When God Transforms the Ordinary:

In a world that often values credentials, education, and status, there's something remarkable about how God chooses to work through ordinary people. The story of Peter and John in Acts 4 reveals a profound truth that continues to transform lives today - it's not about what we bring to the table, but about who we've been with. Taken From Ryne Strouth and Bill Malotte message on Sunday May 24, 2026.

What Made Peter and John Different?

When the religious leaders questioned Peter and John about their bold preaching and miraculous healing, they made a startling observation. These weren't seminary-trained theologians or respected religious scholars. The scripture tells us they were "unschooled, ordinary men" - simple fishermen who had left their nets to follow Jesus.

"'When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.'" - Acts 4:13 New Living Translation (NLT)

The religious authorities were astonished not by their education or eloquence, but by their courage and the undeniable power they carried. The only explanation was that these men had been with Jesus.

How Does God Use Broken Lives for His Glory?

This same principle applies today in powerful ways. Consider the transformation that happens when someone truly encounters Jesus - not just intellectually, but personally. Their past doesn't disqualify them; it becomes part of their testimony.

The beauty of God's redemptive work is that He doesn't wait for us to clean ourselves up first. He meets us exactly where we are - in our addiction, our brokenness, our failures - and begins the work of transformation from the inside out.

The Power of Personal Testimony

When someone has genuinely been with Jesus, it shows. Their life becomes a living testimony of God's transforming power. They can't help but speak about what they've experienced, just like Peter and John couldn't stop talking about the resurrection they had witnessed.

This is why personal testimony is so powerful in ministry. When someone who has walked through the depths of addiction, crime, or despair shares how Jesus rescued them, it carries an authority that no amount of education can provide.

What Does True Transformation Look Like?

Real transformation isn't just about behavior modification or willpower. It's about a complete change of heart and identity. The scripture tells us: "'This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!'" - 2 Corinthians 5:17 New Living Translation (NLT)

From Selfish to Serving

One of the clearest signs of genuine transformation is when someone moves from being self-centered to others-focused. Addiction, at its core, is about taking - taking substances, taking from family, taking whatever is needed to feed the addiction. But when Jesus transforms a life, that person begins to give back.

This is why outreach becomes such a crucial component of recovery. When former addicts return to the streets where they once lived, not to buy drugs but to offer hope, it demonstrates the complete reversal that Christ brings to a life.

Why Does God Choose the Unlikely?

God has a pattern of choosing the unlikely candidates for His work. He chose Moses, who had a speech impediment, to be His spokesman. He chose David, the youngest shepherd boy, to be king. He chose fishermen to be His apostles.

When God uses someone with a criminal record, a history of addiction, or a broken past, it removes any doubt about where the power comes from. No one can attribute their success to their own abilities or background. It's clearly the work of God.

The Testimony of Changed Lives

When someone with 55 felonies becomes a pastor and chaplain, when a homeless addict becomes a ministry leader, when the hopeless find hope - these transformations point directly to the power of Jesus. They become living proof that no one is too far gone for God's grace.

How Can We Support Those in Recovery?

For those who have family members or friends struggling with addiction, there are important principles to understand:

Stop Trying to Be Their Savior

As difficult as it is, we must recognize that we cannot save our loved ones. Only Jesus can do that work. Our attempts to rescue them often become enabling that actually prevents them from hitting the bottom they need to reach before they'll seek help.

Practice Tough Love

Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is to stop enabling destructive behavior. This doesn't mean we stop loving them - it means we love them enough to let them face the consequences of their choices.

Never Stop Praying

Even when we have to love from a distance, we never stop interceding for them. God's promises remain true regardless of how far someone has fallen. He is still in pursuit of every lost soul.

What Role Does Community Play in Transformation?

Transformation rarely happens in isolation. Just as Peter and John had each other and the community of believers, those in recovery need a supportive community that believes in their potential for change.

This is where the church plays a vital role. When we welcome those with broken pasts, when we see them through the lens of redemption rather than condemnation, we become part of God's transforming work in their lives.

The Importance of Mentorship

New believers, especially those coming out of addiction, need mature Christians to walk alongside them. They need people who will disciple them, teach them, and help them navigate their new life in Christ.

Life Application

The message of transformation through Jesus is not just for those struggling with addiction - it's for all of us. Whether you're dealing with addiction, broken relationships, past failures, or simply feeling ordinary and unqualified, remember that God specializes in using unlikely people for His extraordinary purposes.

This week, consider how God might want to use your story - including the broken parts - to reach others. Your past doesn't disqualify you; it might be exactly what someone else needs to hear to believe that change is possible.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I trying to be someone's savior instead of pointing them to Jesus?
• How has God transformed areas of my own life that seemed hopeless?
• Who in my life needs to hear that no one is too far gone for God's grace?
• How can I support ministries that reach those society has written off?

Remember, it's not about being perfect or having all the answers. It's about being with Jesus and allowing His transforming power to work through your ordinary life in extraordinary ways.