And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

A. The power of one committed person is absolutely incredible.

B. Every individual can make a difference if he/she will be obedient and allow God to use him/her.

C. A person can do as much as he/she is willing to do with his/her gifts, abilities, and means.

D. One person can save an entire nation of people, or prevent a nation from being destroyed.

E. Nations can be impacted by one person’s commitment to the Lord.

F. We are responsible for the power entrusted to us; we must use our power for the Lord.

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II. OLD TESTAMENT PEOPLE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE

A. Abraham

1. Abraham is first introduced in the Bible as Abram.

2. The name Abram means “High Father.”

3. Abram was a man from a culture of people who worshipped idols.

4. He was from Ur of the Chaldees. (Genesis 11:28; Genesis 15:7)

5. God asked him to come out from everything familiar to him and to trust the Lord. (Genesis 12:1)

6. The Lord knew that He was going to make a covenant with both Abraham and his descendants, who would be as numerous as the sands of the sea shore and the stars of the sky.

7. The Lord promised Abram the land upon which his feet walked. (Genesis 13:14-17)

8. The Lord promised to make a great nation from Abram.  (Genesis 12:2)

9. God knew that Abram would direct his children and descendants in the ways of the Lord.

10. God told Abram to change his name from Abram to Abraham. (Genesis 17:5)

11. The name Abraham means “Father of a multitude.”

12. Against hope, Abraham believed in hope and saw God’s promise begin to unfold in his life. (Romans 4:18)

13. He did not consider his body which was not conducive to reproduction, nor did he consider Sarah’s inability to reproduce.

(Romans 4:19)

14. He did not stagger at the magnitude of God’s promise. (Romans 4:20)

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15. He was fully persuaded that God had the power and ability to fulfill His promise. (Romans 4:21)

16. God asked Abraham to take a journey with Him; Abraham did.

17. Abraham was called God’s His friend. (James 2:23)

18. At times, God identified Himself as the God of Abraham,

Isaac, and Jacob. (Deuteronomy 1:8; Deuteronomy 9:5)

19. Through the power of God, Abraham became the father of those who believe. (Romans 4:11)

20. He is the great patriarch of Israel.

B. Isaac

1. The name Isaac means “laughter.”

2. Isaac is the child who, naturally speaking, should not have been.

3. Isaac followed in his father’s footsteps, inheriting and believing in the promise of God.

4. Isaac’s wife was also barren until he went before God in her behalf. (Genesis 25:21)

5. From this one man and his wife, two nations were birthed.  (Genesis 25:22-23)

C. Jacob

1. The name Jacob means “a supplanter.”

2. A supplanter is one who displaces and takes the place of another.

3. God had shown Jacob’s mother that he would become a greater nation than his brother Esau.
(Genesis 25:23)

4. Although deception played a major role in some of the events

of Jacob’s life, God chose him to produce the nation of Israel.

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5. Jacob’s two wives and two concubines gave birth to twelve

sons who produced the twelve tribes of Israel.

6. Jacob’s tenacity and desire brought about a name change for him. (Genesis 32:24-28)

D. Joseph

1. The name Joseph means “may God add.”

2. God showed Joseph, through dreams, that he would one day be in a position of authority.
(Genesis 37:5-10)

3. Joseph’s brothers resented him and plotted to kill him; instead, they sold him as a slave.
 (Genesis 37:19-28)

4. Joseph kept a good attitude and excelled in whatever he did.

5. He was falsely accused and cast into prison, but he kept his good attitude
and was soon in charge of the prisoners.

6. His gift to interpret dreams resulted in his release from prison and becoming a great
 ruler in the land of Egypt.

7. Through Joseph, God spared nations as they went through a seven-year famine.

8. One man dedicated to God’s purpose spared the lives of many.

E. Moses

1. The name Moses means “drawn out.”

2. Moses had a death sentence upon him at the time of his birth; God had a different plan. (Exodus 1:22)

3. Moses was a proper child. (Exodus 2:2)

4. He was a baby destined to survive in a basket of bulrushes.

5. He was found in the river and brought to Pharoah’s daughter,

who hired his biological mother to rear him. (Exodus 2:5-9)

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6. Although he was brought up in the culture of Egypt (a nation of idol worshippers),
his own mother taught him his true identity.

7. After Moses fled from Pharoah and was living in Midian, the Lord revealed Himself
 to Moses as “I AM that I AM.”

(The present-tense God; Exodus 3:14)

8. God called Moses to lead His people out of bondage. (Exodus 3:6-10)

9. He sent him back to Egypt with the power to bring forth a nation that had not
previously existed. This nation was a people exclusively chosen by God for God—Israel.

