Embracing the Extraordinary in Our Walk with Christ
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to talk about the concept of being extraordinary in our walk with Christ. We often find comfort in the ordinary, but as Christians, we are called to step beyond that. Vincent Van Gogh once said, "Normality is a paved road. It is comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow." Similarly, an ordinary Christian life may be safe, but it bears no fruit.
I shared a personal story from my youth about my dream to play for the Doc Stewart's baseball team. My coach told me that to make the team, I had to be extraordinary, not just ordinary. This lesson applies to our spiritual lives as well. We serve an extraordinary God who has done extraordinary things, from creation to the miracles in the Old Testament, and most importantly, through Jesus Christ. Jesus is not ordinary; He is divine and human, with authority over all things, including life, death, and sin.
When we become followers of Christ, we are transformed from ordinary to extraordinary. We become children of God, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we are reborn, our sins are forgiven, we gain eternal life, we are blessed with spiritual blessings, and we become part of the body of Christ. This transformation calls us to live differently, to be extraordinary in our actions and attitudes.
Being extraordinary means being truthful, kind, and loving, even when it's difficult. It means standing out in a world where lying and unkindness are common. We are called to love our neighbors genuinely and to be a light in the world. Many people struggle with understanding their extraordinary nature and purpose in God's kingdom. But remember, you were created with a purpose, and you are not an accident.
God wants an extraordinary relationship with us, not just a casual one. We are created in His image, with unique gifts and abilities that reflect His extraordinary nature. As a church community, we are here to encourage and motivate each other to love and good works. You are not just a normal person; you are extraordinary in Christ.
So, let's choose to walk the narrow road, bearing fruit and experiencing the blessings that come from following Jesus. If you haven't made the decision to follow Christ, I encourage you to take that step today.
### Key Takeaways
1. Ordinary vs. Extraordinary: As Christians, we are called to move beyond an ordinary, comfortable life to one that bears fruit and reflects the extraordinary nature of God. This requires stepping out of our comfort zones and striving for more in our spiritual walk. [37:54]
2. God's Extraordinary Nature: From creation to the miracles in the Old Testament, and most importantly through Jesus Christ, God has shown us that He is anything but ordinary. Understanding His extraordinary deeds helps us grasp the magnitude of His power and love. [41:18]
3. Transformation in Christ: When we become followers of Christ, we undergo a profound transformation. We become children of God, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we are reborn, our sins are forgiven, we gain eternal life, and we are blessed with spiritual blessings. This transformation calls us to live differently. [48:21]
4. Living Extraordinary Lives: Being extraordinary means being truthful, kind, and loving, even when it's difficult. It means standing out in a world where lying and unkindness are common. We are called to love our neighbors genuinely and to be a light in the world. [52:40]
5. Purpose and Encouragement: Many people struggle with understanding their extraordinary nature and purpose in God's kingdom. Remember, you were created with a purpose, and you are not an accident. God wants an extraordinary relationship with us, and as a church community, we are here to encourage and motivate each other to love and good works. [59:52]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:30] - Introduction to Ordinary
[1:15] - Vincent Van Gogh Quote
[2:00] - Personal Story: Baseball Dream
[3:30] - Coach's Advice: Be Extraordinary
[4:45] - Prayer
[5:30] - God's Extraordinary Nature
[6:45] - Old Testament Miracles
[8:00] - Jesus' Extraordinary Life
[9:30] - Jesus' Authority
[10:45] - Transformation in Christ
[12:00] - Living Extraordinary Lives
[13:30] - Examples of Extraordinary Living
[15:00] - Purpose and Encouragement
[16:30] - Invitation to Follow Christ
[18:00] - Closing Remarks and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 77:13 - "Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?"
