God's Power in Small Beginnings and Humility
Summary
In reflecting on the story of Joseph and his family, we are reminded of the profound ways in which God works through history, often in ways that defy human expectations. Joseph, having risen to power in Egypt, called his family to join him, a detail that Stephen, the first Christian martyr, emphasized in his defense before the Sanhedrin. This historical account is not just a narrative but a testament to God's divine orchestration and fulfillment of promises. The significance of the 75 souls who went to Egypt is a reminder of God's method of working through small beginnings to achieve His grand purposes.
This principle is evident throughout biblical history, where God often chooses the seemingly insignificant to accomplish His will. From the small remnant of Noah's family to the single man Abraham, God's plans unfold through those who might appear weak or few in number. This is a recurring theme, culminating in the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world, as a helpless babe in a manger. The world may see this as folly, but it is through such humility and smallness that God's glory is most profoundly displayed.
The lesson for us today is to recognize that God's power is not dependent on numbers or worldly strength. The church, though it may seem small and insignificant in the eyes of the world, is part of God's eternal plan. Our focus should not be on the size or influence of our community but on our faithfulness to God and our relationship with Him. In a world obsessed with bigness and power, we are called to trust in God's ability to work through the small and the humble.
Key Takeaways:
- God's Work Through Small Beginnings: The story of Joseph and the 75 souls who went to Egypt illustrates God's pattern of working through small beginnings. This principle is seen throughout the Bible, where God often chooses the few and the humble to fulfill His purposes, reminding us that His power is made perfect in weakness. [21:00]
- The Importance of Divine History: The details in biblical narratives, such as the genealogy of Jesus, are not mere historical records but evidence of God's divine plan and promises. These details affirm the truth of God's word and His faithfulness in bringing His purposes to pass. [13:13]
- Faithfulness Over Numbers: In a world that values size and influence, the church is reminded that what truly matters is faithfulness to God. Our relationship with Him is more important than the number of people in our community, as God's power is not limited by human standards. [32:01]
- God's Glory in Humility: The birth of Jesus as a helpless babe in a manger is a profound demonstration of God's glory through humility. This challenges the world's understanding of power and success, showing that true greatness is found in submission to God's will. [26:17]
- Hope in God's Promises: Despite the church's smallness in the world today, we are assured of God's ultimate victory. The vision in Revelation of a multitude from every nation worshiping God is a promise of the fulfillment of His kingdom, encouraging us to remain steadfast in faith. [40:47]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Joseph's Story
- [01:11] - Stephen's Defense and Preaching
- [02:11] - The Gospel Message
- [03:41] - Stephen's Trial and Defense
- [04:11] - Joseph as a Type of Christ
- [05:12] - Joseph's Call to Jacob
- [06:43] - The Importance of Historical Details
- [08:19] - God's Special History
- [09:20] - Prophecy and Fulfillment
- [10:59] - The Significance of Genealogies
- [13:13] - God's Plan Through History
- [18:11] - Selection and Rejection
- [21:00] - God's Work Through Small Beginnings
- [26:17] - The Babe in the Manger
- [32:01] - Faithfulness Over Numbers
- [40:47] - Hope in God's Promises
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 7:14: "Then sent Joseph and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls."
- 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."
- Revelation 7:9-10: "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."
Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of Joseph calling his family to Egypt, and how many people were involved in this move? ([00:30])
2. How does the sermon describe the way God often works through small beginnings, as seen in the story of Joseph and his family? ([21:00])
3. What is the relationship between the historical details in the Bible, such as genealogies, and the fulfillment of God's promises? ([13:13])
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of God's glory being displayed through humility, particularly in the birth of Jesus? ([26:17])
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Joseph and the 75 souls illustrate the principle of God working through small beginnings, and why is this significant for understanding God's methods? ([21:00])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church should focus on faithfulness rather than numbers or worldly influence? ([32:01])
3. How does the birth of Jesus as a helpless babe challenge the world's understanding of power and success, according to the sermon? ([26:17])
4. What does the vision in Revelation of a multitude from every nation worshiping God reveal about the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises? ([40:47])
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt small or insignificant. How can the story of Joseph and the 75 souls encourage you to trust in God's plan for your life? ([21:00])
2. In what ways can you focus more on faithfulness to God rather than the size or influence of your community? How might this change your perspective on your role in the church? ([32:01])
3. How can the humility displayed in the birth of Jesus inspire you to embrace humility in your own life? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate this humility? ([26:17])
4. Consider the vision in Revelation of a multitude worshiping God. How does this promise of ultimate victory impact your faith and hope in God's promises? ([40:47])
5. Identify an area in your life where you are tempted to rely on worldly strength or numbers. How can you shift your focus to trust in God's power and plan instead? ([32:01])
6. Think of a situation where you can demonstrate God's glory through humility. What steps can you take this week to act in a way that reflects this principle? ([26:17])
7. How can you encourage others in your community to remain steadfast in faith, even when the church seems small or insignificant in the world? ([40:47])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Power in Small Beginnings
God often chooses small beginnings to accomplish His grand purposes. The story of Joseph and the 75 souls who went to Egypt is a testament to this principle. Despite their small number, they were part of God's divine plan to fulfill His promises. This pattern is evident throughout the Bible, where God uses the seemingly insignificant to achieve His will. From Noah's family to Abraham, God's plans unfold through those who might appear weak or few in number. This theme culminates in the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world, as a helpless babe in a manger. The world may see this as folly, but it is through such humility and smallness that God's glory is most profoundly displayed. [21:00]
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 beginning in your life can you trust God to use for His greater purpose today?
