The Transformative Power of Small Things in Faith

Devotional

Day 1: The Tongue's Influence: A Small Yet Mighty Force

The tongue, though small, wields immense power, capable of both blessing and cursing. It is likened to a small rudder that steers a large ship or a bit that controls a horse, illustrating its potential to direct the course of our lives. The words we speak can build up or tear down, bringing life or death. This principle challenges us to be mindful of our speech, choosing to speak life and blessings rather than negativity and destruction. By recognizing the power of our words, we can transform our interactions and relationships, fostering an environment of encouragement and positivity. [01:49]

James 3:5-6 (ESV): "So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell."

Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words may have hurt someone. How can you seek reconciliation and choose words that bring healing and encouragement today?

Day 2: Small Offerings, Great Blessings

The principle of small offerings leading to significant blessings is evident throughout scripture. Just as a small cloud brought a great rain, our seemingly insignificant contributions can result in abundant blessings when placed in God's hands. This encourages us not to underestimate the potential of what we have, whether it's our time, resources, or talents. By offering what we have to God, trusting in His ability to multiply it for His glory, we can witness His miraculous provision and blessings in our lives. [03:36]

2 Kings 4:2-4 (ESV): "And Elisha said to her, 'What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?' And she said, 'Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.' Then he said, 'Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.'"

Reflection: What small offering can you present to God today, trusting Him to multiply it for His purposes?

Day 3: The Power of Small Gatherings

Even a small group gathered in Jesus' name can attract His presence, demonstrating that God values quality over quantity. This principle reminds us that God can work powerfully through small gatherings of believers, where His presence is felt and His work is accomplished. It encourages us to cherish and invest in our small communities, knowing that God is present and active among us, regardless of the size of the gathering. [06:50]

Matthew 18:20 (ESV): "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."

Reflection: How can you intentionally foster a sense of God's presence in your small group or community gathering this week?

Day 4: Mustard Seed Faith: Small Yet Powerful

The mustard seed faith, though small, can move mountains, teaching us that it's not the size of our faith that matters, but our willingness to trust God with what we have. This principle encourages us to exercise our faith, no matter how small it may seem, trusting that God can accomplish great things through it. By focusing on God's power rather than our limitations, we can experience His miraculous work in our lives and the world around us. [05:09]

Matthew 17:20 (ESV): "He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'"

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to exercise mustard seed faith? How can you take a step of faith today, trusting God to work through it?

Day 5: From Scarcity to Abundance

The principle of small things challenges us to shift our perspective from scarcity to abundance. By offering what little we have to God, we can witness His miraculous provision and blessings in our lives. This encourages us to focus on what we have rather than what we lack, trusting that God can do great things with the little we offer. By embracing this mindset, we can experience a life of abundance and gratitude, recognizing God's hand in every aspect of our lives. [08:22]

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel scarcity? How can you shift your perspective to see God's abundance and provision today?

Sermon Summary

The power of small things is a profound principle that can transform our lives if we learn to apply it correctly. James 3:3-5 illustrates this by comparing the small bits that control horses and the tiny helms that steer massive ships to the tongue, a small member capable of great influence. This principle is evident throughout scripture, where small things can lead to significant outcomes, both positive and negative. For instance, a little leaven can leaven the whole lump, and a small fire can kindle a great blaze. However, the same principle applies to positive outcomes. A small cloud in 1 Kings 18:44 led to a great rain, and a little oil and flour in 1 Kings 17 resulted in a miraculous provision for a widow.

The story of Jonathan in 1 Samuel 14, who was renewed by a little honey, and the mustard seed faith in Matthew 13, which can move mountains, further illustrate the power of small things. Even a small group gathered in Jesus' name can attract His presence. The key is to offer what we have, no matter how small, to God, trusting that He can multiply it for His glory. This principle encourages us not to underestimate the potential of what we possess, whether it's our words, resources, or faith. Instead of focusing on what we lack, we should focus on what we have and how God can use it.

The tongue, though small, holds the power of life and death. It can bless or curse, build up or tear down. Therefore, we should use it wisely, choosing to speak life and blessings. By recognizing the power of small things, we can see miracles and blessings unfold in our lives. This principle challenges us to shift our perspective from scarcity to abundance, trusting that God can do great things with the little we offer. Let us be encouraged to apply this principle in our lives, believing that God can manifest His glory through our small acts of faith and obedience.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Small Things: Small things, like the tongue, can have a significant impact, both positively and negatively. We must be mindful of how we use our words, as they can either build up or destroy. The power of life and death is in the tongue, and we should choose to speak life. [01:49]
2. Faith in Small Offerings: Just as a small cloud brought a great rain, our small offerings can lead to significant blessings when placed in God's hands. We should not underestimate the potential of what we have, trusting that God can multiply it for His glory. [03:36]
3. God's Presence in Small Gatherings: Even a small group gathered in Jesus' name can attract His presence. This reminds us that God values quality over quantity and that He can work powerfully through small gatherings of believers. [06:50]
4. Miracles from Little Faith: The mustard seed faith, though small, can move mountains. This teaches us that it's not the size of our faith that matters, but our willingness to trust God with what we have. [05:09]
5. Abundance from Scarcity: The principle of small things challenges us to shift our perspective from scarcity to abundance. By offering what little we have to God, we can witness His miraculous provision and blessings in our lives. [08:22]
** [08:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:49] - The Power of the Tongue
[03:36] - Small Things, Big Impact
[05:09] - Miracles from Little Faith
[06:50] - God's Presence in Small Gatherings
[08:22] - Abundance from Scarcity
[09:52] - Closing Blessings

