Call in the New TestamentJesus and His Calls in Ministry
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) Lydia: Called to Serve1 Corinthians 1:18-25
The Message18-21 The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation, it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It’s written, I’ll turn conventional wisdom on its head,
I’ll expose so-called experts as shams. So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn’t God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered stupid—preaching, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation. 22-25 While Jews clamor for miraculous demonstrations and Greeks go in for philosophical wisdom, we go right on proclaiming Christ, the Crucified. Jews treat this like an anti-miracle—and Greeks pass it off as absurd. But to us who are personally called by God himself—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. Human wisdom is so cheap, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can’t begin to compete with God’s “weakness.” For ReflectionHuman wisdom is conventional wisdom supported by public consensus. God's wisdom and power are unconventional. Suppose God wielded power in the same way humans do? Wouldn't God be seen as evil or sinister? God's power depends upon our freedom to choose and not God's ability to control.
What kind of king rides into his kingship on a donkey? What powerful ruler washes the feet of his subjects. What spiritual leader would sit for a meal with cheaters and associate with sinners?
Only Christ can turn surrender into victory. PrayPray, so you understand, accept, and practice the unconventional wisdom the life of Jesus has revealed. Forward to a friend | 