10. By the power of God, Moses delivered the children of Israel out of bondage and formed
them into a nation.

F. Joshua

1. The name Joshua means “the Lord is salvation.”

2. For many years Joshua served Moses. (Exodus 24:13)

3. Joshua spent much time in the presence of the Lord.

4. He was one of the two faithful spies that came back with a good report. (Numbers 14:6-10)

5. Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. (Deuteronomy 34:9)

6. God selected Joshua to be Moses’ successor. (Deuteronomy 3:28)

7. Through Joshua’s leadership, the nation of Israel entered into and possessed the
land that God had promised to their ancestors.

8. Through one man’s leadership, an entire nation received its inheritance.

G. Deborah

1. The name Deborah means “wasp or bee.”

2. Deborah was a prophetess of God. (Judges 4:4)

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3. She was the only female judge of Israel.

4. Deborah, through divine inspiration, counseled Barak to go fight against Sisera,
the captain of Jabin’s army. Jabin was the king of Canaan and reigned in the city of Hazor.

(Judges 4:6-7)

5. Barak refused to follow the word of the Lord unless Deborah agreed to accompany
him in battle. She did. (Judges 4:8-9)

6. Through Deborah’s courage and dedication to the Lord, Israel was delivered from its enemy’s control.

7. Through one woman’s influence, a general and his army delivered their nation from
the oppression of the enemy.

H. Gideon

1. The name Gideon means “warrior.”

2. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he was hiding in a wine vat threshing wheat.
(Judges 6:11)

3. The Lord did not call Gideon a coward; He called him a “mighty man of valor.” He saw the
 finished product. (Judges 6:12)

4. Gideon obeyed God’s call and led Israel to a great victory; they subdued their enemy.

5. By the power of God, Gideon led an army to victory, using spiritual weapons, thus proving
that victory is not the result of might or power; it comes by the Spirit of God.

6. Gideon’s present circumstance did not prevent God’s power from being manifested in his
life and leadership.

I. Abigail

1. The name Abigail means “my father rejoices.”

2. Abigail was a woman of good understanding and of a beautiful countenance. (I Samuel 25:3)

3. Although Abigail was married to a harsh, strong-willed, and evil man, she did what was
right and saved her household.

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4. Abigail’s quick response and godly counsel not only saved her household, but it also prevented
David from marring his name by taking vengeance on Nabal.

5. Abigail later became the wife of King David. (I Samuel 25:40)

6. One’s position in life does not limit God’s power from operating through him/her.
Lives can be changed or spared through one person’s actions.

J. David

1. The name David means “beloved.”

2. David was a shepherd, not just a giant slayer. (I Samuel 16:11)

3. He was under authority before he became the authority. (I Samuel 18:5)

4. By the power of God, David became the greatest king in the history of Israel.

5. It was with King David that God made a covenant that produced an eternal ruler
over God’s people. (II Samuel 7:11-16)

6. David was known as a man after God’s own heart. (I Samuel 13:5; Acts 13:22)

7. Through one man, who was viewed as insignificant among his family, God established
 an earthly kingdom and an eternal throne.

K. Ruth

1. The name Ruth means “friendship.”

2. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi won her a place in the lineage of Jesus.

3. Although Ruth was a Moabitess and a widow, these circumstances did not hinder her
from fulfilling God’s purpose for her life.

4. She was later married to Boaz and became the mother of

Obed, who was the father of Jesse and grandfather of King David. (Ruth 4:13-17)

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5. Ruth refused to succumb to circumstances, and found redemption for both herself
 and her mother-in-law.

6. Through commitment and hard work, Ruth gained favor and freedom.

L. Esther

1. The name Esther means “a star.”

2. Esther was a Jewish girl in a nation of idol worshippers.

3. The Jews had been taken captive by the Medes and Persians.

Many had been brought to the palace at Shushan.

4. Esther was one of many young virgins who had been chosen as a candidate for queen of Persia.

5. Esther received favor from the eunuch who was in charge of the women. (Esther 2:8-9)

6. She was submissive and obedient to the authorities over her—Mordecai and Heggai.

7. She was selected to become the queen of the Persian Empire. (Esther 2:17)

8. She was opposed by an anti-Christ spirit operating through Haman; he hated the Jews.

9. Esther was placed in the position of queen by God for the purpose of delivering His
chosen people from complete annihilation.

10. She was chosen to have great influence during the reign of a great empire.

11. Through God’s power and Esther’s commitment, her people were saved from utter destruction.

A. Mary

1. The name Mary means “bitter.”

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2. Mary was a young Jewish girl in the time that Rome “ruled” the world.

