Embracing Providence: Ordinary Acts, Extraordinary Impact
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, we continue our series, "Change the World." Last week, we discussed the common misconception that only those with extraordinary gifts can make a significant impact. However, Jesus showed us that even ordinary acts, like sharing meals, can change lives. This week, I want to share a personal story from 2003 when I was a senior at the University of South Florida. During that year, God matured me significantly and opened unexpected ministry opportunities, including leading a college Bible study and interning at a church. These experiences taught me that God uses everything and wastes nothing.
We then turned to Acts 17:22-31, where Paul addresses the intellectuals of Athens. Paul explains the doctrine of providence, emphasizing that God orchestrates every detail of our lives. Unlike the Greek gods, who were distant and needy, the God of the Bible is omnipresent and self-sufficient. He doesn't need us but chooses to involve Himself in our lives out of joy. This understanding of God's providence should change how we view our circumstances. Nothing is random; everything is part of God's plan.
In our modern world, we often attribute events to luck or coincidence, but Paul reminds us that God is in control of every detail. This realization should deepen our trust in Him and motivate us to spread the gospel. God has placed us where we live, work, and play for a reason. Our mission field is right outside our front door. By reclaiming the simple act of sharing meals, we can change the world. God has orchestrated every detail of our lives to bring us to this moment. He is not far off; He is drawing us to Himself. If you haven't trusted in Jesus, today is the day to do so. God has brought you here for a reason.
### Key Takeaways
1. Ordinary Acts Can Change the World: Jesus demonstrated that simple, everyday actions like sharing meals can have a profound impact. We don't need to be extraordinary to make a difference; we just need to be intentional. Sharing a meal can create deep connections and open doors for meaningful conversations. [01:25]
2. God Uses Everything and Wastes Nothing: My personal journey from aspiring doctor to pastor showed me that God orchestrates every detail of our lives. Even when we feel like we've wasted time, God is weaving together a beautiful plan. He uses all our experiences for His glory and our growth. [10:21]
3. The Doctrine of Providence: Paul’s message in Athens highlights that God is involved in every detail of our lives. Unlike the distant and needy Greek gods, our God is omnipresent and self-sufficient. He orchestrates what happens, when it happens, and how it happens, ensuring that nothing is random or wasted. [19:14]
4. Rejecting the Notion of Luck: In our modern world, we often attribute events to luck or coincidence. However, Paul reminds us that God is in control of every detail. This understanding should deepen our trust in Him and make us more aware of His presence in our daily lives. [21:44]
5. Our Mission Field is Right Where We Are: God has placed us in our specific locations for a reason. Our homes, workplaces, and hobbies are all part of His plan to spread the gospel. By being intentional in these areas, we can fulfill our calling to change the world. [24:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:39] - Superhero Mentality in Changing the World
[01:25] - Ordinary Ways to Change the World
[02:25] - The Power of Sharing Meals
[03:14] - Personal Story: University of South Florida
[04:46] - Unexpected Ministry Opportunities
[05:43] - Transition to Church Planting
[07:38] - Struggles and God's Plan
[09:39] - Becoming a Teacher
[11:09] - Introduction to Acts 17
[12:14] - Paul in Athens
[13:25] - Paul's Message to the Athenians
[15:19] - Correcting Misunderstandings About God
[17:07] - The Omnipresence and Aseity of God
[19:14] - The Doctrine of Providence
[21:03] - Modern Struggles with Providence
[22:54] - Trusting in God's Plan
[24:13] - Our Mission Field
[27:07] - Personal Stories of God's Providence
[31:29] - Reclaiming the Table
[32:58] - God's Orchestration in Our Lives
[33:43] - The Gospel Message
[35:01] - Call to Trust in Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 17:22-31
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the main point of Paul's message to the intellectuals of Athens in Acts 17:22-31?
