What Is God Like?

What Is God Like?

(1 Corinthians 1:25-31)

Introduction:The story is told of a kindergarten teacher who was observing her classroom of children while they drew. She would occasionally walk around to see each child’s artwork. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, “I’m drawing God.” The teacher paused and said, “but no one knows what God looks like.” Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing the girl replied, “They will in a minute.”

Several years ago, I came across this little list of suggestions about what God is like, and each item in the list is based on the mottoes of popular products.

What is God Like?

God is like Coke … He’s the real thing.

God is like Pan Am … He makes the going great

God is like General Electric … He lights your path.

God is like Bayer Aspirin … He works wonders.

God is like Hallmark Cards … He cares enough to send the very best.

God is like Tide … He gets the stains out that others leave behind.

God is like VO5 Hair Spray … He holds through all kinds of weather.

God is like Dial soap … Aren’t you glad you know him? Don’t you wish everyone did?

God is like Sears … He has everything.

God is like Alka Seltzer … Try Him. You’ll like Him

God is like Scotch Tape … you can’t see Him, but you know He’s there.

God is like American Express Card … don’t leave without Him

Carey Kinsolving in his “Kids Talk About God” forum mentioned an eight-year-old named Adrienne who said, “God is cool, awesome, powerful, nice, big, huge, wonderful, loving, exciting, caring, giving and The Best!” Certainly, God is like that, but from our text this evening I want to try and present some other aspects of what God is like.

In this passage we find first…

I. He Is A God Of Greatness … This Is Seen In Comparison(vs. 25)

A. Paul Mentioned The Foolishness Of God

1. This Is A Supposed Foolishnessthe foolishness of God

When this world looks at the cross, many see a foolishness and weakness, but perception is not reality.

[Because the foolishness of God] That which God appoints, requires, commands, does, etc., which appears to people to be foolish. The passage is not to be understood as affirming that it is REALLY foolish or unwise; but that it appears so to people. Perhaps the apostle here refers to those parts of the divine administration where the wisdom of the plan is not seen; or where the reason of what God does is concealed. (Barnes’ Notes)

2. This Is A Superior Foolishnessis wiser than men

[Is wiser than men] Is better adapted to accomplish important ends, and more certainly effectual than the schemes of human wisdom. This is especially true of the plan of salvation – a plan apparently foolish to the mass of people – yet indubitably accomplishing more for the renewing of people, and for their purity and happiness, than all the schemes of human contrivance. They have accomplished nothing toward people’s salvation; this accomplishes everything. They have always failed; this never fails. (Barnes’ Notes)

B. Paul Mentioned The Frailty Of God

1. Notice The Perception Of God’s Weaknessthe weakness of God

[The weakness of God] There is really no weakness in God any more than there is folly. This must mean, therefore, the things of his appointment which APPEAR weak and insufficient to accomplish the end. Such are these facts – that God should seek to save the world by Jesus of Nazareth, Who was supposed unable to save himself (Matthew 27:40–43); and that he should expect to save people by the gospel, by its being preached by people who were without learning, eloquence, wealth, fame, or power. The instruments were feeble; and people judged that this was owing to the weakness or lack of power in the God who appointed them. (Barnes’ Notes)

2. Notice The Power Of God’s Weaknessis stronger than men

[Is stronger than men] Is able to accomplish more than the utmost might of man. The feeblest agency that God puts forth – so feeble as to be esteemed weakness – is able to effect more than the utmost might of man. The apostle here refers particularly to the work of redemption; but it is true everywhere. (Barnes’ Notes)

Things are not always what they appear to be.

In this passage we find further…

II. He Is A God Of Grace … This Is Seen In Our Calling(vs. 26-28)

A. We See The Limited Recipients Of Grace

1. Notice The Limited Number Of The Capable

not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble

Notice that it doesn’t say, “Not any,” but “Not many.”Wise people like Al Mohler; Mighty people like President Bush

2. Notice The Limited Nature Of The Chosen

God hath chosen the foolish things … and God hath chosen the weak things … And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not

In direct comparison to the wise, mighty, and noble, God has chosen the foolish, weak and base.

foolish – 3474. moros, mo-ros’; dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e. heedless, blockhead, (apparently) absurd.

