8/31/08. Of course, God in his holiness, turned around and poured out his judgment on those nations for their sin as well. In fact just about anyone can beat me at any and every sport. Another example Ill never forget is 57 Spud Webb winning the 1986 Slam Dunk Competition over Dominique Wilkins. Are You Living for Your Pride or Living for Your Purpose? Its the small stuff that makes all the difference in our daily lives. Its plenty because tragic things happen when we exchange Gods means of grace for our ownor when we misuse his means. HIs vision drove his every decision, every move, and every relationship. Not many of you were considered the elite when you answered Gods call. Reset. I give a my tithe. But, LORD, you are my shield, my wonderful God who gives me courage. In the same way, God will use you to do extraordinary things. For the last several years of his career, he took drugs that artificially enhanced his performanceand inflated his home run totalsenabling him to pass Aaron. God loves to do the extraordinary with the ordinary. Gideon. May we not despise the day of small things, but may we become more aware of God's extra-ordinary work through our ordinary means. Sharing is great!If you've been blessed by our sermon on God uses Ordinary People to Do the Extraordinaryplease share it with your friends.Email them the browser link. Finds home in Median, finds a wife, gets a job tending the sheep of his father in law and thinks that life could not get any better. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. Protestant Liberalism argues that Christianity must change or die. We take no pride in being smallthats a different heart issuebut our elders and members simply trust God to honor his Word. Theyre Gods means of transforming sinners. God takes ordinary people like you and me to do extraordinary things. And imagine funeral homes as family members choose memorial service songs to celebrate God's history of faithfulness and ongoing grace to them. No matter what he faced, Paul obeyed the vision he internalized from God. How God Uses the Ordinary to Do the Extraordinary | Sermons | Petal You may think, "I'm totally unworthy to be used by God.". They were hungry to learn and eagerly received the word. When I was on the track team, our coaches would often refer to me and my teammates as either being coachable or uncoachable. Go to a foreign land, a large city, a city of pagan worshipers you dont like and preach a message of repentance. The 15-year-old Spurgeon ducked into a Primitive Methodist Church on a Sunday to escape a snowstorm. You want me to go to bad people , tell them there bad, and that they must turn from their sins or be destroyed. I have appeared to you for a reason. I loved running track and the 800m was my favorite race. Hillsong Church was founded by Brian and Bobbie Houston in 1983 in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Try, What Small Groups Do Bestand What They Don't, The Power Of Choosing To Be A Touchable Leader. [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. [16] Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed. Have you ever sensed God leading you to do something , but hesitated because it would interrupt your everyday life, change your schedule, or cause you to have to do something you dont want to do? God gets his attention in a unique way, off in the distance, he sees a bush burning and not getting burned up or being destroyed . This is why we preach and teach from both. The New Testament Christians were energized by the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves. When we must weather lifes storms, He is there. These Are the Days of Elijah: How God Uses Ordinary People to Do Over time God molded him into the man he is now and look where our church is, weve gone from 50 to over 500. Mary asked the angel, But how can this happen? He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. Deep down you all want to get in the game, deep down you want to know what it feels like to get hit by a linebacker. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. GOD USES ORDINARY PEOPLE FOR EXTRAORDINARY TASKS Preached at Shiloh Baptist Church Waukegan, Illinois On 21 March 2009 For Mission Emphasis Day Too GOD be the Glory. When we pay attention, we see that it oozes and seeps . A few months ago, a man from my hometown told me he had planted a new church. While there are no qualities or failings that disqualify us, there are some common ingredients we can find in the people God uses to do the extraordinary. Our daily interactions with God need to invigorate and renew that vision so that we can awaken and live with a deep sense of purpose. Pick one or all of these characters and do your own Bible study on them to build your faith that God can work through you no matter what. