1:26-31 Glorious God
Notes
Transcript
Glorious God
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
26 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.
27 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; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Introduction:
Let me open by telling you the parable of the Bramble King. The trees of the earth looked around them and noticed that there were many kinds of kingdoms and each had a king. Certainly, human nations had their kings and the mighty lion was the king of the beasts, but, they had no king over them. So, they hatched a plan and after some debate went to the Olive Tree with its rich fruit and anoint him king over the trees. But, the Olive Tree surprised them and said no. “I have much wealth through my olives with their nourishment and oil and am able to use it to honor God and bless mankind. It is not right for me to leave my place to rule over the trees.” Disappointed but, not hopeless, the trees thought next of the Fig Tree. It also was noted for its fruitfulness and so they asked it to come and reign over them. “Why would I leave behind my sweet fruit in order to come and be King? No, I am quite content in my role.” Well, with that the trees regrouped. They wanted a tree that would be respected and help them among all the other kingdoms. They knew the fruit trees would follow suit with the Olive and the Fig tree and then they hatched a crafty plan. There was the grape vine of course. Never a tree and more than a flower it was always in between. So, they gave it the chance to rise above its condition and not only be one of them but, rule over them as their king. It shattered their confidence when the Grape Vine looked up from its lowly condition and said no as well. “Why is it that I should leave behind my role that makes both God and man happy to rule over you?” Well, now there was dejection. Turned down by the most respected trees they understood as they had key roles to fulfill. But, to be turned down by a vine? Then they knew what they needed. They needed dissatisfaction that had fueled ambition. So, they turned to the bramble. It bore fruit that did no good. It was not quite a bush and definitely not a tree. Used to plant around a house as a form of protection as a result of its long thorns but, rooted up and destroyed everywhere else. Men and animals alike had to keep their distance. So, they gave it the chance to rise up from its lowly condition and it embraced the chance. But, the bramble had two conditions.
First, they must show that they were in good faith and not mocking its position. They must come near to it to shelter at its side. A strange request since its leaves are too small to really shade and it is too short to tower over a tree. Second, any that would not must be destroyed with fire. Perhaps a payback for one of the few things a bramble is known for; it is like a match that burns hot and fast and since it has little other use, it is used to start fires. The trees agree.
To get shade from the bramble required getting close enough where they were cut and soon carried the scars from this ambitious and insecure plant. Then when they drew back, it would turn on them and seek their destruction.
There are few things more dangerous and destructive relationally than insecure people with warped identities like the bramble. Despising their role in life, unwilling to embrace their God-given identity, desperate to find acceptance outside of God’s design, they are dangerous, difficult, and divisive.
Along the way we have been learning about the warped identities of the people in Corinth. Their quest to find respect has left the church divided from one another and their spiritual authority, the gospel shaken, and the glory of God left behind.
The Means are for God’s glory as well as the End.
Knowing and Understanding (vs. 31)
Knowing and Understanding (vs. 31)
Hard to Understand in Israel
Hard to Understand in Israel
In our text this morning we have another Old Testament quotation from Paul as a sort of summary statement to this section. Let’s start at the end first and then work our way back through what Paul is telling the Corinthians. Paul is quoting from Jeremiah 9:23-24 “23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
In our text this morning we have another Old Testament quotation from Paul as a sort of summary statement to this section. Let’s start at the end first and then work our way back through what Paul is telling the Corinthians. Paul is quoting from Jeremiah 9:23-24 “23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
In its original context, the prophecy is a rebuke and an encouragement to the people of Israel in the midst of their sufferings. They want rescue from invaders and God is saying that He is on mission for His glory and the way that is going to happen at this point is a far cry from the safety, power, and respect they crave. They are struggling the same way that we saw in Habakkuk, how can God use the godless Babylonians to punish the Jews, who while ungodly, are not as bad as the Babylonians. God’s response in Jeremiah 9:25-26 is telling as God agrees these ‘uncircumcised’ nations deserve punishment but, He is dealing first with Israel, with their ‘uncircumcised’ hearts.
