1 Corinthians Message 5 Bible Study 1 Cor. 1:26-31

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 NKJV

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Our last time together in 1 Cor. you remember that we discussed that the message of the cross, what we refer to as the “Good News, the Gospel” is foolishness to those that do not believe. Firstly, you will remember that the Jew could not understand the powerless estate of the call. They were looking for leadership in the here and now. Earthly leadership that would restore the kingdom of Israel. For the Gentile, for the Greeks of the Bible, it did not make sense. It was illogical.

We ended on that the message of the cross, the message of Jesus was the literal power in our lives and the fact that His wisdom is bestowed upon us by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the study of His Word.

1. God Calls the Ordinary and we are to Own our Callings V. 26

1 Corinthians 1:26 “26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.”

In Corinth, you will remember that Paul walked into situations where the church was following personalities, caught up in certain talents and charisma that various individuals had. They were taking sides and creating factions and divisions over such matters. There became a competitiveness and a jealousy over the gifts. We know that from 1 Cor. 12:4-7

1 Corinthians 12:4–7 NKJV

4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

Dearly beloved, the people that serve God’s church that may appear to be in the limelight more or seems to be able to use their gifts more visibly is not a competition or something to cause jealousy, but the gifts complement.

1 Corinthians 12:12–27 NKJV

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

Why do I bring that up? Paul was stating that rather than focusing outward and allowing a covetous or jealous attitude to develop, focus on your own gifts. Focus on sharpening your skills. Improve your abilities.

Furthermore, we are not to mimic others in our calling, but be who we are in Christ Jesus. Your gifts and manner are different than the next and be comfortable in who you are for the Lord. Now, I do not mean work on become more Christlike and improving your walk in Christ, but do not attempt to be who you aren’t.

Preachers have been guilty of copying certain traits about a Billy Graham or a Junior Hill. These men have been anointed of God to draw the net in evangelism. Every pastor wants to lead many souls to Christ. And, preachers have been guilty of copying their mannerisms, or using certain ways in which they offer the invitation, etc.

One of the joys of the game of golf is that the way the scoring goes, you can measure your improvements or slips against yourself. We all want to compete against a scratch golfer, but if you have a handicap of 21 and you shoot an 18 over, you improved.

Moreover, why its important that we not become competitive, but complementary in our gifts one with the other.

Paul states that “not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called.”

Why do you imagine the Lord gave those words to record?

God chooses common everyday people so that we will stay humble and realize that what God is doing in us is of God and not us.

2 Timothy 1:9 “9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,”

Oh dearly beloved, the one we want to impress is the Lord. Listen to what Paul wrote

Ephesians 4:1 “1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,”

And I’m not looking for a scripture and verse response. I just want to know how you in layman terms “walk worthy of the calling God has called us to?”

2. God’s Omniscience in Our Callings VV. 27-28

1 Corinthians 1:27–28 NKJV

27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,

Oh church listen to me. There are times regardless of how educated, how financially steeped someone is or someone that is said to be raised on the other side of the tracks that they will be dumbfounded about this world and what life brings them. There are events that happen in this life that no matter of secular knowledge, no matter of status, no matter of degrees or no matter of wealth will overcome life issues.

1 Corinthians 1:20 “20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?”

There will be those that are highly educated with pedigree galore. But they will be without answers when it comes to a child’s waywardness or addiction. They will be without answers to understanding why a spouse wants to up and leave after a 30 year marriage. They will be without answer when they leave work one day and all is well and by night’s end a loved one is facing a near death experience. There are no answers except from a word from the Lord.

The same holds true for the rich and famous. There are situations in this world that money can not change nor who you know except knowing the Lord.

What does verses 27 & 28 mean. Our aim, our mission, our goal as the hands and feet of Jesus is that in our ordinariness, in the power of God, God using us can do the extraordinary in those that initially think or message is foolish, powerless, etc. But, by the power of God in us, His Holy Spirit at work, remember the power of the message of the cross.

Hebrews 4:12 “12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

The Anointing of a Simple Fisherman

Acts 2:14–21 NKJV

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’

3. The Goal: Offer God the Glory for Your Calling VV. 29-31

1 Corinthians 1:29–31 NKJV

29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

In 1 Corinthians 1:29-31, Paul emphasizes that no one may boast before God. Instead, our boasting should be in the Lord. This passage reminds us that our salvation and calling are not a result of our wisdom, strength, or noble birth, but purely because of God's grace and His divine choice. Paul writes, "Therefore, as it is written: 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'" This serves as a clear directive to attribute all glory and honor to God for our calling and redemption.

To illustrate, consider a master artist who transforms a simple, overlooked piece of wood into a beautiful, intricate sculpture. The sculpture cannot boast of its beauty, for it was the artist's vision and skill that created it. Similarly, our transformation and calling are the work of God. As Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Our lives are to reflect His glory, not our achievements. When we acknowledge that it is God who has placed us in Christ Jesus, who is our wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and redemption, we are directed away from self-glorification and towards a posture of gratitude and worship.

2 Corinthians 5:21 “21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Philippians 3:9 “9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;”

This call to glorify God is also seen in 1 Peter 4:11, which states, "If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."

Dearly beloved, everything that we are or ever will be is because of Christ in us.

By recognizing that every good thing we have and every ability we possess comes from God, we can truly offer Him the glory. Our lives become a testament to His grace, showcasing His transformative power and inviting others to seek and glorify Him as well.

The Master’s Hand

‘Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer   Thought it scarcely worth his while To waste much time on the old violin,   But held it up with a smile. “What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,   “Who’ll start the bidding for me?” “A dollar, a dollar. Then two! Only two?   Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?”

“Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;   Going for three…” But no, From the room, far back, a grey-haired man   Came forward and picked up the bow; Then wiping the dust from the old violin,   And tightening the loosened strings, He played a melody pure and sweet,   As a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,   With a voice that was quiet and low, Said: “What am I bid for the old violin?”   And he held it up with the bow. “A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?   Two thousand! And who’ll make it three? Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice,   And going and gone,” said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,   “We do not quite understand. What changed its worth?” Swift came the reply:   “The touch of the Master’s hand.” And many a man with life out of tune,   And battered and scarred with sin, Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd   Much like the old violin.

A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine,   A game — and he travels on. He is “going” once, and “going” twice,  He’s “going” and almost “gone.” But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd   Never can quite understand The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought   By the touch of the Master’s hand.