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God. And David said, The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Go, and the Lord be with you! 1 Samuel 17:34-37 (ESV) (emphasis added). There is nothing new under the sun that we have not used as excuses. God wants our first fruits with all we have. It was grace sleepily on display, cozy and reassuring as a bedtime story under a warm handmade quilt. How about you? Remember We Are Trophies of God's grace. He unexpectedly came from way behind in the 2 lap race, to overtake all of the runners and win the gold medal. To David writing songs probably seemed like an extraordinary accomplishment. These Are the Days of Elijah: How God Uses Ordinary People to Do Let the Bible speak into your relationships! God first had to show David how strong and powerful he was when he was filled with his Spirit. No! Persecution ran Philip out of Jerusalem to Samaria 3. It is through his power, his wisdom, and his strength I am able to touch anyone. Not just some of the time, but all the time. Giving God your best is a decision you must make on a daily basis. In wisdom and ruling, he was without peer. While it took some persuading on God's part, Moses was obedient and faithful even in his fear. While handling the sacred things in the worship of God, they rebelliously offered strange fire on the altar of Goda means of worship the Lord did not command. Paul. Heres How Prayer Can Help. The Word of God and the Spirit of God conspire to form the engine that pulls the cars down the tracks of salvation and sanctification. You are God's activity in the world. Copyright 2023, Southern Equip. Many of you that know me, know that I had a very rough upbringing. 6 Things You May Not Know About Elijah in the Bible No matter. God Makes the Ordinary Extraordinary - Tyndale Bibles Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. In this study, Rev. But I fear, in our good and right desire to see Gods church built, we get thrown by the term ordinary.. Summary: Does God use only "spiritual giants" to do His work on earth? What is your favorite food? David & Jonathan, Mary & Joseph, Samson & Delilah, and dozens more biblical personas give us the dos and donts for cultivating long-lasting and God-glorifying relationships. She Knew God's Will and Did It !! Always exercise Christian charity (Col. 4:6; Rom. There is nothing special about me by societys standards. God himself at work through you, and this is . God Uses People Who Are Content in Him. But a willing soldier who understands what is at stake is a soldier you want fighting for you. The financial situation of congregations and nonprofit ministries is very important, though it is a topic that does not garner enough attention in leadership. By Gods unfathomable grace, churches that preach the gospel of Jesus Christ are growing. to do His bidding and to be empowered with supernatural gifts and abilities to do the extraordinary. David was just a boy who was put in charge of his fathers sheep. You are to tell My story and how you have now seen Me, and you are to continue to tell the story in the future. We certainly desire to grow in both grace and number, but we dont have to wait until we have bricks and mortar or a top-notch sound system to be a valid church doing valid, Word-centered ministry. They refused to get into the battle with their brothers. However, your job will be no less important than the job God gave to David, Mary, and Joseph. One of the most feared sluggers of the 1990s and 2000s, Bonds broke one of the games most hallowed recordsHank Aarons all-time home run mark of 755 homers. Peter's response was he would not deny Jesus ( Matthew 26:35 ). You have revealed yourself in Scripture, and I joyfully submit to your wisdom.". Isaiah. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But as we grow, God want us to participate in what He is doing in our lives. I pray we are faithful in doing it now in every area of our ministry. She Was Willing. 2009, 2015, 2018 James H. Feeney.Copyright statement. God Uses Ordinary People To Do Extraordinary Things. Romans 8:28 reads: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.. Using them rightly is an act of faith. Please stay on topic. Once God communicated with Paul about the needs of the people in Macedonia, Paul immediately changed his plans. When I say Ive seen Star Wars, I mean the original movie from May 1977, which started the whole franchise. God is way bigger and more powerful than anything else in all creation, including anything else that could possibly exist in the universe. Please be mindful of your words (Eph. And believe me on this, that sort of . But in order to see God at work you have to get in the game. WATCH MORE ON-DEMAND: HillsongChannelNOW.com REQUEST PRAYER: https://bit.ly/2X5XJZg GIVE: Support Hillsong Channel: http://bit.ly/2E0RNr5 GET THE AP. Part 1: Need Emotional Strength? Ask Old Testament Israel who embraced the pantheon of deities worshiped by the nations around them and God used Assyria and Babylonwicked nationsas instruments of judgment. It was not about their personal comfort, growth, or their own plans and agendas. Maybe not to that extreme, but, I know if we get comfortable, he will shack it up a bit. God Uses Ordinary People: Stephen Sermon by Brian Bill, Acts 6:1-7:60 God Uses Ordinary People in Extraordinary Ways - Blue Letter Bible Though Acts 26 is later in Pauls life, he remembers God calling him like it was yesterday. Moses, Abraham, King David, Peter and Saul, were just ordinary people who God used in extraordinary ways. The events related in the book explore the nature of Gods mercy and patience as well as Once, my pastor asked me if I liked his reference to Shakespeare in his sermon. 