In its original context, the prophecy is a rebuke and an encouragement to the people of Israel in the midst of their sufferings. They want rescue from invaders and God is saying that He is on mission for His glory and the way that is going to happen at this point is a far cry from the safety, power, and respect they crave. They are struggling the same way that we saw in Habakkuk, how can God use the godless Babylonians to punish the Jews, who while ungodly, are not as bad as the Babylonians. God’s response in Jeremiah 9:25-26 is telling as God agrees these ‘uncircumcised’ nations deserve punishment but, He is dealing first with Israel, with their ‘uncircumcised’ hearts.
God is saying that He is to be glorified not just in the result of what He is doing but also the means by which He is accomplishing His will. Their hard to understand truth is how could it be that by exposing their frailty, by using a wicked nation to judge them, by removing all their power and wealth, how could that be the plan of God? The answer? That is a hard truth and they are to glorify God as they know and understand Him. The Means are for God’s glory as well as the End.
God is saying that He is to be glorified not just in the result of what He is doing but also the means by which He is accomplishing His will. Their hard to understand truth is how could it be that by exposing their frailty, by using a wicked nation to judge them, by removing all their power and wealth, how could that be the plan of God? The answer? That is a hard truth and they are to glorify God as they know and understand Him. The Means are for God’s glory as well as the End.
Hard to Understand in Corinth and Irmo
There is no more perfect quotation from the Old Testament that Paul could give. Their and our hard to understand truths this morning is how could it be that God would be content for His people, for us, to not be respected? To be thought of as foolish, weak, and poor; of no regard? That is a difficult truth. We feel like the Bramble King, looked down upon, even despised, of little worth, rejected, alone, and with little usefulness. How could that be the means of God to get His name maximum glory? In one way, we could simply call our hearts to respond in faith-filled trust and recognize that understanding the why does not change the what and we could remember that the means are for God’s glory as well as the end. But, in this sense God is kind to give us some more information about the why. So, let’s frame the question this way in a hard to live truth statement. How could the means of choosing and using people that are not only foolish, weak, and of little importance but actually viewed by others as foolish, weak, and of little importance be the way for God to be made big? When the nation of Israel heard the cry of the giant they looked for a champion not a boy. When the Disciples needed to feed a crowd, they looked for a lot of money not a boy with loaves and fishes. When the religious leaders looked for a Messiah they looked for a powerful ruler not a carpenter from Nazareth. So, we have this rich theological heritage to rescue our wounded egos of feeling foolish, weak, and of no account. But, it is a hard truth for us nonetheless. How could the plan of God be to choose and keep us weak, foolish, and of no account to get Him maximum glory? The Means are for God’s glory as well as the end.
There is no more perfect quotation from the Old Testament that Paul could give. Their and our hard to understand truths this morning is how could it be that God would be content for His people, for us, to not be respected? To be thought of as foolish, weak, and poor; of no regard? That is a difficult truth. We feel like the Bramble King, looked down upon, even despised, of little worth, rejected, alone, and with little usefulness. How could that be the means of God to get His name maximum glory? In one way, we could simply call our hearts to respond in faith-filled trust and recognize that understanding the why does not change the what and we could remember that the means are for God’s glory as well as the end. But, in this sense God is kind to give us some more information about the why. So, let’s frame the question this way in a hard to live truth statement. How could the means of choosing and using people that are not only foolish, weak, and of little importance but actually viewed by others as foolish, weak, and of little importance be the way for God to be made big? When the nation of Israel heard the cry of the giant they looked for a champion not a boy. When the Disciples needed to feed a crowd, they looked for a lot of money not a boy with loaves and fishes. When the religious leaders looked for a Messiah they looked for a powerful ruler not a carpenter from Nazareth. So, we have this rich theological heritage to rescue our wounded egos of feeling foolish, weak, and of no account. But, it is a hard truth for us nonetheless. How could the plan of God be to choose and keep us weak, foolish, and of no account to get Him maximum glory? The Means are for God’s glory as well as the end.
