Transforming Lives: God Uses Our Past and Present
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that God uses both our past and present circumstances to build His kingdom. We began by reflecting on the beauty of creation, which reveals God's invisible attributes and eternal power. This serves as a reminder that the same God who created the world is present with us, ready to meet us in our brokenness and renew us with His grace and forgiveness. We are encouraged to come before Him with humility, laying down our sins and fears, and receiving His word of love and forgiveness.
We delved into the story of the Apostle Paul, focusing on his journey from persecutor to preacher. In Acts chapters 21 and 22, Paul shares his testimony with the people of Jerusalem, recounting his dramatic conversion and the transformative power of Jesus in his life. Despite facing hostility and danger, Paul boldly shares his story, demonstrating that God can use anyone, regardless of their past, to proclaim His truth and love.
Paul's testimony serves as a powerful example of how God can use our past experiences, no matter how broken, to relate to others and share the hope of the Gospel. We are reminded that our past does not disqualify us from being used by God; rather, it can be a tool for building His kingdom. Our present struggles, too, can be opportunities for God to work through us, impacting others and drawing them closer to Him.
As we reflect on Paul's story, we are encouraged to see ourselves as tools in God's hands, each with a unique purpose. Our lives, with all their imperfections, are valuable to God, and He desires to use us to reach others. We are called to be kingdom-building disciples, sharing our testimonies and witnessing to God's goodness and grace. In doing so, we participate in God's work of transforming lives and expanding His kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
- The Beauty of Creation: God's creation reveals His invisible attributes and eternal power, reminding us of His presence and inviting us to open our eyes to His wonder and magnificence. We are encouraged to see the world around us as a reflection of God's glory and to seek His presence in our lives. [05:17]
- The Power of Testimony: Paul's story of transformation from persecutor to preacher highlights the power of personal testimony in sharing the Gospel. Our past experiences, no matter how broken, can be used by God to relate to others and proclaim His truth and love. [30:33]
- God Uses Our Past: Our past does not disqualify us from being used by God; rather, it can be a tool for building His kingdom. God can use our experiences to show others that He can save anyone and that His grace is available to all. [39:43]
- Present Struggles as Opportunities: Our present difficulties can be opportunities for God to work through us, impacting others and drawing them closer to Him. We are reminded that God can use our struggles to build His kingdom and that our lives have eternal purpose in His hands. [46:05]
- Called to Be Kingdom Builders: We are called to be kingdom-building disciples, sharing our testimonies and witnessing to God's goodness and grace. Our lives, with all their imperfections, are valuable to God, and He desires to use us to reach others and expand His kingdom. [50:29]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:17] - The Beauty of Creation
- [17:07] - Coming Before the Lord
- [18:07] - Forgiveness and Renewal
- [25:45] - Paul's Journey to Jerusalem
- [27:09] - The Machine Shed Analogy
- [28:14] - Tools and Stories
- [29:10] - Paul's Testimony
- [30:33] - Sharing the Gospel Through Testimony
- [39:43] - God Uses Our Past
- [43:39] - Present Troubles and God's Purpose
- [46:05] - Building the Kingdom in Struggles
- [48:43] - Overcoming Lies and Embracing Purpose
- [50:29] - Encouragement from 2 Corinthians
- [51:41] - God's Tool for the Job
- [52:36] - Closing Prayer and Communion
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 1:20
- Acts 21-22
- 1 Timothy 1:12-16
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Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 1:20, what does Paul say about God's invisible attributes and how they are perceived through creation? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on the beauty of creation? [05:17]
2. What significant events occur in Acts chapters 21 and 22 that highlight Paul's transformation from persecutor to preacher? How does Paul use his past in his testimony? [25:45]
3. According to 1 Timothy 1:12-16, how does Paul describe his past and the mercy he received? What purpose does he say this transformation serves? [30:33]
4. How does the sermon describe the way God uses our present struggles to build His kingdom? What example from Paul's life illustrates this point? [46:05]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the beauty of creation serve as a reminder of God's presence and power in our lives, according to the sermon? Why is it important to recognize this in our daily lives? [05:17]
2. In what ways does Paul's testimony in Acts 21-22 demonstrate the power of personal testimony in sharing the Gospel? How can this be applied to our own lives? [30:33]
3. How does Paul's acknowledgment of his past as a persecutor in 1 Timothy 1:12-16 serve as an example of God's grace and purpose? What does this teach us about our own pasts? [39:43]
4. The sermon suggests that present struggles can be opportunities for God to work through us. How can this perspective change the way we view our current challenges? [46:05]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you have seen God's invisible attributes through creation. How did this experience impact your faith, and how can you seek out similar moments in your daily life? [05:17]
2. Consider your own testimony. How can you share your story of transformation with others to demonstrate God's grace and love? What specific steps can you take to do this in the coming week? [30:33]
3. Think about a past experience that you might be hesitant to share. How can you reframe this experience as a tool for building God's kingdom, similar to how Paul used his past? [39:43]
4. Identify a current struggle you are facing. How can you invite God to use this situation for His glory, and what practical steps can you take to trust Him in this process? [46:05]
5. The sermon mentions that God can use anyone, regardless of their past. How does this truth challenge any feelings of inadequacy you might have about being used by God? [39:43]
6. How can you actively seek to be a kingdom-building disciple in your community? What specific actions can you take to share God's goodness and grace with those around you? [50:29]