2. How did Paul describe the nature of God in contrast to the Greek gods? [13:25]
3. What personal story did the pastor share about his time at the University of South Florida, and how did it illustrate God's providence? [03:14]
4. According to the sermon, what ordinary act did Jesus use to change lives, and how can we apply this in our own lives? [01:25]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the doctrine of providence important for understanding our daily lives and circumstances? [19:14]
2. How does Paul's message in Athens challenge the modern notion of luck and coincidence? [21:44]
3. What does it mean that God uses everything and wastes nothing, and how can this perspective change our view of past experiences? [10:21]
4. How can the understanding that our mission field is right where we are influence our daily interactions and decisions? [24:13]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you wasted time or effort. How does the idea that God uses everything and wastes nothing change your perspective on that period? [07:38]
2. Think about your current living situation. How can you see God's providence in placing you where you are? What steps can you take to be more intentional in your neighborhood? [24:13]
3. Identify one person you can invite to share a meal with this week. How can this simple act of hospitality open doors for deeper connections and meaningful conversations? [01:25]
4. How can you reject the notion of luck in your daily life and instead recognize God's hand in the details? Share a recent event that you initially attributed to luck and reframe it in light of God's providence. [21:44]
5. What are some specific ways you can be more intentional about spreading the gospel in your workplace or school? How can you use your unique gifts and interests to fulfill this calling? [25:09]
6. Reflect on the pastor's story about his unexpected ministry opportunities. How can you be open to unexpected opportunities that God might place in your path? [04:46]
7. If you haven't trusted in Jesus yet, what is holding you back? How does understanding God's providence and His involvement in your life influence your decision to trust Him today? [33:43]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Ordinary Acts
Ordinary acts, when done with intention, can change the world. Jesus demonstrated that simple, everyday actions like sharing meals can have a profound impact. We don't need to be extraordinary to make a difference; we just need to be intentional. Sharing a meal can create deep connections and open doors for meaningful conversations. This is a powerful reminder that our daily interactions hold the potential to transform lives. By reclaiming the simple act of sharing meals, we can change the world. [01:25]
Hebrews 13:2 (ESV): "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Reflection: Think of someone you can invite to share a meal with this week. How can you use this opportunity to create a deeper connection and open the door for meaningful conversation?
Day 2: God Uses Everything and Wastes Nothing
God orchestrates every detail of our lives, using all our experiences for His glory and our growth. Even when we feel like we've wasted time, God is weaving together a beautiful plan. This understanding should encourage us to trust in His providence, knowing that nothing is random or wasted. Our personal journeys, with all their twists and turns, are part of God's grand design. [10:21]
Romans 8:28 (ESV): "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Reflection: Reflect on a time in your life when you felt like you were wasting time. How can you see God's hand at work in that season now?
Day 3: The Doctrine of Providence
Paul’s message in Athens highlights that God is involved in every detail of our lives. Unlike the distant and needy Greek gods, our God is omnipresent and self-sufficient. He orchestrates what happens, when it happens, and how it happens, ensuring that nothing is random or wasted. This understanding of God's providence should change how we view our circumstances and deepen our trust in Him. [19:14]
Acts 17:26-27 (ESV): "And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us."
Reflection: How does understanding God's providence change the way you view your current circumstances? What steps can you take to trust Him more deeply today?
Day 4: Rejecting the Notion of Luck
In our modern world, we often attribute events to luck or coincidence. However, Paul reminds us that God is in control of every detail. This realization should deepen our trust in Him and make us more aware of His presence in our daily lives. By recognizing God's hand in everything, we can live with greater purpose and intentionality. [21:44]
Proverbs 16:33 (ESV): "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord."
Reflection: Think of a recent event you attributed to luck or coincidence. How can you reframe this event to see God's hand at work?
Day 5: Our Mission Field is Right Where We Are
God has placed us in our specific locations for a reason. Our homes, workplaces, and hobbies are all part of His plan to spread the gospel. By being intentional in these areas, we can fulfill our calling to change the world. Our mission field is right outside our front door, and we are called to be faithful in the places God has placed us. [24:13]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Identify one specific area in your daily life where you can be more intentional about sharing the gospel. What practical steps can you take to be a light in that area?