A Means of Judgment (vs. 26-29)
A Means of Judgment (vs. 26-29)
Well we know now where we are headed toward a heart that rejoices in, boasts in, really both mean to glorify God. So, how do we get there? By knowing and understanding God.
Spiritually Broken
Spiritually Broken
I do find it important to point something out very quickly. There is this modifier here where Paul says ‘not many of you.’ It indicates that some would have been thought of as wise, some had been or were wealthy, and others had some nobility in their heritage. This is important because the Gospel is for the smart, powerful, and important people as much as the foolish, poor, and weak. Unfortunately, though, we recognize that like the Rich Young Ruler those things seem to be great barriers to the Gospel in the hearts of men. Revelation 3:17 “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Indeed, if anyone would follow Christ they must deny any of these as their identity and come to the awareness and admission of their sinful state. So, though they be rich they see they are spiritual beggars. Though they be smart they come by faith and though it is reasonable as Francis Schaeffer says, it is still faith alone. Though they be important they are in spiritual desperation. The Gospel is for the broken or as Jesus said in Mark 2:17 “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
I do find it important to point something out very quickly. There is this modifier here where Paul says ‘not many of you.’ It indicates that some would have been thought of as wise, some had been or were wealthy, and others had some nobility in their heritage. This is important because the Gospel is for the smart, powerful, and important people as much as the foolish, poor, and weak. Unfortunately, though, we recognize that like the Rich Young Ruler those things seem to be great barriers to the Gospel in the hearts of men. Revelation 3:17 “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Indeed, if anyone would follow Christ they must deny any of these as their identity and come to the awareness and admission of their sinful state. So, though they be rich they see they are spiritual beggars. Though they be smart they come by faith and though it is reasonable as Francis Schaeffer says, it is still faith alone. Though they be important they are in spiritual desperation. The Gospel is for the broken or as Jesus said in Mark 2:17 “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Security from Arrogance
Security from Arrogance
It is in this moment that we see the first glorious purpose for this method of calling the foolish, weak, and unimportant through the Gospel and then using them to declare the Gospel. It safeguards the glory of God from the crazed assault of these sinners. Ephesians 2:8-9 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
It is in this moment that we see the first glorious purpose for this method of calling the foolish, weak, and unimportant through the Gospel and then using them to declare the Gospel. It safeguards the glory of God from the crazed assault of these sinners. Ephesians 2:8-9 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
This is in part why the Gospel at its very core is a denial of you and reception of Christ. A death to you and life in Christ. A rejection of the identity you foster, identity based on things you have done; good or bad, or how you are viewed; respected or rejected, or where you find security; in ability, money, health, or relationships to find life in Christ alone. Matthew 16:26-27 “26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.”
This is in part why the Gospel at its very core is a denial of you and reception of Christ. A death to you and life in Christ. A rejection of the identity you foster, identity based on things you have done; good or bad, or how you are viewed; respected or rejected, or where you find security; in ability, money, health, or relationships to find life in Christ alone. Matthew 16:26-27 “26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.”
The world is full of Bramble Kings seeking to prove their value and worth and respectability. But, it always comes at a cost. When Adam and Eve wanted glory and respectability it came at the cost of everything and they burned the world down with their sin. Do you think they thought of that as they buried their boy killed by his brother in anger out of his own warped identity? It is shocking what people will boast about. How much pain they can endure, how much sicker they are than you, how difficult they have it, how they have suffered, how little sleep they get, their grades, their awards, their achievements, their successes, their rebellion, their knowledge of a situation, and so on. In Corinth? In desperation from their lack of respectability? How early they got saved and baptized, under Peter? I got Apollos, I got Paul, I got Christ! How long they have been in a church, how much they serve, how needed they are, how effective they are, how much they give, how patient they are, and so on. Why? Because we are Bramble Kings at heart, insecure, with a warped identity and think that sharing the glory of God is okay as long as we aren’t taking all of the glory from God. We do it when we find identity in what we think we have done. We do it when we find identity in liberty issues. We do it when we find identity in anything, anyone, or anywhere other than Christ!
