Glory only in the Lord 1 Cor 1:26-31

Introduction

The Church at Corinth was divided. They were in different factions who claimed different heroes. The root of all this was spiritual pride. They thought they were better than the rest.

What is the remedy for spiritual pride? When we as christians begin to think they are better than others how can we be brought back down to earth?

When we want to exalt ourselves how can we be humbled? When we might be tempted to glorify ourselves how can we make sure that God gets all the glory?

I. We were chosen by the Father v.26-29

a) Chosen by the Father

Two words are used in these verse-

Called and chosen.

God’s choice comes first then his call.

Chosen-

God chose you from eternity before you were made-

Eph 1:4a “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,

God chosen you to be saved-

2 Thess 2:13 “God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,”

Called-

Outward call of the gospel. But there is also an inward call that God works by his Spirit in the heart.

Acts 16:14 “Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.”

b) Not chosen because you were better

They were not chosen because of anything good in them.

v.27 God chose the foolish, the weak

v.28 God chose the base things, and the things which are despised and the things which are not.

Those with lowly births, not great intellectuals, not the powerful.

God didn’t chose you because you were better, but because in choosing you he would put to shame those who were seen as better and be glorified.

c) Not chosen because you believe

V.30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus

It is God who made you a Christian. Why are you in Christ Jesus? It is because God put you there.

He chosen you. He called you. He saved you.

You might say well yes. But I chose to repent. Yes you did but why did you?

Romans 2:4 “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

Acts 5:31 “Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.”

You might say OK. But I chose to believe. I put my faith in Jesus. Yes but why did you do that?

John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Eph 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”

Application

Why is Paul reminding the Christians at Corinth about God’s grace to them? He is doing it to humble them. There were divisions in the church which were caused by their pride and their factions. Ultimately each group thought they were better than the other. What was the remedy?

Paul reminds them you are what you are simply by the grace of God. If he did not choose you and call you, if he did not put you in Christ, you would still be in your sin. You would still be by nature a child of wrath. You would still be dead in sin.

Therefore be humble, be small in your own estimation and give God all the glory.

We see an example of this right attitude in the life of John Bradford. The English reformer and protestant martyr. When he would see a criminal going to the scaffold to be hanged he would often remark; “"There but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford"

What was true about the church at Corinth. What was true about John Bradford is true about us.

But for the grace of God we would still be in our sins. If you are a Christian you are only because God has had mercy on you.

II. We have been saved by Christ v.30

a) We have been united with Christ

V. 30 But of him are you in Christ Jesus

We have been united to him by faith. Now he is our covenant head. He is our advocate. Our representative. In him we are accepted.

b) Wisdom from God

c) Righteousness

d) Sanctification

e) redemption

Application-

Jesus has been made everything to us.

III. Let us glorify the Lord v.31

Why has God done all of this? How our Christians to respond?

v.31 He who glories let him glory in the LORD

The Christians in Corinth were boasting in themselves. But knowing that we are what we are by the free grace of we ought to glory in the Lord alone.

Give him all the credit-

A deep humility-

Heartfelt gratitude-

A desire to give ourselves to him- our time, our resources, our bodies. To live to please him and honour him

All of this should promote Christian unity which the church in Corinth was lacking.

Application-

Is this our response?

Conclusion