Paoli United Methodist Church

2014 Sermon Archive

John 3:16 close view.

God Uses Ordinary People

God Uses Ordinary People; Have you ever sensed God leading you to do something, but you hesitated because you were afraid it would interrupt your everyday life, change your schedule, or cause you to have to do something you don't want to do? Whew. . .You're normal. Most of us at times have had selective hearing when it comes to what God wants us to do. God calls each of us out of our comfort zones. We are going to begin a series about how God uses ordinary people...characters in scripture will teach us how God teaches us.

The study of the stories of Bible characters can help us in one of two ways:

• Examples to avoid. When we read the Bible we come across people like Jonah who said "no" when God told him to "go." This kind of behavior serves as a warning for us as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:6 and 11: "Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did...Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come."

• Examples to emulate. When we read about what happened in the past, we can also find models to imitate and examples to follow like Elizabeth, the woman we'll be studying as our first "ordinary person." Romans 15:4: "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

Sometimes churches look at themselves and say, "Oh, we can't do this and we can't do that. We don't have the resources." Their vision gets limited by circumstances and instead of taking steps of faith, they take baby steps. I'm reminded of the story of a man who had done something wonderful and the king called him in and told him he could mark off as much of the kingdom as he wanted and it would be his. The man took his staff and traced a line in the dirt around himself. The king watched as he finished and said, "is that all you want?" Just what is in the circle? The man said, "No, I want everything Outside the circle." what if we drew a line around our church buildings and said we want to claim all the territory beyond this place for God?

What is your vision? Where do you fit into God's plan? In your family? Isaiah says that God's people perish because of a lack of vision. What is your vision? Come see what God has for us, as ordinary people, to do to make a difference in our lives, and in that of the world.

October 12 — God Uses Ordinary People: Elizabeth — Luke 1:5-25

While there is actually quite a bit of Scripture devoted to her, she sort of gets lost in the story of the nativity. We tend to skip over her role as the mother of John the Baptist to magnify Mary's significance.

As we take a look at Elizabeth's life, I want to draw out six practical truths that will help us persevere in our prayers and deal with disappointment. If you're looking for one statement that summarizes what I want us to learn, here it is: While you wait for something new, God is working on you.

October 19 — God Uses Ordinary People: Asa — II Chronicles 14:1-14

Most of the tests we face in life come out of the blue, like pop quizzes. Sometimes we can see our examinations coming and we have plenty of time to prepare but other times we're in a situation and we need to decide right then and there what we're going to do, and it's critical that we follow God's directions.

In our continuing study of the ordinary people that God uses, today we're going to look at six exams that a man named Asa took. He scored pretty high on the first ones but his grades took a dive on the final ones. We're going to learn that God strengthens those who are sold out to Him.

October 26 — God Uses Ordinary People: Tabitha — Acts 9:36-42

I want to introduce you today to a woman with three names. She's known as Tabitha, AKA Dorcas Gazelle. "In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor."

Interestingly, we have no record of her words but we do know what she did because her life of servant hood spoke loudly. Jesus gave special importance to women. A disciple was a learner, a follower and one who was determined to be like his or her teacher. In Luke 6:40 we read, "A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." One of the highest compliments someone could pay you is to say, "You act just like Jesus." That could be said of Tabitha.

November 2 — God Uses Ordinary People: Lydia — Acts 16

As we take a look at how God used both closed doors and open doors to impact Europe with the gospel through a businesswoman named Lydia. The apostle Paul is traveling with a team of servants to deliver the decisions made at a special council held in Jerusalem. They're moving from one city to the next to visit churches they've started and to begin new ones. But then, all of a sudden doors start closing.

Lydia was from a town that was famous for making purple dyes. She was probably in charge of their branch office in Philippi. Purple was the color of royalty and were in high demand because people used them as status symbols. It would be like an Armani suit or Tommy Hilfiger clothes today. Her job would have been scandalous to most Jews, because the purple dye came from a shellfish, which was considered unclean. The purple production process involved crushing thousands of crustaceans just to make a yard or two of purple cloth. She was also a "worshiper of God" which meant that she was a Gentile who had decided to follow Judaism and was sincerely seeking spiritual truth. She knew of God but didn't really know God. She was praying but had not yet discovered God's purposes for her life. God is sovereignly at work behind the scenes, even when we're not aware of it.

November 9 — God Uses Ordinary People: Caleb — Numbers 13 and 14

We won't take the time to study all of Numbers 13 and 14, but hope that you will read and study on your own time. What happens here explains why Israel had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. The Israelites are very near the land of promise and so 12 spies are sent out and are gone for 40 days. When they return they report what they saw in verse 13:27: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit."

Before we look at what happens next, remember that these men were supposed to do a survey and report their findings. Period. God has already given them this land. But look at the conjunction they use in verse 28: "But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there..." and again in verse 31: "But the men who had gone up with him said, 'We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are.'" Caleb was just an ordinary person...like you and like me. But he chose to trust an extraordinary God. In 14:24 God celebrates two things about Caleb. First, the Spirit was at work in His life. Second, he was surrendered. Are you spirit-led and are you surrendered? Is there any area of your life in which you are not following Him fully?

