Becoming Extraordinary Through Humble Service and Faith

 

Summary

As we come to the close of our “Who Am I?” series, we reflect on the journey of discovering our true identity in Christ. Our purpose is not found in self-glorification, but in service—first to the church, then to the broader community. God has uniquely designed each of us, instilling a spiritual DNA and a divine plan that unfolds as we serve and grow. The process of becoming who God intends us to be is much like clay in the hands of a potter: shaped, protected, and ultimately refined through the fires of life, so that we might become vessels both beautiful and useful.

True satisfaction and fulfillment are found not in seeking our own glory, but in following the example of Jesus, the ultimate servant. Though He possessed all glory, He humbled Himself, taking on the form of an ordinary man. God delights in using the unexpected and the ordinary to accomplish extraordinary things, so that His glory shines all the brighter. The stories of Moses, Joseph, Deborah, Gideon, Ruth, Esther, and especially Peter, remind us that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness and ordinariness.

Peter’s journey is particularly instructive. He was impulsive, inconsistent, and often misunderstood Jesus’ teachings. Yet, Jesus called him “the rock” before Peter had matured, seeing not just who he was, but who he would become. After Pentecost, filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter was transformed from a wavering follower into a bold leader, healing the lame and preaching with power so that thousands believed. The religious leaders marveled that such “unschooled, ordinary men” could speak and act with such authority.

The secret to this transformation lies in three things: faith in Jesus Christ, continual repentance, and bold obedience. Faith is not merely intellectual assent or emotion, but action—stepping out even when we lack what the world deems necessary. Repentance is a continual cleansing, freeing us from the internal pressures that cloud our hearts and minds. And boldness, when rooted in faith and repentance, is not arrogance but authentic courage empowered by the Holy Spirit. When we allow God to fill our “cup” with His Spirit, we become extraordinary vessels, able to do far more than we could ever imagine.

Key Takeaways

- God’s glory is revealed through ordinary people who serve with humility. The world values status and recognition, but God values servanthood. When we embrace our role as servants, following the example of Christ, we find true greatness and satisfaction in God’s eyes. [06:49]

- Our spiritual journey is a process of being shaped and refined, much like clay in the potter’s hands. God protects, molds, and sometimes allows us to go through the fire so that we become vessels fit for His use. The trials we face are not signs of abandonment, but of God’s commitment to our transformation. [03:58]

- God often calls us before we are ready, seeing our potential rather than our present shortcomings. Peter was named “the rock” while still immature and inconsistent, yet Jesus saw who he would become. God’s calling is not based on our perfection, but on His vision for our lives and His power to bring it to pass. [11:54]

- The content of our lives matters more than outward appearance or worldly qualifications. Like the humble chalice in Indiana Jones, it is the spiritual content—the presence of the Holy Spirit—that gives us true power and purpose. We must focus on being filled with God’s Spirit rather than seeking external validation. [21:52]

- Transformation comes through faith in Christ, continual repentance, and bold obedience. Faith is demonstrated by action, repentance cleanses our hearts and minds, and boldness empowered by the Spirit enables us to do extraordinary things. These three practices open us to the fullness of God’s power and purpose in our lives. [27:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:58] - Spiritual DNA and God’s Plan
[04:58] - The Irony of Christian Perfection
[06:49] - True Satisfaction in Serving
[08:04] - God Uses the Ordinary
[08:53] - Jesus’ Humble Humanity
[09:50] - The Power of Contrast
[10:57] - Examples of Ordinary Heroes
[11:54] - Peter: The Late Bloomer
[13:08] - Peter’s Dual Nature
[14:51] - Restoration and Love
[16:18] - Peter’s Transformation at Pentecost
[17:08] - Healing the Lame Beggar
[18:08] - Bold Preaching and Opposition
[18:53] - The Power of the Ordinary
[20:06] - The True Value of the Vessel
[21:52] - Filled with the Holy Spirit
[23:44] - Faith in Action
[25:00] - The Power of Repentance
[27:28] - Bold Obedience
[28:58] - Prayer for Extraordinary Lives

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Who Am I? – Becoming Extraordinary in Christ”

---

### Bible Reading

1. Acts 3:1-10 – Peter and John heal the lame beggar at the temple gate.
2. Acts 4:8-13 – Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly preaches to the religious leaders, who are amazed at the courage of “unschooled, ordinary men.”
3. Jeremiah 18:1-6 – The potter and the clay: God’s shaping and refining of His people.

