"The Unique Among the Common, God's Purpose for the Outliers" Acts

[@sgarrett]

Passout Sheet for Bible Study on The Unique Among the Common, God's Purpose for the Outliers
Speaker: Pastor Ricky Allen at Bethany Covenant Church
Date: July 1, 2024
Summary:
This sermon discusses what it means to be a Christian in a world that often goes against Christian beliefs. The speaker uses the story from Acts 19:13-17 to discuss how even those who try to imitate Christianity without a true connection to Jesus Christ will be exposed. True Christians, however, will stand out because of their faith and their connection to God. This will have a positive impact on the world around them.
Outline:
Introduction (1:00 - 3:22)
The speaker begins by talking about how Christians can feel different from the people around them.
He uses the phrase "built different" to describe this feeling.
He shares a story about an encounter with someone who noticed his faith.
Imitators vs. True Christians (3:23 - 12:42)
The speaker warns about people who try to imitate Christianity for their own gain.
These people may appear to be holy, but their intentions are not pure.
He uses the story of a man who offered him a job with bad intentions to illustrate this point.
True Christians, on the other hand, have a genuine connection with Jesus Christ.
The Outlier's Position (12:43 - 17:40)
The speaker uses the term "outlier" to describe Christians.
He refers to scripture to show that Christians are separate from the world. (1 Peter 2:9)
This difference should be a source of pride for Christians, because it means they are following God's will.
The Outlier's Impact (17:41 - 23:22)
The speaker uses the story from Acts 19:13-17 to discuss the impact that Christians can have.
In the story, seven sons of Sceva try to exorcise a demon by invoking Jesus' name, but they are unsuccessful because they don't have a true connection to him.
This encounter shows that evil spirits recognize true Christians.
True Christians can have a positive impact on the world by sharing their faith.
Conclusion (23:23 - 27:36)
The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a relationship with Jesus Christ.
He encourages listeners to consider getting baptized and studying the Bible.
The sermon ends with a prayer.
Discussion Questions:
How can you tell the difference between someone who is imitating Christianity and someone who has a true connection to Jesus Christ?
How can you share your faith with others in a way that is genuine and impactful?
What are some challenges you face in living a Christian life in a world that often goes against Christian beliefs?