Embracing Greatness Through Small Acts of Faith
Summary
The sermon focuses on the concept of greatness in God's kingdom, emphasizing the importance of small acts of faith, obedience, and kindness. The pastor uses Luke 19:17 as a reference, which states that those who are faithful in small matters will be entrusted with greater responsibilities. He shares personal anecdotes and biblical stories to illustrate how small acts can lead to significant outcomes in God's kingdom. For instance, he recounts the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with just five loaves and two fish, emphasizing that multiplication miracles happen when we present our resources to God, even if they seem insignificant.
The pastor also shares personal experiences of witnessing miracles and healings around the world, attributing these to God's doing and not his own. He highlights the story of Naaman, a man with leprosy who almost missed his miracle because he was offended by the prophet's simple instruction to wash in a dirty river seven times. This story underscores the importance of obedience and faith in experiencing miracles and blessings. The pastor also shares a personal story about his middle son who was becoming distant from his faith. After the pastor and his wife engaged in an act of worship in their son's room, their son expressed a desire to go on a 21-day fast and eventually became a youth pastor at their church.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating the small acts of kindness and faithfulness in our lives. He encourages the congregation not to overlook the significance of seemingly insignificant actions, such as helping a neighbor or showing compassion to others. He also highlights the supernatural power of love, kindness, and generosity, stating that these qualities are demonstrations of the greatness of God's kingdom. The pastor concludes by affirming that the Lord and the congregation celebrate the greatness of each individual, even in the midst of challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pastor also discusses the importance of kindness and how it can lead to greatness. He references Jesus's teaching in Matthew 25, where Jesus emphasizes the significance of acts of kindness and compassion. The pastor shares a personal reflection on the power of sitting with someone who is sick, rather than just focusing on miraculous healing. He encourages those who may feel defeated in their pursuit of breakthroughs for others, reminding them that sometimes the act of being present and showing kindness is a representation of greatness in the eyes of God.
Key Takeaways:
- Small acts of faith and obedience can lead to significant outcomes in God's kingdom. This is illustrated in the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with just five loaves and two fish, showing that multiplication miracles happen when we present our resources to God, even if they seem insignificant. ([12:45])
- Obedience and faith are crucial in experiencing miracles and blessings. The story of Naaman, who almost missed his miracle because he was offended by the prophet's simple instruction, underscores this point. ([22:30])
- Recognizing and celebrating the small acts of kindness and faithfulness in our lives is important. These seemingly insignificant actions, such as helping a neighbor or showing compassion to others, can have a profound impact and be catalysts for great moments in history. ([34:15])
- Kindness can lead to greatness. Jesus's teaching in Matthew 25, where He emphasizes the significance of acts of kindness and compassion, supports this. Sometimes, the act of being present and showing kindness is a representation of greatness in the eyes of God. ([45:50])
- Small acts can release great things. This is illustrated by the pastor's personal story about his middle son who, after the pastor and his wife engaged in an act of worship in his room, expressed a desire to go on a 21-day fast and eventually became a youth pastor at their church. This story reminds us not to despise the day of small beginnings. ([57:20])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 19:17: "Well done, my good servant!" his master replied. "Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities."
2. Zechariah 4:10: "Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?"
3. Matthew 25:32-40: "All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of being trustworthy in small matters as mentioned in Luke 19:17?
2. In Zechariah 4:10, what does it mean to despise the day of small things?
3. What acts of kindness are highlighted in Matthew 25:32-40 and how are they rewarded?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does being faithful in small matters relate to being entrusted with greater responsibilities as seen in Luke 19:17?
2. How does Zechariah 4:10 encourage us not to overlook the significance of small beginnings?
3. How does Matthew 25:32-40 illustrate the importance of acts of kindness and compassion in God's kingdom?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you were faithful in a small matter and saw it lead to greater responsibility or blessing? How did that experience shape your understanding of faithfulness?
2. What is one small act of kindness you can commit to doing this week, and how might it reflect the love of God to others?
3. Reflect on a time when you felt your small acts were insignificant. How does Zechariah 4:10 change your perspective on those moments?
4. How can you apply the lessons from Matthew 25:32-40 in your interactions with those who are in need around you?
5. Can you think of a person in your life who might be overlooked or marginalized? What is one specific way you can show them kindness this week?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Small Acts of Faith
In God's kingdom, even the smallest acts of faith and obedience can lead to significant outcomes. This is beautifully illustrated in the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with just five loaves and two fish, showing that multiplication miracles happen when we present our resources to God, even if they seem insignificant ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lpIE97tzbA&t=750s)).
Zechariah 4:10 - "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin..."
Reflection: Reflect on a small act of faith you can take today. How can you present your resources, no matter how small, to God?
Day 2: The Importance of Obedience and Faith
Obedience and faith are crucial in experiencing miracles and blessings. The story of Naaman, who almost missed his miracle because he was offended by the prophet's simple instruction, underscores this point ([22:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lpIE97tzbA&t=1335s)).
1 Samuel 15:22 - "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice..."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are resisting obedience to God? How can you surrender and trust Him in this area?
Day 3: Celebrating Small Acts of Kindness
Recognizing and celebrating the small acts of kindness and faithfulness in our lives is important. These seemingly insignificant actions, such as helping a neighbor or showing compassion to others, can have a profound impact ([34:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lpIE97tzbA&t=2040s)).
Proverbs 19:17 - "Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done."
Reflection: Who in your life could use a small act of kindness today? How can you show them God's love?
Day 4: Kindness Leads to Greatness
Kindness can lead to greatness. Jesus's teaching in Matthew 25, where He emphasizes the significance of acts of kindness and compassion, supports this. Sometimes, the act of being present and showing kindness is a representation of greatness in the eyes of God ([45:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lpIE97tzbA&t=2735s)).
Colossians 3:12 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate kindness in a situation where it might not be the expected response?
Day 5: Small Acts Release Great Things
Small acts can release great things. This is illustrated by the story of a young man who, after his parents engaged in an act of worship in his room, expressed a desire to go on a 21-day fast and eventually became a youth pastor. This story reminds us not to despise the day of small beginnings ([57:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lpIE97tzbA&t=3425s)).
Ecclesiastes 11:6 - "Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well."
Reflection: What small act can you do today that might have a significant impact in the future?
Quotes
"Small Things equate to big things great things and one of the reasons we miss the Supernatural is because we miss the small things."
"Don't miss the great things because they look like small things because the small things you've been faithful in a very few things I'll make you ruler over cities."
"It's interesting what can be the Catalyst for some of the greatest moments in history... The Tipping points are not always like these great great things sometimes they are these moments of incredible courage incredible faith maybe moments of incredible kindness and patience and compassion and service."
"Sometimes what we think is small in the kingdom of God, the Lord sees as great."
"Awaken us to both ends of the spectrum, to small acts of faith and obedience that lead to incredible supernatural stories and testimonies, but also to small acts of faithfulness, kindness, love, and generosity."
"What if your multiplication is waiting for you to quit calling your little some nothing and do something with it, get it into the realm of Faith because it's the Small Things."
"It's the small things that are the great things, and your sacrifice of kindness and of patience and of generosity are every bit as Supernatural as the testimonies I've been sharing up here."
"Just be there, just show the love, just share the love. That's Supernatural, that's the real deal, that's the little thing that's a great thing in the kingdom of God."
"Greatness doesn't usually start with great things, it usually starts with small things."
"Sometimes your follow-through is not about some great thing, sometimes it's about some little thing. Small things can be the key to ruling cities, small things can be the key to opening up great miracles."
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