Empowered Ordinary: The Mighty Minority in Missions

Devotional

Day 1: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact

The early church was composed of ordinary individuals who, through their relationship with Jesus, became world revolutionaries. Their impact was not due to their status or intelligence but their contagious way of life, driven by the Holy Spirit. This challenges us to live boldly for Christ, knowing that God uses the weak to confound the strong. The book of Acts is a testament to how God can use anyone willing to be led by the Spirit to make a significant impact in the world. The early Christians turned the world upside down, not because of their abilities, but because of their willingness to be used by God. [02:20]

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: In what area of your life do you feel ordinary or inadequate? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to use you in that area today?

Day 2: The Cost and Joy of Discipleship

Following Jesus requires embracing the cross and making choices that may cost us personally. However, the joy that comes from living a life fully committed to Christ is unparalleled. This joy is not found in mere words or doctrines but in a way of life that impacts generations. The story of Thomas, who traveled to India and sacrificed his life for the gospel, exemplifies the cost and joy of following Christ. His life challenges us to consider what we are willing to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel and the joy that comes from such a commitment. [04:30]

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

Reflection: What is one thing you are holding onto that prevents you from fully committing to Christ? How can you begin to let go of it today?

Day 3: Empowered by the Spirit

The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses for Christ, not for personal glory but to lift up Jesus. This empowerment is not about dramatic displays but about a deep, transformative love for Christ that compels us to share His message. The early church demonstrated Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to do the same. This involves living a life that reflects Christ's love and truth, allowing the Spirit to work through us in everyday situations. [09:57]

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: How can you allow the Holy Spirit to guide your interactions with others today? What specific action can you take to demonstrate Christ's love?

Day 4: Unity and Honesty in the Church

Unity within the church is a source of strength, and honesty is the foundation of holiness. God values sincerity over performance, and our failures can lead us to a deeper understanding of His grace. The early church's unity was a powerful testimony to the world, and their honesty with one another fostered a community of grace and truth. We are encouraged to be honest about our struggles and to seek unity with our fellow believers, knowing that God works through our weaknesses. [13:17]

Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: Is there someone in your church community with whom you need to seek reconciliation or unity? How can you take a step towards honesty and healing in that relationship today?

Day 5: Jesus, the Ultimate Solution

Jesus remains the real answer to the world's problems. Whether through personal encounters or global missions, we are called to demonstrate Jesus to others through the power of the Holy Spirit. This involves trusting in Jesus as the ultimate solution and being active participants in our faith. The early church believed in the transformative power of Jesus and lived in a way that reflected His love and truth to the world. We are invited to do the same, trusting that Jesus is the answer to the challenges we face. [32:35]

Colossians 1:17-18 (ESV): "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."

Reflection: What is one problem or challenge you are facing today? How can you actively trust Jesus to be the solution in this situation?

Sermon Summary

In today's teaching, I explored the theme of missions, emphasizing the concept of a "mighty minority" as seen in the book of Acts. This book is a vibrant account of the early church, filled with action, suspense, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. It challenges the misconception that God's heroes are extraordinary individuals; rather, they are often the weak and ordinary who, through their relationship with Jesus, become world revolutionaries. The early Christians turned the world upside down not because of their status or intelligence but because of their contagious way of life, driven by the Holy Spirit.

I shared personal stories and historical accounts to illustrate the power of living a life fully committed to Jesus. Thomas, one of the apostles, traveled to India, planting churches and ultimately sacrificing his life for the gospel. His story exemplifies the cost and joy of following Christ. Similarly, the Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses, not for personal glory but to lift up Jesus. This empowerment is not about dramatic displays but about a deep, transformative love for Christ that compels us to share His message.

The sermon also highlighted the importance of unity and honesty within the body of Christ. The early church's unity was a source of strength, and honesty is the foundation of holiness. I shared personal experiences of failure and redemption, emphasizing that God values sincerity over performance. Our failures can lead us to a deeper understanding of God's grace, as seen in the lives of Peter and Jacob.

Finally, I encouraged everyone to be active participants in their faith, to pray for others, and to trust in Jesus as the ultimate answer to the world's problems. Whether through personal encounters or global missions, we are called to demonstrate Jesus to others through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Ordinary Believers: The early church was composed of ordinary people who, through their relationship with Jesus, became world revolutionaries. Their impact was not due to their status or intelligence but their contagious way of life, driven by the Holy Spirit. This challenges us to live boldly for Christ, knowing that God uses the weak to confound the strong. [02:20]
2. The Cost and Joy of Following Christ: Following Jesus requires embracing the cross and making choices that may cost us personally. However, the joy that comes from living a life fully committed to Christ is unparalleled. This joy is not found in mere words or doctrines but in a way of life that impacts generations. [04:30]
3. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses for Christ, not for personal glory but to lift up Jesus. This empowerment is not about dramatic displays but about a deep, transformative love for Christ that compels us to share His message. [09:57]
4. Unity and Honesty in the Body of Christ: Unity within the church is a source of strength, and honesty is the foundation of holiness. God values sincerity over performance, and our failures can lead us to a deeper understanding of His grace. [13:17]
5. Jesus as the Ultimate Answer: Jesus remains the real answer to the world's problems. Whether through personal encounters or global missions, we are called to demonstrate Jesus to others through the power of the Holy Spirit. This involves trusting in Jesus as the ultimate solution and being active participants in our faith. [32:35]
** [32:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to the Book of Acts
[01:37] - God's Heroes: Ordinary People
[03:42] - The Cost of Following Christ
[05:14] - The Great Commission
[06:59] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[09:57] - Demonstrating Jesus Through the Spirit
[12:18] - Unity in the Early Church
[15:24] - The Warmth of Community
[17:29] - Miracles and Church Planting
[20:54] - Jesus is Alive
[25:15] - The Name of Jesus
[32:35] - Jesus as the Answer
[36:06] - Honesty and Holiness
[41:35] - Grace in Failure

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Acts 17:6 - "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also."
Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission
Acts 1:8 - "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."

