The Promise

Mark Labberton tells a story of when he was a pastor about a young visitor to his church he met not on Sunday but one morning on the sidewalk where he was displaying his art. A grad student at UC Berkeley and a member of a number of bands, he’d been asking questions recently about life he hadn’t considered for a long time that led him back to church.

“I go to some churches, and they talk a lot about Jesus but little about the world. I go to other churches, and they talk about the world but little about Jesus. You seem to talk a lot about Jesus and a lot about the world. I now lots of people like me in this town. I don’t need to find more of us. Here’s what I want to know:

If I hang out at your church, will I meet people who are actually like Jesus?”

Put another way, would he meet people who embody the story of God - creation, fall, redemption and fulfillment?

Would he meet people who lived the promise of their calling?

The way things were are not what they are now.

Everything about God's kingdom is subversive to the pathways of how the world functions. We are given a picture of the way things were like and the way they are now but we somehow like to live according to the past - want to go back to Egypt?

In what ways do we live according to the way things used to be rather than embrace the truth of God's promise for today? What are the old scripts/things we believe that keep us from living into what God promises.

Paul understood sophia in the light of the OT. He saw worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom as opposites (see ; ). The Greeks depended on human mental prowess and insight to unravel the mysteries of life, but Paul relied on God’s revelation in Christ (; , ; ). This is why Paul said that God’s wisdom in Christ is not “of this age” and “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (; ).

Jesus as the atmosphere in which I live - New metaphor. I'm surrounded by my king.

I steal from God when I use his wisdom to promote myself at the expense of my brothers and sisters.

God's artistry is in full display when he takes the most hopeless material and works miracles in and through them. Reclaimed wood is a great visual.

Pursuit of the influential, the important in the ministry world was counter to the Kingdom. Not many of them are called.

Kingdom life is subversive to the pathways of the world systems and function.

Important to understand and comprehend my calling.

Wisdom Theme

Comes from God

His wordRevealed in ChristSubmissionGiven by his spirit

Anything else is foolishness to God

CounterfeitThings built on it provide false hope, pride, etc

God’s Promise: You are called.

First things is seeking God's call - matters of character, faith, obedience; love God first.

When Paul invites his readers to “Think about your calling,” he’s most often talking about God’s work of drawing people to faith in Christ. and the the circumstances of their lives in which they do that.

Follow Jesus, be his disciple which includes making disciples in the circumstances of our lives.

"We live out the extraordinary call of following Jesus in the midst of the ordinary actions of daily life."

Labberton, Called.

Next things are the actions.

Whatever our context, our work, our relationships - that is the primary thing we are to be about every day: following Jesus.

Labberton, Called. p. 9.

He might have concentrated on the intelligentsia or other outstanding people, but in fact he has chosen people with little to commend them from the worldly standpoint.

Labberton, Called.

With your community

With the Scriptures

With the Spirit

In your context, with your community

Call isn’t measured by outcomes, achievement or accomplishments but through the process of following Jesus in and through it all.

In the end, it’s about continuous formation into the likeness of Jesus Christ more than about finding direction or getting a job.

Your longings - Beuchner

The Greek word ευγενής (eugenēs) refers to the status of being born into nobility, wealth, or power with an emphasis on the privileges and benefits that come with that position.

He might have concentrated on the intelligentsia or other outstanding people, but in fact he has chosen people with little to commend them from the worldly standpoint.

With your community

With the Scriptures

With the Spirit

In your context

Your longings - Beuchner

He might have concentrated on the intelligentsia or other outstanding people, but in fact he has chosen people with little to commend them from the worldly standpoint.

By

powerful. Gr., ta ischura [2478A, 2708]. Not the same Greek word as in 1:26, this word focuses on a person’s physical strength, which explains the NIV’s “the strong” here. In a social sense as here, the NLT’s “powerful” is a fitting antonym to “powerless.”

The Kingdom turns things on its head

Everything about God's kingdom is subversive to the pathways of how the world functions.

