Empowered Discipleship: Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Impact

Devotional

Day 1: Empowered by the Holy Spirit to Build God’s Kingdom

Jesus calls ordinary people to advance His kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit. The early church began not with perfect leaders, but with regular people—fishermen, tax collectors, and those with messy pasts—who were transformed when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Their lives were marked by boldness, unity, and supernatural power, and God used them to launch a movement that would change the world. Today, the same Spirit is available to you, inviting you to participate in God’s ongoing work, not by your own strength, but by His anointing. [02:56]

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to rely less on your own abilities and more on the Holy Spirit’s power to step into what God is calling you to do?

Day 2: Devotion to the Basics of Faith and Community

The early believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, creating a vibrant, caring community where needs were met and lives were transformed. This devotion wasn’t about religious routine, but about a shared pursuit of Jesus and a willingness to care for one another deeply. Their faith was active, practical, and visible, and God responded with awe, signs, and growth. The question for us is whether our faith and church life reflect this same devotion and simplicity, or if we need to return to these foundational practices. [05:16]

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

Reflection: What is one basic practice—prayer, fellowship, generosity, or learning—that you can intentionally devote yourself to this week to help your faith come alive?

Day 3: God Uses Ordinary, Imperfect People

God delights in using regular, imperfect people—those who may feel unqualified or broken—to accomplish His purposes. Philip was not an apostle, nor did he have formal training, yet God used his humility and willingness to serve to bring the gospel to new places. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch reminds us that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness, and that our past or perceived inadequacies do not disqualify us from being used by Him. All He asks is that we are available and obedient. [17:40]

1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)
"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have felt disqualified or “not enough” for God to use you, and how can you offer that to Him in faith today?

Day 4: The World is Hungry for Hope—Share Jesus Boldly

People around us are searching for hope, meaning, and answers, even if they don’t always show it. The Ethiopian eunuch was reading Isaiah, seeking truth, and God sent Philip to guide him. In a world marked by anxiety, depression, and hopelessness, you carry the hope of Jesus—the answer people desperately need. Don’t believe the lie that no one is interested; instead, trust that God is already at work in hearts and that your willingness to share can make an eternal difference. [24:32]

Isaiah 53:5-7 (ESV)
"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth."

Reflection: Who is one person in your life who seems far from God but may be searching for hope? How can you start a conversation or offer to pray for them this week?

Day 5: Small Acts of Obedience Can Change Generations

No act of obedience to God is insignificant; even the smallest step can have a ripple effect far beyond what you can see. Philip’s willingness to go to a desert road led to the first non-Jewish convert and the birth of the African church. Like Pearl Good, whose hidden prayers fueled great revivals, your faithfulness in unseen moments matters deeply to God. Heaven celebrates those who quietly and faithfully reach out to one person at a time, trusting God with the results. [32:05]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What is one simple, specific act of obedience you can take this week—no matter how small—to reach or encourage someone who needs Jesus?

Sermon Summary

The story of the early church in Acts is a story of ordinary people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, stepping into God’s advancing kingdom. Jesus’ followers, once broken and uncertain, are transformed at Pentecost, and the church explodes with life, unity, and miraculous power. But this isn’t just a history lesson—it’s an invitation. The same Spirit that moved in Acts is moving today, calling each of us to be disciples, not just believers. Discipleship isn’t about religious status or academic training; it’s about following Jesus, denying ourselves, and joining Him in His mission.

The call to discipleship is radical. In the ancient world, disciples chose their teachers, but Jesus flips the script—He chooses us. He calls us by name, inviting us into a life of purpose and adventure. Yet, as we see in Acts 8 with Philip and the Ethiopian official, stepping into this calling means overcoming three common lies: “I don’t have what it takes,” “They aren’t interested,” and “What difference could I make?” Philip wasn’t an apostle or a scholar; he was a humble servant, available and obedient. His simple “yes” led to the first non-Jewish convert and sparked a movement that would shape the church in Africa for centuries.

God delights in using regular, imperfect people. The kingdom advances not through the famous or the flawless, but through those willing to respond to the needs around them. Every act of obedience, no matter how small or unseen, can have eternal impact. The story of Pearl Good, an unknown intercessor behind Billy Graham’s ministry, reminds us that heaven celebrates faithfulness over fame. The real measure of success in God’s eyes is not how many know our name, but how many lives are touched through our obedience.

