Transformative Generosity: Sharing Our Stories of Change

Devotional

Day 1: God Transforms Lives in Unexpected Ways

God is a God of big change, able to transform even the most stubborn hearts and rewrite the stories of those who seem farthest from Him. Just as Saul, who was once a fierce opponent of Jesus’ followers, was dramatically changed on the road to Damascus, so too can God intervene in our lives—sometimes in ways that stop us in our tracks and challenge everything we thought we knew. No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace, and His power to change lives is as real today as it was in the days of the early church. [43:24]

Acts 9:1-9 (ESV)
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to allow God to interrupt your plans and bring about transformation, even if it means letting go of what you thought was right?

Day 2: Sharing Your Story Impacts Others

Your story of how God has worked in your life is a powerful tool that can encourage, inspire, and guide others. When you share your journey—where you used to be, who you are now, and what made the difference—you open the door for others to see how God might work in their own lives. Don’t underestimate the impact your testimony can have; someone may be waiting to hear exactly what you have experienced to find hope for themselves. [46:23]

Psalm 107:2 (ESV)
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble.

Reflection: Who is one person you can share your story with this week, and how might your honesty about your journey encourage them?

Day 3: True Righteousness Means Being Right with God and Others

Righteousness is not just about being right in our own eyes, but about being right with God and with those around us. It involves humility, a willingness to listen, and a commitment to change when God convicts us. As we grow in faith, we learn that living righteously means seeking reconciliation, showing grace, and striving for healthy relationships, especially within our families and communities. [40:36]

Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Reflection: Is there someone you need to make things right with today in order to live out true righteousness?

Day 4: We Are No Longer Far from God Because of Jesus

Because of what Jesus has done—His life, death, and resurrection—we are no longer separated from God. We have been brought near, made holy and righteous, and can now call ourselves friends of God. This new identity is not based on our own efforts, but on the finished work of Christ, and it is something to be celebrated and remembered, especially as we participate in communion and reflect on His sacrifice. [52:09]

Ephesians 2:12-13 (ESV)
Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Reflection: As you remember what Jesus has done for you, how does it change the way you see yourself and your relationship with God today?

Day 5: Generosity and Service Change Stories

God’s generosity toward us inspires us to be generous with our time, resources, and service to others. When we give and serve, we become part of God’s work in changing the stories of those around us—especially the next generation. Whether it’s supporting local organizations, volunteering, or simply being present for someone in need, your generosity can have a direct and lasting impact in your community. [59:20]

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV)
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can use your resources or time this week to help change someone else’s story?

Sermon Summary

God is worthy of praise not only for what He has done in the past, but for what He continues to do in our lives today. His generosity overflows, and we are called to reflect that generosity in our own lives—through giving, serving, and supporting others. Our acts of generosity have a real impact, as seen in our partnership with organizations like Path United, which helps local youth achieve their potential. This is a tangible way we participate in God’s ongoing work in the world.

This month, the focus is on sharing our stories—how God has changed us and continues to shape us. The book of Acts is a record of the actions of God’s people, and it reminds us that every believer is sent on a mission. Sharing our story is simple: “I used to be X, now I am Y, because…” This formula is not just a tool for evangelism, but a way to recognize and celebrate the transformation God brings.

The story of Saul, who became Paul, is a powerful example of radical change. Saul was convinced he was right, zealously defending the law of Moses, even to the point of persecuting followers of Jesus. But God intervened dramatically, knocking Saul off his horse and changing the course of his life. Sometimes God comes to us gently, and other times He stops us in our tracks, challenging our assumptions and calling us to something new. Ananias, too, was called to do something that made no sense—approaching the very man who threatened him—yet he obeyed, and God used him as part of Paul’s transformation.

Personal stories, like Willie’s journey from stubbornness and pride to humility and openness, remind us that change is possible for anyone. We all have a “used to be” and a “now I am” because of what God has done. Our stories matter, not just for ourselves, but for those around us. When we share how God has changed us, we offer hope and encouragement to others who may be longing for change themselves.

As we come to the table of communion, we remember the ultimate story of transformation: through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are no longer far from God, but are called friends of God. This is the foundation of our story, and the reason we can live and serve with hope. Let us go out, share our stories, and continue to make a difference in our community, trusting that God is with us every step of the way.