Get ready for/expect the framework we've built to understand God and his ways to be shattered, blown, affirmed, redirected all depending on where they are.

Paul: The way things were are not what they are now.

Human nature hasn’t changed - when given a picture of the difference between the way things were and they way they are becoming, we tend to draw back to live according to the past. ISREAL AND EGYPT.

Even in the midst of an amazing promise.

In what ways do we live according to the way things used to be rather than embrace the truth of God's promise for today? What are the old scripts/things we believe that keep us from living into what God promises.

The way things were are not what they are now.

Foolish By Other Standards

In what ways do we live according to the way things used to be rather than embrace the truth of God's promise for today? What are the old scripts/things we believe that keep us from living into what God promises.

Everything about God's kingdom is subversive to the pathways of how the world functions. We are given a picture of the way things were like and the way they are now but we somehow like to live according to the past - want to go back to Egypt?

Here the meaning is that God has chosen the things that are not to render completely ineffective the things that are.

Pedigree doesn’t matter.

In what ways do we live according to the way things used to be rather than embrace the truth of God's promise for today? What are the old scripts/things we believe that keep us from living into what God promises.

Not many of the elite - influential in the political sphere and born into opportunity were called by God.

Chosen to Shame the Wise

The influential and those of noble birth are the leading figures in the community.

But ‘the things which elevate man in the world, knowledge, influence, rank, are not the things which lead to God and salvation’ (Hodge).

Pedigree doesn’t matter.

Not many of the elite - influential in the political sphere and born into opportunity were called by God.

The Greek word ευγενής (eugenēs) refers to the status of being born into nobility, wealth, or power with an emphasis on the privileges and benefits that come with that position.

The Greek word ευγενής (eugenēs) refers to the status of being born into nobility, wealth, or power - those with privileges and benefits that come with that position in life.

Not the smartest, the most outstanding.

The influential and those of noble birth are the leading figures in the community.

But ‘the things which elevate man in the world, knowledge, influence, rank, are not the things which lead to God and salvation’ (Hodge).

He might have concentrated on the intelligentsia or other outstanding people, but in fact he has chosen people with little to commend them from the worldly standpoint.

Pursuit of the influential, the important in the ministry world was counter to the Kingdom. Not many of them are called.

Powerless.

Physically sick, feeble.

Socially opposite of...

Powerful. Physically and socially

27 - God has not chosen only those whom the world counts foolish and weak: he has chosen those who really are foolish and weak in this world

The despised is a strong word, meaning ‘treated as of no account’ (Knox, ‘contemptible’). But the following expression is even stronger, the things that are not, ‘the “nothings” ’ (Orr and Walther), ‘those who in the eyes of the world did not exist’ (Erdman).

Despised - The NLT’s translation considers the world’s disgust and poor treatment of such people. A synonym of “despised,” exouthenēmena emphasizes something’s worthlessness

shame. Gr., kataischunō [2617, 2875]. Its five uses in 1 Corinthians (here twice and in 11:4, 5, 22) are the most of any NT book. Care must be taken not to read into it the private, psychological guilt emphasis of contemporary Western culture. Rather, the idea of public humiliation and losing face current in Asian (e.g., Japanese) culture is a closer fit.

The influential and those of noble birth are the leading figures in the community. But ‘the things which elevate man in the world, knowledge, influence, rank, are not the things which lead to God and salvation’ (Hodge).

28 - Lowly means born in the lowest socioeconomic place though often with the added notion of morally worthless

The despised is a strong word, meaning the things that are not, ‘the “nothings” ’ (Orr and Walther), ‘those who in the eyes of the world did not exist’ (Erdman).

Despised - the world is disgusted with you and thinks nothing of treating you poorly, as worthless.

Shamed. the idea of public humiliation and losing face current in Asian (e.g., Japanese) culture is a closer fit.

Evaluated as nonexistent.

Despised by the people who benefit most from the inhuman, unjust systems that make the world go.

