The Glorious Call of God to Dead Hearts: 1 Corinthians 1:18–25, Part 3

>> This is our third session >> This is our third session on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, and we're going to focus on the call of and we're going to focus on the call of and we're going to focus on the call of God God God in verses 22 to 24. For the word of the cross is folly to For the word of the cross is folly to those who are being destroyed, but to those who are being destroyed, but to those who are being destroyed, but to those who are being saved, it is the those who are being saved, it is the those who are being saved, it is the power of God. power of God. power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy For it is written, "I will destroy For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the the wisdom of the wise, and the the wisdom of the wise, and the discerning and the discernment of the discerning and the discernment of the discerning and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." discerning I will thwart." discerning I will thwart." Where is the one who is wise? Where is Where is the one who is wise? Where is Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this the scribe? Where is the debater of this the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? of the world? of the world? For since in the wisdom of God, the For since in the wisdom of God, the For since in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, world did not know God through wisdom, world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what it pleased God through the folly of what it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. we preach to save those who believe. we preach to save those who believe. Now comes these verses in which he shows Now comes these verses in which he shows Now comes these verses in which he shows that behind this believing here that behind this believing here that behind this believing here there is a divine and sovereign calling.

there is a divine and sovereign calling. there is a divine and sovereign calling. For the Jews demand signs. For the Jews demand signs. For the Jews demand signs. We see this over and over in the Gospels We see this over and over in the Gospels We see this over and over in the Gospels where the scribes and Pharisees demand where the scribes and Pharisees demand where the scribes and Pharisees demand from Jesus more signs, from Jesus more signs, from Jesus more signs, more evidence. more evidence. more evidence. And the signs are are works of miracles And the signs are are works of miracles And the signs are are works of miracles that show power. that show power. that show power. And the Greeks, and he calls Gentiles And the Greeks, and he calls Gentiles And the Greeks, and he calls Gentiles here Greeks cuz that's where he is. He's here Greeks cuz that's where he is. He's here Greeks cuz that's where he is. He's in Greece in Corinth. in Greece in Corinth. in Greece in Corinth. The Greeks seek wisdom. The Greeks seek wisdom. The Greeks seek wisdom. They want philosophical impressiveness. But we preach Christ crucified, the word But we preach Christ crucified, the word of the cross. And this crucifixion was the most And this crucifixion was the most shameful, ugly, horrible, weak, shameful, ugly, horrible, weak, shameful, ugly, horrible, weak, foolish foolish foolish kind of death, kind of death, kind of death, unthinkable unthinkable unthinkable that you could proclaim that you could proclaim that you could proclaim global, eternal salvation by believing global, eternal salvation by believing global, eternal salvation by believing on such a horrible, weak, foolish thing.

on such a horrible, weak, foolish thing. on such a horrible, weak, foolish thing. That's what we preach. That's what we preach. That's what we preach. And therefore, it is a stumbling block And therefore, it is a stumbling block And therefore, it is a stumbling block to the Jews who seek signs. to the Jews who seek signs. to the Jews who seek signs. "You Come down from the cross if you're "You Come down from the cross if you're "You Come down from the cross if you're the Christ and we'll believe on you." the Christ and we'll believe on you." the Christ and we'll believe on you." they said. Remember that? they said. Remember that? they said. Remember that? Show Show your final sign. Get your Show Show your final sign. Get your Show Show your final sign. Get your hands unnailed and your feet unspiked hands unnailed and your feet unspiked hands unnailed and your feet unspiked and come down. Show some power and we'll and come down. Show some power and we'll and come down. Show some power and we'll believe on you and and he didn't do it. believe on you and and he didn't do it. believe on you and and he didn't do it. So, it's a stumbling block. And to the So, it's a stumbling block. And to the So, it's a stumbling block. And to the Jews and to the Greeks or the Gentiles Jews and to the Greeks or the Gentiles Jews and to the Greeks or the Gentiles who are the same as these Greeks, who are the same as these Greeks, who are the same as these Greeks, folly. [snorts] folly. [snorts] folly. [snorts] It's just plain foolishness that you It's just plain foolishness that you It's just plain foolishness that you would ask us to stake our eternities on would ask us to stake our eternities on would ask us to stake our eternities on a piece of meat nailed to a tree. Not going to happen. Not going to happen. But But But to those who are called, to those who are called, to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, is seen as loved as followed as is seen as loved as followed as the power of God the power of God the power of God and the wisdom of God. So, Father, as we and the wisdom of God. So, Father, as we and the wisdom of God. So, Father, as we try to understand this amazing calling try to understand this amazing calling try to understand this amazing calling here that brings about that stunning here that brings about that stunning here that brings about that stunning recognition and allegiance and change, recognition and allegiance and change, recognition and allegiance and change, Grant that if it has not happened to any

