Life Pursuits Young Adults ConferenceSeptember 12, 2009, GCF Ortigas Centre

26For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

27But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

28God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,

29so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.30And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us

wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,31so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

26For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth

They were called

They were called It was a call to be “In Christ”

1 Cor. 1:2 – ...sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints...

1 Cor. 1:9 – ...called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

They were called It was a call to be “In Christ” It is a heavenly calling

Hebrews 3:1 – Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling...

They were called It was a call to be “In Christ” It is a heavenly calling It is a sovereign calling

2 Timothy 1:9 -- 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 granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity

They were called It was a call to be “In Christ” It is a heavenly calling It is a sovereign calling It is a call to walk worthy

Ephesians 4:1 -- Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called

2 Peter 1:10 -- Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

They were called It was a call to be “In Christ” It is a heavenly calling It is a sovereign calling It is a call to walk worthy It is a call that is sure

Romans 11:29 -- for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable

They were the ordinary

They were the ordinary Not wise in a culture that worshipped

wisdom

They were the ordinary Not wise in a culture that worshipped

wisdom Not powerful in a culture that sought

power

Matthew 16:1 – And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

They were the ordinary Not wise in a culture that worshipped

wisdom Not powerful in a culture that sought

power Not high-born in a culture that valued

social status

27But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29so that no human being might boast in the presence of God

God Chose

Daniel 4:35 – All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?"

Ephesians 1:11 – In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will

God ChoseGod Chose the Ordinary to Carry

out His Will

God ChoseGod Chose the Ordinary to Carry

out His Will The foolish to shame the wise

1 Corinthians 1:21-23 – 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,

God ChoseGod Chose the Ordinary to Carry

out His Will The foolish to shame the wise The weak to shame the strong

1 Corinthians 1:24-25 -- 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men

Proverbs 14:12 says, There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death

God ChoseGod Chose the Ordinary to Carry

out His Will The foolish to shame the wise The weak to shame the strong The nobodies to make nothing the

somebodies

Matthew 5:3-10 -- 3Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:30 -- But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Matthew 11:25-26 -- 25At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will

James 4:6 -- But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble

Isaiah 57:15 -- For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite

30And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

A Purposeful Salvation

A Purposeful Salvation God’s Work

2 Corinthians 5:21 -- For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God

Philippians 3:9 -- and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith

John 6:28-29 -- 28Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" 29Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.“

John 6:44 -- No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day

A Purposeful Salvation God’s Work God’s Wisdom

Ephesians 1:17-18 -- 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints

Colossians 2:2-3 -- that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge

A Purposeful Salvation God’s Work God’s Wisdom

A Powerful Salvation

Romans 8:29-30 – 29For those whom he foreknew [chose] he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son [sanctification], in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified [justification or given righteousness], and those whom he justified he also glorified [final redemption]

A Purposeful Salvation God’s Work God’s Wisdom

A Powerful Salvation Justification

Titus 3:4-7 -- 4But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life

A Purposeful Salvation God’s Work God’s Wisdom

A Powerful Salvation Justification Sanctification

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 -- 23Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it

A Purposeful Salvation God’s Work God’s Wisdom

A Powerful Salvation Justification Sanctification Glorification

Romans 8:22-23 -- 22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies

Hebrews 11:23-29 -- 23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

Hebrews 11:23-29 -- 25choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.

Hebrews 11:23-29 -- 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned

Psalms 78:70-72 -- 70He also chose David His servant, And took him from the sheepfolds; 71From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him, To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. 72So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them with his skillful hands

Psalms 89:20-21 -- 20I have found David My servant; With My holy oil I have anointed him, 21With whom My hand will be established; My arm also will strengthen him

Nehemiah 1:11 -- "O Lord, I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name, and make Your servant successful today and grant him compassion before this man." Now I was the cupbearer to the king

Nehemiah 6:15-16 -- 15So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God

Luke 1:27-38 -- 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary

Luke 1:27-38 -- 30The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." 34Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God

Luke 1:27-38 -- 37"For nothing will be impossible with God." 38And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her

Luke 5:1-8 -- 1Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; 2and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. 3And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat.

Luke 5:1-8 -- 4When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." 5Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets."

Luke 5:1-8 -- 6When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; 7so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. 8But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!"

Acts 2:36-39 -- 36"Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified." 37Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39"For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself."

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