12-04-2025 PART 2: Called by Grace: How God Uses the Least Likely

Section 1

In this passage from 1 Corinthians 1, Paul reminds believers to reflect on the time of their calling, noting that not many were wise, powerful, or of noble birth. This truth resonates deeply when we stop reading mechanically and begin reading with a listening heart. Paul is emphasizing that God delights in working through those whom the world overlooks. The story shared here fits perfectly: four Jewish boys from Detroit, all saved within thirty days of one another, all coming from the same neighborhood, and none of them fitting the world’s definition of “ideal candidates.” Yet God called them, shaped them, and sent them back into circles where no traditional evangelist could go. This illustrates the profound wisdom of God, who chooses vessels not for their pedigree but for His purpose. When we realize how unqualified many of us were at the moment God called us, the Scripture becomes even more personal and powerful.

Section 2

This teaching dismantles the idea that influence comes from earthly credentialing. The narrative of coming out of drug use and being considered a bad influence by peers reveals how radically God transforms a life from the inside out. Once changed, that same life becomes an instrument of testimony to people who would never listen to anyone else. Paul emphasizes three times that “not many” were wise, powerful, or noble—not none, but not many. This distinction is essential, because it underscores that God deliberately chooses the foolish, weak, lowly, and despised things of the world. The testimony here echoes Paul’s message. God reshapes brokenness into usefulness, turning what once seemed wasted into something purposeful and influential for His kingdom. When people hear the gospel from someone who lived their struggles, their hearts open in ways they wouldn’t otherwise.

Section 3

The passage also highlights why God works this way: so no one may boast before Him. Every conversion, every healing, every transformation is rooted in God’s grace and not human ability. The spontaneous call from Rosalyn becomes a living example of this principle. Her gratitude, her healing, her restored strength, and her desire to offer her tap dance as worship all testify to God’s mercy. Her journey reflects endurance, renewal, and a heart that continues pointing to Jesus even in hardship. Her testimony, like the message Paul teaches, reminds us that God’s grace reaches into the lowest places and brings forth praise, perseverance, and joy. When lives are changed so deeply, it becomes clear that only God could have orchestrated it.