God's Sovereign Choice: Strength in Weakness

 

Summary

In reflecting on the divine mystery of God's choices, we are reminded of the profound truth that God's ways are not our ways. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, highlights the paradox of God's selection process. God chooses the foolish, the weak, and the despised to confound the wise and mighty, ensuring that no flesh can boast in His presence. This divine strategy is not only humbling but also a testament to God's sovereignty and grace. It challenges human pride and wisdom, emphasizing that God's kingdom operates on principles contrary to worldly expectations.

The doctrine of election, as discussed, is a humbling truth. It reminds us that salvation is not a result of human merit or wisdom but a gift of God's sovereign choice. This choice is not based on human standards of wisdom, power, or nobility but on God's purpose to glorify Himself through the seemingly insignificant and weak. This divine selection serves to confound the wise and mighty, demonstrating that God's strength is made perfect in weakness.

The sermon also draws attention to the historical examples of God's sovereign choice, from the selection of Abraham to the apostles. These examples illustrate that God's choice is not influenced by human status or ability but by His divine will and purpose. The ultimate reason for this divine election is that no flesh should glory in His presence, ensuring that all glory is directed to God alone.

In conclusion, the message is a call to humility and trust in God's sovereign will. It challenges us to recognize our own limitations and to rely on God's grace and wisdom. It is a reminder that God's ways, though mysterious, are always perfect and that His choice of the weak and despised is a testament to His power and glory.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Sovereign Choice: God's selection of the foolish and weak to confound the wise and mighty is a profound demonstration of His sovereignty. This choice ensures that no human can boast in His presence, highlighting the divine wisdom that surpasses human understanding. [01:17]

2. The Humbling Doctrine of Election: The doctrine of election is a humbling truth that reminds us that salvation is not based on human merit but on God's sovereign choice. It challenges human pride and emphasizes the need for humility before God. [03:06]

3. Historical Examples of Divine Election: Throughout history, God's choice has not been influenced by human status or ability. From Abraham to the apostles, God's selection is based on His divine will and purpose, demonstrating that His ways are not our ways. [05:23]

4. The Paradox of Divine Selection: God's choice of the weak and despised serves to confound the wise and mighty, demonstrating that His strength is made perfect in weakness. This paradox challenges human expectations and highlights the power of God's grace. [20:34]

5. The Ultimate Purpose of God's Choice: The ultimate reason for God's choice is that no flesh should glory in His presence. This ensures that all glory is directed to God alone, emphasizing the need for humility and trust in His sovereign will. [44:52]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - God's Strange Choice
- [00:51] - Christ Despised Yet Glorious
- [01:32] - The Calling of the Corinthians
- [03:06] - The Humbling Doctrine of Election
- [04:46] - God's Sovereign Choice
- [05:23] - Historical Examples of Election
- [07:43] - God's Discriminating Sovereignty
- [10:26] - The King's Will in Salvation
- [12:06] - The Paradox of Divine Selection
- [14:09] - Figures of Salvation
- [16:33] - The Body of Christ
- [19:13] - The Strangeness of God's Choice
- [23:59] - Encouragement for the Humble
- [35:21] - Reasons for God's Choice

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
- Romans 9:15-16
- Ephesians 2:8-9

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#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, what types of people does God choose, and why? How does this choice challenge human expectations? [00:09]
2. In the sermon, what historical examples are given to illustrate God's sovereign choice? [05:23]
3. How does the sermon describe the paradox of God's selection of the weak and despised? [20:34]
4. What is the ultimate purpose of God's choice, as mentioned in the sermon? [44:52]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the doctrine of election, as discussed in the sermon, challenge human pride and wisdom? [03:06]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between God's sovereignty and human merit? [04:46]
3. How does the sermon explain the significance of God choosing the "foolish" and "weak" to confound the wise and mighty? [20:34]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's choice ensures that no flesh should glory in His presence? [44:52]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt weak or insignificant. How can you see God's strength being made perfect in your weakness? [20:34]
2. How does understanding God's sovereign choice impact your view of your own abilities and achievements? [03:06]
3. In what ways can you practice humility in your daily life, acknowledging that salvation is a gift of God's grace and not based on your merit? [04:46]
4. How can you trust in God's mysterious ways, especially when His choices seem contrary to worldly expectations? [20:34]
5. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with pride. What steps can you take to rely more on God's wisdom and grace? [44:52]
6. How can you encourage others who feel despised or weak, reminding them of their value in God's kingdom? [20:34]
7. What practical steps can you take to ensure that all glory is directed to God alone in your life? [44:52]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Sovereign Choice Confounds Human Wisdom
God's selection of the foolish and weak to confound the wise and mighty is a profound demonstration of His sovereignty. This choice ensures that no human can boast in His presence, highlighting the divine wisdom that surpasses human understanding. In a world that often values strength, intelligence, and status, God's kingdom operates on a different set of principles. His choices are not based on human standards but on His divine purpose and will. This challenges us to reconsider our own values and to trust in God's perfect wisdom, even when it seems contrary to our expectations. [01:17]

"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 areas of your life do you rely on your own wisdom rather than seeking God's guidance? How can you begin to trust in His sovereign choices today?


