Chosen by Grace

God uses the unlikely to display His glory.

Opening Problem: "Not Good Enough"

• "You're not smart enough."
• "You're not talented enough."
• "You don't belong."

At school, work, and home, we face moments where we feel inadequate. Self-doubt whispers lies. This connects to imposter syndrome—thinking your successes were luck and you'll be exposed as a fraud.

Question: How many of you have felt this way before?

Transition: God knows these thoughts and still says, "I chose you."

God Has Your Back

"God chose the lowly things... the despised things... the things that are not..."

• 1 Corinthians 1:28

The Overlooked: God chooses those the world ignores

The Unlikely: God uses those no one expects

The Underestimated: God lifts up those dismissed by others

Objective

To remind every believer of these powerful truths:

1. Not Disqualified: Feelings of inadequacy do not disqualify you from God's calling.
2. Empowered to Bless: God empowers you to bless and influence others around you.
3. Chosen in Weakness: You are chosen to be an example, not because you are perfect, but because His strength works in your weakness.

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 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 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 human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 26 Brothers and sisters, 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 God 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 the one who boasts boast in the Lord."

I. The Message of the Cross Seems Crazy (1 Cor. 1:18-21)

Human wisdom could not grasp God, so God saved us through what seems "simple": faith in Christ crucified.

"Are perishing" vs. "are being saved" - Everyone is moving in one direction

Beyond Intelligence God cannot be discovered through intellect alone. Often the most educated reject God—not always, but often.

Illustration: Einstein's students claimed to know 5% of the world's knowledge. Einstein asked: "Could God exist in the 95% you don't know?"

"My thoughts are not your thoughts..." Isaiah 55:8-9

II. Christ Crucified: The Real Power (1 Cor. 1:22-25)

To the called, Jesus is both the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.

Point: Salvation is not achieved by intellect—it is received by faith in God's act of love at Calvary.

III. God Picks the Little Guys (1 Cor. 1:26-29)

Paul's reminder: Not many were wise, influential, or noble.

Why?

1. To eliminate human pride
2. To display His glory alone

"God uses what is nothing to show the world that He is everything."

IV. Silence the Voices

Negative voices come from multiple sources:

Internal Voices

• Self-doubt
• Comparison
• Feelings of inferiority

External Voices

• Critics
• People who dismiss you
• Society's standards

Main idea: Letting these voices dominate is why we feel incompetent. God's voice must become louder than all of them.

V. God's Perspective on You

Focus on truth:

The Humble:
God chooses the humble and lifts them up

The Overlooked:
God elevates those the world ignores

The Broken:
God uses the broken to display His healing power

Jesus Himself was rejected by the "wise," yet became the Savior of the world.

You are chosen not because you are impressive, but because God is gracious.

VI. Our Real "Bragging Rights" (1 Cor. 1:30-31)

If we are in Christ, He becomes everything we need:

• Our Wisdom
• Our Righteousness
• Our Holiness
• Our Redemption

Boast in the Lord:
If you're going to boast about anything, boast in what the Lord has done.

Conclusion

God's Power in Your Weakness

"My grace is sufficient for you... my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9

God didn't remove Paul's struggle—He empowered him through it.

Key truth: When you feel weak, you are in the perfect position for God to show His strength.

Reflection

Meditate on These Truths

1. God's Got You: He Will Finish His Work
| Philippians 1:6

• God started your transformation
• God will finish it
• Your failures cannot cancel His commitment

2. You're Handpicked: Chosen by Grace, Not Performance
| 2 Timothy 1:9

• Saved by grace
• Called to holiness
• Chosen before time began
• Your purpose existed before your performance

3. God Equips You: Your Competence Comes From Him
| 2 Corinthians 3:5

• You are not "self-made."
• You are God-made
• Every skill, gift, and ability comes from Him
• Confidence is not pride when it points back to God

You are chosen by grace, strengthened by His Spirit, and called for His glory. Walk boldly—because God Himself is your source.