Embracing Your Burden: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact

Summary

Today marks the beginning of a journey into what it means to be an “Ordinary World Changer.” God’s heart is to use everyday, average people—those who may feel expendable or overlooked—to accomplish extraordinary things for His glory. This is not just a biblical principle, but a living reality, as seen in the life of Nehemiah, a simple cupbearer whose only qualification was his willingness to serve, and whose story we will explore over the next four weeks.

Nehemiah’s story begins with a burden. He hears about the devastation of his homeland, Jerusalem, and is so deeply moved that he cannot ignore it. This is not a fleeting sadness, but a holy discontent—a restlessness that refuses to accept things as they are. Nehemiah’s response is threefold: he sits down and weeps, he kneels down and prays, and then he stands up and acts. These are the three characteristics that mark those whom God uses greatly.

First, there must be a willingness to feel deeply. True world changers are not those with the most power, but those with the most passion. They allow their hearts to be broken for what breaks God’s heart, refusing to become numb or distracted by the noise of life. This burden is unique to each person, a divine calling that chooses us rather than the other way around.

Second, this burden must drive us to our knees in prayer. Nehemiah’s first instinct was to seek God’s wisdom and strength, surrendering his plans and comfort to the Lord. Prayer is not just a formality; it is the birthplace of courage and clarity, the place where God transforms our restlessness into resolve.

Finally, there must be action. Compassion and prayer are incomplete without a willingness to get involved, to move beyond sympathy and actually do something. Nehemiah did not pass the responsibility to someone else; he owned the burden and stepped forward, trusting God to provide what was needed. God’s favor followed his obedience, and what seemed impossible was accomplished in record time.

The challenge is clear: what breaks your heart? What burden has God placed uniquely on you? Don’t dodge it. Embrace it, pray over it, and then act. Even if you can’t do everything, you can do something. And if each of us commits to this, the impact will be far greater than we can imagine.

Key Takeaways

- God delights in using ordinary people who are willing to be deeply moved by the needs around them. The greatest impact often comes not from those with the most resources or influence, but from those whose hearts are truly broken for others. Allowing ourselves to feel the weight of injustice or suffering is the first step toward meaningful change. [21:03]

- The burdens that grip our hearts are not random; they are often divine assignments. When something continually stirs or disturbs you, it may be God’s way of inviting you into a unique ministry. The misery you feel can become the secret to your ministry, as God uses your pain to birth compassion and action for others. [28:21]

- Prayer is the essential bridge between burden and action. When we kneel down and surrender our restlessness to God, He gives us wisdom, courage, and direction. Prayer is not a passive response but an active partnership with God, where He shapes our hearts and prepares us for the work ahead. [30:14]

- True obedience requires more than emotion and intercession; it demands action. It is not enough to feel or pray—we must be willing to step out, get our hands dirty, and take responsibility for the burdens God gives us. God’s favor and provision often follow our willingness to move, even when we feel unqualified or inadequate. [33:21]

- The distractions of modern life can drown out the voice of God and numb us to the burdens He wants to place on our hearts. Creating space for silence and reflection is vital if we are to hear His call and respond. We may not be able to do everything, but we can all do something—starting with inviting others to experience the hope we have found in Christ. [38:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[09:33] - God’s Specialty: Using the Ordinary
[13:50] - Nehemiah: The Expendable Cupbearer
[18:30] - The Popeye Moment: Refusing to Accept the Status Quo
[21:03] - The Power of Passion Over Position
[23:06] - What Breaks Your Heart?
[24:19] - A Personal Story of Burden
[26:56] - You Don’t Choose Your Burden—It Chooses You
[28:21] - The Misery That Becomes Ministry
[30:14] - Prayer: The Bridge from Burden to Action
[30:52] - The Necessity of Action
[31:53] - God’s Favor in Unexpected Places
[33:21] - Owning the Burden: Send Me
[35:06] - God’s Miraculous Provision
[36:22] - Modern Examples of Ordinary World Changers
[38:53] - The Danger of Distraction
[40:38] - Doing for One What You Wish You Could Do for All
[41:27] - Living on Mission
[42:54] - Invitation to Let Jesus Change Your World

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Ordinary World Changers (Week 1)