4:29; Matt. David figured that if watching sheep was what God wanted him to do then he would do the best job he could. Are You Craving the World, or Changing the World? Theres nothing terribly special about us, either. David showed himself to be trustworthy in taking care of the sheep. Look at these everyday objects from Bible times to see how God used them. there were added that day (to the church) about three thousand souls. The foolishness of preaching has power that confounds our wisdom, because what the world sees as weak is strong in Gods eyes and vice-versa (2 Cor. He loves you and thinks you are to die for! But there is nothing ordinary about God's grace. He likely knew he was only able to write such beautiful songs through the power of God. God Uses the Ordinary to do Something Extraordinary | CPH Podcast with Rev. Verse 1 tells us that "there was a famine in the land." Grant us, Your servants, the courageous confidence we need to go ahead and proclaim Your message [30] while You reach out Your hand to heal people, enabling us to perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus. Acts 5:15-16As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peters shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Every day, you must surrender completely to Him, giving your best in who you are, what you have and what you do. I cant sing. When you do, He will lift you up, so you can achieve all God created you to be. 3:5; Acts 14:1; 2:41,42). What Does the Bible Say About Using Ordinary People? - OpenBible.info Ordinary people have ordinary trials. Spurgeons impact for Christs kingdom defies imagination. God does extraordinary work through ordinary means, To the Ends of the Earth: Calvins Missional Vision and Legacy, Coming Home: Essays on the New Heaven and New Earth. My hands are an excellent example. No registration is required to leave a comment. For most of us, to consider this question is convicting. This is the ordinary, extraordinary, grace of God. Moses was not perfect- he was ordinary, God shows up and wants him to do something extraordinary. Ordinary men and women, used by God to accomplish an extraordinary task. What the New Testament Christians knew, and what we are reminded about in the Psalms, is that courage does not come from sheer willpower or fortitude, it comes from being close to God. Im not Moses and he has never did anything like that. Your friend What does an Old Testament book like Leviticus have to teach us about Jesus' death and resurrection? Your job is something God designed just for you. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Throughout the Scripture we read over and over about God using ordinary people to fulfill His plans and answer prayer. But God used you, ordinary people to do extraordinary things: Leading Community Groups, the nursery, childrens worship, worship teams, Bible Studies, youth group, going on missions trips. For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. That is just what he did. Why not stick to the gospels where we see Jesus and listen to his words of wisdom? The Hebrew name for the Books of Moses is Torah. (The Greek title is Pentateuch). From the Ordinary to Extraordinary He uses a rebellious prophet to reach Ninevah with the good news. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! World Changers: How God Uses Ordinary People to Do Extraordinary Things 12It was revealed to them thatthey were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to youby the Holy Spirit sent from heaven,things into which angels long to look.. When we use Gods ordinary means, we get Gods power with them. Fortunately, God uses ordinary, common, everyday people like most of us "plain folks"! No! You may think God cant use you in any special ways. World Changers: How God Uses Ordinary People to Do Extraordinary Things Your mother assures you that continued misbehavior will result in punishment. God often uses simple, ordinary objects to accomplish his tasks in the world. Not many of you were wise scholars by human standards, nor were many of you in positions of power. Part 2: Be Teachable: How a Heart for God Should Make You a Learner, Part 3: How Devotion to God Makes You a Loyal Friend, Part 4: How to Make Turning to God a Lifestyle and Not An Event, Part 6: Unstoppable Faith: The Power of Knowing Gods Purpose for Me, Part 7: 5 Practical Ways Everyone Can Be a Spiritual Leader. Should I Use Bible Software In My Sermon Prep? While most of us are not facing what these early disciples were dealing with (imprisonment, beatings, and possible death), we can still be silenced by our fear of criticism, conflict, and responsibility. It requires a heart commitment; it means giving Him the greatest part of you in every area of your life. Prince of Egypt becomes a murderer and flees for his life. God usually calls the busy, did you notice that? You simply cannot read the Old Testament without reading the New Testament nor can you read the New Testament without the Old. Acts 8 - Philip an ordinary man a layman who was willing and faithful *God uses the ORDINARY to do the EXTRAORDINARY! Do you understand what Gods mission is? Regardless, it will be no less valuable, no less important than the jobs God calls someone whom society calls amazing and important. Acts 6-7. Dave Wottle was 6 feet tall and weighed 146 pounds. in Greg Lauries newest book, Losers and Winners, Saints and Sinners. You are God's activity in the world. Pentecostal