(Like Lucy calling Charlie Brown a blockhead in the “Peanuts” comic strip.)

weak – 772. asthenes, as-then-ace’; strengthless. It is rendered other place in the New Testament as “more feeble,” “impotent,” “sick,” and “without strength.”

base things – 36. agenes, ag-en-ace’; without kin, i.e. (of unknown descent, and by implication) ignoble.

things which are not – “When a man of rank among the Hindus speaks of low-caste persons, of notorious profligates, or of those whom he despises, he calls them “alla-tha-varkal,” that is, “those who are not.” The term does not refer to life or existence, but to a quality or disposition, and is applied to those who are vile and abominable in all things. (Barnes’ Notes)

H. Townley in The Biblical Illustrator wrote…

A native convert originally belonging to one of the lowest castes thus delivered himself in my hearing: “I am, by birth, of an insignificant and contemptible caste – so low that if a Brahmin should touch me he must go and bathe in the Ganges for purification; and yet God has called me, not merely to the knowledge of the gospel, but to the high office of teaching it to others. My friends, do you know the reason of God’s conduct? It is this: If God had selected one of you learned Brahmins, and made you the preacher, when you were successful in making converts bystanders would have said it was the amazing learning of the Brahmin and his great weight of character that were the cause; but now, when any one is converted by my instrumentality, no one thinks of ascribing any of the praise to me, and God, as is His due, has all the glory.”

B. We See The Lofty Reasons For God’s Grace

(1 Corinthians 1:27-28) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; {28} And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

1. God Has Chosen To Elevate The Pitiful Things

The Hendersons from east Alabama

chosen – 1586. eklegomai, ek-leg’-om-ahee; to select: --make choice.

2. God Has Chosen To Eliminate The Prideful Things

confound – 2617. kataischuno, kat-ahee-skhoo’-no; to shame down, i.e. disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush: -- dishonour, to be or make ashamed.

bring to nought – 2673. katargeo, kat-arg-eh’-o; to be (render) entirely idle (useless): --abolish, cease, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, make void.

God Saves Old Sinners

Verse 1

The drunk on the street the rich in their palaces; The poor and unlearned and the men of degree

They all have a soul in need of salvation; And they all have to come to Calvary

Verse 2

Was I so bad that I needed forgiveness? Was I so wrong I had to be redeemed?

Well I wasn’t a thief but I lived in sin’s prison; And I was as lost as a sinner could be

Chorus

And I am so glad god saves old sinners; I’m thrilled and amazed how he sets men free

But the biggest surprise in redeeming old sinners; Is that he would save a sinner like me

In this passage we find further…

III. He Is A God Of Glory … This Is Seen In Christ(vs. 29-31)

A. The Glory Of God Can Be Comprehended In The Fact That All Of Our Boasting Is In Christ

1. Notice The Restriction On Our Boasting

(1 Corinthians 1:29) That no flesh should glory in his presence.

2. Notice The Reference On Our Boasting

(1 Corinthians 1:31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

(Jeremiah 9:23-24) Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: {24} But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

B. The Glory Of God Can Be Comprehended In The Fact That All Of Our Becoming Is In Christ

1. Notice The Agency Of Our Becoming

(1 Corinthians 1:30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

[But of Him] That is, by his agency and power. It is not by philosophy; not from ourselves; but by his mercy. The apostle keeps it prominently in view, that it was not of their philosophy, wealth, or rank that they had been raised to these privileges, but of God as the author. You owe your hopes to him. The emphasis in this verse is to he placed on this expression, “are ye.” You are Christians, not by the agency of man, but by the agency of God. (Barnes’ Notes)

2. Notice The Aspects Of Our Becoming

(1 Corinthians 1:30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

If there is any wisdom (discernment), it’s Him, not me.

If there is any righteousness (decency), it’s Him, not me.

If there is any sanctification (dedication), it’s Him, not me.

If there is any redemption (deliverance), it’s Him, not me.

“Jesus Christ is made to me, all I need, all I need

He alone is all my plea, He is all I need.

Wisdom, righteousness, and power

Holiness forever more

My redemption full and sure, He is all I need!”

Conclusion:

What is God like? In order to answer that question in a final way, I want to relate a story from a sermon by Ken Klaus…

It begins on Christmas day years ago. A woman paid a holiday visit to the home of a friend. At that home was a little girl who had a most excellent doll collection. That collection had become, with the opening of Christmas gifts, considerably larger. Making adult conversation with the little lady, the friend asked, “Of all the dolls, which one of these is your favorite?” The little girl brought out a doll that was the most tattered and pathetic thing the woman had ever seen. The face was disfigured because of a broken nose. One china arm was cracked and the other was missing entirely. The woman didn’t laugh. But she did ask, “And why? Why do you love this one the most? You have so many pretty dolls.” To which the little girl could only confess, “I love this one the most because she needs it the most. If I didn’t love her, nobody would.”

OH, that’s what God is like!!