Sermon for November 3, 2019

Weak Instruments
I Samuel 17:32-40, 45-51

חַלֻּק; challûq; khal-look’ From H2505; smooth & אֶבֶן ‘eben; eh’-ben; From the root of H1129 through the meaning, to build; a stone: – + carbuncle, + mason, + plummet, [chalk-, hail-, bead-, sling-] stone (-ny), (divers) weight (-s).

A smooth rock is not one would use to fight a giant.  A sharp or jagged rock would have been preferred but even that is not a great weapon.  Instead, David, who is a weak warrior in his own right, not even a full-grown man yet, stands up against an impossible fight.  This story is less about David and more about the power of God.

God likes to use WEAK INSTRUMENTS and LOOK AT THE RESULTS:

A STAFF- Exodus 4:2

A JAWBONE- Judges 15:15

FIVE SMOOTH STONES- 1 Samuel 17:40

A HANDFUL OF FLOUR AND A LITTLE OIL-
1 Kings 17:12

A CLOUD THE SIZE OF A MAN’S HAND-
1 Kings 18:44

SMALL THINGS- Zechariah 4:10

THE MUSTARD SEED- Matthew 13:32

FIVE BARLEY LOAVES- John 6:9

Paul understood this and relayed this message to the church in Corinth, GOD CHOOSES THESE THREE THINGS AS RESOURCES TO USE:

FOOLISH THINGS- 1 Corinthians 1:27

LOWLY THINGS- 1 Corinthians 1:28

THINGS NO ONE WOULD BOAST ABOUT-
1 Corinthians 1:29

Paul challenged the wisdom of his age, in fact, this dissertation is contextually involved in a discussion over divisions in the church.  This church is placed in a very Greek influenced area meaning that scholarly thought was highly appraised and sought after.  Think of Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle, philosophers whose understandings still influence the thoughts of the church today, especially in Western culture.

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

     And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (10)  Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.  (11)  I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing. (ASV)

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