---

### Observation Questions

1. In Acts 3:1-10, what did Peter say to the lame man when he asked for money, and what happened next?
2. According to Acts 4:8-13, how did the religious leaders react to Peter and John’s boldness, and what did they notice about them?
3. In Jeremiah 18:1-6, what does God teach Jeremiah through the image of the potter and the clay?
4. The sermon described Peter as someone who was impulsive and inconsistent before Pentecost. What are some specific examples from Peter’s life that show this? [[13:08]]

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chooses to use “ordinary” people like Peter, Moses, or Ruth to accomplish His purposes, instead of those who seem more qualified by the world’s standards? [[08:04]]
2. What does it mean that God “calls us before we are ready,” as seen in Jesus calling Peter “the rock” before he had matured? How does this challenge our ideas about being qualified to serve? [[11:54]]
3. The sermon compared our spiritual journey to clay being shaped and refined by a potter. What might the “fire” represent in our lives, and why is it necessary? [[03:58]]
4. In Acts 4:13, the leaders were amazed at the boldness of “unschooled, ordinary men.” What does this reveal about the source of true spiritual authority and power?

---

### Application Questions

1. The sermon said true satisfaction is found in serving others, not in seeking our own glory. In what areas of your life are you tempted to seek recognition or status? How could you shift your focus toward humble service this week? [[06:49]]
2. Think about a time when you felt “ordinary” or unqualified. How might God want to use you, just as you are, to do something extraordinary for Him? [[08:04]]
3. The process of being shaped like clay can be uncomfortable, especially when we go through “the fire.” Is there a current trial or challenge in your life that might be part of God’s refining process? How can you trust Him in it? [[03:58]]
4. Peter’s transformation came through faith in Christ, continual repentance, and bold obedience. Which of these three do you find most challenging right now, and why? [[27:28]]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit rather than focusing on outward appearance or qualifications. What are some practical ways you can seek to be filled with God’s Spirit this week? [[21:52]]
6. Repentance was described as a continual cleansing, like lowering blood pressure for a healthy heart and mind. Is there something you need to repent of or let go of to experience more peace and freedom? [[25:00]]
7. Bold obedience is not arrogance, but authentic courage empowered by the Spirit. Is there a step of faith or act of obedience you sense God is calling you to take, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable? [[27:28]]

---

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Pray for the courage to serve humbly, to trust God’s refining process, and to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that God’s extraordinary power can shine through your ordinary life.

Devotional

Day 1: God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Purposes
God delights in using ordinary, unexpected people to accomplish His extraordinary plans, so that His glory is magnified and not our own. Throughout Scripture, we see God choosing those whom the world might overlook—Moses the stuttering shepherd, Joseph the betrayed brother, Deborah the woman in a patriarchal society, Gideon the timid leader, Ruth the foreigner, Esther the orphan, and Peter the impulsive fisherman. Each of these individuals had flaws and limitations, yet God called and empowered them to do great things, not because of their status or abilities, but because His power is made perfect in weakness. When we embrace our ordinariness and surrender to God, He fills us with His Spirit and uses us in ways we could never imagine, so that all the glory belongs to Him. [09:50]

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ESV)
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel most “ordinary” or inadequate, and how might God be inviting you to trust Him to use you for His extraordinary purposes today?


Day 2: Faith in Jesus Christ Requires Action
True faith in Jesus is not just a belief or a feeling, but a bold action that steps out in obedience to His words—even the hardest ones. Jesus told His followers that they would do even greater things than He did, challenging us to move beyond passive belief into active trust. Faith is demonstrated when we step out, even when we don’t have all the resources or answers the world says we need. It is by acting on Jesus’ teachings, especially when it’s difficult, that we see God’s power at work in and through us, transforming lives, families, and communities. [23:44]

John 14:12 (ESV)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”

Reflection: What is one specific step of faith you sense God calling you to take this week, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable?


Day 3: The Power of Continual Repentance
Repentance is not a one-time event but a continual practice that cleanses our hearts and minds, freeing us from the internal stress and spiritual blockages that hinder our relationship with God. Just as lowering blood pressure brings health to the body, regular repentance brings peace and clarity to the soul. When we hold on to unconfessed sin or unresolved issues, we may go through the motions of faith but lack true peace and spiritual vitality. Continual repentance is God’s invitation to experience ongoing renewal, making us ready for each new day with a clean heart and a fresh spirit. [27:28]

Psalm 51:10 (ESV)
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Reflection: Is there something you need to repent of today—an attitude, action, or thought—that is weighing on your heart and mind? Will you bring it honestly before God and receive His cleansing?