Grant that if it has not happened to any Grant that if it has not happened to any of those who are with me right now, you of those who are with me right now, you of those who are with me right now, you would do the calling work, and may all would do the calling work, and may all would do the calling work, and may all of us take heed to what our calling is of us take heed to what our calling is of us take heed to what our calling is and be amazed. and be amazed. and be amazed. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. Now, here's the crucial thing to see. This preaching This preaching is public and open and in it involves is public and open and in it involves is public and open and in it involves the invitation, believe. the invitation, believe. the invitation, believe. Believe. Believe. Believe. He preaches and those who believe are He preaches and those who believe are He preaches and those who believe are saved. So, this preaching says, "Come. saved. So, this preaching says, "Come. saved. So, this preaching says, "Come. Believe on the word of the cross and you Believe on the word of the cross and you Believe on the word of the cross and you will be saved." And And they don't. they don't. they don't. They stumble. They regard it as foolish. But, among They regard it as foolish. But, among the very Jews and Greeks that are the very Jews and Greeks that are the very Jews and Greeks that are hearing that message, hearing that message, hearing that message, some are called.

some are called. some are called. So, this preaching here is not the same So, this preaching here is not the same So, this preaching here is not the same as this call here. This is heard by as this call here. This is heard by as this call here. This is heard by everybody. This call, come believe, is everybody. This call, come believe, is everybody. This call, come believe, is heard by everybody. You could call this heard by everybody. You could call this heard by everybody. You could call this the general call. call. But, when this happens But, when this happens But, when this happens to the Jews and Greeks, among the Jews to the Jews and Greeks, among the Jews to the Jews and Greeks, among the Jews and Greeks, and Greeks, and Greeks, eyes are opened, eyes are opened, eyes are opened, hearts are opened, minds are changed, hearts are opened, minds are changed, hearts are opened, minds are changed, and Christ crucified is known, loved as and Christ crucified is known, loved as and Christ crucified is known, loved as the power of God and the wisdom of God. the power of God and the wisdom of God. the power of God and the wisdom of God. So, what is this call? So, what is this call? So, what is this call? It is an effective It is an effective It is an effective or sometimes called an effectual call. or sometimes called an effectual call. or sometimes called an effectual call. That is, the call effects, brings about That is, the call effects, brings about That is, the call effects, brings about what is being called for. Here's a picture of it happening in 2 Here's a picture of it happening in 2 Corinthians 4:6. Corinthians 4:6. Corinthians 4:6. For God who said that light shine out of For God who said that light shine out of For God who said that light shine out of darkness, darkness, darkness, so he's he said, he called light out of so he's he said, he called light out of so he's he said, he called light out of darkness, he has shown in our hearts to darkness, he has shown in our hearts to darkness, he has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the give the light of the knowledge of the give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

glory of God in the face of Christ. glory of God in the face of Christ. >> This shining here is the call of God in >> This shining here is the call of God in >> This shining here is the call of God in the human heart to see the light of the the human heart to see the light of the the human heart to see the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the knowledge of the glory of God in the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. That's the change that face of Christ. That's the change that face of Christ. That's the change that happens. Here's a picture of it in Romans 4. Here's a picture of it in Romans 4. As it is written, As it is written, As it is written, "I have made you the father, you "I have made you the father, you "I have made you the father, you Abraham." God says, "I have made you the Abraham." God says, "I have made you the Abraham." God says, "I have made you the father of many nations in the presence father of many nations in the presence father of many nations in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who of the God in whom he believed, who of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into gives life to the dead and calls into gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist." existence things that do not exist." existence things that do not exist." That's the kind of call we're talking That's the kind of call we're talking That's the kind of call we're talking about. He says to the universe, "Exist." about. He says to the universe, "Exist." about. He says to the universe, "Exist." He says to light, "Come into being." He He says to light, "Come into being." He He says to light, "Come into being." He says to the human heart, "See [snorts] says to the human heart, "See [snorts] says to the human heart, "See [snorts] Christ as power and wisdom." Christ as power and wisdom." Christ as power and wisdom." And it happens. It's a miracle. It's And it happens. It's a miracle. It's And it happens. It's a miracle. It's like this call in John 11. When Jesus had said these things, When Jesus had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, he cried out with a loud voice, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." And the man who had "Lazarus, come out." And the man who had "Lazarus, come out." And the man who had died came out. Dead men died came out. Dead men died came out. Dead men don't come out unless the call, don't come out unless the call, don't come out unless the call, this call right here, creates this call right here, creates this call right here, creates what it commands.