November 16 — God Uses Ordinary People: Stephen — Acts 6 and 7

Stephen's preaching led to his martyrdom. Since this is the last message of the series, I want to emphasize again that God loves to use ordinary people, just like you and just like me. Here's the setting. The church is growing and people are coming to Christ but in the process some of the widows were being overlooked. On top of that, there's some friction between two groups from different cultural backgrounds. As a result the disciples gathered everyone together and established that they needed to keep preaching and praying and then seven men are chosen to care for the widows. Among the seven was a servant named Stephen.

And, something we've seen time and again in our study of God's Word, whenever God is at work, opposition rises up. Look at verse 9: "Opposition arose...these men began to argue with Stephen." Verse 10 tells us that they couldn't stand up against "his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke" and so they find some men who lay false charges of blasphemy against him. Everyone gets all stirred up, and Stephen is brought before the Jewish Supreme Court. False witnesses come forward and they're ready to throw him out of the league. We see a contrast right away between their anger and Stephen's sweet spirit in verse 15: "All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like that of an angel."

Stephen now has the opportunity to answer the charges in chapter 7 and in the process provides an outstanding overview of the Old Testament.

Advent and Christmas

November 23, Pre-Advent Sunday — The Christmas Touch — Psalm 23, John 1:1-14

Do you ever wish you had more of a sense of being connected with the people around you? In our fast-paced society, it's difficult to make connections, and we often feel isolated. This feeling can be even more intense at Christmastime. One of the reasons some people are depressed after the holidays is because they fail to connect with others during this season that seems to promise perfect relationships. Busy December schedules filled with parties, shopping, and church activities sometimes seem to rob us of meaningful connections—even with God! But this doesn't have to be the case.

At Christmastime, we celebrate that Christ became human to form a bond between us and God. More than simply being the account of the birth of a baby, Christmas is the story of God extending his loving touch to bring us salvation. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us ... and we have seen his glory" (John 1:14). The story of Christmas continues when we connect with God and connect with others.

November 30, Advent Sunday 1 — Touch Your Neighbors — Luke 2:1-7

The Bethlehem innkeeper was struggling with too many people looking for a place to stay because of the Roman census. Although at his inn there was no room for Christ, this Christmas you can host a neighborhood gathering in the Lord's honor. Since you have experienced the touch of God's compassion, through "holy hospitality" you can make room for Christ—and the people he loves—in your life.

December 7, Advent Sunday 2 — Honor the Overlooked — Luke 2:8-20

The shepherds were not important in the eyes of many people, but God chose to send his angels to them with the divine announcement of "glad tidings." Like the shepherds, there are those around us who are "invisible", such as the homeless, the elderly, and the disadvantaged. Since you have experienced the wonderful touch of God's acceptance, this Christmas season tell these people who often feel like outcasts, "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!"

December 14, Advent Sunday 3 — Love a Family Member — Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph was ready to divorce Mary quietly after discovering she was pregnant. But an angel told him that Mary would give birth to the Son of God, and to take her into his home. The Scriptures tell us that Joseph did what the angel of the Lord told him, even though it probably cost him his reputation. Joseph's expression of love for Mary and Jesus reminds us how important it is to extend Christ's love to family members. Reach out and touch a member of your family this Christmas: Be the hands of God, "who so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten son"—the heart of the Christmas message.

December 21, Advent Sunday 4 — Seek a Fresh Touch from God — Luke 1:5-25

Zechariah served God all of his life as a priest in the temple. However, one special day during his service, he received a message from God—and his life would never be the same! Zechariah's experience of a fresh touch from God can be yours as well. Whether it is the experience of salvation that comes from God or a fresh touch of his renewing grace, like Zechariah you can proclaim, "Praise the Lord! He has sent us a mighty Savior to give light to those who sit in darkness and to guide us to the path of peace."

December 24, Christmas Eve — Reach toward Heaven — Luke 1:26-56

When Mary believed and obeyed God's Word, she said "yes" to God's plan for her, regardless of the consequences. She praised the Lord who keeps his promises and acts in mercy and love for the salvation of his people. You can learn from Mary to give back to the Giver the gift of praise, saying, "The Mighty One has done great things for me."

December 28, New Year's Sunday — Embrace the World — Luke 2:21-35, 39-40

Simeon had been waiting for the coming of Jesus ever since God promised he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, Simeon recognized Jesus and what his coming meant. In the year ahead, ask God to restore in you a Simeon-like vision of salvation for all the world. Like Simeon you can say, "Lord, I have seen the Savior you have given to all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations!" May you experience the touch of God as you make Christ-like connections this Christmas!

John 3:16 close view.
Christmas lights illuminate the church chancel.

Lights illuminate the chancel in preparation for a candlelight Christmas Eve service.

Pastor LaMont Bonath reading scripture during the worship service at the Paoli United Methodist Church.
Pastor LaMont Bonath reading scripture during the worship service at the Paoli United Methodist Church.