People Whom Jesus Has Chosen

1 Corinthians 1:21-31, NIV

21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
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.
27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things?and the things that are not?to nullify the things that are,
29 so that no one may boast before him.
30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God?that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

Introduction: Today, people are often pessimistic and negative about themselves. They think they are unqualified and incompetent, lacking the ability to compete with others. However, God loves and chooses such people.
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1. The situation of those who are called.
1) Not many are wise by human standards.
2) Not many are influential.
3) Not many are of noble birth (1Sa 16:7).
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2. One chosen by God overcomes the world.
- It is the empty vessel that needs filling, and it is the naked that need clothing.
1) The foolish things of the world + God’s wisdom.
- To shame the wise of the world (1Co 1:27a; 1:23-25; 1Jn 5:4).
2) The weak things of the world + God’s power.
- To destroy the strong of the world (1Co 1:27b-29).
? David and Goliath (1Sa 17:45-47).
? Paul’s thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan (2Co 12:7-10).
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3. The identity of those who believe.
1) God has called us to abide in Jesus (1Co 1:30a; Eph 1:4-5).
2) God has sent us Jesus:
① to become our wisdom (Col 2:2-3; Eph 1:8).
② to become our righteousness (Ro 3:23-24; 2Co 5:21).
③ to become our holiness (Heb 10:10; 1Co 6:11).
④ to become our redemption (Ro 5:9; 1Co 1:30b-31).
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Conclusion: People of the world may boast of their things and lives in this world, but they will vanish like falling leaves in the autumn winds. However, Jesus gives us eternal life and glory. We should praise and boast only of Jesus who has saved wretched sinners like us.