Inferiority

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31Many of us struggle to believe God can use us as we are, with what little we have to offer. But the truth is, God does extraordinary things through ordinary people to give glory to Himself.1 Corinthians 1:26-31 gives good news to those who struggle with feelings of inferiority.“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty…” (1 Corinthians 1:27).This passage first recognizes God’s simple people. He chooses the nonintellectuals to shame the Ph.D. scholars. He uses the weak to shame the All-Stars; He has chosen the “nobodies” to shame the socialites.Thank God that He can use people with brilliant minds, high status, and extraordinary abilities. But praise God, He can use any average person who dedicates every part of himself to Him; God doesn’t just settle for these people—He goes after them.Second in this passage, we see God’s special power: “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).Adrian Rogers says, “I learned that God didn't want me to do anything for him; He wanted to do something through me.”In the Book of Judges, the story of Gideon demonstrates God’s use of someone others consider “the bottom of the barrel” to do big things. Likewise, God used young David to take down the giant Goliath; as a result, God received the glory.Finally, we see God’s sovereign purpose for using ordinary people: that no man should glory in himself in God’s presence.We are saved by grace and not by works, so none of us can boast (See Ephesians 2:9.).There are no superstars in Heaven; if we want to be used by God in a way that matters, we only need to be available to Him and obey His will for our lives.Adrian Rogers says, “The highest place in the world is the center of the will of God for you, wherever that is.”Apply it to your lifeAdrian Rogers says, “The greatest ability is availability.” If you want to be used by God, you can be; are you willing, or at least willing to be made willing?