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Observation Questions:

What does Acts 17:6 reveal about the impact of the early Christians on their society? How does this relate to the concept of a "mighty minority"? [02:20]
In Matthew 28:18-20, what command does Jesus give to His disciples, and how does this relate to the theme of missions discussed in the sermon? [05:14]
According to Acts 1:8, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, and how does this empower them for missions? [07:17]
How did the early church demonstrate unity and honesty, and why were these qualities important for their mission? [13:17]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the idea of ordinary believers being used by God challenge common perceptions of who can be a "hero" in God's kingdom? [01:58]
What does the story of Thomas traveling to India illustrate about the cost and joy of following Christ? How does this story inspire modern believers? [06:40]
How does the empowerment of the Holy Spirit differ from the dramatic displays often associated with it, according to the sermon? [09:57]
Why is honesty considered the foundation of holiness, and how can failures lead to a deeper understanding of God's grace? [36:06]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt ordinary or inadequate. How can the example of the early church encourage you to live boldly for Christ despite these feelings? [02:20]
Consider the sacrifices Thomas made for the gospel. What personal sacrifices might God be calling you to make in your own life to follow Christ more fully? [06:40]
How can you cultivate a deeper, transformative love for Christ that compels you to share His message with others? What practical steps can you take this week? [09:57]
In what ways can you contribute to unity and honesty within your church community? Identify one specific action you can take to foster these qualities. [13:17]
Think about a current problem in the world or in your personal life. How can you actively trust Jesus as the ultimate answer to this problem? [32:35]
Identify a person in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you demonstrate His love and message to them through your actions and words this week? [12:18]
Reflect on a recent failure or mistake. How can you use this experience to deepen your understanding of God's grace and grow in your faith? [41:35]

Sermon Clips

The early Christians turned the world upside down not because they were famous and rich and smart and good-looking and movie stars. No, they had such impact upon the generation in the workplace, in the marketplace, in all circumstances just by the way of life. It was so contagious. [00:03:17]

Jesus could never save the world without embracing the cross and going after the cross. That's what the Bible says. We want to be like Jesus, world revolutionaries, impact our children, our grandchildren, our society just by saying nice spiritual words and knowing all the doctrines. It never happens. It's a way of life. [00:04:00]

When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will have a holy goal to someone else. You know, when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, if you're baptized in the Holy Spirit or look for goosebumps, you know, I'm tired of this false gospel that some people are preaching. [00:07:30]

The job of the Holy Spirit is to lift up Jesus, and the power is given not to feel nice good feelings about it, although that is wonderful. I remember the time I was baptized in the Holy Spirit many years ago back in India, all alone praying in the room. [00:08:29]

The call of the Lord upon our life is to demonstrate Jesus to others through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a revolutionary concept and a revolutionary life. I remember my wife in Germany as a young girl came to know the Lord. [00:09:51]

There is tremendous power when there is unity. You know, every morning my wife and I, with my son and his wife and my daughter, after breakfast, we sit together and we pray specifically for things that the Lord has given to us. We agree on things, we talk about things. [00:13:24]

God is more concerned about honesty than great performance and a lot of external impressions you make on people. As a matter of fact, the definition of holiness, I tell you, is honesty. You know, remember the two thieves on the cross? One guy pretended, the other guy said, "No, I deserve this stuff." [00:36:59]

God will work with the worst kind if they're honest with Him, but God cannot help people who are dishonest. I remember the early days of my life in the United States, falling into materialism, going after all the good stuff of this country. [00:37:48]

Failures, our falling in sin, God allows. That is my theology. If you don't like it, no problem. Parsley will still love me, I think. You know why? Because that is the only way we find out the grace of God sometimes. [00:41:35]

Jesus said, "Peter, they will ask to find you like chaff, and I prayed for you, but your faith may not fail." He did not say, "I pray that you will not fall in sin, you will not deny me, you will not do the dumb stupid thing." [00:42:57]

The Lord is not concerned about the big amount of money I gave or the amount of work I do. No, He just wants sincerity from the inside when you talk to children, talk to others, and give our resources. [00:45:39]

I encourage you in your money, in your time, in your discussions, whatever, stay true on the inside. You'll be amazed how the Lord is pleased with that. But even if we fail, listen, He is much more loving, gracious than you are, than I am. Run back to Him. [00:46:40]

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Empowered Ordinary: The Mighty Minority in Missions

Devotional

Day 1: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact

Day 2: The Cost and Joy of Discipleship

Day 3: Empowered by the Spirit

Day 4: Unity and Honesty in the Church

Day 5: Jesus, the Ultimate Solution

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Empowered Ordinary: The Mighty Minority in Missions

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