Day 4: Bold Obedience Flows from a Spirit-Filled Life
Authentic boldness is not about posturing or self-assertion, but about being filled with the Holy Spirit and courageously obeying God’s call, even in the face of opposition or uncertainty. When we exercise faith and repentance, the Spirit empowers us to speak and act with a confidence that is rooted in Christ, not in ourselves. This kind of boldness is what enabled Peter, once impulsive and fearful, to stand before crowds and authorities, proclaiming Jesus with power and clarity. God calls us to this same Spirit-filled boldness, so that we can be vessels of His truth and love in our world. [28:58]

Acts 4:8-13 (ESV)
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Reflection: Where is God inviting you to act or speak with Spirit-filled boldness today, rather than shrinking back or relying on your own strength?


Day 5: The True Measure of Greatness is Servanthood
Jesus redefined greatness by becoming the ultimate servant, teaching that the greatest among us is the one who serves others. In a world that chases after recognition, applause, and status, Jesus calls us to find our true identity and satisfaction in humble service—first within the church, then in the wider community. As we serve, we discover and refine our spiritual and natural gifts, and we become the vessels God designed us to be. The path to becoming our best selves is not through self-promotion, but through self-giving love, following the example of our Master. [06:49]

Mark 10:43-45 (ESV)
But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Reflection: How can you intentionally serve someone today—whether in your church, family, or neighborhood—in a way that reflects the servant heart of Jesus?

Quotes

But here, I'd like to encapsulate the series in kind of a brief treatise here. Just a reminder.that God loves to shine. He loves to shine because He alone is worthy of glory.And, you know, we like to get glory.We like to get the attention and the applause and the accolades. We like to get the praise. Oh, yes, we do.But He alone is worthy to be praised. [00:06:09]

Therefore, in order for us to find any true, genuine satisfaction, we have to realize what Jesus said. He said that the servant cannot be greater than the master, and he's the master. And so what he's saying is that he was the ultimate servant.That he had glory above, but he came down to earth and made himself a lowly servant. And then he said that the greatest among you shall be the servant of all. [00:07:06]

And therefore, if we cannot be greater than the master, then we ought not be trying to be anything greater than a great servant, because that's the greatest.that we as human beings can ever possibly be. [00:07:44]

So, you know, we we do all of this.But you see, God is.Wanting to create this contrast, he will use the unexpected, the ordinary to do extraordinary things. Why? Because through that contrast, he gets even greater glory. [00:10:00]

You could look at Ruth, look at Esther, but I like to look at Peter.I think Peter is an excellent example of how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things so that he gets the glory.You see, Peter was a fisherman.He gets introduced to Jesus.He walks with Jesus and he becomes close to Jesus and he learns of Jesus. [00:11:25]

Peter was a bit of a late bloomer.He had a habit of messing up.And if Jesus judged what Peter was going to do based upon what he was doing all the time he was with him, and I would even add, even after Jesus.came back Peter was still not you know if if that happened the church would not exist because Peter is the rock he he is what the church was built on why did Jesus call Peter the rock which is what his name means actually why before he reached his maturity in the midst of his mess he declared him the rock [00:12:03]

Peter was the one who we all know that you know he's the one who said I will never deny you Jesus I'll be by your side and we all know that he was the one who denied him three times when the heat was turned up right we know he failed that we know that he was the one who cut off the soldier's ear Jesus had to put it back rash guy passionate guy emotional guy not a lot of self -control easy to say what he's gonna do and not the kind of guy who really follows through when there was the foot washingright he says you youYou know, no, no, no, no, no, no. You're not going to wash my feet. You know, I'm below you. And he says, well, Jesus says, if I don't wash your feet, you can't be a part of me. He says, oh, the hands and the feet as well. He's going from one extreme to the other. [00:13:08]

So in other words, he's got like this dual nature. Right. So God's coming out of him. Then after that, Peter says, don't go to the cross. And he says, and Jesus says, Jesus has to say, get thee behind me, Satan. You never know what's coming out of Peter's mouth. There's God coming out. There's the devil coming out. There's wanting to do the right thing and wanting to do the wrong thing. There's Jesus having to fix his messes like cut off ears. [00:14:21]

But afterward. Jesus says. Do you love me?Peter says, of course, I love you.And he says, feed my sheep and feed my lambs. And he has to go three times and he has to go three times. And the whole time. Peter doesn't get.That the word Jesus is using for love is not the word. That the word Jesus is using for love is not the word Jesus is using for love is not the word Jesus is using for love is not the word Jesus is using for love is not the word Jesus is using for love is not the word Jesus is using for love is not the word Jesus is using for love is not the word Jesus is using for love is not the word Jesus is using for love.Peter is using. Peter keeps saying, I'm going to be your buddy.And Jesus is saying, are you going to sacrifice for the people?So he doesn't get it. [00:14:58]