Gr., ta mē onta [3361/1510, 3590/1639]. The mē implies that the nonexistence is not absolute but an evaluation. The NLT rendering emphasizes the cultural value of people rather than that they do not exist. There is an alternative reading that adds kai to the beginning of this phrase; despite being found in B, this word was most likely added by a scribe to harmonize the phrase as a third item in the series that begins the verse. In context the phrase stands best in apposition to “things despised by the world,” without the kai, as א* and P46 have it.

The Kingdom turns things on its head

Get ready for/expect the framework we've built to understand God and his ways to be shattered, blown, affirmed, redirected all depending on where they are.

The way things were are not what they are now.

Everything about God's kingdom is subversive to the pathways of how the world functions. We are given a picture of the way things were like and the way they are now but we somehow like to live according to the past - want to go back to Egypt?

In what ways do we live according to the way things used to be rather than embrace the truth of God's promise for today? What are the old scripts/things we believe that keep us from living into what God promises.

Here the meaning is that God has chosen the things that are not to render completely ineffective the things that are.

Pedigree doesn’t matter.

Not many of the elite - influential in the political sphere and born into opportunity were called by God.

The influential and those of noble birth are the leading figures in the community. But ‘the things which elevate man in the world, knowledge, influence, rank, are not the things which lead to God and salvation’ (Hodge).

Thinking about our calling...

The kind of people GOD calls...

Can't claim anything (boast) other than God's favor for what would happen in and through them. All that is needed is found in Christ.

Not because that kind of people are the only ones who would respond are from that part of the pool of humanity.

26 - Paul directs his readers to reflect on the kind of person whom God has in fact called (the word points us to the divine initiative). The large number of unimportant people in the church did not come about because the only people who would become Christians were from the depressed classes.

God chose to work his marvels through people who were, from the human point of view, the most unpromising.

His artistry - power working miracles in the most hopeless material means his wisdom excels the best humans can produce. He makes out of what does not exist in our lives something beautiful for his purpose.

God’s activity is creative. He makes out of what does not exist what is in accordance with his will. The verb rendered to nullify (katargeō) is not easy to translate.

Next things - move into particular contexts. Where our gifts, talents, education, opportunity, passion etc draw us to serve. Maybe volunteer, maybe job.

God’s summoning of people to himself, so that they will belong to him and serve him in his world.

We aren’t saved by our actions, but we are saved for our actions to become those that make God’s life in Jesu Christ visible.

Labberton, Called.

[SLIDE] Meant to pursue and develop first things as we go about next things - simultaneous. Can’t separate inner life and outer life.

We live out the extraordinary call of following Jesus (first things) in the midst of the ordinary actions of daily life (next things). Labberton, Called.

Calling = place in life. For it to be God’s call, it must land in real time and in real space.

My job is a means to live God's way and provide support for my family.

Labberton, Called.

Follow me is the primary call of God that creates and defines the church. We bear authentic witness to God’s love when we demonstrate Jesus-following lives. The gift we are meant to be is neither available nor received. Meanwhile the world needs a church that actually lives its call. Urgently.

Labberton, Called.

You don’t need to wait for God to tell you what to do. He’s already told you.

Frederick Buechner.

You don’t need to wait for God to tell you what to do. He’s already told you.

If you’re responding to God then He must not be asking much of you.

In the local and global dimensions of life and society, our world needs disciples who show up in every aspect and place of life and ministry with the humble and courageous vocation to listen, to see, to engage, to act, and to love.

First things is seeking God’s call in character, faith, obedience, love God first.

Jesus is the atmosphere of king and savior in which we live. We are surrounded by our king.

The revelation of God’s character must be lived out by God’s people in light of God’s purposes to bless them and pass blessings through them to the nations.

Paul understood sophia in the light of the OT. He saw worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom as opposites (see ; ). The Greeks depended on human mental prowess and insight to unravel the mysteries of life, but Paul relied on God’s revelation in Christ (; , ; ). This is why Paul said that God’s wisdom in Christ is not “of this age” and “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (; ).