The world is full of Bramble Kings seeking to prove their value and worth and respectability. But, it always comes at a cost. When Adam and Eve wanted glory and respectability it came at the cost of everything and they burned the world down with their sin. Do you think they thought of that as they buried their boy killed by his brother in anger out of his own warped identity? It is shocking what people will boast about. How much pain they can endure, how much sicker they are than you, how difficult they have it, how they have suffered, how little sleep they get, their grades, their awards, their achievements, their successes, their rebellion, their knowledge of a situation, and so on. In Corinth? In desperation from their lack of respectability? How early they got saved and baptized, under Peter? I got Apollos, I got Paul, I got Christ! How long they have been in a church, how much they serve, how needed they are, how effective they are, how much they give, how patient they are, and so on. Why? Because we are Bramble Kings at heart, insecure, with a warped identity and think that sharing the glory of God is okay as long as we aren’t taking all of the glory from God. We do it when we find identity in what we think we have done. We do it when we find identity in liberty issues. We do it when we find identity in anything, anyone, or anywhere other than Christ!
So, when God sends a freckled face teenage boy into a valley with a sling, contrary to Malcom Gladwell, it isn’t strength in disguise, it is weakness on display so only God gets the glory. When three Hebrew boys refuse to bow down it is to put the Son of God on display having a Bible Study in the flames so the neck saving sycophants that bowed down get no glory. When a little boy offers up his lunch it puts God’s creative power on display. So, the heavy givers in the crowd get no glory.
So, when God sends a freckled face teenage boy into a valley with a sling, contrary to Malcom Gladwell, it isn’t strength in disguise, it is weakness on display so only God gets the glory. When three Hebrew boys refuse to bow down it is to put the Son of God on display having a Bible Study in the flames so the neck saving sycophants that bowed down get no glory. When a little boy offers up his lunch it puts God’s creative power on display. So, the heavy givers in the crowd get no glory.
The Means are for God’s glory as well as the End.
A Means of Glory (vs. 30-31)
A Means of Glory (vs. 30-31)
The Spiritually Whole
The Spiritually Whole
Paul uses the term wisdom here and then gives three supporting truths. That is best reflective of the language he uses here instead of thinking of it as four separate things given to us. The HCSB does well with it “But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.” Here Paul is giving us part of our identity in Christ. He does it with three terms all describing salvation.
Paul uses the term wisdom here and then gives three supporting truths. That is best reflective of the language he uses here instead of thinking of it as four separate things given to us. The HCSB does well with it “But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.” Here Paul is giving us part of our identity in Christ. He does it with three terms all describing salvation.
Righteousness: Justified status before God the Father as our judge. He looks on the righteousness of Christ and applies it to our account. Worldly wisdom says to be justified by our doing, the wisdom of God was to send His son to become righteousness for us.
Righteousness: Justified status before God the Father as our judge. He looks on the righteousness of Christ and applies it to our account. Worldly wisdom says to be justified by our doing, the wisdom of God was to send His son to become righteousness for us.