The challenge is simple but profound: Who is the one person God is calling you to reach this year? Revival doesn’t start with crowds; it starts with one life at a time. If each of us commits to reaching just one, the ripple effect would be unstoppable. The adventure of discipleship is not about grand gestures, but about saying “yes” to Jesus, right where we are, trusting that He can do immeasurably more through our ordinary lives.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Kingdom Advances Through Ordinary People The book of Acts is not a story of spiritual superheroes, but of regular men and women who, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, built the church. Their willingness to step out in faith, despite their flaws and limitations, is what God used to change the world. The same invitation is extended to us: God wants to use our ordinary lives for extraordinary purposes. [11:27]
2. Discipleship Means Saying “Yes” to Jesus’ Call Unlike the discipleship of ancient philosophers, where students chose their teachers, Jesus chooses us. He calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him—not just in belief, but in action. The journey of discipleship is about aligning our lives with what Jesus is doing and being willing to follow wherever He leads. [09:44]
3. Overcoming the Lie of Inadequacy One of the greatest barriers to being used by God is the belief that we don’t have what it takes. Philip’s story shows that God is not looking for credentials, but for humility and hunger. When we offer our imperfect selves to God, He can use us to meet needs and answer prayers in ways we may never see or understand. [17:40]
4. The World is More Open Than We Think It’s easy to assume that people aren’t interested in what we have to share, but the hunger for hope, meaning, and truth is everywhere. The Ethiopian official was searching, and so are many around us. We carry the hope of Jesus—the answer to the world’s deepest needs—and we must not underestimate the impact of sharing it. [24:32]
5. No Act of Obedience is Insignificant Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian official seemed small compared to the revivals in Samaria, but it had generational impact. Likewise, the unseen prayers of Pearl Good fueled a global movement. In God’s kingdom, every act of faithfulness—no matter how hidden—can change lives, families, and even nations. [28:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:56] - The Book of Acts: 30 Years in Review
[05:16] - The Power of Seizing the Moment
[06:53] - A Life-Changing Opportunity
[08:30] - What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?
[09:44] - Jesus’ Radical Call to Discipleship
[11:27] - The Mission and Movement of God
[13:31] - Philip and the Scattering of the Church
[14:51] - The Ethiopian Official: An Unlikely Encounter
[16:17] - Overcoming the Lie: “I Don’t Have What It Takes”
[18:51] - The Power of Ordinary Influence
[22:13] - The Second Lie: “They Aren’t Interested”
[24:32] - Hope for a Hopeless World
[25:45] - Baptism and the Miraculous
[26:41] - The Third Lie: “Does This Even Matter?”
[28:25] - The Ripple Effect of Obedience
[32:05] - Pearl Good: The Power of Hidden Faithfulness
[34:15] - The Challenge: Who Is Your One?
[35:12] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[36:39] - Praying for Open Eyes and Open Hearts

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 8:26-39 (ESV) — 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV) — 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Observation Questions

What instructions did the angel and the Holy Spirit give to Philip, and how did he respond? (Acts 8:26-30)
What was the Ethiopian official doing when Philip met him, and what question did he ask Philip? (Acts 8:28-31)
According to the sermon, what are the three common lies that can keep us from stepping into God’s calling? [16:17]
In Matthew 16:24-25, what does Jesus say is required to follow Him?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose Philip—a regular, non-apostle, non-scholar—to reach the Ethiopian official? What does this say about who God uses? [17:40]
The Ethiopian was already seeking God by reading Isaiah, but he still needed someone to guide him. What does this suggest about the role of discipleship and personal involvement in others’ spiritual journeys? [21:11]
The sermon mentions that Jesus flips the script by choosing us, rather than us choosing Him. How does this change the way we view our calling and purpose? [09:44]
The story of Pearl Good shows that unseen acts of faithfulness can have a huge impact. Why do you think God values faithfulness over fame? [32:05]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to identify “the one” person God is calling us to reach this year. Who comes to mind for you, and what is one step you could take to reach out to them? [34:15]
Philip had to overcome the lie, “I don’t have what it takes.” Is there an area in your life where you feel inadequate or unqualified to serve God? What would it look like to say “yes” anyway? [17:40]
The Ethiopian official was open and searching, even though he seemed like an unlikely candidate. Are there people in your life you’ve assumed “aren’t interested” in faith? How might you approach them differently after hearing this story? [24:32]
Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him—not just in belief, but in action. What is one area where you sense God is asking you to step out in obedience, even if it feels uncomfortable? [09:44]
The story of Pearl Good reminds us that no act of obedience is insignificant. Is there a “hidden” way you can serve or pray for others this week, even if no one else sees it? [32:05]
The early church in Acts was marked by unity, generosity, and miraculous power. What is one practical way you can help create that kind of community in your small group or church? [11:27]
When you think about the ripple effect of one act of obedience (like Philip’s or Pearl Good’s), how does that change your perspective on what God can do through your ordinary life? [28:25]

Sermon Clips

To a world that is hopeless, I have the hope of glory. To a world that is depressed, I have a God who says there is joy that comes in the morning. To a world that is anxious, there is a God that says he leads me beside still waters and green pastures. He makes me lie down. He restores my soul. But you've got to decide that I've got something that they need. I'm not trying to get you to join my pyramid scheme. I'm talking about Jesus. The hope of the world. [00:24:46] (34 seconds) #HopeForTheHopeless

So John, are you telling me that Philip the evangelist, the not trained, the one who'd never been with Jesus, the guy that gets teleported because of one moment of obedience and then an explanation of the gospel, that he sparked the flame that began the African church? Yep. John, are you telling me that me, went through the divorce five years ago that by sharing the gospel with a co-worker it could change a generation yep are you telling me that me who has a problem talking in front of people full of mental illness that i'm yep because that's kingdom math. [00:29:26] (41 seconds) #KingdomMathWorks

And you have no idea what a life sown into the hands of Jesus is able to do in the kingdom of god. Regular normal people under the anointing of god a seed and a weapon in the hand of god build the kingdom of god. [00:30:07] (21 seconds) #FaithfulUnknownHeroes

If every one of us in this room said 365 days from now, one person will know Jesus that does not know Jesus in my life, we would be done. We'd have to buy new buildings. Pastor Mark would be mad at me specifically because we'd be starting another campaign. That's what being a disciple means. Jesus, who's hurting around me? And all I have to do is be obedient. [00:34:24] (27 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does it mean to truly follow Jesus?

How can ordinary people impact global revival?

Why are small acts of obedience powerful in faith?