Ordinary People, Extraordinary Purpose: God's Call to Us
Summary
In our journey through the Scriptures, we have encountered a profound truth that resonates with the very core of our faith: God uses ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary work. The disciples, those twelve men who walked with Jesus, were not the spiritual giants that stained glass windows might lead us to believe. They were, in fact, ordinary individuals, much like you and me. They were fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots—people from various walks of life, with their own flaws and shortcomings.
When Jesus chose His disciples, He did not seek out the elite of society or the religiously accomplished. Instead, He called upon those who were considered unlearned and ignorant by the standards of their day. These men were not chosen because of their abilities or their social status, but because of their willingness to follow Jesus and be transformed by His teaching.
The transformation of the disciples is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit. After Jesus' crucifixion, when they were filled with the Holy Spirit, these once-timid men became bold proclaimers of the Gospel. They stood firm in the face of opposition and persecution, turning Jerusalem upside down with their message. It was not by their might or wisdom, but by the Spirit of God that they were empowered to confound the wise and mighty of their time.
This same Spirit that worked through the disciples is available to us today. It is not our qualifications that God looks for, but our availability to His call. We are reminded that we do not deserve to be disciples, to be filled with His Spirit, or to be cleansed from our sins. Yet, in His grace, God calls us, fills us, and cleanses us for His purpose.
The Lord delights in using the weak, the meek, the stumbling, and the failing—because that is all He has to work with. We are all ordinary people, but through Jesus, our lives can be changed, our families can be saved, our homes can be restored, and our bodies can be healed. It is the greatest privilege to be used by God for His glory.
As we stand together in prayer, lifting our voices to the One who has called us, we are reminded that we are part of a vast family of believers. We are not just the Master's twelve; we are part of the Master's thousands, spread across the globe, participating in His work in these end times. It is a glorious thing to be part of His church.
Key Takeaways:
- God chooses the ordinary and the overlooked to accomplish His work so that no flesh may glory in His presence. This ensures that the glory for any kingdom work always goes to Him. It is a humbling reminder that our strength lies not in ourselves, but in the Holy Spirit who empowers us. [49:33]
- The transformation of the disciples from fearful to bold witnesses after receiving the Holy Spirit demonstrates the life-changing power of God's presence. This transformation is available to every believer, signaling that our past does not disqualify us from God's future plans for our lives.
- The Lord's selection of the disciples, a group of ordinary men with diverse backgrounds and personalities, underscores the value of faithfulness over prominence. It is a call for us to be faithful in our walk with God, knowing that our faithfulness matters more to Him than our status or achievements.
- The disciples' relationship with Jesus and with one another serves as a model for the church today. We are called to invest in relationships that build up the body of Christ, recognizing that while we cannot be close friends with everyone, we can be friendly to all and find a small group of believers with whom we can share our journey.
- The inclusion of young men among the disciples highlights the importance of nurturing and empowering the next generation. God is raising up young leaders for His kingdom, and it is our responsibility to support, encourage, and pray for them as they step into their calling.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 6:12-16 (NIV)
> "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor."
2. Acts 4:13 (NIV)
> "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."
3. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NIV)
> "Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 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. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the professions and backgrounds of the twelve disciples before they followed Jesus? ([01:30])
2. How did the Sanhedrin Council describe Peter and John in Acts 4:13, and what was their reaction to their boldness? ([19:48])
3. According to 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, why does God choose the "foolish" and "weak" things of the world? ([48:49])
4. What significant transformation did the disciples undergo after receiving the Holy Spirit? ([03:35])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose ordinary men with diverse backgrounds to be His disciples instead of the religious elite? ([02:12])
2. How does the transformation of the disciples from fearful to bold witnesses after receiving the Holy Spirit demonstrate the power of God's presence? ([03:35])
3. What does the selection of the disciples tell us about the value of faithfulness over prominence in God's kingdom? ([16:43])
4. How can the relationship between the disciples and Jesus serve as a model for the church today? ([13:57])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you feel unqualified or ordinary? How can you make yourself available to God's call despite these feelings? ([49:33])
2. The disciples were transformed by the Holy Spirit. Have you experienced a significant change in your life due to the Holy Spirit? If so, how? If not, what steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit's transformative power into your life? ([03:35])
3. Jesus invested in a small group of disciples rather than focusing on the crowds. How can you invest in a small group of believers to build meaningful relationships and grow in your faith? ([13:57])
4. The disciples' faithfulness mattered more to God than their status or achievements. In what ways can you demonstrate faithfulness in your walk with God this week? ([16:43])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of nurturing and empowering the next generation. How can you support and encourage young leaders in your church or community? ([42:15])
6. Think of a time when you felt weak or inadequate. How did God use that situation for His glory? How can you remind yourself of God's strength in your weaknesses moving forward? ([48:49])
7. The disciples were ordinary people who made themselves available to Jesus. Identify one specific way you can make yourself more available to God's work in your life this week. ([50:20])
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Selection of the Ordinary
God's kingdom is built on the backs of the ordinary, those who society may not deem as noteworthy. This is a divine pattern that ensures the glory of any work done in His name is attributed solely to Him. It is a humbling concept that emphasizes our reliance on the Holy Spirit rather than our own abilities. The Holy Spirit empowers us, and it is through His strength that we can accomplish the tasks set before us. This is a reminder that God's criteria for choosing His workers are not based on worldly qualifications but on a heart willing to serve and obey. [49:33]
"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." (1 Corinthians 1:27 ESV)
Reflection: Consider a time when you felt inadequate for a task God placed before you. How did you see His strength perfected in your weakness?
Day 2: Transformation Through the Spirit
The transformation of the disciples from fearful individuals to bold proclaimers of the Gospel is a powerful example of the Holy Spirit's life-changing presence. Their metamorphosis is a testament to the fact that our past does not disqualify us from the future God has planned for us. Every believer has access to this transformative power, which can lead to a life of purpose and boldness in Christ. This transformation is not a result of our own efforts but a divine change wrought by the Spirit of God within us.
"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4 ESV)
Reflection: What fears or past failures are you allowing to hold you back from fully embracing God's plan for your life?
Day 3: Faithfulness Over Prominence
The Lord's selection of the disciples, a diverse group of ordinary men, highlights the importance of faithfulness to God over worldly achievements or status. This principle calls us to live lives of integrity and devotion, knowing that our faithfulness is of great value in God's eyes. It is not about the positions we hold but the posture of our hearts that truly matters to Him. Our daily walk with God should be characterized by a steadfast commitment to His will and His ways.
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." (2 Chronicles 16:9a ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate faithfulness in your daily walk with God, even in areas that seem insignificant or unseen?
Day 4: Investing in Kingdom Relationships
The disciples' relationship with Jesus and with one another serves as a model for the church today. We are called to invest in relationships that build up the body of Christ. While it is impossible to be close friends with everyone, we can be friendly to all and seek out a small group of believers with whom we can share our journey. These relationships are vital for our spiritual growth and for the strengthening of the church as a whole.
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17 ESV)
Reflection: Who are the believers in your life with whom you can form deeper spiritual relationships, and how can you take steps to strengthen those bonds this week?
Day 5: Empowering the Next Generation
The inclusion of young men among the disciples underscores the importance of nurturing and empowering the next generation of believers. God is actively raising up young leaders for His kingdom, and it is our responsibility to support, encourage, and pray for them as they step into their calling. By investing in the youth, we are contributing to the future of the church and ensuring that the message of the Gospel continues to spread.
"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12 ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively support and mentor a younger believer this week, and what specific steps will you take to invest in their spiritual growth?
Quotes
1) "The 12 disciples were not superior spiritual specimens; they were absolutely ordinary in every way." [04:31] (Download) 2) "If God could use them to turn their world upside down, he can and will and wants to use you and me to do the same." [18:16] (Download) 3) "It's not your prominence That Matters to God, it's whether you are faithful. It is your faithfulness That Matters to God." [16:43] (Download) 4) "They were just fragile vessels but they were empowered by the Holy Ghost." [47:26] (Download) 5) "God has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise... that no flesh should glory in his presence." [49:33] (Download) 6) "Our God Delights in using nobodies so there's never any question about who's power is actually doing the work." [45:50] (Download) 7) "It's a wonderful thing, it's a powerful thing, it's a beautiful thing to know Jesus and to allow his Spirit to work through your life." [51:04] (Download) 8) "It's a glorious thing to be part of His church." [52:04] (Download) 9) "If he can use them, he can use me." [56:09] (Download)
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