But something amazing happens in Acts.Something very amazing happens.The Holy Spirit had already come upon him and others in Pentecost.And this dualistic, wishy -washy, immature, petulant adolescent all of a sudden has power.Jesus was right about him. [00:15:41]

And so now, Peter and John are walking to the temple. They're going to go pray at 3 o 'clock. They were very faithful.And there was a man who was always there. In fact, they would have to carry him up towards the temple so that he could beg because he was crippled.Couldn't walk. So they had to carry him up.And so, Peter and John walk up and he does his...typical begging. He probably is an older man and cannot walk and is down there and asks, can you spare the denarii for me?I don't know what he said.And Peter says, I don't have any silver.I don't have any gold.But what I got, I'm going to give you. By the power of the Holy Spirit, he prays over him and the man stood up and he was able to move. [00:16:23]

And he was so happy that he comes into the temple and I'm just telling that like the scripture does, but he was praising, I don't know, he was doing jumping jacks. He was so happy he couldn't believe it. He was doing this and of course the religious elite did not like this because this was all about Jesus who was their theological opponent at the time. [00:17:35]

And so what happens isPeter and John go out.they start preaching about 5 ,000 men. Now that's a patriarchal society still. So you don't know how many, how many were there, but it actually says males. It's men.It's about 5 ,000 men got get saved. Hey, no, yeah. I know hey yeah!off of the evidence of this cripple being healed and the power of Peter's preaching and testimony, 5 ,000 people convert over. [00:18:03]

And my beloved, I would like to remind you what Peter says, because I believe that these are the instructions for all of us to fill our cup.Yes, God has brought you through trials. Yes, he has refined you. Yes, he has protected you. Yes, you had to prayerfully face your own infirmities, but through God's grace.become strengthened rather than weakened by them. But you're not going to be complete without a full cup.The cup that holds the spirit of God. [00:19:30]

The message is that we need to focus on the content of the chalice, that God has made you a beautiful chalice. But we're not truly powerful. We're not truly purposeful. We're not truly productive without the spiritual content of the chalice.And this is why when it says that Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to preach and teach and proclaim with boldness. [00:21:54]

So there are three things that I would like to say. One is when he was asked by what power or what name did you they could not they couldn't refute the fact they see this man every day. They're looking at the same man. He's standing. They cannot refute the fact that a miracle has happened. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. He's standing. HeWhy, what power did this miracle happen? And Peter says, firstly, it begins with faith in Jesus Christ, who you rejected. Faith in [00:22:36]

Jesus Christ. You want to fill your cup.The first thing is to have faith in Jesus Christ. What is faith in Jesus Christ?Faith in Jesus Christ is believing what he taught, especially the harder teachings.But I would say the most important aspect of it are the things he said and taught just before he went to the cross.When he said, you will do even greater things than I have done. That's hard for us to believe. But if we have faith in Christ, we have faith in what he said. And if he said that, then we're going to step out and do those things. [00:23:17]

And that is how churches grow. That's how families are saved. That's how communities are transformed. That's how the world is turned around. Through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is not a thought. Faith is not a theory. Faith is not a theology. Faith is not a feeling. Faith is not a feeling.Faith is not an emotion. Faith is an action. [00:24:08]

So we demonstrate our faith in Christ by stepping out without having all of the accoutrements that the world thinks we require, which is why God uses ordinary people. Second, he said, repent.You see, we step out, but often we do not also repent.There's always something to repent from. [00:24:32]

When we don't repent it is an internal stress that can affect your head and your heart it builds up and we smile but we know something's not right inside we go about our work in our day but we don't have that peace inside we we go through all of the steps and we read and we pray but we wonder why we don't and it's because we haven't repented when we continually repent it's a continual cleansing it cleanses your your mind it cleanses your spiritual blood uh vessels it makes you ready to have a fresh day amen [00:26:44]

So faith in Christ by action.Cleansing of your heart and mind through repentance.And then obedience through boldness.It says that he was bold with what he did. You see, there's a human boldness and a godly boldness. Some people just want to be haughty. Some people just want to have posturing and flex. But you see, when you have been exercising faith and exercising repentance, your boldness is authentic. [00:27:28]

And so when you have the mind of Christ and the heart of Christ and the faith in Christ and the bold obedience to him as a consequence of repentance, my brother, I'm here to tell you there's nothing to environment. He's got to say ,óThat power, if we can do the three things that Peter said. [00:28:07]

So my prayer is that you all would be extraordinary.All of you would be extraordinary through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit that fills us with this spiritual [00:29:04]

power. To take ordinary people and give them the strength to do extraordinary [00:29:17]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 02, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?