Sanctification: The process of becoming conformed to the holiness of God. Here Paul is using it to point out that we made holy in Christ. We work this reality out progressively even as we are commanded to be holy but it is just that, a working out practically of an already present reality. Hebrews 10:10 “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” "Holiness is not something we are called upon to do in order that we may become something; it is something we are to do because of what we already are." – Lloyd-Jones
Sanctification: The process of becoming conformed to the holiness of God. Here Paul is using it to point out that we made holy in Christ. We work this reality out progressively even as we are commanded to be holy but it is just that, a working out practically of an already present reality. Hebrews 10:10 “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” "Holiness is not something we are called upon to do in order that we may become something; it is something we are to do because of what we already are." – Lloyd-Jones
We who were without holiness are made holy in Christ, not from self-help books, 12 steps, behavioral therapy, or anything else. We are nothing less than dead people with all of our corruption and decay, made alive in Christ’s holiness. The sanctification text that catches this idea of living out this reality best is also a key identity text in Romans 6:3-8 “3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”
We who were without holiness are made holy in Christ, not from self-help books, 12 steps, behavioral therapy, or anything else. We are nothing less than dead people with all of our corruption and decay, made alive in Christ’s holiness. The sanctification text that catches this idea of living out this reality best is also a key identity text in Romans 6:3-8 “3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”
Redemption: The buying us out of the slave market of sin by the payment of the death of Christ. C.S. Lewis captures it with Aslan satisfying the ‘deep magic’ by dying to buy the life of Edmund but also everyone in Narnia. It is in Hosea with his purchase of Gomer from the slave market of sin. It is the lamb slain to buy the life of the first born at Passover. It is Jesus and the parable of the two debtors forgiving by grace that which we could never repay. It is the wisdom of God to deliver us from a debt we could never pay but Him paying the greatest price ever, His only beloved son.
Redemption: The buying us out of the slave market of sin by the payment of the death of Christ. C.S. Lewis captures it with Aslan satisfying the ‘deep magic’ by dying to buy the life of Edmund but also everyone in Narnia. It is in Hosea with his purchase of Gomer from the slave market of sin. It is the lamb slain to buy the life of the first born at Passover. It is Jesus and the parable of the two debtors forgiving by grace that which we could never repay. It is the wisdom of God to deliver us from a debt we could never pay but Him paying the greatest price ever, His only beloved son.
Spiritually Responding
Spiritually Responding
What if the Bramble King had embraced his identity? Well that would have required being willing to die in the fire so others could be warm. It would have required being trimmed short so that he functioned as a protective hedge. It would have required others keeping distance except for the frail bird who could find rest from predators among his thorns. It would have required being used to protect the vulnerable lambs as a sort of protective hedge. It would have been to serve and sacrifice instead of rule. Well there you have it don’t you? Because the true King embraced the thorns, went into the flames, and served all of us, protected each of us, and loved not his own life even to the death that we might live.
What if the Bramble King had embraced his identity? Well that would have required being willing to die in the fire so others could be warm. It would have required being trimmed short so that he functioned as a protective hedge. It would have required others keeping distance except for the frail bird who could find rest from predators among his thorns. It would have required being used to protect the vulnerable lambs as a sort of protective hedge. It would have been to serve and sacrifice instead of rule. Well there you have it don’t you? Because the true King embraced the thorns, went into the flames, and served all of us, protected each of us, and loved not his own life even to the death that we might live.
The Bramble King isn’t my story. That was the parable that Jotham told the men of Israel after they had embraced his brother Abimelech as their king. Son of Gideon and a concubine they helped him kill 69 of his 70 brothers and only Jotham survived.
The Bramble King isn’t my story. That was the parable that Jotham told the men of Israel after they had embraced his brother Abimelech as their king. Son of Gideon and a concubine they helped him kill 69 of his 70 brothers and only Jotham survived.
Where are you foolish, weak, and powerless? Yes, God can use your strengths, strengths He gave you, but a primary means of His glory is to shine His wisdom, His power, and His nobility out of frail, broken, and not so respectable people. What if the glory wars died in the life of the church because we are all too busy glorifying God alone?
Where are you foolish, weak, and powerless? Yes, God can use your strengths, strengths He gave you, but a primary means of His glory is to shine His wisdom, His power, and His nobility out of frail, broken, and not so respectable people. What if the glory wars died in the life of the church because we are all too busy glorifying God alone?
We identify with the Bramble King but should be reminding our hearts that we are in the King of Kings. We think respect here will heal our wounded selves when in fact we have the wisdom of God, the riches of Heaven, and have been adopted into the family of God.
We identify with the Bramble King but should be reminding our hearts that we are in the King of Kings. We think respect here will heal our wounded selves when in fact we have the wisdom of God, the riches of Heaven, and have been adopted into the family of God.
The Means are for God’s glory as well as the End.