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### Bible Reading

Nehemiah 1:1-4 (ESV)
> The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

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### Observation Questions

1. What was Nehemiah’s job, and why was it considered an “ordinary” or even expendable position? ([13:50])
2. How did Nehemiah respond when he heard about the condition of Jerusalem? What three actions did he take? ([18:30])
3. According to the sermon, what is the difference between feeling sympathy for a problem and actually taking responsibility for it? ([21:03])
4. What did Nehemiah do after he felt the burden for his people? How did prayer play a role in his response? ([28:21])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does God often choose to use “ordinary” people rather than those with the most power or influence? What does this reveal about God’s character? ([09:33])
2. The sermon describes Nehemiah’s burden as a “holy discontent.” How is this different from just being sad or upset about something? ([18:30])
3. The pastor said, “You don’t choose your burden—it chooses you.” What does this mean, and how might someone recognize a burden God is placing on their heart? ([26:56])
4. Why is prayer described as the “bridge” between feeling a burden and taking action? What might happen if we skip this step? ([30:14])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to ask, “What breaks your heart?” Is there a specific need, injustice, or group of people that you can’t ignore? How have you responded to that burden so far? ([23:06])
2. The distractions of modern life can drown out God’s voice. What are some specific distractions in your life that keep you from hearing God’s call or feeling the burdens He wants to place on your heart? What is one step you can take this week to create space for silence and reflection? ([38:53])
3. Nehemiah didn’t pass the responsibility to someone else—he owned the burden and acted. Is there an area in your life where you’ve been waiting for someone else to step up? What would it look like for you to say, “Send me”? ([33:21])
4. The pastor shared that “the misery you feel is the secret to your ministry.” Can you think of a time when your own pain or struggle led you to help others? How might God want to use your story to serve someone else? ([28:21])
5. The sermon said, “We can’t do everything, but we can all do something.” What is one small, practical action you can take this week to make a difference for someone else, even if it seems insignificant? ([40:38])
6. The pastor encouraged everyone to invite someone far from God to church. Who is one person in your life you could invite or reach out to this week? What might hold you back, and how can you overcome that? ([41:27])
7. Nehemiah’s journey started with prayer and surrender. Is there a burden or calling you need to bring to God in prayer right now? How can the group support you in this? ([28:21])

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Closing Prayer:
Ask God to break your heart for what breaks His, to give you courage to pray and act, and to use you—an ordinary person—for His extraordinary purposes.

Devotional

Day 1: God Uses Ordinary People to Do Extraordinary Things
God delights in using ordinary, average people to accomplish extraordinary things for His glory. He does not look for the most talented, powerful, or impressive by worldly standards, but rather seeks those who are willing and available. When God works through the unlikely, it becomes clear to everyone that the results are not due to human ability, but to His power and grace. This truth should encourage anyone who feels unqualified or overlooked, reminding us that God can use anyone who is open to Him, no matter their background or perceived limitations. [09:33]

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV)
"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: Where in your life do you feel ordinary or unqualified, and how might God be inviting you to trust Him to do something extraordinary through you?


Day 2: Let Your Heart Be Broken for What Breaks God’s Heart
Those whom God uses greatly are willing to let their hearts be broken by the pain and needs of others. Instead of turning away or numbing themselves to suffering, they allow themselves to feel deeply, to mourn, and to be moved with compassion. This willingness to sit down and cry, as Nehemiah did, is the birthplace of true passion and action. When you allow God to burden your heart for others, He can use that passion to spark real change in the world around you. [21:03]

Nehemiah 1:3-4 (ESV)
"And they said to me, 'The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.' As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven."

Reflection: What is one situation or injustice in your community or world that breaks your heart and stirs you to want to make a difference?


Day 3: Prayer Is the Bridge Between Burden and Action
When God places a burden on your heart, the first and most vital response is to bring it to Him in prayer. Nehemiah’s story shows that before any action is taken, time spent mourning, fasting, and seeking God’s wisdom is essential. Prayer not only clarifies the burden but also invites God’s direction, strength, and favor for what lies ahead. It is through prayer that ordinary people receive the courage and guidance needed to step into God’s purposes. [28:21]

Nehemiah 1:4 (ESV)
"As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven."

Reflection: What burden has God placed on your heart that you need to bring to Him in prayer today, asking for His wisdom and direction?


Day 4: Faith Requires Action—Move Beyond Sympathy to Service
It is not enough to simply feel compassion or pray about a need; God calls us to stand up and act. True faith is demonstrated when we move beyond sympathy and take concrete steps to serve, help, and make a difference. Like Nehemiah, who volunteered to return and rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, we are called to be the answer to our own prayers, stepping out in faith even when the task seems daunting. God’s favor and provision often meet us as we move forward in obedience. [33:21]

James 2:15-17 (ESV)
"If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take this week to meet a need you have noticed, rather than just feeling sympathy or praying from a distance?