Sermons and Bible Studiesby Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D. To help you get started, we would love to send you a free Bible and other resources to help you grow in your faith. Some of you are thinking, not me, I can barely get out of bed in the morning. To many fans, Bonds is baseballs Benedict Arnold. The Book of Micah reveals God's judgement toward a disobedient people and proclaims that their punishment and exile will soon be at hand. Scott Colvin works in ministry and community service in the San Francisco Bay Area. How God Uses Ordinary People To Do The Unexpected - Deep Spirituality If you are interested in learning more about how to study the Bible and preach from a Gospel-Centered perspective visit: www.gospelcenteredbiblestudy.com, I also have a weekly podcast you can listen to: www.gospelchange.com. He was just a skinny 22-year-old kid from the very ordinary town of Canton, Ohio. Just as surely as God plucked David, an ordinary shepherd boy, from obscurity, He is looking for someone He can show His strength through today. It has become a habit that God uses ordinary people to change the course of history. World Changers: How God Uses Ordinary People to Do Extraordinary - CBN I have seen Star Wars too many times. Mary couldnt understand how she could be pregnant, even after the angel told her it was so. The Lord uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things; then people give credit to the Lord rather than to human beings. God himself at work through you, and this is in the everyday ordinary activities of your life. God is worthy of our very best. You cant just sit in the bleachers. All of us shorter people everywhere stood tall and proud. To influence them, to love them, to be a blessing to them. God is not settling for just a little slice of the pie. Choose redemptive action. Realize God Loves to Use Ordinary People. It's the small stuff that makes all the difference in our daily lives. And if you would like to get a weekly newsletter with amazing resources just sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/bf41ce7f0408/dont-miss-out. by John MacArthur. We all start out as ordinary little babies, made in the image of God. God is saving His people and redeeming them from the hands of their enemies so that this nation He has chosen will continue in its posterity, ultimately leading to the birth of Jesus the Messiah. So that we can bring about Gods justice, Gods mercy, Gods love, Gods hope in this world? God Uses Ordinary People To Do Extraordinary Things Clip - YouTube I have heard their cry for help. Luke 10:21, King James VersionIn that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. In World Changers: How God Uses Ordinary People to Do Extraordinary Things, pastor and author Greg Laurie shares inspiring stories of ordinary people throughout history, and how God has used them in extraordinary and supernatural ways to change the world and extend His Kingdom. Of course, Im speaking of David. So now go I am sending you Vision can get distorted when hard times come. That is, worship, ministry, and all the things that go with it (including the architecture of a church) should be simplelashed to Scripture. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. This is telling us that some of the Israelites sat on the bench, they stayed home instead of fighting. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. God Uses Ordinary People - Busy Blessed Women ordinary, common, everyday people like most of us "plain folks"! Too often I let fear and intimidation silence me. Jesus commands us to make disciples, but what does that entail? Lets read this Episode in Judges chapter 4 as it sits in its particular place in the history of redemption. This episode in the book of Judges shows us that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Do you awaken Gods purpose every morning when you spend time with God. God uses ordinary people. Some say he's still running to this day. When we humble ourselves, we are positioned to worship God with grateful awe, because he has done it. 21: Sermon: God Uses Ordinary People to do Extraordinary Things This episode in the book of Judges shows us that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. God Uses The Ordinary To Do The Extraordinary. Andrew is now in Spain as a missionary. We all want to live extraordinary lives. A look at moses at the burning bush. Night of Open Heaven || Day 46 [100 Days Fasting & Prayer] 4th July God used him during a. God Uses Spiritually Focused People. This means that she was the main leader of Israel, she spoke Gods Word to the people, she led the Israelites out of their oppression of Jabin, King of Canaan. So go out there and be that extraordinary person God created you to be! She Was Worshipful. Sign up to get regular updates and freebies. But this not the case Toward the end of December, there are several feast days that tend to get overlooked as we celeb A few months back, I wrote a post about how you can support your pastors wife. All rights reserved. You grant us license to post your comments. You just leave that up to God and put Him first. Joseph. The man said, No, I want everything Outside the circle. what if we drew a line around this building and said we want to claim all the territory beyond this place for God? Society may see