Embracing the Power of Small Acts in Faith

Summary

At the start of this new year, we gather to reflect on the profound simplicity of God's expectations for us, as outlined in Micah 6:6-8. This passage challenges us to move beyond grand gestures and focus on the small, yet significant, actions that align with God's heart. The Israelites, in their misunderstanding, believed that God desired extravagant offerings, but Micah clarifies that God requires us to do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. These small things, often overlooked, are the essence of a life that pleases God.

In our pursuit of the biggest and best, we often miss the beauty and power of the small things. God is not impressed by our grandiose plans or achievements; rather, He values the seemingly insignificant acts of justice, mercy, and humility. These are the small things that can transform our lives and the lives of those around us. They are the foundation upon which we can build a year filled with profound satisfaction and impact.

To do what is right, or "mishpat," is to embody God's justice. It calls us to see the world and people as God does, valuing everyone equally and acting justly towards others. This is not about legalism but about a heart aligned with God's vision for the world. Similarly, to love mercy, or "hesed," is to show loving kindness and compassion, even when it is not reciprocated. It is about being kind and gracious, reflecting God's character in our interactions.

Walking humbly with God is about relationship, not destination. It is a call to walk with God, embracing who we are and accepting His guidance. This humility allows us to focus on the journey with God, rather than rushing towards our own goals. It is a reminder that God values our companionship and desires to walk with us through life.

As we enter 2025, let us prioritize these small things. They are the soul of God and the foundation of a life that truly reflects His love and justice. By focusing on these, we can make a significant impact in our families, communities, and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Significance of Small Things: God values the small, seemingly insignificant actions in our lives. These small things, like doing what is right, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God, are the foundation of a life that pleases Him. They are not about grand gestures but about aligning our hearts with God's heart. [08:35]

2. Doing What is Right (Mishpat): This is about embodying God's justice and seeing the world as He does. It involves valuing everyone equally and acting justly towards others. It is not about legalism but about a heart aligned with God's vision for the world. [10:00]

3. Loving Mercy (Hesed): This is about showing loving kindness and compassion, even when it is not reciprocated. It reflects God's character in our interactions and challenges us to be kind and gracious to others. [12:35]

4. Walking Humbly with God: This is about relationship, not destination. It is a call to walk with God, embracing who we are and accepting His guidance. It reminds us that God values our companionship and desires to walk with us through life. [21:22]

5. The Soul of God: The small things are the very soul of God. They are not just rules to follow but a way of living that brings life and reflects God's love and justice. By focusing on these, we can make a significant impact in our families, communities, and beyond. [31:52]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:10] - Introduction to Micah 6:6-8
- [02:44] - Misunderstanding God's Desires
- [05:19] - God's Simple Requirements
- [06:14] - The Heart of God
- [08:35] - The Significance of Small Things
- [10:00] - Doing What is Right (Mishpat)
- [11:36] - Justice and God's Vision
- [12:35] - Loving Mercy (Hesed)
- [15:53] - Kindness in Action
- [17:17] - Examples of Loving Kindness
- [21:22] - Walking Humbly with God
- [23:57] - The Importance of Relationship
- [25:31] - Walking with God
- [31:52] - The Soul of God
- [34:38] - Prioritizing Small Things in 2025

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Micah 6:6-8

---

Observation Questions:

