Transformative Power of God in the Church

Devotional

Day 1: God Uses the Unexpected

God often chooses the unexpected and underestimated to fulfill His purposes. Jesus' ministry in Galilee, a region looked down upon by the educated elite in Jerusalem, exemplifies this truth. Despite societal expectations, Jesus, with His Galilean accent, was the chosen one to bring salvation to the world. This serves as a powerful reminder that no matter our background or perceived limitations, God can use us to make a significant impact. We should never underestimate the potential God sees in us, even when others do. [03:51]

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: Think of a time when you felt underestimated or overlooked. How can you trust God to use you in unexpected ways today?

Day 2: The Importance of Strengthening the Church

The church is not just about converting new believers but about growing stronger in Christ. This involves living in the fear of the Lord, which means having a reverent respect for God's power and holiness. It's about moving beyond our current state and continually seeking to grow in our faith. The church should be a place where believers are encouraged to become better versions of themselves, striving for spiritual maturity and deeper relationship with God. [06:16]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the strengthening of your church community? How can you encourage others to grow in their faith?

Day 3: Encouragement Over Criticism

The Holy Spirit's role as an encourager highlights the importance of being positive and uplifting rather than critical. Encouragement draws people to us and reflects the nature of God. If we find ourselves lacking friends or influence, it might be because we are more critical than encouraging. By choosing to encourage others, we mirror the Holy Spirit's work and create an environment where people feel valued and supported. [10:02]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs encouragement. How can you intentionally uplift them today with your words or actions?

Day 4: Common Grace and Everyday Miracles

God's blessings often come without us asking for them, a concept known as common grace. We should be aware of and grateful for the everyday miracles and blessings in our lives, recognizing that God is constantly at work, even in the small details. This awareness helps us cultivate a heart of gratitude and a deeper appreciation for God's provision and care in our daily lives. [20:37]

Matthew 5:45 (ESV): "For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

Reflection: Take a moment to list three everyday blessings you often overlook. How can you express gratitude to God for these today?

Day 5: The Power of Testimony

Sharing the joy of what Jesus has done in our lives is essential. Just as the early Christians couldn't help but spread the news of Jesus' miracles, we too should be eager to share our testimonies. This not only strengthens our faith but also draws others to Christ. Our personal stories of transformation and God's faithfulness can inspire and encourage others to seek a relationship with Him. [39:19]

Psalm 66:16 (ESV): "Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience where you saw God's hand at work in your life. How can you share this testimony with someone who needs encouragement today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's exploration of Acts chapter 9, we delved into the transformative power of God and the unstoppable nature of His church. We began by reflecting on the geographical and cultural context of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, emphasizing how Jesus' ministry in these regions defied societal expectations. Jesus, with His Galilean accent, was often underestimated, yet He was the chosen one to bring salvation to the world. This serves as a reminder that God can use anyone, regardless of their background, to fulfill His purposes.

We also discussed the importance of the church experiencing peace and strength. The church is not just about conversion but about growing stronger in Christ. This was illustrated through a personal anecdote about a men's conference where men gathered to become better versions of themselves. The call to live in the fear of the Lord was highlighted, emphasizing a reverent respect for God's power and holiness, contrasting the often too-safe version of God we create in our minds.

The role of the Holy Spirit as an encourager was another key point. Encouragement, rather than criticism, draws people to us and reflects the nature of the Holy Spirit. The growth of the church in numbers was celebrated, underscoring that numbers represent people whose lives are being transformed by Christ.

We then moved to the story of Peter healing Anais, a man paralyzed for eight years. This miracle, performed in the name of Jesus, not only healed Anais but also led many to turn to the Lord. The concept of common grace was introduced, reminding us of the countless blessings we receive from God, often without asking.

The narrative continued with the story of Tabitha (Dorcas), a disciple known for her good works and helping the poor. Her death and subsequent resurrection by Peter served as a powerful testament to the hope of resurrection for all believers. This miracle spread throughout Joppa, leading many to believe in the Lord.

Finally, we were challenged to share the joy of what Jesus has done in our lives with others, just as the early Christians did. The joy of our salvation should be so overwhelming that we cannot help but tell others about it.

