Sermon Title: The Call – Part 1
Sermon Passage: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
I have been rafting a few times down a few rivers – in rafts and on tubes. Depending on the river, you can find yourself floating gently downstream or find yourself being hurdled through water that is crashing over rocks and you have quick choices to be made (do I live or do I die). Never once on any of those trips, however, did I see anyone going upstream. Maybe they tried to hold on long enough to await others or they pulled over for a break but never once did they swim the opposite way of the water.
Many church bodies exist as examples of upstream living, refusing to work with the Spirit and always in a struggle to go against the stream. Many people live their lives as if swimming upstream was the only way to exist, and they wonder why they never get anywhere. They are too busy fighting God's plan for their lives.
The point is that life without God exists only for self: self revelation, self gratification, self awareness...if others do not fit we do away with them or our need for them. We do not try to include them.
The church is different. Under the power and direction of the Holy Spirit, the church seeks to unite all people through the love of God expressed through the death and resurrection of Jesus so that all may be saved from self – from selfishness which emerges from sin.
This selfishness was becoming evident in the church as the people were trying to become more like Christ while attempting to hold onto their pasts. The Jews wanted miracles and fancy ways of worship (as their were accustomed) while the people such as the Greeks wanted their philosophy and wisdom (as they were accustomed). Paul just wanted them to find truth.
Our personal preferences in life can either draw us closer to God or they can become a hindrance to our life with God. Without proper direction to the call God puts on our life through the Holy Spirit we may find ourselves swimming upstream against the crashing waves of the rapids.
Since the Spirit of God calls us to a better way of life, how will we receive this message?
- Will we accept the wisdom offered?
- Will we accept the spiritual gifts given?
- Will we accept the love bestowed?
I. Will we accept the wisdom offered?
1 Corinthians 2: 6-9
- The message they speak is one to those who will be mature enough to handle it. It does not fit in with the wisdom of the world. Their wisdom mocks the things of God. In fact Paul says the Gentiles see it as foolishness.
- For example, the world is heavily invested in believing that man emerged from a primordial soup. One single cell evolved into the complexities of all life on earth (and yet they cannot explain why or from where it comes). All I have to ask is why would it. What thought process would a cell have to make in order to completely change its existence – I think I want to breath air now. I think I want a stronger structure. I think I will take a walk....Cellular irregularities cannot explain the way everything works together.
- Paul says they speak of God's secret wisdom. Now, this is not a secret God tried to keep from everyone. God is very open about telling people about Himself. The secret was however the way His plan would unfold so that all mankind could experience the power of His salvation. God hints at it for centuries through prophets and through action. Only when it happens does the mystery become clear – to those who accept it and allows the Spirit of God to reveal it. Jesus was crucified because people did not accept it or understand it.
- God calls all to repentance. In this call He reveals purpose and wisdom beyond the common wisdom of mankind. Man can only accept the physical, but God helps man know the world beyond what can only be seen. The church was becoming divided by trivial stances in the gospel message and it was effecting their ability to be united. If it detracts from God's message of salvation, it is not a good thing.
26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 1 Cor 1:26 (NIV)No eye has seen what God has prepared – heaven; no ear has heard – for some things can only be revealed through God's Spirit; and no mind can conceive – God's plan of salvation is his and not a thought process of a simple man.
If simple people can receive the invitation of God's call to salvation, then all can when we accept the truth and stop looking for implausible needle in a haystack – created to satisfy the mind of man. Salvation is a call of the Spirit and draws us into God's wisdom. As we see in verse 10 – God reveals understanding through His Spirit so we can operate freely in life.
Stop seeking the foolish long enough to hear God's call, and the truth begins to sink into our hearts. This truth unveils a plan not only of salvation, but in how we can get away from the sinful behaviors that prevent us from properly caring for each other. The selfish become the selfless...it doesn't mean we lose ourselves...we just find the better path.
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