Intentional Strategic Inversion

Posted by Danny

Friday, October 14, 2011

1 Corinthians 1:26-2:5

Seems rather upside down, don't you think?

Want to impress people, get your name out there in the arena of recognition and seize your fair share of the market? Celebrities! Super-stars! Personalities of recognition and reputation! People love big names. People flock to big names. People are drawn to big names. Celebrity endorsement … now THAT's the way to build and sustain a movement!

But it was not; it is not the Jesus way. He establishes an earth-moving, history-altering movement by carefully focusing not on the "some-bodies" of the world, but by--according to cultural standards--calling to Himself the "no-bodies."

· "Galilee of the Gentiles" blue collar workers

· A treasonous tax guy

· A militant zealot

· Widows

· Orphans

· Certifiable sinners of stained reputation

· More slaves than slave masters

· Drunks and swindlers

· And declaring that the greatest leaders must first prove their character thru the humble tasks of service

He messed big time with the expectations of the "haves" by repeatedly calling to Himself the "have-nots." It was radical, exceptional and unusual, but it was not new. God has always applied the principles of "Intentional Strategic Inversion" to His work among people.

· A fugitive murderer becomes a spiritual leader and liberator

· A donkey serves the Master as a spokesman for the Divine

· A teenage shepherd drops a tyrannical giant

· A servant girl gives lifesaving counsel to a pagan ruler

· A homemaker with a mallet and tent stake bring to an end the career (and the life) of a militia leader

Pastor Hybels captured the principle in his popular book entitled, Descending Into Greatness. Church planter and spiritual father, Paul, highlights the principle in his summons to reconciliation to a deeply divided fellowship when he writes, "For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise…mighty…noble…But God has chosen the foolish…the weak…the no-bodies…." 1 Cor. 1:26-27

Then to cap it off, He made the focal point of redemptive narrative the executioner's symbol of ultimate guilt and rejection--His cross!

Consistent with God's pattern of applying the principle of "Intentional Strategic Inversion," God fills the membership rolls of His Church with amazing trophies of His saving grace! "…so that no man may boast before God." 1 Corinthians 1:29

Hmmm, perhaps it is not so upside down after all!

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom