God's Transformative Grace: From Evil to Good
Summary
In his sermon, Pastor Paul draws parallels between the structure of certain movies and the unfolding narrative of the Bible, particularly the book of Acts. He emphasizes the idea that even when people intend evil, God can use it for good, referencing Genesis 50:20. He uses the example of missionaries who have been killed, noting that their message becomes even more powerful and impactful in their martyrdom. He declares that God always wins and that believers will ultimately triumph over the worst things in life, even death. He challenges the congregation to be part of this story, surrendering themselves to God's will and living for His glory.
The pastor also emphasizes the importance of recognizing and honoring the unnamed individuals who have played a significant role in shaping our lives and faith. He highlights that God often uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes, which is good news for all believers. He encourages the congregation to see themselves as the church and apply the lessons from the early church in Acts to their own lives. He also urges them to break through barriers and reach out to those who may reject or persecute them, as they are the ones who need to hear the gospel.
The pastor then focuses on the story of Barnabas, who was sent to Antioch to see what was happening there. He describes Barnabas as a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and an encourager, exhorting the people in Antioch to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose. He draws a parallel between Barnabas and the congregation, suggesting that they too can be like Barnabas in their enthusiasm for the work of the Lord.
The pastor also discusses the arrival of prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch and the prophecy of a Great Famine delivered by the prophet Agabus. He highlights the surprising fact that Saul, who later became Paul, approved of Stephen's execution. He emphasizes the significance of these unnamed individuals, who played a crucial role in establishing one of the most influential churches in history, even though their names are not recorded.
Finally, the pastor reflects on the transformation of Saul, who was initially a persecutor of the church. He highlights the irony of Saul's role in approving the execution of Stephen, a member of the church, and then later being sent out by the same church he persecuted. He describes this as scandalous grace, emphasizing the power of God's transformative work.
Key Takeaways:
- Even when people intend evil, God can use it for good. This truth is meant to inspire and encourage believers, reminding them that they cannot lose when they are in Christ. God always wins and believers will ultimately triumph over the worst things in life, even death ([12:45]).
- God often uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes. This is good news for all believers, who are encouraged to see themselves as the church and apply the lessons from the early church in Acts to their own lives ([22:30]).
- Barnabas serves as an example of a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. He is portrayed as someone who is cheerful, big-hearted, and glad to see the work of the Lord. Believers are encouraged to be like Barnabas in their enthusiasm for the work of the Lord ([34:15]).
- The prophecy of a Great Famine delivered by the prophet Agabus and the surprising fact that Saul, who later became Paul, approved of Stephen's execution, highlight the unexpected ways in which God works in the world ([45:50]).
- The transformation of Saul, who was initially a persecutor of the church, into a follower and proponent of Christ, is described as scandalous grace. This emphasizes the power of God's transformative work and serves as a reminder that God can use our experiences for our good and His glory ([58:20]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 11:19-30
2. Acts 7:54-60
3. Genesis 50:20
Observation Questions:
1. In Acts 11:19-30, what was the response of the church in Jerusalem when they heard about the believers in Antioch? What role did Barnabas play in this narrative?
2. In Acts 7:54-60, how did the crowd react to Stephen's vision and proclamation? What was Saul's involvement in this event?
3. In Genesis 50:20, how does Joseph interpret the actions of his brothers against him?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Barnabas in Acts 11:19-30 illustrate the idea that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes?
2. How does the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7:54-60 and Saul's approval of it reflect the concept that even when people intend evil, God can use it for good?
3. How does Joseph's statement in Genesis 50:20 provide insight into the sovereignty of God and His ability to bring about good from evil intentions?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a situation in your life where you have seen God use ordinary circumstances or people to accomplish something extraordinary? How did this experience impact your faith?
2. Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced something intended for evil that God used for good. How did this change your perspective on God's sovereignty?
3. Like Barnabas, how can you encourage and exhort others in your community to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose?
4. Considering the transformation of Saul, can you think of a personal experience where you've seen God's transformative work in your life or someone else's? How did this experience influence your understanding of God's grace?
5. In the coming week, identify one person who may reject or persecute you, and think of a way to reach out to them with the gospel.
