God Uses Losers
I Corinthians 1:27-30
Introduction
When I look at myself I often wonder why God chooses to use me. I mean, He really knows me. There are certainly men more qualified to lead His church. There must be more passionate men; there are surely less sinful men.
In my time I’ve committed more sin than I like to admit. Even since coming to Christ I’m guilty of rebellion, lust, pride, sinful anger, gossip, and a host of others.
Sometimes I make stupid decisions. I’m inexperienced in many areas of life.
And yet…here I am.
As I thought about this an illustration came to mind: we’re all like plates.
Over time we get chipped and cracked, and many of us even get shattered.
I have here a plate I dropped on my driveway. It shattered, and even though I’ve fixed it, no matter what I do it will always be a shattered plate.
There are cracks like scars all over it. There are even some pieces still missing.
In truth, I should probably throw it away because it’s useless…but that’s where this illustration stops.
You see, each of us share the brokenness of this plate. We have had experiences in life which leave fractures, scars, and missing pieces.
We might call it baggage.
We might call it addiction.
Maybe we call it a disorder.
Whatever we call it, we see it. We try to hide it, but it’s there: fractures, chips, and missing pieces. We’re not just imperfect…we’re broken.
And yet…here we are.
“God Uses Losers.”
The Apostle Paul understood this: God Uses Losers
I Corinthians 1:27-31 says, “…God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29so that no man may boast before God. 30But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”
1. God Uses the Foolish (:27) says, “…God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise…”
Joshua the Walker Became Joshua the Warrior
There are many ways God can use us to do something that seems foolish yet comes to bring glory to Him and joy to us.
give something away --and don’t expect it back
do a kind act -- and forget about it (no reward)
give thanks for what you do have
pray before you act
think before you speak
live as though you might die tomorrow
2. God Uses the Weak (:27) says, “…and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong…”
Gideon the Doubter Became Gideon the Defeater
Judges 6-7
Samson the Luster Became Samson the Leveler
3. God Uses the Base (:28) says, “…and the base things of the world…”
“Base” can also mean “dishonorable, corrupt, vile, and immoral.”
David the Murderer Became David the Man of God
Paul the Persecutor Became Paul the Preacher
4. God Uses the Despised (:28) says, “…and the despised God has chosen…”
Moses the Stutterer Became Moses the Speaker
5. God Uses the “Are Not’s” (:28) says, “…the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are…”
Abraham the Pagan Became Abraham the Patriarch
Why Does God Use Losers?
1. So We Will Not Be Proud (:29) says, “…so that no man may boast before God.”
2. So We Will Look to Him (:30) says, “…But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption….”
Illus. An old man was asked what robbed him of joy the most in his lifetime. He replied, "Things that never happened."
Sounds as though he wasn’t too joyful. Sounds like he was always "waiting" for something to happen that would make him happy.
All those years —waiting— for something to happen…to make him happy. What about you? Are you waiting for something around you to change to make you happy? Are you waiting for something bigger, better, newer…so you’ll be happy?
Happiness comes and goes
Joy remains There are 3 keys to experiencing joy:
1. fret not --knowing God loves you 1Jn 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
2. faint not--knowing God holds you Jn 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
3. fear not--knowing God keeps you Heb 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
3. So He Will Receive the Glory (:31) says, “…so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”