God's Power in Small Beginnings and Faithfulness

 

Summary

In reflecting on the story of Joseph and his family, we are reminded of the profound truth that God's ways are not our ways. Joseph, having risen to power in Egypt, called his family to join him, a seemingly small group of 75 souls. This detail, mentioned by Stephen in his defense before the Sanhedrin, is not trivial. It underscores the principle that God often works through small beginnings to accomplish His grand purposes. This is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, from the story of Noah and his family to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The world may value size and power, but God delights in using the small and insignificant to demonstrate His glory and power.

The history we celebrate at Christmas is not just any history; it is God's history, foretold by prophets and fulfilled in Christ. The birth of Jesus, prophesied centuries before, is a testament to God's faithfulness and the reliability of His Word. Every detail, from the genealogies to the prophecies, serves to confirm that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world. This history is not just a collection of facts but a divine narrative that reveals God's plan for salvation.

As we consider the small beginnings of God's work, we are reminded that the church, too, began with a small group of disciples. Yet, through them, God has spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. This principle of God working through the few to impact the many is a source of encouragement for us today. In a world that often measures success by numbers and influence, we are called to remain faithful, trusting that God can do great things through those who are committed to Him.

Key Takeaways:

- God's work often begins with small numbers, as seen in the story of Joseph's family and the early church. This principle challenges our worldly notions of success and reminds us that God values faithfulness over size. [21:15]

- The history of Jesus' birth is a fulfillment of prophecy, demonstrating the reliability of God's Word. Every detail, from genealogies to prophecies, confirms Jesus as the Messiah, underscoring the divine nature of the biblical narrative. [13:51]

- God's method of selection and rejection, seen throughout biblical history, highlights His sovereign choice and purpose. This process, evident in the lineage of Jesus, assures us of God's control and plan for salvation. [19:01]

- The church's beginnings with a small group of disciples illustrate God's power to use the few to reach the many. This encourages us to remain faithful, knowing that God can accomplish His purposes through those who are committed to Him. [27:36]

- Our relationship with God is what truly matters, not the size or influence of our group. In times of trial and smallness, we are reminded that God is with us, and His presence is our strength and assurance. [32:28]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Joseph's Story
[01:11] - Stephen's Defense and Preaching
[02:11] - The Gospel Message of Salvation
[03:41] - Stephen's Trial and Defense
[04:25] - Joseph as a Type of Christ
[05:12] - Joseph's Call to His Family
[06:29] - The Significance of 75 Souls
[07:16] - The Importance of Historical Facts
[08:39] - God's History vs. Human History
[09:42] - Prophecy and Fulfillment
[11:01] - The Importance of Details
[13:00] - Genealogies and God's Plan
[18:12] - God's Principle of Selection
[21:15] - God's Work Through Small Beginnings
[27:36] - The Church's Small Beginnings
[32:28] - The Importance of Our Relationship with God
[37:22] - God's Glory in Smallness
[39:03] - The Future Glory of God's People
[43:01] - The Question of Belonging to God's People

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Acts 7:14 - "Then sent Joseph and called his father Jacob to him and all his Kindred three score and 15 Souls."
2. Genesis 46:26-27 - "All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, were threescore and six; And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten."
3. Micah 5:2 - "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of Joseph calling his family to Egypt, and how many people were involved? [00:10]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the story of Joseph and the birth of Jesus? [06:47]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate God's principle of working through small beginnings? [21:15]
4. How does the sermon explain the importance of genealogies and prophecies in the Bible? [13:16]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that God's history differs from human history, and why is this distinction important? [08:22]
2. In what ways does the sermon highlight the significance of small numbers in God's plan, and how does this challenge worldly notions of success? [21:47]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of prophecy in confirming Jesus as the Messiah, and why is this crucial for our faith? [13:51]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between God's sovereignty and the principle of selection and rejection? [19:01]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt small or insignificant. How can the principle of God working through small beginnings encourage you in that situation? [21:15]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of faithfulness over size. How can you apply this principle in your personal life or ministry? [37:22]
3. Consider the role of prophecy in your understanding of Jesus as the Messiah. How does this knowledge impact your faith and daily life? [13:51]
4. How can you remain faithful and committed to God's purposes, even when you feel like part of a small or insignificant group? [27:36]
5. In what ways can you focus on your relationship with God rather than the size or influence of your group or community? [32:28]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you can trust God's sovereignty and plan, even if it seems small or insignificant. [19:01]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to see the value in small beginnings and remain faithful to God's calling? [21:47]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Grand Purposes Through Small Beginnings
God often chooses to work through small and seemingly insignificant beginnings to accomplish His grand purposes. This is evident in the story of Joseph, who rose to power in Egypt and called his family of 75 souls to join him. This small group, mentioned by Stephen in his defense before the Sanhedrin, highlights a recurring biblical theme: God delights in using the small and insignificant to demonstrate His glory and power. This principle challenges our worldly notions of success, which often equate size and influence with importance. Instead, God values faithfulness and obedience, using the few to impact the many. This is a source of encouragement for believers today, reminding us that God can do great things through those who are committed to Him. [21:15]

"For who has despised the day of small things? These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth." (Zechariah 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel small or insignificant? How can you trust God to use you in that area for His purposes today?