2. Matthew 28:18 - "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'"
3. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 77:13 say about God's deeds? How does this relate to the concept of being extraordinary? [40:24]
2. According to Matthew 28:18, what authority does Jesus have? How does this demonstrate His extraordinary nature? [45:27]
3. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, what transformation occurs when someone is in Christ? How does this change their identity? [48:21]
4. What personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the need to be extraordinary? How did this story relate to our spiritual lives? [38:58]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding God's extraordinary deeds, as mentioned in Psalm 77:13, impact our view of His power and love? [40:24]
2. What are the implications of Jesus having all authority in heaven and on earth, as stated in Matthew 28:18, for our daily lives? [45:27]
3. How does the transformation described in 2 Corinthians 5:17 challenge us to live differently as Christians? [48:21]
4. Why is it important for Christians to move beyond an ordinary, comfortable life to one that bears fruit and reflects God's extraordinary nature? [37:54]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you chose comfort over stepping out in faith. How can you challenge yourself to be more extraordinary in your walk with Christ this week? [37:54]
2. Jesus has authority over all things, including life, death, and sin. How does this truth affect your trust in Him during difficult times? [45:27]
3. Think about the transformation that occurs when we become followers of Christ. In what specific ways can you live out this new identity in your daily actions and attitudes? [48:21]
4. Being extraordinary means being truthful, kind, and loving, even when it's difficult. Identify a situation where you can practice these qualities this week. How will you approach it differently? [52:40]
5. Many people struggle with understanding their extraordinary nature and purpose in God's kingdom. How can you encourage someone in your church community to recognize their unique gifts and abilities? [59:52]
6. God wants an extraordinary relationship with us, not just a casual one. What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God this week? [57:12]
7. As a church community, we are called to motivate each other to love and good works. How can you actively participate in encouraging and supporting others in your small group? [59:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Stepping Beyond Comfort
As Christians, we are called to move beyond an ordinary, comfortable life to one that bears fruit and reflects the extraordinary nature of God. This requires stepping out of our comfort zones and striving for more in our spiritual walk. An ordinary Christian life may be safe, but it bears no fruit. Just as Vincent Van Gogh said, "Normality is a paved road. It is comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow." We must challenge ourselves to live a life that is not just comfortable but also fruitful and impactful.
God has given us the ability to be extraordinary through His power and love. We are not meant to blend in with the world but to stand out as beacons of His light. This means making choices that may be difficult or uncomfortable but ultimately lead to a deeper relationship with Him and a more meaningful life. [37:54]
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV): "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel too comfortable? How can you step out of that comfort zone to bear more fruit for God's kingdom today?
Day 2: Recognizing God's Extraordinary Nature
From creation to the miracles in the Old Testament, and most importantly through Jesus Christ, God has shown us that He is anything but ordinary. Understanding His extraordinary deeds helps us grasp the magnitude of His power and love. God’s actions throughout history reveal His extraordinary nature, and this should inspire us to live in awe and reverence of Him.
When we reflect on the extraordinary nature of God, we are reminded of His omnipotence and His deep love for us. This understanding should drive us to worship Him more fully and to trust Him more deeply. Recognizing God's extraordinary nature helps us to see our own lives in the context of His grand plan and to live with a sense of purpose and direction. [41:18]
Psalm 77:14 (ESV): "You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples."
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on a specific miracle or extraordinary act of God that has impacted your life. How does this shape your understanding of His power and love?
Day 3: Embracing Transformation in Christ
When we become followers of Christ, we undergo a profound transformation. We become children of God, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we are reborn, our sins are forgiven, we gain eternal life, and we are blessed with spiritual blessings. This transformation calls us to live differently. We are no longer ordinary; we are extraordinary because of what Christ has done in us.
This transformation is not just a one-time event but a continuous process of becoming more like Christ. It involves daily choices to live according to His will and to reflect His character in our actions and attitudes. Embracing this transformation means recognizing our new identity in Christ and living in a way that honors Him. [48:21]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: In what ways have you seen transformation in your life since becoming a follower of Christ? How can you continue to embrace and live out this transformation daily?