Key Takeaways

1. Generosity is a reflection of God’s character, and our giving—whether of time, resources, or service—has a direct and lasting impact on others. When we partner with organizations or serve in our community, we become conduits of God’s blessing, participating in His ongoing work to bring hope and transformation. [36:49]
2. Transformation often begins with a moment of disruption or realization, when God challenges our assumptions and calls us to something new. Like Saul on the road to Damascus, we may be stopped in our tracks, confronted with the truth, and invited into a new way of living. These moments are not always comfortable, but they are necessary for growth and deeper faith. [42:26]
3. Obedience to God sometimes means stepping into situations that defy logic or comfort, as Ananias did when he was called to minister to Saul. Faithfulness is not about understanding every detail, but about trusting God’s voice and being willing to act, even when it feels risky or counterintuitive. [44:18]
4. Sharing our personal stories of change is essential for building up the faith of others. When we honestly recount how God has transformed us—our “used to be” and “now I am”—we offer a living testimony that God is still at work. Our vulnerability and openness can be the catalyst for someone else’s journey toward hope and renewal. [46:23]
5. Communion is a powerful reminder that our identity is rooted in what Jesus has done for us. We are no longer defined by our past or our failures, but by the new covenant established through Christ’s sacrifice. This truth empowers us to live as friends of God, confident in His love and eager to share that love with others. [52:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - God’s Worthiness and Generosity
[02:10] - Impact of Generosity: Path United
[04:30] - Invitation to Give and Serve
[06:15] - Introduction to “Share Your Story” Series
[08:00] - The Power of Personal Testimony
[10:20] - Willie’s Story: Pride and Change
[15:00] - Turning Points and Transformation
[18:30] - Saul’s Journey: From Persecutor to Apostle
[22:00] - God’s Disruptive Grace
[25:00] - Ananias’ Obedience and Risk
[28:00] - The Importance of Sharing Your Story
[32:00] - Personal Reflection: “I Used to Be…”
[36:00] - Communion: Remembering Our Transformation
[40:00] - Opportunities to Serve and Bless Others
[43:00] - Closing Blessing and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What happened to Saul on the road to Damascus that changed the direction of his life? (Acts 9:1-9)
How did Ananias respond when God told him to go to Saul, and what was the result? (Acts 9:10-19)
According to the sermon, what is the simple formula for sharing your story of faith? [47:11]
What are some ways the church is partnering with organizations like Path United to make a difference in the community? [36:49]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God sometimes uses dramatic events (like Saul’s blinding light) to get our attention, while at other times He works more gently? [42:26]
What does Ananias’ willingness to obey God, even when it didn’t make sense, teach us about faith and trust? [44:18]
How does sharing our personal stories of transformation help others who may be struggling or longing for change? [46:23]
In what ways does communion remind us of our new identity in Christ, and why is this important for how we live and serve? [52:09]

Application Questions

Think about your own “used to be” and “now I am” story. What is one area where you have seen God change you? How could you share that with someone this week? [47:11]
Is there a place in your life where you feel God is challenging your assumptions or calling you to something new, like He did with Saul? What would it look like to say “yes” to God in that area? [42:26]
Ananias stepped out in faith even though it was risky and uncomfortable. Is there a situation or relationship where you sense God asking you to step out in faith? What’s holding you back? [44:18]
The sermon talked about generosity as a reflection of God’s character. What is one practical way you can be generous with your time, resources, or service this month? [36:49]
When you think about the impact of sharing your story, who is one person in your life who might need to hear how God has changed you? How can you start that conversation? [46:23]
Communion is a reminder that we are friends of God because of what Jesus has done. How does this truth affect the way you see yourself and others? [52:09]
The church is partnering with organizations to bless the community. What is one way you can get involved in serving or supporting others in your neighborhood or church this month? [36:49]

Sermon Clips

God is worthy to be praised. He's worthy because of who he is and what he's done, but not only that, what he is doing today. And I'm grateful that God is a generous God who gives to us more than we can ask or imagine. And I thank you for following in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, by showing your generosity through your service, through your giving of your time, and your resources. Thank you, because when you give, your gifts go to make a direct impact. And one of the ways that we make a direct impact is by partnering with local organizations to help make an impact in the life of young people in our county. [00:24:30] (57 seconds) Edit Clip

Here's the formula that we're gonna talk about for the next four weeks it goes like this I used to be X and you fill in the blank now I'm why you fill in the blank because and then you talk about what the change was that is the simple formula of sharing your story and friends I believe that God calls each and every one of us to share our story of how God has impacted our lives because through that impact we can impact lives of others and so today we will be begin talking about sharing your story and we're looking at a man named Saul Saul whose life was changed and he became Paul but before we get into Saul turning into Paul I want to share a story with you about a man named Willie [00:33:13] (71 seconds) Edit Clip

But he was struck by this commitment. So much so that he began to slowly change. Because he realized that if he is going to be right, then he must live a righteous life. And righteousness, according to what he was learning, was about being right with God and right with his family. [00:40:00] (36 seconds) Edit Clip

And on his way, the story goes, he had a turning point. The Bible says that lightning flashed and it knocked him down off of his horse. And he heard a voice and this voice was Jesus. Now, the people that was with him didn't see anything, but they heard something. And so Paul was blinded and he was changed at that moment. Paul's story was about to be rewritten. [00:42:51] (39 seconds) Edit Clip

Sometimes God will come to you. And sometimes God needs to knock you off of your horse. Sometimes God needs to stop you in your tracks. There are other times where God shows up and he asks you to do something that goes against all logic. For Saul, God spoke and showed up and knocked him off his horse. For a man named Ananias, God shows up and says, I need you to go talk to the very person who's on his way that they thought to destroy you. [00:43:44] (48 seconds) Edit Clip

You used to be a certain way, very confident in your abilities, but all of a sudden something happens. Maybe it's your health. Maybe it's a spouse or a sibling or a child and all of a sudden you thought all of these things were going right and just like that, you've changed. Things are not the same. Ever been there? [00:45:07] (31 seconds) Edit Clip

And just because I know it doesn't mean it's best. There are others who have walked this way and walked this path and done it in a way that's more faithful than I have. And so I'm learning to listen to those individuals, but I can't listen to them unless they share their story. You see, we are called to share our story, our life -changing stories with others. [00:45:57] (34 seconds) Edit Clip

Because if you don't share your story, how is the person that's next to you or behind you or your family member or the person that works with you, how are they going to know how God can work in their lives? They won't know unless you share it. And here is Paul's story. My name used to be Paul, Saul. And I followed Moses' law. And I thought it was right. Today, my name is Paul. And I'm a missionary for God because of what happened to me on Damascus Road. [00:46:31] (52 seconds) Edit Clip

I used to be, you fill in the blank. Friends, you ain't always been what you are today. Don't fool yourselves. I hadn't always been a preacher, friends. My family member reminds me of that every now and again. Because they reminded me this weekend, they said, Q, we remember when. And I'm thinking, I have no idea where this story is going to go, but I'm listening. [00:47:30] (32 seconds) Edit Clip

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What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?