The Power of Ordinary People: Three Details That Transform How We Follow Jesus

Ever feel like you're not important enough to make a real difference? Like the big, world-changing stuff is reserved for pastors, missionaries, or people way more qualified than you? I get it. When we read Bible stories about the early church spreading across the world, it's easy to think, "Well, that's cool for them, but I'm just... me."

But here's what's so beautiful about Acts 11: the church in Antioch—one of the most influential churches in early Christianity—wasn't started by the apostles. It was started by regular people. People like you and me.

Regular People, Extraordinary God

After Stephen was killed and persecution broke out in Jerusalem, believers scattered everywhere. Some ended up in Antioch, the third-largest city in the Roman Empire. And what did they do? They just talked to people about Jesus. That's it. No formal training, no special credentials. Just everyday people sharing the good news wherever life took them.

And Acts 11:21 says, "The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord."

The qualification wasn't their résumé—it was God's presence in their lives. That's the only thing that mattered. And honestly? That's still the only thing that matters.

Barnabas: Truth + Grace in Perfect Balance

When the church in Jerusalem heard about what was happening in Antioch, they sent Barnabas to check it out. And when he arrived, he "was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts."

The word "encouraged" here is beautiful—it's a combination of coming alongside someone (grace) and calling them toward truth. Barnabas wasn't just patting them on the back saying, "Good job, guys." He was lovingly challenging them to keep going, to stay faithful, to not settle for mediocrity.

We need both in our lives. Grace without truth makes us soft and complacent. Truth without grace makes us harsh and legalistic. But when we have people in our lives who love us enough to speak truth and patient enough to walk with us through it? That's when real growth happens.

So Different, They Needed a New Word

Acts 11:26 says, "The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."

Why? Because this church was unlike anything anyone had ever seen. Jews and Gentiles—people who historically hated each other—worshiping together. Rich and poor. Different cultures, different backgrounds. All united under Jesus.

The people of Antioch didn't know what to call this group. They were so odd, so compassionate, so radically devoted to Jesus that a new word had to be invented: Christians. "Those Christ-people."

What if we lived like that today? So generously, so kindly, so counter-culturally that people didn't know what to do with us? Not weird for the sake of being weird, but different because Jesus has genuinely transformed us.

This Week, Try This

1. Stop waiting for permission. You don't need a theology degree or a special calling to share Jesus with people. The Holy Spirit in you is all the qualification you need. Ask God this week, "Who can I encourage? Who needs to hear about your goodness?"
2. Find your Barnabas. Who in your life speaks both truth and grace to you? If you don't have someone like that, ask God to bring that person into your life. And consider: who can you be a Barnabas to?
3. Live so differently, people ask questions. This week, be intentionally kind, patient, and generous. Let your life raise questions that open doors to talk about Jesus.

You're More Important Than You Think

Here's the bottom line: you matter more than you'll ever know. You don't have to be Peter or Paul to make an impact. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things all the time. The early church didn't grow because of a few superstars—it grew because regular people said yes to God and lived out the Gospel wherever they were.

At Indy Metro, we're learning together what it means to be a church where everyone matters and everyone contributes. We're not perfect, but we're committed to this: that every single person has something to offer, and God wants to use you right where you are.

Come join us. If you're looking for a church where you won't just sit in the back and spectate, but where you'll be encouraged to step into who God created you to be, we'd love to have you. Come as you are this Sunday—let's figure out this whole "being the church" thing together.