Day 4: Living Extraordinary Lives
Being extraordinary means being truthful, kind, and loving, even when it's difficult. It means standing out in a world where lying and unkindness are common. We are called to love our neighbors genuinely and to be a light in the world. Living an extraordinary life involves making choices that reflect the character of Christ and being a positive influence on those around us.
This kind of living requires intentionality and a commitment to following Jesus' example. It means being honest in our dealings, showing kindness to those who may not deserve it, and loving others selflessly. By living extraordinary lives, we demonstrate the transformative power of Christ to the world. [52:40]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "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: Think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to be kind or truthful but found it challenging. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future to reflect Christ's love?
Day 5: Understanding Purpose and Encouragement
Many people struggle with understanding their extraordinary nature and purpose in God's kingdom. Remember, you were created with a purpose, and you are not an accident. God wants an extraordinary relationship with us, and as a church community, we are here to encourage and motivate each other to love and good works. Understanding our purpose in God's kingdom helps us to live with intention and to make a meaningful impact.
As part of the body of Christ, we each have unique gifts and abilities that contribute to the overall mission of the church. Encouraging one another and working together helps us to fulfill our individual and collective purposes. By understanding and embracing our purpose, we can live lives that are fulfilling and aligned with God's will. [59:52]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: What unique gifts and abilities has God given you? How can you use them to encourage others and fulfill your purpose in His kingdom today?
Quotes
1. "As Christians, we can walk an ordinary walk, and it may be comfortable and safe. However, no fruits will grow." [37:54] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So today I'm going to talk about extraordinary. And one thing that we need to realize is we serve a God that is not normal. We serve a God that is extraordinary. He is not an ordinary God." [40:24] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The God of the Bible is so extraordinary that it really kind of blows my mind to think about how extraordinary that he is. If you think about how God set everything in motion from creation to the heavens and to the earth." [41:18] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "But the most extraordinary thing that he did and he sent his son Jesus Christ. And not just sent him to earth but sent him to earth for a purpose. And it wasn't an ordinary purpose. It was an extraordinary purpose. And we must realize that Jesus is not ordinary. Jesus is anything but ordinary." [43:31] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The authority of Jesus is so extraordinary that there are some days I have a hard time grasping his authority. Matthew 28, 18 says, And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Jesus has authority over all things. He is the one that is in control. He has that authority." [45:27] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So when we become, and here's the thing, but when we become a follower of Christ, we should go from being an ordinary everyday human being to an extraordinary person." [48:21] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And so here's what I want us to understand today is that when we become followers of Christ, we have to be different. I'm sure that there's many of you this morning that woke up this morning and probably had 95 different reasons why you don't want to come to church this morning. Anything from whatever to whatever to whatever that, hey, I just don't feel like going to church today. And that's ordinary. That's an ordinary feeling. We wake up and our flesh tells us, and that's an ordinary feeling. But as Christians and believers and followers of Christ, we know that we need to be here with each other. And that's what makes us extraordinary." [52:00] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We live in a world today that lying is just an everyday thing. You don't really have to tell the truth no more. And as kids, we learned that the first thing that we do when we get questioned is, hey, if I tell a story and lie about it, I may get out of trouble. Well, to be extraordinary is to not lie and tell the truth. When things come about that you need to own up to your mistakes, own up to the things that you did and tell the truth, that will make you look different. Be kind." [53:20] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "You and I, we are so special and extraordinary. We were created in the image of God. We were set apart from every other creation that God created. He created them all normal and He created us extraordinary. And we can look out and see God's creation and say, There's some extraordinary things out there. But we were created to be so much more extraordinary than everything else God created." [57:56] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "You have unique gifts and abilities. That reflects God's extraordinary nature. I'll say that again. You have unique gifts and ability that reflects God's extraordinary nature. You may not have known that when you walked in the door this morning. Maybe you did know it. But here's the thing. I think that it is my job to encourage you to know these things." [58:54] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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