3. She was engaged to be married to Joseph when an angel was sent from God with
the news of God’s plan for her life.

(Luke 1:26-33)

4. She responded to the angel by saying, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it
unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38)

5. Mary is the young virgin who gave birth to the Messiah—Jesus.

6. Mary kept the things that the angel had spoken unto her in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

7. She was with Jesus at His birth; she was with Him at His death; and she was with Him
after His resurrection.

8. Mary believed that Jesus was God’s own Son, and she received Him as her personal Savior.

9. The child Mary delivered was sent by God to deliver all who would believe upon Him
 and His Father Who sent Him.

10. By the power of God, Mary gave birth to and mothered the Son of God.

B. Jesus

1. The name Jesus means “Jehovah is salvation.”

2. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

3. Jesus humbled Himself and became a man. (Philippians 2:5-8)

4. He was born of a virgin and grew up into manhood.

5. He was tempted in all the ways that we are tempted, yet He never sinned. Hebrews 4:15)

6. He served His Father in an unprecedented ministry.

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7. His miraculous ministry caused the religious order of the day to become jealous.

8. Through the influence of the religious leaders, He was crucified by the Romans;
He was the spotless Lamb of God.

9. He was God’s ultimate and perfect sacrifice.

10. He died and was buried in the borrowed tomb of a rich man. (Matthew 27:57-60)

11. He resurrected from the dead; He is the firstborn of many brothers. He began a godly
seed (the Church) in earth that is growing into a powerful nation. (Matthew 28:5-6; I Peter 2:9)

12. He has ascended into heaven and taken His seat at the right hand of the Father. (Acts 1:9)

13. Through the power of God and His Son’s commitment, Jesus became the Savior of the world.

C. Peter

1. The name Peter means “rock.”

2. Peter was the outspoken disciple of Jesus.

3. Because of Peter’s commitment to Jesus, he left his trade of fishing and became one
of the twelve apostles of Jesus.

4. Peter received the revelation of Who Jesus was, the Christ. He later denied knowing Jesus;
afterward, he repented and became a major factor in the newly founded Church of Jesus.

5. Peter did many exploits for the Lord.

6. Through Peter, the gospel of Jesus was presented to the Gentiles. (Acts 10)

7. Through one man, whom the religious world recognized as ignorant and unlearned, came
the gospel of Jesus that resulted in the salvation of three thousand people at one setting.

D. Paul

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1. The name Paul means “small or little.”

2. Saul of Tarsus was a Jew and a Roman citizen. (Acts 22:25-28)

3. He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees, which was the strictest religious order of the day. (Acts 23:6)

4. Paul was loyal to the law of Moses and zealously opposed those who believed in Jesus
as the Christ (Messiah).

5. He took it upon himself to become the tormentor and persecutor of Christians.

6. God saw and loved Paul; He gave him the opportunity to believe in Jesus and be converted.

7. As Paul was traveling to Damascus, the Lord spoke to him personally. The dead letter
of the law became alive in the person of Jesus.

8. He rescued Paul from his prideful, religious, and self-righteous life.

9. Paul hid himself away in God for a season. (Galatians 1:15-18)

10. He became knowledgable of Jesus by the Spirit.

11. He came forth in a powerful ministry that cost him everything.

12. By the power of God, Paul received revelation of the redemptive

work of Jesus.

13. He was inspired to write most of the books in the New Testament.

14. Through this one man, people are still learning what Jesus

did for them when He became the sacrifice for all humanity.

A. We are responsible for the power entrusted to us; we must use our power for the Lord.

B. Through the power of God, Abraham became the father of our faith.

C. From Isaac, two nations were born.

D. From Jacob, the twelve tribes which comprise the nation of Israel came forth.

E. Joseph spared nations; Moses delivered and began a nation.

F. Joshua led God’s people into and possessed the Promised Land.

G. Deborah and Gideon played major roles in God’s deliverance of the nation of Israel from
the oppression of the enemy.

H. Abigail’s impact on David prevented him from taking matters into his own hands and marring his name.

I. Ruth and Esther’s commitment produced positive results, not only for themselves,
 but also for others as they fulfilled God’s

purpose for their lives.

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J. Mary’s submissiveness resulted in the birth of the Messiah.

K. Jesus’ submissiveness resulted in the redemption of humanity.

L. Peter’s commitment and boldness played a major role in the spreading of the
gospel of Jesus Christ.

M. Paul’s zeal for the Lord was rewarded with revelation. Through his revelation,
we learn about redemption and how it personally applies to those who believe.

N. Through you, many can be impacted for the Lord Jesus Christ.

O. The harvest is ready; are you?

A. Through these many biblical examples, we have learned the

impact one person can have on people and nations.

B. The power of one is dependent upon the commitment of one.

C. Commitment to God is followed by ministry for God. Ministry

for God that is ordained by God will produce powerful results.

D. Do all you know, and you will be all you can be.