Day 2: The Fulfillment of Prophecy in Jesus' Birth
The history of Jesus' birth is not just a collection of facts but a divine narrative that reveals God's plan for salvation. The birth of Jesus, prophesied centuries before, is a testament to God's faithfulness and the reliability of His Word. Every detail, from genealogies to prophecies, confirms Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world. This fulfillment of prophecy underscores the divine nature of the biblical narrative and assures us of the reliability of God's promises. As we reflect on the birth of Christ, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's Word and His faithfulness to fulfill His promises. [13:51]

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14, ESV)

Reflection: What promise from God's Word are you holding onto today? How does the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' birth encourage you to trust in that promise?


Day 3: God's Sovereign Choice and Purpose
Throughout biblical history, God's method of selection and rejection highlights His sovereign choice and purpose. This process is evident in the lineage of Jesus, assuring us of God's control and plan for salvation. God's choices may not always align with human expectations, but they are always purposeful and intentional. This understanding of God's sovereignty provides comfort and assurance, knowing that He is in control and His plans are for our ultimate good. As we reflect on God's sovereign choice, we are encouraged to trust in His wisdom and purpose, even when we do not fully understand His ways. [19:01]

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you struggle to see God's purpose? How can you surrender your understanding to trust in His sovereign plan today?


Day 4: The Church's Impact Through Small Beginnings
The church began with a small group of disciples, yet through them, God has spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. This illustrates God's power to use the few to reach the many, encouraging believers to remain faithful. In a world that often measures success by numbers and influence, we are reminded that God values faithfulness over size. The early church's small beginnings serve as a powerful example of how God can accomplish His purposes through those who are committed to Him. This encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that God can use us to make a significant impact in the world. [27:36]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you be a part of spreading the gospel in your community today, even if it seems like a small effort?


Day 5: The Importance of Our Relationship with God
Our relationship with God is what truly matters, not the size or influence of our group. In times of trial and smallness, we are reminded that God is with us, and His presence is our strength and assurance. This truth encourages believers to focus on their personal relationship with God, knowing that His presence is more valuable than any worldly success. As we cultivate our relationship with God, we find strength and assurance in His presence, enabling us to face challenges with confidence and peace. This focus on our relationship with God is a reminder that He is our ultimate source of strength and security. [32:28]

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with God and rely on His presence for strength and assurance?

Quotes


The preaching of these men was that he had saved men and does save Men by dying for them on the cross on calvary's Hill that that was the only way whereby the whole problem of mankind could be solved men have sinned against God he deserves the punishment that God has said he would meet out upon all sin and transgression the wrath of God is upon the world and there's only one whereby whereby anybody can be saved and that is to believe and to know that your sins have been laid upon the Son of God by God himself that God has punished your sin in him but that he has risen again to justify us and there he is at the right hand of God ever living to make intercession for us. [00:02:52]

The history that we are dealing with is not ordinary history it is history like every other bit of history but it's not just history in the general sense it is a very special type of history and this is what makes this kind of detail so important this is the history that is produced by God there are two types of history there is the history that God permits he allows men to do many things you get a lot of it in the Bible you get it in your secular history books God allows and permits many things but in addition to that there is the history that God himself produces now that's the history that we are dealing with on Christmas Day the history that God produces. [00:08:25]

The history that God brings to pass the history that God produces is very often history that God has foretold and has prophesied for instance take this incident that Steven is dealing with here about Jacob and his family going down to live in Egypt now God had foretold that even to Abraham long before it happened it's in the sixth versia God spake on this wise that his seed that's to say Abraham seed should sugeon in a Strange Land and that they should bring them into bondage and entreat them evil for under years now this history that God produces he sometimes foretells and that is why it is important for us to pay attention to everything that we are told about it. [00:09:24]

The details are important and that it is right that people should say it says 75 here and 70 somewhere else why is this important well it is important for the reason that I've just been giving you we claim for this book that it's not an ordinary book it's not a book written by men only it is men who are inspired by the Holy Ghost we claim that it's infalible that it's uniquely inspired therefore every detail in it is of great importance and the part of the preaching of the Gospel is to tell us to pay great attention to the details. [00:11:26]

