lead us to glorify God and enjoy His presence eternally.

The world may see us as losers, as Ted Turner once described Christianity, but in the Kingdom of God, losing oneself is finding something far greater. We are a religion for "losers" because we have lost our old selves to gain Christ. We have found the one true treasure that surpasses all understanding.

Paul reminds us that God often chooses the foolish and the weak to carry out His work. This is evident throughout Scripture. Abraham, Moses, Jacob, and the disciples were all flawed individuals, yet God used them mightily. We too, regardless of our perceived worth or ability, are called to serve God with whatever we have been given. It is not about being a "ten" in the eyes of the world but about being used by God for His glory.

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14 illustrates the importance of humility before God. The tax collector, aware of his sinfulness, pleads for mercy and is justified, while the Pharisee boasts of his righteousness and is not. We must recognize that we are nothing without God's grace and that He chooses to use us despite our imperfections.

Key Takeaways:

- Our primary purpose in life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This truth transcends our occupations, hobbies, and personal interests. When we align our lives with this purpose, every aspect of our existence takes on eternal significance. [43:06]

- The wisdom of this world is folly compared to the wisdom of God. We must be cautious not to let the world's values infiltrate the church and dilute the Gospel. Instead, we should embrace the foolishness of the cross, which is the true power of God. [44:26]

- God's choice to use the weak and the foolish is a testament to His grace and power. It is not our strength or wisdom that qualifies us for God's work, but His love and mercy. This should encourage us to serve Him with humility and gratitude. [47:03]

- The story of the Pharisee and the tax collector teaches us that God honors a humble heart. We must approach God with an awareness of our need for His mercy, rather than boasting in our own righteousness. [53:02]

- Being labeled as "losers" for Christ is a badge of honor. In losing our lives for His sake, we gain the true life that is found in Him. This paradox is at the heart of the Christian faith and should be a source of joy and hope. [37:12]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'"

2. Luke 18:9-14 - "He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 'Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get." But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise" in 1 Corinthians 1:27?
2. How does the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14 illustrate the importance of humility before God?
3. According to the sermon, what is the primary purpose of our lives as described by the Westminster Shorter Catechism? [42:26]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate that God uses flawed individuals for His purposes? [47:44]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that not many of the Corinthians were wise, powerful, or of noble birth according to worldly standards? How does this relate to God's choice to use the weak and the foolish? [45:02]
2. In what ways does the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector challenge our understanding of righteousness and humility? [53:02]
3. How does the concept of "losing oneself to gain Christ" redefine what it means to be a "loser" in the context of the Christian faith? [37:12]
4. What does it mean to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, and how can this perspective transform our daily lives? [43:06]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: In what ways have you allowed the world's values to influence your decisions and actions? How can you realign your focus to embrace the "foolishness" of the cross? [44:26]
2. Consider your calling: How can you glorify God and enjoy Him in your current profession, hobbies, and personal interests? What specific changes can you make to ensure that every aspect of your life leads to this purpose? [42:26]
3. Think about a time when you felt inadequate or unworthy to serve God. How does the knowledge that God uses the weak and the foolish encourage you to step out in faith and serve Him? [47:03]
4. How can you cultivate a humble heart like the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14? Identify one area in your life where you need to seek God's mercy and grace rather than relying on your own righteousness. [53:02]
5. Reflect on the idea of being a "loser" for Christ. How can you embrace this identity with joy and hope, knowing that in losing your life for His sake, you gain true life? [37:12]
6. In what ways can you guard against the infiltration of worldly philosophies and ideologies into your faith community? How can you help others in your small group to stay grounded in the truth of the Gospel? [38:37]
7. Identify one specific action you can take this week to serve God with humility and gratitude, regardless of your perceived worth or ability. How can you encourage others in your small group to do the same? [47:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Living for God's Glory
Our chief purpose transcends our daily routines and personal ambitions, calling us to live for something greater than ourselves. This purpose is not just a lofty ideal but a practical guide for every decision and action. When we understand that our primary reason for existence is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, it reshapes our priorities and gives us a sense of direction that goes beyond the temporal. It means that whether we are at work, with family, or engaging in hobbies, we do so with an intention to reflect God's character and to find joy in His presence. This perspective turns mundane tasks into acts of worship and infuses our lives with eternal significance. By living for God's glory, we find true fulfillment and contentment that cannot be found in earthly pursuits. [43:06]

"Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally glorify God in your routine activities today?