Day 5: Do for One What You Wish You Could Do for Everyone
While you may not be able to solve every problem or help every person, you can make a difference for someone. God does not expect you to do everything, but He does call you to do something. Start small—invite one person to church, help one neighbor, or serve one family in need. When each of us commits to doing for one what we wish we could do for all, God multiplies our efforts and uses us to change lives and communities for His glory. [40:38]

Matthew 25:40 (ESV)
"And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'"

Reflection: Who is one person God is putting on your heart to reach out to or serve this week, and what is one practical step you can take to show them Christ’s love?

Quotes

This is the story of Nehemiah in its most simplistic terms. It is a Popeye moment where he hears about this great tragedy, how long it's gone on, and he sits down, and Nehemiah in essence says, I'm not good with this. This is not okay.I'm not all right with this. Somebody has gotta do something about this, and that somebody might as well be me. [00:18:53] (26 seconds)  #NehemiahTakesResponsibility Edit Clip Translate Clip

People who make the biggest impacts in the world rarely have the most power. They have the most passion.I want you to hear that. I'm telling you, you see it over and over and over again. People who make the biggest impacts in the world rarely have the most power. They are the people that have the most passion. They realize they are the ones that are unwilling to accept things the way they are and they realize somebody's got to do something and they take responsibility for it. They don't just see a need. They feel the pain and then they get involved. [00:21:24] (29 seconds)  #PassionOverPower Edit Clip Translate Clip

What is it that breaks your heart? Is there anything?Anything, is there anything that when you see it, you're broken over it? Is there anybody in your life, is there any situation or circumstances with people in your neighborhood or your coworkers? Is there anything in your life that you see maybe with family members that when you see it, your heart broken over it? Is there anything that moves you on the behalf of others?Is there anything that when you see it, observe it, or hear about it, that you can't shake it? [00:23:27] (30 seconds)  #HeartbreakIgnitesChange Edit Clip Translate Clip

See, I didn't just see the vision. The vision seized my heart.And then when we got here and started the church, one year after that, I looked around again and God crushed me with a burden for men who are the product of the most fatherless generation we've ever known, who are struggling with trying to figure out how to live for God and to live with honor, to be strong husbands and fathers in a world where a man never showed them that and that baits us at every turn to just live for ourselves. And I said, somebody's got to do something about this. [00:26:50] (29 seconds)  #VisionSeizedByBurden Edit Clip Translate Clip

You don't get to choose your burden.You don't get to go through the Rolodex of God's occupational openness and go, I like this one.No, it'll choose you if you're open.It'll arrest you if you're willing. God will speak to you if you're clear and open and you're willing to say, anywhere you lead me, anytime you need me, whatever you want for my life, I'm good with it and I'm ready. [00:27:40] (30 seconds)  #ChosenByBurden Edit Clip Translate Clip

If you see the need and you're able to identify the need, and there's so many people that have the ability to see what's wrong, but they're not willing to get involved to fix what's wrong.We've got to be careful that we don't just make church the main thing, that we don't just come together and we hear the sermons and we amen the sermons and we like this moment of worship and we give this one hour to God a week and we think it's enough. It's not. It's not.He wants more from our lives. He wants to use you and I to do great things for his glory. [00:31:26] (34 seconds)  #HandsDirtyHeartReady Edit Clip Translate Clip

He doesn't pass the buck. He doesn't say somebody else will do it somewhere down the line and then complain why it's not being done. He says, nah, Lord, if I found favor in your sight, King, if it's good with you, I would like a leave of absence to go back and get my hands dirty and rebuild it myself with my own people.He's given me the burden. My misery is now my ministry. Somebody's got to do something about it. If you'll just help me do it, that'll be enough. [00:34:47] (26 seconds)  #ExtraordinaryThroughOrdinary Edit Clip Translate Clip

But if you're in this room and you may be here and you don't know Christ yourself can I tell you man that changing our world as ordinary world changers begins with letting Jesus change your world because he came to and he loves you and there's nothing that you can do to make him love you anymore or love you any less. There's nothing that you've said or not said that has disqualified you from his love and he invited you and brought you here today so that one more time you could hear the glory of the gospel and realize that the invitation to come home is open for you. [00:42:54] (31 seconds) Edit Clip Translate Clip