1. What misconceptions did the Israelites have about what God desired from them, according to Micah 6:6-8? [02:10]
2. How does the sermon describe the significance of "small things" in our lives and their impact on our relationship with God? [08:35]
3. What does the Hebrew word "mishpat" mean, and how is it related to doing what is right? [10:00]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of "hesed" or loving mercy through personal stories? [15:53]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest that focusing on small acts of justice, mercy, and humility can lead to a more fulfilling year? [06:14]
2. In what ways does the sermon challenge the idea that God values grand gestures over small, consistent actions? [05:19]
3. How does the concept of walking humbly with God redefine our understanding of success and achievement? [21:22]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between humility and our personal identity in Christ? [22:47]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you focused on grand gestures rather than small, meaningful actions. How did that impact your relationship with God and others? [05:19]
2. Identify a small act of justice or kindness you can commit to this week. How can this action align with God's vision for the world? [10:00]
3. Consider a relationship in your life where you can show "hesed" or loving kindness. What specific steps can you take to demonstrate this? [12:35]
4. How can you practice walking humbly with God in your daily routine? What changes might you need to make to prioritize this relationship? [21:22]
5. Think about a personal goal for 2025. How can you ensure that this goal aligns with the small things that matter to God, such as justice, mercy, and humility? [34:38]
6. Reflect on a situation where you might have been caught up in your own priorities. How can you shift your focus to align with God's priorities? [29:21]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to value and practice the small things that reflect God's heart? What role can you play in fostering this mindset? [40:44]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Small Acts
In a world that often celebrates grand achievements, it's easy to overlook the profound impact of small, intentional actions. Micah 6:6-8 reminds us that God values these seemingly insignificant acts of justice, mercy, and humility. These are not just tasks to check off a list but are the essence of a life that aligns with God's heart. By focusing on these small things, we can transform our lives and the lives of those around us. They are the foundation upon which we can build a year filled with profound satisfaction and impact. [08:35]

Zechariah 4:10 (ESV): "For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth."

Reflection: What small act of kindness or justice can you commit to today that aligns with God's heart?

Day 2: Embodying God's Justice
To do what is right, or "mishpat," is to embody God's justice in our daily lives. This involves seeing the world and people as God does, valuing everyone equally, and acting justly towards others. It's not about adhering to a set of rules but about having a heart aligned with God's vision for the world. When we act justly, we reflect God's character and bring His justice into our communities. [10:00]

Isaiah 1:17 (ESV): "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."

Reflection: Who in your community needs an advocate for justice, and how can you step into that role today?

Day 3: Reflecting God's Loving Kindness
Loving mercy, or "hesed," calls us to show loving kindness and compassion, even when it is not reciprocated. This reflects God's character in our interactions and challenges us to be kind and gracious to others. It's about extending grace and mercy, not because it is deserved, but because it is a reflection of God's love for us. By loving mercy, we can create a ripple effect of kindness in our communities. [12:35]

Hosea 6:6 (ESV): "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."

Reflection: Think of someone who has wronged you. How can you show them mercy and kindness today, reflecting God's love?

Day 4: Walking Humbly with God
Walking humbly with God is about relationship, not destination. It is a call to walk with God, embracing who we are and accepting His guidance. This humility allows us to focus on the journey with God, rather than rushing towards our own goals. It is a reminder that God values our companionship and desires to walk with us through life. [21:22]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to slow down and walk humbly with God, allowing Him to guide your steps?

Day 5: Living Out the Soul of God
The small things are the very soul of God. They are not just rules to follow but a way of living that brings life and reflects God's love and justice. By focusing on these, we can make a significant impact in our families, communities, and beyond. As we enter this new year, let us prioritize these small things, knowing that they are the foundation of a life that truly reflects God's heart. [31:52]

Micah 7:18-19 (ESV): "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."

Reflection: How can you incorporate the small things that reflect God's soul into your daily routine, making a lasting impact on those around you?

