Certain Things That God Uses
1 Corinthians 1:17 - 31 17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But 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; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
God does not use the wisdom of words!
But…
God uses foolish things
"Foolish" means "simpleton."
Someone not very bright in the eyes of the world
Used to confound the wise
Those that are too smart to look to the Lord
Pride
Self-sufficiency
Stubbornness
The world equates believers with stupidity
Superiority
Haughtiness
Arrogance
Aloofness
The world is confounded by them (people that God uses)
God uses weak things
"Weak" refers to those that are "sickly" or "feeble."
Man cannot know what to do for God's work
Man cannot do God's work in his own strength
David was a prime example here
He has slew lions and bears
God uses base things
By "base" Paul means those who have no "social standing."
God does not require aristocrats to do His work
Christ's lineage has questionable people in it
4 women were social rejects
David was the least of his brothers
The disciples were "hillbillies"
God uses despised things
"Despised" means "contemptible."
David was despised by Goliath - but God used him mightily
Nehemiah was scorned by Sanballat and others - yet God used them
Christ was held in contempt by the religious leaders - yet He was used by God
1 Corinthians 4:13KJV 13Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
God uses things which are not
God uses "are nots" to bring to nought the things which "are."
There are those who totally discount Believers
There are those who call us nothings
Yet God uses these nothings, these "are nots" to do His work!
I want to ask some questions:
Are we usable for God?
Do we wish to be used by Him?
Can God use New Beginnings?
What will it take for Him to use us better?
Will we get self out of the way and let Him use us?
What will be the result if we are used by God?
May God get all the glory and may we be the servants He uses.
Adapted from Fred Warner's book
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