The essential principle in God's dealing with us in Salvation is a principle of selection and rejection most important point this this is strange history but you watch it you can follow it right through the Old Testament look at that babe in the manger Trace his genealogy back read the genealogical tables and you'll find this tremendous process of selection and rejection it's quite astonishing Abraham the father of the naion in a sense he had a son you remember called Ishmael but he is not the one through whom the line comes he's not the one to whom you trace back the origin of the Babe in the manger no no it is Isaac Ishmael rejected Isaac chosen in Isaac shall be thy seed and shall in thy seed shall be blessed. [00:18:26]

God's way of working God's ideas are so different from ours we always think in terms of vast numbers the mass the crowd bigness this generation to which you and I belong has lost its head on that it's Med on that everything must be done in a big way a gram scale and we think that that's the way the church has got to operate and that's the only way whereby she can succeed my friends we are denying the very essence of this gospel principle 75 Soul three score and 15 soul what's the principle well you see the principle is this God always seems to work from Small Beginnings that's the thing that I see here Small Beginnings 75 people only. [00:21:26]

The important thing for us to concentrate on is not the number but what God can do with a little number three score and 15 Souls but read your Bible and discover what God did with them or take it as it's put so perfectly in the dream given to Nebuchadnezzar these great this great image this might and power Earthly dynasties human Nations as it were and a little Stone cut out without hands small despicable but its might the image and smashes into to powder and then it grows and develops until it fills the whole earth you don't look at the smallness and at the size you must look at what God can do with it what God can do through it. [00:30:31]

The thing we have to learn is this that nothing matters for us except our relationship to God what I ask myself is there's not how many people are there with me but am I right with God that's the thing that matters we've seen this already in taking this story of Joseph the Patriarchs moved with Envy sold Joseph into Egypt and it seems to be the end it isn't but God was with him and it doesn't matter that his Brethren turn their backs upon him and sell him doesn't matter that everybody forsakes him everybody may turn against him it doesn't matter the only thing that matters is God was with him and that is the important thing for us always in the realm of things spiritual in the realm of the church nothing matters I say except our relationship to God. [00:32:28]

God speaks to him out of the burning bush and he says look here I want you to go back to Egypt to deliver your people the thing is mad a Shepherd he's got nothing at all Moses remonstrate with God and he says but again I can't do this who am I to go into the presence of pharaoh what can I say to Pharaoh I'm just a Shepherd I had to run away to save my life and I'm not a good speaker what can I say to Pharaoh the thing is monstrous can I deliver the people what can I say to the might and power of pharaoh you remember God's answer to him go he said to pharaoh and say I am has sent me I am that's what matters not the fact that Moses is only one man and a feeble man at that it is that God has sent him one with God is a majority. [00:33:36]

There is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few Jonathan and his armor Bearer in the hands of God can defeat an entire Army and put them to an open Shain indeed this principle is carried as far as this David one of God's favorites David the great king of Israel one of the greatest blunders he ever made in his life was when because he looked out upon his dominion and his hosts and his people the devil tempted him to count them to to take a census in order that he could boast of his numbers in the same way as the surrounding Nations did and God chastised him and punished him in a terrible manner for doing that for numbering the people God won't have his people numbered in that way because it is God's operation and he works from these Small Beginnings. [00:36:36]

The message that comes to us from the three score and 15 especially from The Babe lying in the danger is this that in the church in this realm it isn't size that matters there's only one thing that matters here it is our faithfulness to God and our obedience to his Commandments should I ask a question as I CL why does God work like this do you think why does God work with these little numbers with this little bade why does God always work in this particular way and man manner the answer is quite simply does it to Humble us if we did it in Great battalions we'd say that we had done it and we never do it and we never can do it he does it to Humble us but he does it yet more to show his own glory and his power he will not share his glory with another. [00:37:22]

The insignificant little Remnant has become a gr great multitude which no men can number of all Nations and kindreds and peoples and tongues that's the end of the story The Stone will fill the whole universe and the Babe lying in the manger Jesus shall reign whereever the son do his successive Journeys run his kingdom stretch from Shore to Shore till moons shall wax and Wayne No More my dear friend here's the question for you and for me it's Christmas Sunday yes it's the last Sunday of an old year also there's only one thing that you and I need to know it's this do we belong to this company small company three scor and 15 Souls but they're God's people they're the children of God here's the question don't you be interested in the size the question question for you is do you belong to them they're small they're despised they're laughed at they're ridiculed but they are the children of God. [00:42:40]

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Transcript
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