Quotes

"Micah chapter 6, we're going into the Old Testament, an Old Testament prophet. Micah was a prophet to the Israelite people, the Jewish people before they were taken into captivity and he was warning them about hey these are some of the ways that if you live this way then God's going to look after you. If you choose to go down certain paths that aren't godly then there's going to be consequences because the natural consequence of sin is pain and death and these things and he was warning them about these things and some people listened, some people didn't and in the end they did go into captivity." [00:01:24]

"Human beings always have a bent usually towards sort of big, extreme and brash things. Don't they? We want the biggest and the best. Oh God, what do you want from us? I want everything. Oh God. And so always demanding, always full on. I mean, if you look at my life, I like top level things. I don't care about cars at all. People have seen that in my old car. Don't care. I don't know how they work. I don't know how to change the oil. I don't understand cars. And I don't follow it. I don't follow Bathurst or any of these things. But one thing I do follow, and I'm an avid fan, is Formula One. Who's a Formula One fan here? Justin, a few of us. I've got my Formula One Ferrari shoes on today that I found cheap online because I love a good deal. And so I got them. But I love Formula. I don't care anything about cars. But what draws me to Formula One, I watched it as a kid growing up, but I love the fact it's the biggest and best. It's the loudest, the fastest. They go 300 plus k's an hour." [00:04:50]

"That it's interesting to me that if you look at God, He doesn't want the biggest and best and the most full on. Your dreams, your desires. We're going to talk about that in the next few weeks. We're believing for big things as a church. We celebrate those things. But do you know what? God's heart is not about the big and the best and your huge dream. He cares about the smaller things, the seemingly smaller things in life. And I've titled today's sermon, Small Things. Small things like these. Small things like these. Because I believe with all my heart that if we can allow these seemingly small things to get deep in within us, then your year coming up can be the best year you've ever had. It can be the most profoundly satisfying year you've ever had. It can be the most impacting year you've ever had." [00:06:34]

"God cares about the small things. He cares about the small things in your life. And so here are the three things that he raises, that he says, these are the things that are important to me. I don't want all your big offerings. I don't want all your expertise, all of your gifts that you say, here I am, look at me. He says, I want you to do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Let's look at these for a moment. First one, to do right, it's the Hebrew word is mishpat." [00:09:13]

"When it talks about doing what is right, it's talking about can you see the world the way God sees the world? Can you see people the way God sees people? This is what God wants of you, to do what is right. I want you to have mishpat in your heart, to have justice, God's justice, that when it's not just about yourself and going, you know, don't lie, don't do this, live a righteous life. That's in it because there's justice. It's like do what is right, but it's talking about do what is right for others. Do what is right. Look at others and say, how do I bring justice, God's justice to them? Those who can't help themselves, those who don't even understand God's justice, those who are downtrodden. Do you know what I love about the church?" [00:10:20]

"your life to do right mishpat just as God's view how does what would Jesus do this is the way to see it what would Jesus do if he was living your life how would he treat others if he was living your life mishpat to do right and then it comes he says to do what is right and this one flows from it to love mercy to love mercy it's this word hesed hesed is this this idea we get in the old testament uh mercy we call it grace in in new testament language in christian language old testament uses this word hesed in the and most of our translations you'll see it's uh often translated loving kindness oh we thank you God for your loving kindness for your hesed it's this idea of of not just having mercy on someone it's this idea of compassion a heartfelt compassion it's you know a simple way to put this word it's the idea of being kind be kind love mercy love being kind to others that's not something that we naturally do I'll be kind to you if if you're kind to me that's how we view the world isn't it and this is the beauty of christianity this is what God cares about he he comes and says ah hang on a second if we live by that rule an eye for an eye then in the end we're going to have wars we're going to have retaliation we're going to have breakdown of relationships there's only one true way to live if we're going to live the way God lives and that is to show loving kindness to show hesed to others before they show it to us we do this often with our children they get your loving kindness before they've shown it to you some of you guys are pregnant about to have babies your baby is not going to be thanking you for years to come and that's true I can't remember the first time Ella said thank you to mum and dad she has done it it took her years but you have poured out and will pour out your loving kindness your mercy upon them God says that's the natural way to from parents to children but God says will you show hesed to each other spouses at the start of this year if you're waiting for your partner to show you loving kindness you might be waiting a while" [00:12:47]