Devotional
Day 1: Triumphing Over Evil
God's sovereignty is such that even when evil is intended, He can turn it around for good. This is a source of hope and encouragement for believers, reminding them that they are on the winning side with Christ. No matter how dire the circumstances, God's victory is assured, even over death itself ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpjdSioaxNA&t=750s)).
Genesis 50:20 - "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
Reflection: Reflect on a situation in your life where you experienced hardship or evil. How can you see God's hand working to bring about good from that situation?
Day 2: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Purposes
God often uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes. This is a powerful reminder that every believer, regardless of their status or abilities, has a role to play in God's kingdom. The early church in Acts serves as an example of how ordinary people can make a significant impact ([22:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpjdSioaxNA&t=1335s)).
1 Corinthians 1:27 - "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."
Reflection: How can you use your ordinary skills or talents for God's extraordinary purposes today?
Day 3: Emulating Barnabas
Barnabas serves as an example of a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. His enthusiasm for the work of the Lord is infectious and inspiring. Believers are encouraged to emulate Barnabas in their own lives, remaining steadfast in their faith and purpose ([34:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpjdSioaxNA&t=2040s)).
Acts 11:24 - "For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord."
Reflection: How can you emulate Barnabas in your life today? What specific actions can you take to encourage others in their faith?
Day 4: God's Unexpected Ways
God often works in unexpected ways, as seen in the prophecy of a Great Famine and Saul's approval of Stephen's execution. These events highlight the surprising and mysterious ways in which God's plans unfold ([45:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpjdSioaxNA&t=2735s)).
Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Can you think of a time when God worked in your life in an unexpected way? How did that experience shape your understanding of God's sovereignty?
Day 5: Scandalous Grace
The transformation of Saul, a persecutor of the church, into a follower and proponent of Christ, is a testament to God's scandalous grace. This serves as a reminder that God can use our experiences for our good and His glory, no matter how far we may have strayed ([58:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpjdSioaxNA&t=3485s)).
1 Timothy 1:15-16 - "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life."
Reflection: How have you experienced God's scandalous grace in your life? How can you extend that grace to others today?
Quotes
"There's a lot of unnamed people that we're standing on their shoulders of how we got here and we don't even know their names. There's people who came to America that you don't even know their names and you are the reason or they are the reason that you're here today." [14:07]
"God is using ordinary people that is great news for you and I. These are not people who are well taught, these are not people who have Seminary degrees, they're not even preachers necessarily. They are ordinary people that know the gospel, that have seen it, that have heard it, and they're going to spread it to anybody who will listen." [14:44]
"Do you recognize the works of the Lord in your daily life? Every good work is of the Lord, and everything in your life, good or bad, God is either using it or causing it." [20:11]
"Are you an encourager? Do you see the work of the Lord and encourage others, especially young and untaught believers, to remain faithful in the Lord with steadfast purpose?" [20:52]
"You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." - Genesis 50:20 [49:33]
"God always wins, we win if we're in Christ." #!!33:00!!#
"Are you part of this story? Are you being used? Are you making yourself surrender to what God wants?" #!!33:43!!#
"God is using unnamed people... starting one of the most influential churches that has ever existed." #!!13:20!!#
"What scandalous Grace that someone who was persecuting the church, who came, who went away, who was transformed, who came back is now the one he's being sent out. So I think about that in like, and again dumb example, but the Star Wars, right? There's the enemy going, he thought like at that time persecuting step, he thought, 'I've got him, one of God's people, one of God's chosen people.' I've got him and he stoned him, and also Saul was there. But what he didn't know was that he was planting the seed for the church to spread. The enemy does not win here, my friends. The enemy cannot win." #!!30:18!!#
"We know that no matter what the enemy does, he cannot thwart what God is going to do. In fact, when the enemy does this, it actually furthers the gospel. How does that apply to you today? That pain, those tough times, yes, the ones that you're talking that you know that nobody else knows, the stuff that you've been through. I promise you, God is using that. I promise you, if you are in Christ, he is using that for your good and for his glory because we know in the end, good wins. God wins." #!!31:43!!#
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