Day 2: Embracing Divine Wisdom
The wisdom of this world is often at odds with the wisdom of God. While society values power, success, and intelligence, the Gospel calls us to embrace what the world sees as foolish—the message of the Cross. This message is the true power of God, bringing salvation and transformation. As believers, we must guard against the temptation to conform to the world's standards and instead hold fast to the truth of the Gospel. This may mean standing out or even facing ridicule, but it is in this 'foolishness' that we find the wisdom and power of God at work in our lives. By choosing the way of the Cross, we demonstrate that our trust is not in human wisdom but in the power of God to save and to change lives. [44:26]

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." - 1 Corinthians 1:25 (ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you resist the pressure to conform to the world's wisdom today?

Day 3: Celebrating God's Choice of the Weak
God's kingdom operates on principles that are counterintuitive to the world. He often chooses the weak, the lowly, and the foolish to accomplish His purposes, showcasing His power and grace. This should be a source of great encouragement for us, as it means that our worth is not determined by our abilities or status but by God's love and mercy. When we feel inadequate or insignificant, we can remember that God delights in using our weaknesses to display His strength. Our responsibility is not to be the best by worldly standards but to be available and willing to be used by God for His glory. This understanding frees us from the pressure to perform and allows us to serve God with a humble and grateful heart. [47:03]

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." - 1 Corinthians 1:27 (ESV)

Reflection: What perceived weakness can you offer to God today as an opportunity for His strength to be displayed?

Day 4: Honoring God with a Humble Heart
The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector teaches us a vital lesson about humility before God. Approaching God with an awareness of our need for His mercy is what He desires, rather than boasting in our own righteousness. This humility is not about self-degradation but about recognizing our complete dependence on God's grace. It is in acknowledging our sinfulness and need for a Savior that we are justified and made right with God. As we come before Him with humble hearts, we find that His grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness. This humility is the key to a deeper relationship with God and to being used by Him in ways that exceed our expectations. [53:02]

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." - Luke 18:14 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you practice humility before God and others in a tangible way today?

Day 5: Finding True Life in Losing Ourselves
The Christian faith is marked by a paradox: in losing our lives for Christ's sake, we gain true life. Being labeled as "losers" for the sake of the Gospel is not a mark of shame but a badge of honor. It signifies that we have found something of immeasurable value—life in Christ. This means letting go of our self-centered ambitions and desires to embrace the life that Jesus offers. In doing so, we discover a life characterized by peace, joy, and purpose that can only be found in Him. This paradoxical truth challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and to find our identity not in the accolades of the world but in our relationship with Christ. [37:12]

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." - Matthew 16:25 (ESV)

Reflection: What does 'losing your life' for Christ look like in your current circumstances?

Quotes

1) "We are ones who have lost ourselves because we have found something greater." [39:17] (Download)

2) "Everything ought to lead you to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." [43:47] (Download)

3) "The message of the Cross is foolishness for the world, but for those who are being saved it's the power of God into salvation." [41:03] (Download)

4) "God chose what is foolish of the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." [45:37] (Download)

5) "God chooses the foolish and the weak for His work." [47:03] (Download)

6) "Every one of us was created by an infinite God who spun this world into being just by speaking." [51:06] (Download)

7) "I have lost all the things that I cared for and have found the one true treasure." [51:51] (Download)

8) "God doesn't need us; He chooses to use us in spite of the fact that the Rocks would cry out." [53:47] (Download)

9) "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." [43:06] (Download)

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Transcript
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