Jesus as the atmosphere in which I live - New metaphor. I'm surrounded by my king.

I steal from God when I use his wisdom to promote myself at the expense of my brothers and sisters.

God's artistry is in full display when he takes the most hopeless material and works miracles in and through them. Reclaimed wood is a great visual.

The christian life is to be an incarnational life. The essence of the Christian gospel is the demonstration, the enactment of God’s redeeming love.

Pursuit of the influential, the important in the ministry world was counter to the Kingdom. Not many of them are called.

Kingdom life is subversive to the pathways of the world systems and function.

Important to understand and comprehend my calling.

Wisdom Theme

Labberton, Called.

We are to show up as advocates who represent and incarnate the presence of God, who is the hope of the world.

Comes from God

Labberton, Called.

[SLIDE] The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.

His word Revealed in ChristSubmissionGiven by his spirit

Frederick Buechner.

Anything else is foolishness to God

Living as faithful people in the land means providing an essential good for the benefit of the surrounding people.

CounterfeitThings built on it provide false hope, pride, etc

To blame the world for its own lack of salt and light is ludicrous.

Labberton, Called.

Wisdom - mastery of ethical conduct

Calling is for all of us - about God’s desire for all of our lives as ambassadors of God’s kingdom.

Jesus followers hope that God's wisdom will shape what we say, and do, and what in turn others may hear and do. Living wisely in the world - show up in every aspect and place of life with a humble and courageous vocation to listen, to see, to engage, to act, and to love. No action, no wisdom. Labberton, Called.

In the local and global dimensions of life and society, our world needs disciples who show up in every aspect and place of life and ministry with the humble and courageous vocation to listen, to see, to engage, to act, and to love.

Living wisely in the world - show up in every aspect and place of life with a humble and courageous vocation to listen, to see, to engage, to act, and to love.

Labberton, Called.

Kingdom life is subversive to the pathways of the world systems and function.

First things is seeking God’s call in character, faith, obedience, love God first.

Jesus is the atmosphere of king and savior in which we live. We are surrounded by our king.

The Greek noun sophia means wisdom, intelligence, or knowledge, but this intelligence and knowledge pertain more to skill in living than to intellectual mastery. Related words are the verb sophizō, meaning to make wise (2Tm 3:15; ), and sophos, the adjective meaning wise or clever.

Paul understood sophia in the light of the OT. He saw worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom as opposites (see ; ). The Greeks depended on human mental prowess and insight to unravel the mysteries of life, but Paul relied on God’s revelation in Christ (; , ; ). This is why Paul said that God’s wisdom in Christ is not “of this age” and “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (; ).

God's artistry is in full display when he takes the most hopeless material and works miracles in and through them. Reclaimed wood is a great visual.

Wisdom Theme

Comes from God

His word Revealed in ChristSubmissionGiven by his spirit

Anything else is foolishness to God

Counterfeit Things built on it provide false hope, pride, etc

Wisdom - mastery of ethical conduct

Jesus followers hope that God's wisdom will shape what we say, and do, and what in turn others may hear and do. Living wisely in the world - show up in every aspect and place of life with a humble and courageous vocation to listen, to see, to engage, to act, and to love. No action, no wisdom. Labberton, Called.

Biblically, wisdom leads people to acts of courage in places of need. It moves into a neighborhood and serves with humility. It does business with honesty and humility, even when it means losing clients. It seeks the shalom/peace of your city, especially with your enemies.

We see wisdom, not just hear about it.

Biblical wisdom is character in action in the face of life’s real needs. No action, no wisdom.

God’s wisdom is not a pathway of escape but a road of faithful engagement.

Spirit

We are to be the tangible, material demonstration of the presence, love and justice of God in the physical world that God is renewing.

Labberton, Called.

Christ became all this for us, brought it to us and so our experience of it, practice of it is because of him so our pride, our bragging needs to be about him.

Can't claim anything (boast) other than God's favor for what would happen in and through them. All that is needed is found in Christ.