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What examples does James use to illustrate the power of small things, and how do they relate to the tongue? [01:49]
How does the story of the small cloud in 1 Kings 18:44 demonstrate the principle of small things leading to significant outcomes? [03:36]
In Matthew 13, what does the mustard seed represent, and what does it teach us about faith? [05:09]
How does the story of Jonathan in 1 Samuel 14 illustrate the power of small things in providing renewal and strength? [05:09]

Interpretation Questions

How does the analogy of the tongue in James 3:3-5 challenge believers to consider the impact of their words? [01:49]
What does the story of the small cloud in 1 Kings 18:44 suggest about the importance of patience and faith in God's promises? [03:36]
How does the parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13 encourage believers to trust in the potential of their small acts of faith? [05:09]
In what ways does the story of Jonathan and the honey in 1 Samuel 14 inspire believers to find strength in seemingly insignificant resources? [05:09]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when your words had a significant impact, either positively or negatively. How can you be more mindful of the power of your tongue in the future? [01:49]
Consider a small resource or talent you possess. How can you offer it to God, trusting that He can multiply it for His glory? [03:36]
Think about a situation where you feel your faith is small. How can the parable of the mustard seed encourage you to trust God with what you have? [05:09]
Identify a small group or community you are part of. How can you invite God's presence into your gatherings, believing that He values quality over quantity? [06:50]
Reflect on a time when you felt renewed by something small, like Jonathan with the honey. How can you seek out these small sources of strength in your daily life? [05:09]
How can you shift your perspective from scarcity to abundance, trusting that God can do great things with the little you offer? [08:22]
What is one small act of faith or obedience you can commit to this week, believing that God can use it to manifest His glory? [08:22]

Sermon Clips

1) "I had a little principle come into my spirit a week or so back that I believe could really be a blessing for us if we can learn to apply this principle properly, and it's basically just the power of a little thing, the power of small things or little things, and there's a verse here in James that talks about this in James chapter 3, verse 3, Behold, we put bits in the horse's mouths that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body. Behold, also the ships, which though they be great and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whatsoever the governor listeth. Even so, the tongue is a little member and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter, a little fire kindleth." [01:49] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "So, I just want us to see this principle that these little things can do just tremendous, tremendous damage and cause such havoc, but the same principle also applies for little things that can do tremendous amount of good, a tremendous amount of positive things. Just as it works in the negative, it also really works in the positive. First Kings 1844 talks about a little cloud. If you remember that passage, it's where Elijah sent his servant up to the sea to look because he had heard the sound of abundance of rain, and he knew it was there. It was just, there was time involved in it materializing, and when the servant went, he didn't see anything, and Elijah said, go back and go seven times, and the seventh time he comes back, and he says, I see a cloud the size of a man's hand. It was just a little cloud, but that little cloud, became a big cloud, and it brought about a great, great rain, and a revival in a sense that started from just a little cloud." [03:36] (77 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "Matthew 13 talks about faith like the size of a mustard seed, how it's not necessarily much faith, there's just a little bit of faith, but the Lord shared with us and told us how that little bit of faith used could even move mountains. And then we have the little lad with a little bit of lunch, just a few loaves and fishes, and that little lunch from the little lad was given to the Lord, and it became the catalyst for a great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, mighty miracle in the hands of the Lord, in which thousands of people were fed. If the principle of it working in the negative is true and real, and obviously it is, it's also true for the positive, little things." [05:09] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "I think of also Jonathan said, 1 Samuel 13, I believe it is, where he said it's, faint to the Lord to save by many or by few. He was experienced, he had, he was experiencing this in a battle and he was speaking confidently of God that it's, it's not hard for the Lord to save with a lot of people or just a few people. So I think kind of the moral of this story here is use what we have. It may just be a little, but yet little is much in the hands of the Lord. And instead of just using the Lord, it's, it's not hard for the Lord to save by many or by few. And instead of just using this principle as, you know, a negative thing, let's look at it in a positive light, a positive way. I may not have much to offer, but what I do have to offer, God can multiply that and use it. And it can be a tremendous blessing in the Lord's hands." [06:50] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "A little tongue or the little tongue that can create such a fire in a negative sense can also create such a blessing in the positive sense. We can, the power of life and death is in the tongue. We can, we can bless or we can curse with, with, with the same tongue. We can be a blessed, we can be a curse. So let's not minimize what we have. Let's not, let's just not write it off because we may not have as much as everybody else or can offer as much as others, or maybe have the skills or the abilities or the resources or the talents that that's not what we should, our, our, measurement is not off of other people we we have what we have we can give that to the lord and faith and confidence and and let the lord use that and let the lord multiply that so just uh be blessed by this today the same principle works both ways and and i think we can turn it around in a positive way and we can see the miracles just like these that i've talked about jonathan the little lady with the oil and the flower or elijah on the mountain we we can just believe that god can take what little we have and god can use that for uh his his kingdom and his glory and just multiply that and manifest his glory through that so i hope that was a blessing for you i know it was for me and and and i believe that it's a principle that we can all apply and we can all be encouraged by it so i pray this is a blessing to you." [08:22] (103 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?