Chosen Instruments: God Uses the Unlikely

The narrative returns to Acts and unfolds a clear motif: God builds the church by choosing and using the unlikely. A brief parable about an unknown musician sets the tone—imperfection paired with faithful guidance produces beauty. Scripture examples follow: Matthew, a despised tax collector, receives a simple summons and immediately follows; Rahab, an outsider and prostitute, houses spies and joins Israel’s story; Moses, David, and ordinary fishermen rise from obscurity into leadership. The account of Saul exposes the radical nature of divine selection—one who hunted Christians meets the risen Christ, endures blindness, and receives mercy that turns a persecutor into a missionary. Ananias and Barnabas model small but costly obedience: one goes to a feared man, another vouches for him, and those acts enable bold preaching that expands the church.

The cross stands as the ultimate demonstration: what looks like defeat becomes the place of salvation, where weakness and past failure meet God’s decisive grace. That exchange rewrites worthiness; usefulness now flows from the Holy Spirit, not from human strength. The local church thrives not because everyone arrives polished but because members practice forgiveness, take small steps of trust, and remain present where God has placed them. Peace and growth of the early church flow from these humble, faithful actions, multiplied by God’s power.

Practical application lands on everyday relationships and missional presence. Specific names and places matter—neighbors, coworkers, family, and even distant communities like a village in Guatemala become fields for simple gospel presence. The call centers on showing up: bring mercy, testify to grace, and trust that God, like a skilled conductor, brings beauty from imperfect instruments. The closing appeal presses for courage to step into small acts of obedience, to pray for the unlikely, and to allow God’s choosing to reshape identity and mission.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God chooses the unlikely people God undoes human criteria by selecting those others dismiss. Choosing the unlikely exposes reliance on divine purpose rather than human merit. This pattern reorients how identity forms: belonging rests on promise, not performance. Such choosing invites courageous availability where people already are. [29:51]
• 2. Grace transforms enemies into servants Mercy can redirect a life built against the gospel into a life for the gospel. The conversion of a fierce opponent shows that past violence and zeal can become tools for mission when mercy intervenes. This transformation demands both divine initiative and human witnesses willing to risk trust. It reframes enemies as potential instruments of God’s name. [37:09]
• 3. Small acts multiply the church Incremental faithfulness—going to a fearful place, speaking up, offering hospitality—becomes the engine of growth. The early church’s peace and building up resulted from ordinary obedience, not spectacle. These acts compound when paired with the Holy Spirit’s comfort and fear of the Lord. The pattern invites daily, specific obedience where one already stands. [44:09]
• 4. The cross accepts the unworthy The crucifixion inverts the world’s assessment of worth by making forgiveness available to the morally broken. Where human judgment sees failure, the cross demonstrates that divine love meets people as they are and then reshapes them. That reality liberates service from self-sufficiency and grounds it in grace. It calls for ministry rooted in what Christ has already done. [41:20]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [10:53] - Announcements and Prayer Requests
• [11:58] - Opening Invocation
• [27:04] - Acts Series Reintroduction
• [27:28] - Parable of the Unknown Musician
• [29:30] - Theme: God Chooses the Unlikely
• [30:22] - Calling of Matthew
• [33:28] - Rahab: Inclusion of an Outsider
• [35:17] - Introducing Saul: An Unthinkable Follower
• [36:32] - Saul Blinded on the Road
• [37:09] - Commissioning Saul for Mission
• [38:25] - Barnabas Brings Saul to the Apostles
• [44:09] - Church Growth through Small Obedience
• [47:27] - Call to Step Up and Participate
• [66:16] - Prayer and Guatemala Send-Off

1. In Matthew 9:9, Jesus calls Matthew with two simple words: “Follow me.” How does Matthew respond, and why would this have been surprising to those around him?
2. Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, is described as an “outsider” in the sermon. What specific actions did she take to align herself with God’s people in Joshua 2?
3. Saul (later Paul) was known for persecuting Christians before his conversion. What physical and spiritual changes does Acts 9:1-19 describe after his encounter with Jesus?
4. The sermon mentions Ananias and Barnabas as examples of “small but costly obedience” [36:42]. What specific risks did each of them take in Acts 9?

1. Why do you think Jesus intentionally chose people like Matthew (a tax collector) and Saul (a persecutor) to lead his mission, rather than religious elites?
2. Rahab’s story is included in Jesus’ lineage (Matthew 1:5). What does this suggest about how God values faithfulness over social status or past mistakes?
3. Acts 9:31 says the church had “peace” and grew through “the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.” How might fear and comfort work together to strengthen a community?
4. The sermon states, “The cross accepts the unworthy” [41:20]. How does Jesus’ death redefine what makes someone “qualified” to serve God?

1. The sermon emphasizes that “God chooses the unlikely.” Where do you feel unqualified or inadequate to serve others? How might God’s grace redefine that area of your life?
2. Think of someone in your life who seems “unlikely” to follow Jesus—a coworker, neighbor, or family member. What small step could you take this week to show them grace or share your story?
3. Ananias obeyed God despite fear [36:42]. Is there a situation where God is calling you to act in faith even though it feels uncomfortable or risky? What would it look like to take that step?
4. Barnabas advocated for Saul when others doubted him [38:25]. Who in your community needs encouragement or a second chance? How could you support them practically?
5. The sermon challenges believers to “show up” in everyday relationships [44:40]. What specific place (work, neighborhood, family) has God positioned you in to reflect His presence? What distractions make it hard to stay engaged there?
6. The cross redefines worthiness [41:20]. How might embracing your identity as “chosen” (flaws and all) change the way you interact with others who feel disqualified or ashamed?