Day 2: The Significance of Divine History
Biblical narratives are not just historical records but evidence of God's divine plan and promises. The details, such as the genealogy of Jesus, affirm the truth of God's word and His faithfulness in bringing His purposes to pass. These stories remind us that God is actively involved in history, orchestrating events to fulfill His promises. By understanding the significance of these details, we can see how God's hand has been at work throughout time, guiding and shaping the course of history according to His will. [13:13]
Psalm 105:8-10 (ESV): "He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant."
Reflection: How can you see God's hand in the history of your own life, and what does that reveal about His faithfulness?
Day 3: Faithfulness Over Numbers
In a world that values size and influence, the church is reminded that what truly matters is faithfulness to God. Our relationship with Him is more important than the number of people in our community, as God's power is not limited by human standards. The church, though it may seem small and insignificant in the eyes of the world, is part of God's eternal plan. We are called to trust in God's ability to work through the small and the humble, focusing on our faithfulness rather than worldly measures of success. [32:01]
1 Samuel 14:6 (ESV): "Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, 'Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize faithfulness to God over seeking worldly success or recognition today?
Day 4: God's Glory in Humility
The birth of Jesus as a helpless babe in a manger is a profound demonstration of God's glory through humility. This challenges the world's understanding of power and success, showing that true greatness is found in submission to God's will. The world may see humility as weakness, but it is through such humility that God's glory is most profoundly displayed. By embracing humility, we align ourselves with God's purposes and allow His power to be made perfect in our weakness. [26:17]
Philippians 2:7-8 (ESV): "But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
Reflection: How can you embrace humility in your daily life, and what might that look like in your interactions with others today?
Day 5: Hope in God's Promises
Despite the church's smallness in the world today, we are assured of God's ultimate victory. The vision in Revelation of a multitude from every nation worshiping God is a promise of the fulfillment of His kingdom. This encourages us to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God's promises are sure and His purposes will be accomplished. In a world that often seems chaotic and uncertain, we can find hope and assurance in the knowledge that God's kingdom will ultimately prevail. [40:47]
Revelation 7:9-10 (ESV): "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'"
Reflection: What promise of God can you hold onto today as a source of hope and encouragement in the face of challenges?
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 but 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 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. [00:08:27]
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 now this is seen of course supremely in connection with the birth of The Babe of Bethlehem here is something that happened yes but it's something that had been foretold something that had been prophesied centuries before it happened God had revealed this to particular men called prophets and they had recorded it and then after the passage of the centuries it actually comes to pass so you see we are dealing with a very special history the history that God produces the history that God has promised before. [00:09:59]
The details are important and that it is right that people should say it's say 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 infallible 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]
This is God's history it is a proof of the divine inspiration of this book and it is a proof that God has a great plan which comes into to execution particularly in the case of Jesus of Nazareth the one who was born in the stable in Bethlehem it's here to demonstrate to us you see that what God had been promising through the centuries has literally come to pass and if it couldn't be proved that this babe Jesus is indeed of the Seed of Abraham and of the seed of Isaac and of the seed of Jacob and of the seed of Judah in particular and of the seed of David in particular the whole basis of Our Gospel the whole Assurance of our Salvation would be in Jeopardy so you see these details are very important. [00:13:06]
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 its Ned on that everything must be done in a big way a grand 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 S three score and 15 s 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. [00:21:26]
God's way of selection and rejection again but you see it's just one person so often and then when you come to this great story of the Jews the children of Israel as Steven shows here so plainly it all starts in just one man Abram this is the beginning of the story out of this nation this people of God the Messiah is going to come how does God start doing it he chooses one man Abram from the from ER of the calans when he was living as a pagan in Mesopotamia just one man the whole thing comes out of one man this is God's way then you you remember the story of Abram Isaac this one son this one boy that he was tested on when God told him to sacrifice him this one everything's in this one but this is God's way. [00:23:57]
The importance of our realizing this great principle and not imitating the world there are many people today who are outside the church because we've become a Remnant in this country that's the blindness of the world and the church must not try to Pender to that error and that fallacy and believe that bigness and a great show is going to solve the problem it never will it never has done we must realize that this is God's way of working it's always confounding the wise and The Prudent and the worldly understanding in other words 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. [00:31:50]
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 now we're very slow to learn this lesson aren't we even a man like Moses hesitated and stumbled at this you remember when God called him that time when he'd been a Shepherd for 40 years 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 remonstrates 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 how 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 feble men at that it is that God has sent him one with God is a majority. [00:32:42]
The message that comes to us from the three score and 15 especially from The Babe lying in the manger is 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 shall I ask a question as I close 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 manner the answer is quite simply he 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 he does it in a way that ridicules the world Son of God savior of the world helpless babe in a Manger nonsense says the world it isn't it's God's way. [00:37:20]
The insignificant little Remnant has become a 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 wherever 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 for you is do you belong to them they're small they're despised they're laughed they're ridiculed but they are the children of God. [00:42:20]
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