We thank God for you tuning in for another episode of the Words of Life show. I am Pastor Mark and we are going to get into what God has to say to you and I through today's message. Today's message focuses on small things, and there are times when we like to minimize what small things mean spiritually, especially when it comes to our work, our actions, anything that we feel that God has given us to do to persuade the lost and to perfect the saints. There are times that we'll get discouraged and disappointed when we don't see results happen as quickly as we think they should happen, or we tend to gaze at someone else and look at wow, they must really be successful. I am such a failure. Well, that is not so Today. We are going to delve into today's message to see how God feels about small things and how we should never trivialize such a thing, because it is the smallest thing that God might be doing the greatest work in.
Speaker 2:We thank you for joining our Words of Life, broadcast every Saturday night from 8 to 8 30 pm, where our mission is persuading the lost, perfecting each believer and equipping all for service with practical application from God's Word. We now join Pastor Mark for this week's Words of Life.
Speaker 1:In today's opening text we will be reading from the book of Zechariah, chapter 4, beginning at verse 10, and we are going to read the King James Version today, and our reading is as follows For who has despised the day of small things? For they, they representing the people they shall rejoice and they shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These seven, the seven representing the golden lampstand seen in the vision, ie God's eyes watching over the man of God, zerubbabel, the governor of Jerusalem, these seven, again referencing the golden lampstand, they are the eyes of the Lord which run to and fro through the whole earth. May the Lord add a blessing to the hearers, the readers, but, most importantly, those that intend to do His holy word. The name of this week's message is entitled God, me and Small Things. Again, god, me and small things, again God, me and small things. I was kind of referencing within that one scripture what certain things mean, but in plain English I would like to read an easier to read translation. Translation the New Living Translation of that same verse basically says Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.
Speaker 1:As we get started in our message this week, we've got to understand that God takes great joy in things or people that we sometimes, ordinarily, would just dismiss or deem hey, they're not that big of a deal. And we have to be very careful that we do not fall into the trap of trivializing what God considers special or blessed, For God is no respecter of status, position or persons. In this day and age, it seems that the gaudiest, the proudest, the most arrogant, the loudest, the most popular, the prettiest or most handsome, those are the things that seem to win the praise and the adulation of many. But here's the key to this message today Do we desire our well done from people or from God, and do we lose our focus on that that we think is big and blessed, when it could be the smallest thing that God is using the most? I'm going to be transparent before we get to our text overview, because I know that I have had to come to grips with the desire and the fortitude to receive the Lord's approval of my efforts instead of searching for kudos and acceptance from fickle people while allowing their opinions to impact my service in God's name. I know I have had to repent of that and I've gone to the Lord and said Lord, please help me to do a better job, because it might not be mega, it might not be mini, it might not be big, and those moments that I lose focus, lord, help me to recognize that. Lord, what others might perceive as a small thing, your hand is certainly upon. As a small thing, your hand is certainly upon. And so my hope, as we get started, is that you, our viewer or listener, will choose to go before the Lord with that same humble spirit.
Speaker 1:As we begin our text overview, we'll see that when we look at Zechariah, chapter 4, we'll see that Zerubbabel, who was the governor of Jerusalem at the time, he was assigned the task of rebuilding the temple after its destruction. The Bible informs us that God took great pleasure and joy in watching the progress of such a work, even as small, as watching the initial phase of that work, that small beginning being initiated. To understand why such a beginning was considered small, we'd have to reconcile the reality of the previous temple being a grand one. It was majestic, it was beautiful in its splendor.
Speaker 1:So when being charged with constructing the newest temple, the people kind of had an attitude like, huh, that's a cute thing that you're all doing. And hey, yeah, your efforts. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I tell you what? The previous temple, oh, that was a grand one. It was so beautiful. The Lord had to be pleased with that one. And so here you are now coming along. You're going to rebuild the temple Cute thing, understand how easy that is to do. The people had a reference point. They could look back, the older generation, to the previous temple, and now they're looking at this guy coming along. Okay, you're going to rebuild the temple, you're going to lay the foundation of the temple, and yeah, that's a good work.
Speaker 3:And so they had a reference point.
Speaker 1:And so to them the newest task you rebuilding the temple. Yeah, let's see how that goes. They had a tendency to look at things as it was a small thing they were doing as compared to the previous work of the temple, and so what they undertook right now to the people it would appear to be oh yeah, this is a laborious task you're doing, not to say that it's just totally meaningless, but it's got to be a small thing compared to what the previous temple was, and that's how the people thought, but not so with God.