what it commands. what it commands. It commanded, "Come out." And it created It commanded, "Come out." And it created It commanded, "Come out." And it created life. life. life. So, it's the same as the new birth in So, it's the same as the new birth in So, it's the same as the new birth in John 1 John 5:1, "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God." That's the sovereign divine of God." That's the sovereign divine of God." That's the sovereign divine call of God bringing new life into call of God bringing new life into call of God bringing new life into existence just like Lazarus was called existence just like Lazarus was called existence just like Lazarus was called out of the grave. Belief is what is out of the grave. Belief is what is out of the grave. Belief is what is brought into existence when the call of brought into existence when the call of brought into existence when the call of God happens. It is absolutely sure. It is absolutely sure. Those whom he predestined, he also Those whom he predestined, he also Those whom he predestined, he also called. And those whom he called, he called. And those whom he called, he called. And those whom he called, he also justified. And those whom he also justified. And those whom he also justified. And those whom he justified, he also glorified. There is justified, he also glorified. There is justified, he also glorified. There is no dropout. If you are called, no dropout. If you are called, no dropout. If you are called, then you believe. And if you believe, then you believe. And if you believe, then you believe. And if you believe, you're justified. And if you're you're justified. And if you're you're justified. And if you're justified, you're glorified. And it's justified, you're glorified. And it's justified, you're glorified. And it's all rooted in the prior decision of God. all rooted in the prior decision of God. all rooted in the prior decision of God. And you can see that here in 1 And you can see that here in 1 And you can see that here in 1 Corinthians 1, Corinthians 1, Corinthians 1, "Consider your calling, brothers. Not "Consider your calling, brothers. Not "Consider your calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise. Not many of you many of you were wise. Not many of you many of you were wise. Not many of you were were were wise according to worldly standards. Not wise according to worldly standards. Not wise according to worldly standards. Not many of you were powerful. Not many were many of you were powerful. Not many were many of you were powerful. Not many were of noble birth. But God chose." So, you of noble birth. But God chose." So, you of noble birth. But God chose." So, you see, behind this calling, there is a see, behind this calling, there is a see, behind this calling, there is a choosing, an election, a predestining.

choosing, an election, a predestining. choosing, an election, a predestining. "God chose what is foolish "God chose what is foolish "God chose what is foolish and therefore," Paul says, "the gifts and therefore," Paul says, "the gifts and therefore," Paul says, "the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable." and calling of God are irrevocable." and calling of God are irrevocable." Everyone who is called stays called. Everyone who is called stays called. Everyone who is called stays called. This is the sovereign This is the sovereign This is the sovereign regenerating, saving regenerating, saving regenerating, saving work of grace, and it lasts forever. work of grace, and it lasts forever. work of grace, and it lasts forever. It is a calling into the fellowship of It is a calling into the fellowship of It is a calling into the fellowship of Christ. "God is faithful by whom you Christ. "God is faithful by whom you Christ. "God is faithful by whom you were called into the fellowship of his were called into the fellowship of his were called into the fellowship of his son." And it is a calling through the son." And it is a calling through the son." And it is a calling through the gospel. gospel. gospel. We ought always to give thanks to God We ought always to give thanks to God We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you because God chose you because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved through as the first fruits to be saved through as the first fruits to be saved through sanctification by the Spirit and belief sanctification by the Spirit and belief sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you in the truth. To this he called you in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel through our gospel through our gospel so that you may obtain so that you may obtain so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. This the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. This the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. This calling here doesn't happen apart from calling here doesn't happen apart from calling here doesn't happen apart from the gospel, which takes us back now to the gospel, which takes us back now to the gospel, which takes us back now to our text.

our text. our text. We preach We preach We preach Christ crucified. The gospel is Christ crucified. The gospel is Christ crucified. The gospel is preached. preached. preached. And to those who are called that Christ And to those who are called that Christ And to those who are called that Christ crucified crucified crucified becomes the power of God and the wisdom becomes the power of God and the wisdom becomes the power of God and the wisdom of God. And thus it supports of God. And thus it supports of God. And thus it supports this wisdom of God that decided the this wisdom of God that decided the this wisdom of God that decided the world will not know God through worldly world will not know God through worldly world will not know God through worldly wisdom. It will know God through the wisdom. It will know God through the wisdom. It will know God through the preaching of the gospel and the saving preaching of the gospel and the saving preaching of the gospel and the saving of those who believe because of this of those who believe because of this of those who believe because of this sovereign sovereign sovereign call.