Be popular with God...

and make Christ known to the world...Promote the Kingdom

I steal from God when I use his wisdom to promote myself at the expense of my brothers and sisters.

The Greek word ευγενής (eugenēs) refers to the status of being born into nobility, wealth, or power with an emphasis on the privileges and benefits that come with that position.

Jesus as the atmosphere in which I live - New metaphor. I'm surrounded by my king.

Labberton, Called.

Stealing from God - search for his wisdom then take credit for it and use it to promote ourselves at the expense of our brothers and sisters.

29 - God does all this with a view to (hopōs indicates purpose) taking away from everyone every occasion of boasting. Whatever we may do before one another, we have nothing to boast of before God.

Elite, powerful, influential, beware - you can't boast in anything except Jesus.

Labberton, Called.

powerful. Gr., ta ischura [2478A, 2708]. Not the same Greek word as in 1:26, this word focuses on a person’s physical strength, which explains the NIV’s “the strong” here. In a social sense as here, the NLT’s “powerful” is a fitting antonym to “powerless.”

things counted as nothing at all. Gr., ta mē onta [3361/1510, 3590/1639]. The mē implies that the nonexistence is not absolute but an evaluation. The NLT rendering emphasizes the cultural value of people rather than that they do not exist. There is an alternative reading that adds kai to the beginning of this phrase; despite being found in B, this word was most likely added by a scribe to harmonize the phrase as a third item in the series that begins the verse. In context the phrase stands best in apposition to “things despised by the world,” without the kai, as א* and P46 have it.

Paul directs his readers to reflect on the kind of person whom God has in fact called (the word points us to the divine initiative). The large number of unimportant people in the church did not come about because the only people who would become Christians were from the depressed classes.

Basically it means something like ‘to render idle’ or ‘inoperative’. Here the meaning is that God has chosen the things that are not to render completely ineffective the things that are.

God chose to work his marvels through people who were, from the human point of view, the most unpromising.

His artistry - power working miracles in the most hopeless material means his wisdom excels the best humans can produce.

God’s activity is creative. He makes out of what does not exist what is in accordance with his will. The verb rendered to nullify (katargeō) is not easy to translate.

Basically it means something like ‘to render idle’ or ‘inoperative’. Here the meaning is that God has chosen the things that are not to render completely ineffective the things that are.

27 - God has not chosen only those whom the world counts foolish and weak: he has chosen those who really are foolish and weak in this world.

Elite, powerful, influential, beware - you can't boast in anything except Jesus.

28 - Lowly means ‘of lowly birth’, though often with the added notion of morally worthless

The despised is a strong word, meaning ‘treated as of no account’ (Knox, ‘contemptible’). But the following expression is even stronger, the things that are not, ‘the “nothings” ’ (Orr and Walther), ‘those who in the eyes of the world did not exist’ (Erdman).

God chose to work his marvels through people who were, from the human point of view, the most unpromising.

God’s activity is creative. He makes out of what does not exist what is in accordance with his will. The verb rendered to nullify (katargeō) is not easy to translate.

29 - God does all this with a view to (hopōs indicates purpose) taking away from everyone every occasion of boasting. Whatever we may do before one another, we have nothing to boast of before God.

The Promise

Introduction

Wisdom

Think About Your Calling

Wise

Powerful

Of Good Pedigree/Influential

Influential

Who Does God Call [Choose]

God Chooses

Foolish By Other Standards

Foolish, Ordinary

Weak - by other standards

Low and Despised

​

Pedigree Doesn’t matter

Things Counted as Nothing At All

Why?

Why?

​

Purpose - To Do Things

Influence

Differently

Be in Christ

Reveal God

Reveal God

In Wisdom

To Do Them Differently

Be in Christ

Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, Redemption

In Power

In Righteousness

In Sanctification

In Redemption

Bring a Shift of Focus

In Humility

Popularity

Promotion

Influence

Live Differently

Bring Humility

God’s Choosing

To Do Things

Calling = Place in Life