Podcast Summary: The Limitless Power of the Ordinary Christian

Podcast: Times Square Church - Sermons
Speaker: Pastor Tim Dilena
Date: November 30, 2025
Episode Theme: Exploring the extraordinary impact ordinary Christians can have when they obey God and rely on the Holy Spirit, using the story of Ananias and Saul’s conversion as the framework.

Overview

Pastor Tim Dilena delivers a deeply encouraging message on Thanksgiving weekend, focusing on how “ordinary Christians” possess limitless power in Christ. Centering around the biblical account of Ananias and Saul in Acts 9, Pastor Tim emphasizes that tremendous, history-shaping impact often comes through the simple obedience of everyday believers. The sermon intertwines biblical exposition, contemporary stories, and practical encouragement, challenging listeners to respond anew to God’s call, no matter their personal weaknesses, past, or current season.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Spirit of Thanksgiving and the Call to Stand (00:00–06:00)

• The episode opens with a rousing call to gratitude, urging the congregation to reflect on the goodness, patience, and mercy of Jesus (“When I think of the goodness of Jesus...my very soul cries out, hallelujah”).
• Pastor Tim explains the dual calling: to be thankful, but also to glorify, grow, and gain ground as witnesses for Christ, using the gatherings of Thanksgiving as an opportunity to influence others for God.

2. The Biblical Basis: Ananias and the Conversion of Saul (06:00–24:00)

• Acts 9: Pastor Tim reads the account where Ananias, an unknown and ordinary disciple, is called by God to visit Saul (later Paul), who is blinded and praying after encountering Jesus on the Damascus Road.
• Key Points:
  • Ananias isn’t a pastor, prophet, leader, or influencer; he’s “just a good Christian” (14:40).
  • His obedience leads Saul—a notorious enemy of Christians—to a miraculous transformation:

    “God will use him for the most impacting and influential conversion to Christianity in human history.” (15:30)

  • Notable Quote:
    • “Let me introduce myself. Very ordinary Christian...with a very extraordinary God.” (16:50)

3. Christianity in the Context of Persecution (24:00–34:00)

• The background to Saul’s conversion is one of violence and persecution. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit and serving others, is murdered for his faith—Saul approves of his execution.
• Statement on Modern Persecution:
  • 380 million Christians globally face high levels of persecution and discrimination.
  • The sermon makes clear that the reality and power of Christian witness is most vital and sustained in contexts of adversity and even suffering.

4. The ‘Suddenly’ of God and the Reality of Resistance (34:00–42:00)

• God still confronts, convicts, and saves people suddenly, as He did Saul.
• The phrase “kicking against the goads” is unpacked:

  “You think you're fighting against me, but you are the one who is suffering...your resistance is hurting you” (38:20)

• Pastor Tim offers encouragement to weary prayers—God is moving unseen on the hearts of resistant loved ones.

Illustrative Story (42:00–47:00)

• Pastor recounts a divine appointment with a taxi driver, showing how everyday encounters can be missions from God— “I was Ananias, I’m sent of God for you.”

5. The Inner Conflict of Obedience (47:00–59:00)

• Ananias’ initial reluctance (“Lord, I've heard from many about this man...”) reflects our own internal battles when prompted to obey God (52:00).
• Kingdom Principle:

  “The road to Damascus needs the response of a disciple.” (54:00)

• God calls by name—He prepares both the ‘Sauls’ and the ‘Ananiases.’
  • “There was a certain disciple in New York City, 51st and Broadway. And his name was...Say your name out loud.” (51:00)

6. Principles for the Ordinary Christian (59:00–1:06:00)

• God moves in unseen ways—we do not perceive all that He prepares (59:15).
• Greatest miracles come from simplest obedience.
• Personal anecdotes illustrate how one simple, faithful action changes lives forever, such as an usher saving a suicidal teen or a parking attendant carrying an elderly woman to church (1:25:00).

7. Our Brokenness and Suffering as Platforms for Impact (1:06:00–1:20:00)

• Pain does NOT disqualify; it qualifies:

  “I will not allow this season of suffering to stop me from serving You.” (1:14:00)

• Uses the metaphor of Kintsugi (Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold) as a picture of how God redeems and uses our brokenness for greater glory.

8. Releasing Grace and Forgiveness (1:20:00–1:26:00)

• Ananias addresses Saul as “Brother Saul”—demonstrating God’s supernatural capacity for grace.
• The church is called to be a haven, even for former enemies (“This is a day and age where people that were haters of the gospel... will come to Christ. And they will need to find... the grace of God,” 1:23:30)

9. Personal Testimonies: The Power of Everyday Obedience (1:26:00–1:37:00)

• Moving stories from Pastor Tim’s own church:
  • A woman in a wheelchair comes to Christ through small acts of kindness and practical help.
  • An usher helps save a suicidal girl and ushers her into faith and new life.
• These affirm the message: “He uses a certain disciple...Just a disciple.”

10. Prayer of Surrender and Renewal (1:37:00+ towards end)

• Pastor Tim concludes with a call to surrender afresh, regardless of one’s pain or season:

  “Here I am, Lord...I will not allow my pain, my suffering, my struggles, my disappointment to stop me from serving you. I'm surrendering to your purposes today.” (1:40:20)

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• On Ordinary Power:
  • “Very ordinary Christian with a very extraordinary God.” (16:50)
• On Purpose:
  • “The road to Damascus needs the response of a disciple.” (54:00)
• On Brokenness:
  • “He empties us to fill us... If we allow God to do his deeper work in us through the seasons of our suffering... our wounds and our fractures are therefore not a shame, but a part of our story.” (1:16:15)
• On Grace:
  • “The one that has begun a good work, he will perform it. The abuse won't define you. The brokenness won't define you...the one that is in you is greater and God is putting you back together.” (1:43:30)

Important Timestamps

• Opening Thanksgiving and Introduction of Theme: 00:00–06:00
• Acts 1 & 9—Call and Obedience: 06:00–24:00
• Persecution Then and Now: 24:00–34:00
• Suddenly Moments and Taxi Testimony: 34:00–47:00
• The Inner Conflict and Obedience: 47:00–59:00
• Principles for Impact & Poema: 59:00–1:06:00
• Our Brokenness, Suffering, and Kintsugi Metaphor: 1:06:00–1:20:00
• Grace for Enemies—“Brother Saul” & Church Welcome: 1:20:00–1:26:00
• Personal Testimonies of Ordinary Miracles: 1:26:00–1:37:00
• A Call to Surrender and Closing Prayer: 1:37:00–end

Closing Summary

Pastor Tim Dilena’s message, “The Limitless Power of the Ordinary Christian,” delivers a stirring reminder: God delights in using the unnamed, the ordinary, and even the broken to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Through biblical illustration and powerful real-life testimonies, he calls every believer to say anew, “Here I am, Lord,” trusting that God’s power works best through our simple obedience and our surrendered, even wounded, lives. The episode concludes with a heartfelt collective prayer for fresh surrender, renewal, and impact—reminding listeners that no past or pain disqualifies them from God’s calling.