4 THINGS TO HELP ORDINARY PEOPLE LIVE EXTRAORDINARY LIVES

4 THINGS TO HELP ORDINARY PEOPLE LIVE EXTRAORDINARY LIVES

1 Corinthians 1:23-31, Mark 1:29-31

Pastor Rick Jackson

I recently heard a message on the apostle Paul called “The World’s Greatest Christian.” It was a good message, it encouraged me in the Lord but at the same time I think I will never be “The World’s Greatest Christian.” So, it is good for me to see a more ordinary man, like Andrew, lead such an extraordinary life. God can use men like the apostle Paul but God can also use us. God can use Gideon who was fearful, Jonah who was obstinate, the woman at the well who had a bad reputation which she actually deserved and a whole host of others. It’s not us, it’s Him. It’s not our power, it’s His power. It’s not the specialness of me it’s the specialness of Him. In short, God can use ordinary people to live extraordinary lives.

I. DEMONSTRATE HUMILITY [Mt. 10:2, Mk. 3:13-19, Lk. 6:14, James 4:6]

Of the 13 times hi is mentioned by name in the New Testament 8 times he is linked with Simon, 2 with Philip, 2 with the 12. "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." -Harry S Truman

II. DEVOTION TO JESUS [Mt. 4:18-20, Mk. 13:1-4, Jn. 1:35-39, 1 Cor. 11:1]

Others and things did not stop him from following Jesus.

The test of your faith is what it takes to stop you.

Develop some “spizerinkem!”

III. DISCERNMENT [Mk. 3:16-18, Jn. 1:40-42, 6:19, 12:20-22, Lk. 19:10]

IV. DEDICATION [Acts 1”1-14, 2 Tm. 4:6-8]

What someone has labeled “stick-to-itiveness”

Dr. J.R. Faulkner used to say, “the value of the postage stamp consist in its ability to stick to something until it gets there.” Be like the postage stamp; finish the race that you’ve started! Focus on the Present “Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”