Speaker 1:Thank you. If we look at the text in context, the text reminds the older generation who saw that first temple how beautiful and unmatched that it was in appearance. And so they took that and they compared that temple to the current one that Zerubbabel was given charge over to Reveal. And if we were to put ourselves in the shoes of this guy, it could be very easy to get frustrated. Yet from a vision, the prophet Zechariah comforts Zerubbabel by deducing that God would supply everything needed to complete the task. He saw a vision, a lampstand surrounded by olive trees, lampstand having seven wicks, which basically meant, in the text translated, those were the seven eyes of God, with his eyes going to and forth, to and fro in the earth, looking for those that are doing faithfully and consistently his work. So in human eyes, there was no comparison.
Speaker 1:As a prophet notes in Haggai 2 and 3, yeah, what you doing, that's a nice thing, but hey, does anybody remember that house the temple in its former splendor? And so the verse concludes, haggai 2 and 3, how, in comparison, does this new temple look to you now? Wow, that must seem to be nothing at all. But such a little thing in God's service means quite a bit to him. And so, as we transition from the text to applicable points to our lives, we've got to be very careful that we don't minimize what we see or understand as an insignificant, minimal, small thing, because God has a history of taking small things and dumbfounding the world and its supposed wisdom Again as I shared earlier.
Speaker 1:I know I had to repent because as pastor I used to be guilty of explaining why the words of Life membership was so small or why attendance on any given day was minimal. I would feel embarrassed, but I had to ask myself after God convicted me why am I frustrated, be it at growth or at my family's efforts at ministry the past 12 years, when God has truly placed in our hands everything that we need to tell his story? Understand another moment of transparency. I am a bivocational pastor, meaning that I work a regular job also, but I don't complain about it because God has given my wife and I the health and the strength to support his work financially until he sends those who will do so willingly, according to his word. God has created, he has called, he has nurtured my wife and I's gifts of teacher slash preacher for the last 12 years. I'm a preacher's kid, 38 of my 45 years. God has also supplied us the knowledge of every piece of media technology for us to be able to shoot, to edit, to share via the world wide web the glory of his story through the words of life telecast. God has even supplied me with every piece of musical equipment that I might need to write and produce songs, plays and commercials. We have never begged or pressured anyone to give financially, and so what I had to come to the realization of was this. And so what I had to come to the realization of was this Since God's hand has been upon such a perceived small work in my mind, I'd allow that to become an issue, because I started comparing words of life and what God has given me to what was really most important, and he gave me a real, good reality check.
Speaker 1:What is your malfunction or problem, mark? Are you embarrassed of me? What about this seemingly small work of words of life? Have you forgotten? I determine what's what I am, god. I determine who listens, I determine who doesn't. I determine who watches, I determine who won't. I determine who gives their heart to me and who will not.
Speaker 1:Well, that snapped me out of my funk. God awakened me with a simple phrase that just totally snapped me out of that temporary depression Do not despise small things. Well, if I'm ministering it to you and you're watching it or you're listening to this telecast, god is also informing you do not despise small things. And if I'm ministering it to you, guess what? I had to eat it first To despise. In the Hebrew is to have contempt for, to be ashamed of a laughing stock. It's a form of pride when considering that small thing. Let's look at some small things before we get to our song of the week, because small things biblically especially in God's eyes. It was God that raised small Joseph from the prison to where he stood on the mountaintop symbolically. It was God that took small David from the small sheepfold. It was God that took Daniel from slavery.
Speaker 1:He converted the whole world by a fisherman and a tent maker, having himself first become a small carpenter. And so, before we get to our applicable points, we're going to pause right here for our song of the week. And our song of the week comes right now from mr lullinger washington. The title track is entitled at your feet, and we present it to you right here, on the words of life, god's word, and deed, my greatest sacrifice.
Speaker 3:Remains in Thee. It's so empty.
Speaker 4:In my own strength. I'm unable to stand. I'm sinking deep To see you face to face, I bow to thee for at your feet, at your feet, the very best in me cannot raise me up. At your feet, at your feet, at your feet, I bring the worst in me To be covered by the blood Searching that I Feel the need of you.
Speaker 3:And you might, the need of you. I can't heal myself Laying before you. Are my abilities Still not enough In your service, the hold it must be through Within my heart.
Speaker 3:I'm in my Father's house. Where am I praising Thee? I bring the worst in me to be covered by the blood. And your peace and your peace. The very best in me cannot break me up. And your peace and your peace, I break. The worst in me To be covered by the blood. If I could just stay here With you, surrender my offerings and the faith of you. This vessel usually rides through. So my worship must be true if I could just.