Quotes
1. "We believe to change the world, I need some kind of supernatural gifting or ability. Like, hey, do I need to be an overseas missionary? Don't feel called to that. Can't change the world. I can't preach. I can't play like these musicians. Like, how in the world am I supposed? How am I supposed to change the world? On top of that, many of us just feel like we're just trying to manage life. We find ourselves in a really demanding, busy season. And we're like, if I could just manage my life, that's great. I don't know about changing the world." [00:39] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Change the world. It's not just for the Billy Grahams. It's actually for me and you. Ordinary Christians, how do we change the world? And one of the ways that we saw in the life of Jesus is the way he performed ministry. It's almost like the dinner table or sharing a meal with others was one of the primary ways in which he spread the kingdom of God and connected with people. So the sharing intentionally of meals changes lives and others." [01:25] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We've kind of lost the art of sitting around a table. Connecting with people. And yet, again, it's a very ordinary way for us to change the world. The table. So if you and I want to change the world, we've got to express some biblical hospitality. Some intentional meal sharing. I think about some of my deepest friendships. And where some of the conversations of greatest depth happen. And it was around a table. I think about some of the best laughs I've shared with others. It happened around a table. There's something about the table." [02:25] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I've learned something about God. He uses everything and wastes nothing. I want to take you to the book of Acts. That's where we're going to read today. The book of Acts. Okay. Okay. that I want to point us to today when it comes to changing the world and that is the doctrine of providence." [11:09] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The first thing he says is, there is one God. Now, in the Greek understanding of gods, they were polytheistic, meaning they believed there were many, many gods, and each god had his own or her own domain. So, when it came to the creation of the world, the Greeks actually believed at this time period that the world was created by lots of different gods. There was one god that created the animals. Then he recruited his brother, and they created humans. And then there was another god, that created the mountains and rivers and valleys. They had all of these gods in their polytheistic culture. And he goes, no, no, no, no. There's not many gods with unique domains. There is one true God." [15:57] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We too struggle to see the providence of God. And here's why in the modern West, you and I struggle to see God in all the details of life. It's because of this. We fail to really believe in the supernatural and spiritual. We are, because of the advancements in science, we only look at the physical. And so for many of us, if we see something that happens that seems like a coincidence, we chalk it up to luck, to randomness. There was a study that found that 68% of Americans, so more than two-thirds, believe in one kind of luck or another." [21:03] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The universe is not governed by impersonal fate or luck, but by a personal God. Nothing just happens. We should see God's hand in events throughout the day, causing all things to work together for good for those who love Him. A deepening appreciation for the doctrine of providence will not make us more superstitious, it will make us trust in God more and obey Him more fully. So if you are a Christian, you bear the name of Jesus, we see God in every detail of life. There is no luck, randomness, coincidence. It's all been ordained by Him." [22:54] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The mission of God fuels the providence of God. And what I mean by that, His mission to save, redeem, and reconcile the lost creation fuels His orchestration and care of every detail in our life, meaning God placed you there so that the glory of God would advance, that more people would worship Jesus in your neighborhood, in your dorm room, in your apartment complex. Why? Because God orchestrates and brings together everything. You live where you live for a reason, for a purpose, and that is to spread the gospel." [24:40] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We think the mission field is overseas. The mission field is out your front door. The mission field is the moment you walk into work. The, the mission field is the moment you walk onto that field with a bunch of other kids, players. Friends, you have been called to change your world. And God has providentially put you in the places that he has put you in for a reason." [31:29] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "In eternity past, God said, you and I would be in this room right now. Isn't that an overwhelming thought to think about? Like, you and I would be breathing in air in this room right now. God has orchestrated every fine detail of your life to bring you here today and to me here today. Every detail has been worked out, orchestrated. His care for the minutiae of life can be seen right now." [32:58] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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