Day 2: The Humbling Doctrine of Election
The doctrine of election is a humbling truth that reminds us that salvation is not based on human merit but on God's sovereign choice. It challenges human pride and emphasizes the need for humility before God. This doctrine teaches that God's grace is a gift, not something we can earn or deserve. It calls us to a posture of gratitude and humility, recognizing that our salvation is entirely dependent on God's mercy and love. As we reflect on this truth, we are invited to let go of our pride and to embrace the humility that comes from understanding our dependence on God. [03:06]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding that your salvation is a gift from God change the way you view yourself and others? What steps can you take to cultivate humility in your daily life?


Day 3: Historical Examples of Divine Election
Throughout history, God's choice has not been influenced by human status or ability. From Abraham to the apostles, God's selection is based on His divine will and purpose, demonstrating that His ways are not our ways. These historical examples remind us that God often chooses the unlikely and the overlooked to accomplish His purposes. This serves as a powerful reminder that our worth and value are not determined by worldly standards but by God's love and calling. As we reflect on these examples, we are encouraged to trust in God's plan for our lives, even when it seems unexpected or unconventional. [05:23]

"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: Think of a time when you felt overlooked or insignificant. How can you find encouragement in the knowledge that God often chooses the unlikely to fulfill His purposes?


Day 4: The Paradox of Divine Selection
God's choice of the weak and despised serves to confound the wise and mighty, demonstrating that His strength is made perfect in weakness. This paradox challenges human expectations and highlights the power of God's grace. In a world that often values power and prestige, God's kingdom operates on a different set of principles. His strength is revealed in our weakness, and His grace is sufficient for all our needs. This truth invites us to embrace our weaknesses and to rely on God's strength, knowing that His power is made perfect in our limitations. [20:34]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of weakness in your life where you need to rely on God's strength? How can you begin to embrace this weakness as an opportunity for God's power to be revealed?


Day 5: The Ultimate Purpose of God's Choice
The ultimate reason for God's choice is that no flesh should glory in His presence. This ensures that all glory is directed to God alone, emphasizing the need for humility and trust in His sovereign will. God's choices are not about elevating human status or achievement but about glorifying Himself through His grace and power. This truth calls us to a posture of worship and surrender, recognizing that our lives are meant to reflect God's glory. As we reflect on this purpose, we are invited to live in a way that honors God and points others to His greatness. [44:52]

"So that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'" (1 Corinthians 1:31, ESV)

Reflection: How can you live in a way that directs glory to God rather than seeking recognition for yourself? What practical steps can you take to ensure that your life reflects God's glory?

Quotes



The apostle Paul had been led to make the confession that Christ Jesus was despised both by Jew and Gentile. He confessed that this was no cause of stumbling to him, for what others counted foolishness he believed to be wisdom, and rejoice that the foolishness of God was wiser than men and the weakness of God stronger than men. [00:47:12]

It is clear to everyone who will observe either scripture or fact, that God never did intend to make his gospel fashionable, that the very last thing that was ever in his thoughts was to select the elite of mankind and gather dignity for his truth from the tordy trappings of rank and station. [00:118:48]

There is no doctrine more truly humbling than the doctrine of election, and it was for this reason that the apostle Paul refers to it, that the disciples at Corinth might be quite content to follow the humble and despised cross-bearing Savior, because the election of grace consists of the humble and despised. [00:177:92]

The text three times most peremptorily answers the question. It saith not man hath chosen but it say three times God hath chosen God hath chosen, God hath chosen the grace which is found in any man, and the glory and eternal life to which any attain, are all the gifts of God's election. [00:281:76]

He selected Abraham as the progenitor of the chosen race. Did Abraham choose God or did God call and choose Abraham? Was there anything naturally in Abraham to entitle him to be the servant of the most high? We have very plain proof in scripture that there was not. [00:489:19]

God hath chosen, God hath chosen and not man. It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runeth, but of God that showeth mercy. Let us look at the matter in another light, clearly the Lord's will must determine the matter if we consider his office in position towards men. [00:614:80]

The church again is called a building with whom does the architecture of the building rest with the building, with the stones do the stones select themselves? Did that stone just yonder in the corner choose its place, or that which is buried there in the foundation did it select its proper position? [00:904:88]

The Lord is about to choose a people who shall give honor to the cross of Christ. They are to be redeemed by precious blood and they are to be, in some sense a worthy reward for the great sufferings of Jesus. Now observe how strange is the choice he makes. [00:1178:88]

Man chooses those who would be most helpful to him, God chooses those to whom he can be the most helpful. We select those who may give us the best return, God frequently selects those who most need his aid. If I choose a friend the tendency is to choose him because of a certain serviceableness. [00:1268:40]

The wise might have forced their way to heaven by their wit one would think, but there they are with their blind learning fumbling for the latch of heaven's door, while the illiterate and simple-minded have already entered it. Blind wisdom gropes in the dark and like the wise men it goes to Jerusalem in vain. [00:1612:88]

The first or immediate reason is contained in these words God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty and base things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen. [00:2124:96]

But his ultimate reason is that no flesh may glory in his presence. I want you to notice that last sentence and I have done, he does not say that no man, no the text is in no humor to please anybody it says that no flesh, what a word what a word I say. [00:2687:52]

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Transcript
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