Stand with me and raise up your Bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.
Message today is on Uncommon Power: Living as a Divine Witness to God’s Strength
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-12
"Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (1 Peter 2:11-12, NIV)
In a world obsessed with power, success, and influence, we are often led to believe that true strength lies in wealth, position, or status.
But God’s power is something entirely different—uncommon power, a divine strength that is made perfect in weakness. It’s the power to live a life of integrity, humility, and love in a world that often glorifies selfishness and pride.
Today, we will explore the power that transforms not only our lives but also the lives of those around us, drawing them closer to God. This power is found not in our abilities, but in our willingness to reflect Christ through our actions, especially in a world that desperately needs His light.
The Story of Ruth: A Life Marked by Uncommon Power Allow me to tell you the story of Ruth, a woman whose life radiated uncommon power. Ruth was a teacher who worked in a corporate environment where ambition, corruption, and dishonesty ran rampant. Colleagues routinely sabotaged one another for personal gain, and the idea of kindness or truth seemed naive. But Ruth stood firm in her faith. While everyone around her focused on getting ahead by any means necessary, Ruth quietly but powerfully lived out her values—values rooted in God’s Word.
One day, Sarah, a colleague who had long mocked Ruth’s faith, came to her in despair. Sarah’s mother had been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and the doctors had given up all hope. Ruth, knowing the power of prayer and trusting in God's ability to heal, offered to pray for Sarah’s mother.
Initially, Sarah was skeptical, laughing at the idea of prayer. But seeing no other option, Sarah reluctantly agreed.
Ruth prayed, not for show but from the depth of her faith. She asked God for a miracle, trusting that He was capable of doing what no doctor could.
A few days later, Sarah returned to Ruth, overwhelmed. "I don’t know how to explain it," she said, her voice trembling. "My mother is alive! The doctors don’t know what happened, but she’s getting better." Sarah was astonished, and in that moment, she realized that Ruth’s faith was not just a belief—it was a power that changed lives.
Ruth’s example of living a life of unwavering faith, even in the face of adversity, became the very message that led Sarah to Christ. Ruth didn’t need to preach a sermon or argue her faith. She lived it. Her good deeds, her kindness, and her steadfast belief in God’s ability to intervene became the powerful testimony that pointed Sarah to the truth.
Living with Uncommon Power: The apostle Peter calls us to live "good lives" in a world that is increasingly hostile to our faith.
But what does it mean to live a “good life” in the midst of opposition, temptation, and trials? It means living with uncommon power—a power that doesn’t come from the world but from God alone. Peter reminds us that we are "foreigners and exiles" in this world. We do not belong to its systems, its priorities, or its values. Our citizenship is in heaven, and our lives should reflect the glory of the One to whom we belong.
This uncommon power is a strength that helps us resist sinful desires—the desires that wage war against our souls.
It’s the power to forgive when we are wronged, to love when others hate, and to serve when others seek to be served.
It’s the strength to be humble when the world tells us to fight for our place. It’s the power to speak truth in a world of lies, and to stand firm in our faith when the pressure to compromise is overwhelming.
The power Peter speaks of is not a flashy, forceful power. It is a quiet strength that, though invisible to the world, is undeniably present.
It is a life that reflects Christ in every action, in every word, and in every choice. It is a life that others can look at and say, “There is something different about you. I want to know what you have.”
Peter’s words challenge us to live in such a way that even those who criticize or accuse us of wrongdoing will eventually see our good deeds and glorify God. This is not about winning arguments; it’s about winning hearts.
Our actions, our lives, should be a living testimony of God’s goodness and grace, compelling others to turn to Him.
Stepping Into Uncommon Power Perhaps today you’re feeling weak or discouraged.
You’ve tried to live a righteous life, but the world’s pressure is overwhelming.
Perhaps you’re facing persecution, opposition, or simply the weariness of living in a culture that doesn’t understand your values.
But I want you to hear this today: God has already given you His power. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you through His Holy Spirit. You don’t have to fight these battles on your own. When you live for Him, He equips you with everything you need to stand firm, to endure, and to thrive.
If today, you recognize that you need this uncommon power to live the life God has called you to, I invite you to respond.
If you’ve never surrendered your life to Christ, now is the time. Or if you’ve grown weary, if you feel far from God, He is ready to empower you once more.
Today, let His strength become your strength.
Altar Call: I invite you to come forward today. If you need the power of Christ to transform your life, to give you the strength to live for Him, now is your moment.
If you have never given your heart to Christ, or if you want to recommit your life to Him, come and receive the power that only He can give.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You today, recognizing that our strength is limited, but Your power is limitless. We confess that we have often relied on our own strength, but today we surrender to Your power. We ask that You fill us with the Holy Spirit and empower us to live lives that reflect Your love, truth, and goodness. Help us to be a witness to the world around us, not by our words alone, but by our actions, our choices, and the way we live. We trust that Your power is at work within us, and we are ready to be a reflection of Your greatness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
If you are ready to step into that uncommon power today, don’t wait—come forward. This is your time to receive the power of Christ and to begin living as a bold witness for Him.
Let us pray.