###

Key Takeaways

1. God Uses the Unexpected: Jesus' ministry in Galilee, a region looked down upon by the educated elite in Jerusalem, shows that God often uses the unexpected and underestimated to fulfill His purposes. This reminds us that no matter our background or perceived limitations, God can use us to make a significant impact. [03:51]
2. The Importance of Strengthening the Church: The church is not just about converting new believers but about growing stronger in Christ. This involves living in the fear of the Lord, which means having a reverent respect for God's power and holiness. It's about moving beyond our current state and continually seeking to grow in our faith. [06:16]
3. Encouragement Over Criticism: The Holy Spirit's role as an encourager highlights the importance of being positive and uplifting rather than critical. Encouragement draws people to us and reflects the nature of God. If we find ourselves lacking friends or influence, it might be because we are more critical than encouraging. [10:02]
4. Common Grace and Everyday Miracles: God's blessings often come without us asking for them, a concept known as common grace. We should be aware of and grateful for the everyday miracles and blessings in our lives, recognizing that God is constantly at work, even in the small details. [20:37]
5. The Power of Testimony: Sharing the joy of what Jesus has done in our lives is essential. Just as the early Christians couldn't help but spread the news of Jesus' miracles, we too should be eager to share our testimonies. This not only strengthens our faith but also draws others to Christ. [39:19]
### [39:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:28] - Introduction to Acts 9
[02:33] - Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
[03:51] - God Uses the Unexpected
[05:12] - Strengthening the Church
[06:16] - Living in the Fear of the Lord
[07:33] - Encouragement by the Holy Spirit
[10:02] - The Power of Encouragement
[12:29] - Church Growth and Numbers
[15:08] - Peter's Ministry in Lydda
[19:15] - Healing of Anais
[20:37] - Common Grace and Everyday Miracles
[23:06] - Recognizing God's Hand in Our Lives
[26:06] - Personal Transformation and Sanctification
[29:22] - The Story of Tabitha
[35:45] - The Hope of Resurrection
[39:19] - The Power of Testimony
[41:24] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What regions did the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experience peace and strength? ([01:28])
How did Peter heal Anais, and what was the result of this miracle? ([19:15])
What was Tabitha (Dorcas) known for, and what happened after her resurrection? ([29:22])
How did the early Christians respond to the miracles and transformations they witnessed? ([36:51])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it significant that Jesus' ministry was primarily in Galilee, a region looked down upon by the educated elite in Jerusalem? ([03:51])
What does it mean to live in the fear of the Lord, and how does this contrast with the "too-safe" version of God we often create? ([06:16])
How does the role of the Holy Spirit as an encourager influence our interactions with others? ([10:02])
What is the importance of recognizing common grace and everyday miracles in our lives? ([20:37])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt underestimated or overlooked. How can you see God using your unique background or experiences for His purposes? ([03:51])
In what ways can you actively seek to strengthen your faith and the faith of those around you? Consider attending events or engaging in activities that promote spiritual growth. ([06:16])
Think about your recent interactions with others. Are you more critical or encouraging? How can you intentionally shift towards being more encouraging this week? ([10:02])
Identify a moment in your life where you experienced an unexpected blessing or miracle. How did you respond, and how can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's hand in your daily life? ([20:37])
Sharing your testimony can be powerful. What is one specific way you can share the joy of what Jesus has done in your life with someone this week? ([39:19])
Consider the story of Tabitha and her legacy of good works. What small acts of kindness can you incorporate into your daily routine to impact others positively? ([29:22])
How can you cultivate a deeper reverence and fear of the Lord in your personal spiritual practices? What changes might you need to make to view God with the awe and respect He deserves? ([06:16])

Sermon Clips

1. "God can change your life. He has the power to change your life. We're going to see another story that is very similar to that today." [01:28] (6 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The church needs to grow stronger, stronger, stronger, not just convert, but actually grow in Christ, become a stronger person." [05:12] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Living in the fear of the Lord. If you got your Bible open, underline the word fear. What I love about that is we rarely talk about fearing God. We talk about liking God. We have this version of God where he's a nice, safe person. And we don't fear him though. We don't have like that reverent respect where they're growing in their fear. They're recognizing God is so big and so amazing and so wonderful. But he's also not someone you play around with." [06:16] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The way that you draw people to yourself is through encouragement. We know this. If you don't have a lot of friends, one of the reasons might be because you're constantly a critic. You have no encouragement in you." [10:02] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Numbers are people. There's literally a book in the Bible called Numbers. And you know what it's filled with? A bunch of numbers. I know you haven't done it in your devotions in a long time, but there's a lot of numbers in there. Number, this many people crossed the Red Sea. This many people ate this. This many people got in this camp. It's a whole bunch of numbers." [12:29] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Some of you are there. You are paralyzed. Maybe not physically, but emotionally, spiritually, you are paralyzed, man. You are becoming hopeless. You are isolated. You are lonely. And you don't know whether God wants to ever show up and do anything in your life." [19:15] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Do you know that the only power, the only name that can heal is the name of Jesus? It's not your name. It's not your family's name. It's not money. It's not influence. It's nothing. But the name of Jesus Christ can heal you." [19:15] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "You can be one of two people in life, man. You can either see Jesus Christ in the everyday or you can be blind to it. You can either see every moment of your life as it fused with the transcendent and the meaningful and the wonderful and the enchanted, or you can go through life completely disenchanted." [24:35] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Can you imagine that people at your funeral say, you know what? He was always doing good and helping the poor. She was always doing good and helping the poor. I'm not sure that's what people would say about me." [29:22] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Is that how you function when you think about what Jesus has done in your life? That you can't help tell the people around you the hope and the joy that you have found. That's why the word was spreading. That's why the book of Acts goes from no one knowing to the center of the world in Rome knowing by the end, and I just pray that's true about your life." [39:19] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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