you as unimportant, but God sees you as the most treasured person he has ever created. David was totally focused on who God is . God has sent Jesus to turn us around, not to just make us good people, but to make us new people. Thus, the bar for success in ministry is persevering faithfulness. However, God had bigger plans for David. God Uses Ordinary People To Do Extraordinary Things Learn how the journal can help your confirmation students go deepe. Jael was the woman who killed Sisera, general of the Canaanite army. God uses the ORDINARY to do the EXTRAORDINARY Refuge Church God saw David as both a mighty warrior and a king. Barak was the top military leader for Israel. Would it be better, worse, or the same? God Uses The Ordinary To Do The Extraordinary - SermonCentral God calls each of us out of our comfort zones. Isaac had ordinary trials. Abram and Sarai. Rev. Go. Rahab. The Concordia Commentary volume on Leviticus clearly teaches us the connection between Pastor and author Christopher Esget joins Elizabeth Pittman on this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast to discuss his new book (Dis)Ordered: Lies about Human Nature and the Truth That S. Perhaps the most important aspect of biblical interpretation is understanding what the message meant to its original audience and how that translates to life today. Learn more in the book: https://www.cph.org/p-33514-callings-for-life-gods-plan-your-purpose.aspx. Did Mary think she was someone special because she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus? Then ask yourself: "What do I have that God can use?" Anything and everything is a possible "instrument" for him! God Uses Ordinary People For Extraordinary Things, You see, whenever God wants to do something, So that Gods extraordinary acts can be achieved. It was in Davids everyday life, he learned he could do extraordinary things when he relied on the Lord. That's humility. I didnt always like how my coach talked to me, so I avoided hard conversations with him. he was working, tending sheep. What can you do in your relationship with God to recapture your willingness to enthusiastically live for Gods purposes? Today, churches that bought into that message are dying. He made extraordinary leaders out of ordinary men. Lets just think about how this church was started and who God used. Like David, we are all ordinary people. Deborah had to step in and make him go and fight, but even then he said he would go only if Deborah came with him. We must unleash them faithfully with all the passion and energy God gives us, trusting he will use them to perform his miraculous work of transforming sinners into saints. God brings us into this world, He starts to shape and mold us, He endows us with certain gifts, and talents, special abilities. 12:37; James 1:19; James 1:26). The duo discuss his new book, Jesus Said What? The Best Films of 2023, So Far - The New York Times How sad. If people only knew, you say how much of a miserable . Look at the Apostle Peter. Christopher Esget, Digging Deeper into Scripture:Exodus 17:17, Jesus Said What? Lee Hopf, Digging Deeper into Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10, Lies About Human Nature and the Truth that Sets Us Free | CPH Podcast with Rev. And you are a part of those bigger plans. Well, maybe for you getting out of bed is an extraordinary thing God is doing in your life. On a purely human level, our task as leaders of the local church is simple. When we are courageous, willing, teachable, and have a deep sense of purpose, he can write new stories with our lives. He looked so ordinary. Brothers and sisters, consider who you were when God called you to salvation. I asked him to tell me a little more about it. Because he knows the job will get done. Scott ran cross country for the University of North Carolina. Is there anyone here who taught Sunday School for Andrew May? How God uses ordinary people to do the extraordinary? - YouTube When it says, the people offered themselves willingly they are talking about the 10,000 soldiers. At one point Andrew was in a middle-school knucklehead class. 12:1-10). People , God I really dont care about. From the Ordinary to Extraordinary. Some believe that God calls us to ascend or transcend to some higher spiritual plane. Debra. We look backward in faith in Jesus. 1 Peter 3:15ESV / 9 helpful votes HelpfulNot Helpful Scriptures:
They were evaluating our desire to get better, learn how to win, and our attitude toward taking input. Our daily interactions with God need to invigorate and renew that vision so that we can awaken and live with a deep sense of purpose. and some of our Saviors words that, So You Want to Be a Pastors Wife?Part 2, 23 Finance Terms Every Pastor Should Know, A Study in Discipleship: Matthew 28:1620, Digging Deeper into Scripture: Matthew 9:928, Why Use the Guided by Truth Enduring Faith Confirmation Journal, Three Tips to Find Focus in a Distracting Culture, So You Want to Be a Pastors Wife? The answer is simple, they were saved by faith in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. He gets to the bush and the Lord speaks through the bush, calls him by his name Moses Do not come any closer, take off your shoes, you are on Holy ground. Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs explores what it means to make disciples.