"Kindness is a beautiful thing. Loving kindness. Love, mercy, chesed. My mum's moving over into Melbourne. It's happening. And she's coming over in the next few months. And I was talking to mum. She goes, oh, I'm going to have, she's just retired. I said, she said, I'm going to have to find things to do. And so I said, don't you worry, mum. I've got some things for you to do. And so I told Phil." [00:17:28]

"are you like this I said mum she's a good cook I said mum we need some people on the catering team to kick to help cook some people you know how I said we need some lasagnas mum and I said you can cook that and I threw that out you know what my mum said she goes oh Adrian come on I'm I'm 70 something years old now I need a break I'm gonna just take my time you know what she said when I said mum we can go she goes oh yeah I'd love that I was like oh I said I said mum you can go out on the community um uh group on a Thursday night and and and they we give out meals to people in our community she didn't go oh Thursday night I think I'd just like to rest at my new place no she said I'd love to do that you know what I realized about my mum as I was talking about this I went what a beautiful example she's been in my life of someone who's shown loving kindness not just to me she's done that to me my whole life and to her family but to everyone around her you know my mum's got stories I've told some of them before she's met people at the bus stop on her way to work and the Holy Spirit's put on her heart to go and talk to them about their life and they've opened up their life and then those people she's invited to church and then they've come to church but it wasn't just that she then invited them around her house and some of those people are still friends of hers today and she talks to them and listens to them my mum started a women's group in her house that no pastor started no one came to her and said can you start this group please Anna because there's some people in need in the community and in our church do you know how it happened she just started inviting people around and and giving them hospitality and cooking meals for them and sharing her life and them sharing her and out of that people's lives were changed people's lives are impact I go that my friends is loving mercy that my friends is hesed that is the compassion the kindness of God poured out who can you show kindness to in 25th if we get caught up in our own lives it's a very lonely life do you find that the more I think about my need and what I'm not getting or the state of my emotions or where I'm at oftentimes the sadder I get and the more lonely I get but when I decide to say God I'm going to reach out to others I'm going to show kindness to others there's something that comes up in my life that's alive in my heart and I become a different person and I want to encourage you this year the small things are the most powerful show kindness to people in your life start with your family your workplace in your church" [00:17:54]

"to walk. And I'm going to give you a very profound meaning of what yalak means. It's very powerful. It means to walk. It means to walk. But it's interesting, isn't it? Because it says walk humbly with your God. It doesn't say run. It doesn't say run with God. Catch up to God. Isn't this, this is supposed to give you peace, my friends. Because it's a beautiful idea of what your life's supposed to be. Walk humbly with your God. It's about a relationship." [00:20:55]

"To understand yourself and who you are. And not try to be anyone else. That's humility. Oftentimes pride and all this, we're trying to be someone we're not. We're trying to live up to expectations. To walk humbly just means walk as you are. The person you are. Accepting your qualities that are there that God's given you and accepting your weaknesses. You can't be anything else than what you are right now. And God says, walk like that with God. To walk with humility. To say, I'm not all that, but I'm not terrible and evil either. I'm loved by God. God accepts me. I'll accept me." [00:22:31]

"He's not putting a challenge on you saying you need to achieve all these things or else. He says, walk with me, son. Walk with me, daughter. And we'll get there together. Isn't that beautiful? Out of all the things that I want to achieve in life that God's called you to achieve, God comes back to His people and He says, walk with me. Walk with me. That's what I want. I want relationship with you. I want to ask you in 2025, will you walk with God?" [00:26:43]

"Small things are the soul of God. It's one thing to be concerned about all the goals we've got. But if our goals, you know, we, we on the carol celebration, we packed this church out, packed this place out and our morning services were all full. We had more people in our weekend service than we probably ever had in our church. And we celebrate that. That's good. People's lives impacted and coming to church. We want that. And we talk about that and that's good. But they're not the things that grab my heart. Because you know what? That's one event. That's over. That's done. You know what grabs my heart? It's what grabs the heart of God." [00:29:45]

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?