Empowered Discipleship: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact

The story of the early church in Acts is a story of ordinary people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, stepping into the adventure of building God’s kingdom. Jesus’ followers, once broken and uncertain, were transformed at Pentecost, receiving power to become witnesses not just in their own city, but to the ends of the earth. The church exploded in growth, not because of perfect people, but because of humble, Spirit-filled disciples who devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, prayer, and radical generosity. The question for us today is whether our lives reflect that same devotion and expectancy.

Discipleship, as Jesus defines it, is not a religious formality or an academic pursuit. It’s a call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him wherever He leads. Unlike the world’s systems, where you must apply to be chosen, Jesus calls each of us by name, inviting us into His mission. The story of Philip in Acts 8 is a powerful example: a man with no special credentials, simply available and obedient, is used by God to reach someone completely outside his comfort zone—a royal official from Ethiopia. Through a simple act of obedience, Philip shares the gospel, and the first non-Jewish convert in church history is baptized, sparking a movement that would impact generations.

We often believe lies that keep us from stepping into God’s purposes: that we don’t have what it takes, that people aren’t interested, or that our small acts won’t make a difference. But the kingdom of God advances through regular people who respond to the needs around them, trusting that God can use even the smallest seed of faith. The story of Pearl Good, an unknown intercessor behind Billy Graham’s ministry, reminds us that heaven celebrates faithfulness over fame. The true measure of success in God’s kingdom is not public recognition, but simple obedience to reach the one person God puts in our path.

If each of us committed to helping just one person find Jesus in the next year, the impact would be immeasurable. The adventure of following Jesus is not about our qualifications, but about saying yes to His call, trusting that the Holy Spirit will do the rest. The kingdom is built by people who are willing to see the hurting, respond in love, and believe that God can do the miraculous through them.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God Uses Ordinary, Available People The early church was built not by the most educated or qualified, but by those who were humble, hungry, and willing to respond to God’s call. Philip, a man with no formal training, was used to reach a royal official simply because he was available and obedient. God delights in using regular, even broken people to accomplish extraordinary things when they are surrendered to Him. [17:12]
• 2. Discipleship Is a Call to Radical Obedience, Not Comfort Jesus redefines discipleship as a journey of self-denial and wholehearted pursuit of His mission. It’s not about fitting Jesus into our plans, but about aligning our lives with what He is building and caring about. The adventure of following Jesus often leads us out of our comfort zones and into places where only His Spirit can sustain us. [09:38]
• 3. The Lies That Disqualify Us Must Be Confronted Many of us believe we are unqualified, that people aren’t interested, or that our efforts are insignificant. Yet, the kingdom advances when we reject these lies and step out in faith. Even a simple conversation or act of kindness can be the answer to someone’s deepest prayer and can have ripple effects far beyond what we see. [21:33]
• 4. The Gospel Is the Answer the World Is Searching For In a world marked by anxiety, hopelessness, and brokenness, the message of Jesus is desperately needed. People are more open than we think, longing for hope and meaning. We carry the hope of glory, and sharing Jesus is not about selling a product, but offering the very thing the world is searching for. [24:18]
• 5. Heaven Celebrates Faithfulness Over Fame The story of Pearl Good shows that the most significant contributions in God’s kingdom are often unseen by the world but celebrated in heaven. Our calling is not to chase recognition, but to be faithful with the opportunities God gives us, trusting that even the smallest act of obedience can change history. [31:58]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:39] - The Birth of the Church and the Power of the Holy Spirit
• [02:49] - The Book of Acts: A 30-Year Biography
• [04:18] - The Power of Seizing the Moment
• [06:41] - A Story of Unexpected Opportunity
• [08:17] - What It Means to Be a Disciple
• [09:38] - Jesus’ Radical Call to Discipleship
• [13:04] - The Scattering and Philip’s Mission
• [14:53] - The Ethiopian Eunuch: An Unlikely Encounter
• [16:10] - Overcoming the Lie: “I Don’t Have What It Takes”
• [17:54] - The Power of Simple Guidance
• [19:37] - The Impact of Unseen Faithfulness
• [21:33] - Overcoming the Lie: “God Can’t Use Me”
• [22:42] - The Gospel Meets a Hungry Heart
• [24:18] - The World’s Need for Hope
• [25:27] - Baptism and the Miraculous
• [26:21] - Overcoming the Lie: “Does This Even Matter?”
• [27:57] - The Far-Reaching Impact of Obedience
• [30:38] - Pearl Good: The Power of Hidden Intercession
• [31:58] - Heaven’s Perspective on Success
• [34:01] - The Call to Reach One
• [35:05] - Invitation to Follow Jesus and Respond

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.

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV) —
> 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Observation Questions

1. What instructions did the angel and the Holy Spirit give to Philip, and how did he respond? (Acts 8:26-30)
2. What was the Ethiopian eunuch doing when Philip met him, and what question did he ask Philip? (Acts 8:28-34)
3. According to Acts 2:42-47, what were the main things the early church devoted themselves to?
4. In the sermon, what were some of the lies mentioned that keep people from stepping into God’s purposes? [16:10]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose Philip—a man with no special credentials—to reach the Ethiopian official? What does this say about who God uses? [17:12]
2. The Ethiopian eunuch was reading Isaiah and seeking understanding. What does this encounter teach about spiritual hunger and the role of guidance in faith? [17:54]
3. The early church was marked by radical generosity, teaching, and prayer. What might have motivated such devotion and unity among ordinary people? (Acts 2:42-47)
4. The sermon says, “Heaven celebrates faithfulness over fame.” How does this challenge the way we usually measure success in life and ministry? [31:58]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged the idea that only “qualified” people can be used by God. In what areas of your life have you felt unqualified or disqualified from serving God? What would it look like to step out in faith anyway? [16:10]
2. Philip was willing to go out of his way and talk to someone very different from himself. Is there someone in your life who is outside your comfort zone that God might be prompting you to reach out to? What’s one step you could take this week? [14:53]
3. The early church was devoted to teaching, fellowship, prayer, and generosity. Which of these do you find most challenging to practice regularly? What is one practical way you could grow in that area this month? (Acts 2:42-47)
4. The sermon mentioned the story of Pearl Good, whose unseen faithfulness had a huge impact. Are there “hidden” ways you could serve or pray for others that might not be noticed by people, but matter to God? [31:58]
5. The Ethiopian eunuch was eager to be baptized as soon as he believed. Is there an area of obedience in your life that you’ve been putting off? What’s holding you back, and what would it look like to say “yes” to God today? [25:27]
6. The sermon said, “If each of us committed to helping just one person find Jesus in the next year, the impact would be immeasurable.” Who is one person God might be putting on your heart to pray for or reach out to? How can the group support you in this? [34:01]
7. The message talked about confronting lies like “I don’t have what it takes” or “my small acts don’t matter.” What is one lie you need to reject this week, and what truth from God’s Word can you hold onto instead? [21:33]