7. Reflect on the idea that God has a unique purpose for each of us. How can you discover and embrace your purpose in God's kingdom, and what steps can you take to live it out daily? [51:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Creation as a Reflection of God's Glory
In the beauty of creation, we find a reflection of God's invisible attributes and eternal power. The world around us is a testament to His magnificence, inviting us to open our eyes and hearts to His presence. As we observe the intricacies of nature, we are reminded that the same God who crafted the universe is intimately involved in our lives. This awareness encourages us to seek His presence daily, recognizing that His glory is woven into the fabric of our existence. By acknowledging the divine artistry in creation, we are drawn closer to the Creator, who desires to meet us in our brokenness and renew us with His grace. [05:17]
"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20, ESV)
Reflection: As you go about your day, take a moment to observe something in nature. How does it reflect God's glory, and how can this awareness draw you closer to Him today?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Personal Testimony
The story of the Apostle Paul serves as a powerful example of how personal testimony can be a vehicle for sharing the Gospel. Paul's journey from persecutor to preacher highlights the transformative power of Jesus in a person's life. Despite his past, Paul boldly shared his story with the people of Jerusalem, demonstrating that God can use anyone to proclaim His truth and love. Our past experiences, no matter how broken, can be used by God to relate to others and share the hope of the Gospel. By embracing our testimonies, we become vessels of God's grace, showing others that His love is available to all. [30:33]
"But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life." (1 Timothy 1:16, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a significant moment in your life where you experienced God's transformative power. How can you share this testimony with someone who needs to hear it today?
Day 3: Redeeming Our Past for God's Kingdom
Our past does not disqualify us from being used by God; rather, it can be a tool for building His kingdom. The story of Paul reminds us that God can use our experiences to show others that His grace is available to all. By redeeming our past, we become living testimonies of God's saving power, demonstrating that He can transform any life for His purposes. Our past, with all its imperfections, becomes a testament to God's ability to bring beauty from ashes, offering hope to those who feel beyond redemption. [39:43]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a part of your past that you feel disqualifies you from being used by God. How can you invite Him to redeem this area and use it for His kingdom today?
Day 4: Present Struggles as Opportunities for God's Work
Our present difficulties can be opportunities for God to work through us, impacting others and drawing them closer to Him. In the midst of struggles, we are reminded that God can use our challenges to build His kingdom. By viewing our struggles as opportunities for growth and ministry, we align ourselves with God's eternal purposes. Our lives, with all their imperfections, are valuable to God, and He desires to use us to reach others. As we surrender our struggles to Him, we become instruments of His grace, participating in His work of transforming lives. [46:05]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a current struggle in your life. How can you view this challenge as an opportunity for God to work through you and impact others today?
Day 5: Called to Be Kingdom-Building Disciples
We are called to be kingdom-building disciples, sharing our testimonies and witnessing to God's goodness and grace. Our lives, with all their imperfections, are valuable to God, and He desires to use us to reach others and expand His kingdom. By embracing our unique purpose, we become tools in God's hands, participating in His work of transforming lives. As we share our stories and witness to His love, we join in the divine mission of expanding His kingdom on earth. Our calling is to be active participants in God's redemptive work, bringing hope and healing to a broken world. [50:29]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your unique gifts and experiences. How can you use them to actively participate in God's kingdom-building work today?
Quotes
"Today there's even a better word, not just a hope for mercy but a word of forgiveness from our Lord. He hears you, he knows you, and he loves you, and he has called me to declare that you have been forgiven in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus. That is the truth. Believe it." [00:18:07] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Not a single one of you here is worthless or obsolete. Each of you have a purpose. Whatever the age or stage, success or trouble you currently face, God can and will use your life, your past, and your present. Sometimes I'll encounter people who are on hospice or who are homebound and they'll really be down thinking that their purpose is over." [00:38:01] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God can and will use the trouble of today to impact someone's eternity. I'm going to say it again. God can and will use the trouble of today in your life to potentially impact somebody's forever. We can build up the kingdom even in our present struggles. You're right, you are the right tool for the job, the right tool in God's hands to draw someone into his love and grace." [00:47:34] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Our testimonies, like Paul, have power because God is going to use them. Amen. Amen. And about this work, we take encouragement from 2 Corinthians chapter 4. It's kind of where we're going to end here. 2 Corinthians, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians chapter 4, starting at verse 13. Apostle Paul writes this." [00:50:01] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"You see, today God is digging around his machine shed looking for the right tool for the job. And what do you know? He found you. He found your past and your situation, your gifts, your life. And God has picked you up in his mighty hands. And as he does, he declares, that's exactly what I've been looking for. That is the right tool for this job." [00:51:30] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"You and I, this church, our past and our presence, to draw people in as we testify like Paul to the love of Jesus Christ. I am so excited to see what God continues to build. Who God will reach through you and me, through this church, through our past and through our present stuff. As he takes up these tools to build up his kingdom." [00:52:17] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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