Speaker 3:My worship must be true If I could just stay here with you, surrender my offerings at the feet of you.
Speaker 1:This vessel, you see right we are back and we most certainly hope that the song at your feet minister to you. You can not only listen to that song or watch certain videos, that we have certain songs, but you can literally go to our website, wolchristiancenterorg, to catch that song, to catch certain videos, as well as watch this message again if you have missed any portion of today's message. Our message today is entitled God, me and Small Things. We must never allow pride to undermine our attitudes when we consider small things, because God has a history of magnifying small things for the world to see his story and his glory in and through. Before our applicable points, let's examine the text to see what God, jesus or Holy Spirit did in the text. Well, god gave the prophet a vision informing Zerubbabel the work that you're doing, don't look at it as a small thing, it's a great thing, and my eyes run to and fro to look for those doing such as you are. How did the people or the person respond in the text? Well, or did the person respond in the text? Well, zerubbabel, he was encouraged and he, through him, we learn that whatever God gives us to do, he expects us to do it with enthusiasm, faithfulness and without complaint. He also used the man of God, zechariah, to be an encourager to someone, zerubbabel, that seemingly partake, or he took up that duty, that mantle, of building the temple. And so, since we now see what God did in the text through the man of God, we see how the person Zerubbabel, as well as Zechariah, responded in the text.
Speaker 1:Now it's time to ask ourselves what should we extract to do from the text to apply to our lives? Well, three points that we should be mindful of when considering small things as they relate to the Lord. Here's point number one let's be mindful of a small word. Second, samuel 7 and 19. God speaks favor over David, and here's what that scripture says. And this was yet a small thing in your sight, o Lord, god, but you have spoken also of your servant's house. We must desire God's favor and his promises, what he has spoken over us, over man's promises and intentions, because people will fail us, but God never will fail us, but God never will.
Speaker 1:1 Kings 9, 9 through 12, elijah receives encouragement from God after a pity party. The verses state and he, elijah, came thither unto a cave. He lodged there. Behold, the word of the Lord came to him. He said to him what are you doing here, elijah? Elijah said I have been very jealous for the Lord, god of hosts, for the children of Israel. They have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, slain your prophets with the sword, and now it's just I.
Speaker 3:Even I.
Speaker 1:I'm the only one left and they seek to take my life, lord, to take it away. And so the Lord says go forth, stand upon the mount before the Lord. The Lord passes by, a great and strong wind, tears the mountains, breaks into pieces the rocks, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind comes an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind comes an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After an earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, here comes a still small voice.
Speaker 1:We should take the lesson from that text that we need to beware of pity parties. As we do anything in God's service and it's not looking or happening the way we think it should look and happen, we naturally, I think, assume that God is in everything that appears to be big, that appears to be aesthetically pleasing to our natural eyes and ears, but the effect in the spiritual realm it might be a minute or unworthy, one of God's approval. God will judge our efforts and our care of the small things. Luke 19 and 17,. The Bible lets us know we want to hear well done, my good and faithful servant. That's how the master replied to one that was under him Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter or few things. Take charge of 10 cities or even bigger responsibilities. The Bible says in Psalm 46 and 10, be still know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. We must exalt Jesus through how he has gifted us and leave all else to God, especially comparisons, acceptance, so on and so forth. Here is point number two. We must never frown upon a small offering, especially when given the right way, which is cheerfully predetermined and is given without coaxing and so on and so forth. That's point number two Never frown upon a small offering when looking at God, me and small things.
Speaker 1:So let's use this little bit of time right now to correct a glaring misappropriation in God's house concerning giving. Should we tithe? Yes, is God mad when we don't, or we miss the mark with our faith or faithfully giving? No, he is not. God cares more.
Speaker 1:We got to stop being so dogmatic in the body of Christ at times, making people feel guilty about their tithes and offering. God is the giver of it. If we should miss the mark, if we don't have the faith to give, expecting God to take care of us, then that's between that person and the Lord. But we do God no service by putting it on him that he is just going to strike us down if one does not give their tithes and offerings faithfully. Well, if God extends new mercies toward our repentant, sinful actions, well surely there's grace for those that aren't mature in that area of their spiritual growth. The tithe and God is not angry. He is not upset over monies, not given. It's God's anyway. I think he just limits how much he will bless us based upon what we give.
Speaker 1:But we need to back away from making people feel bad about a small offering, especially if we've given it the right way. Let's look at the scriptures for proof Mark 12 and 42,. A poor widow came. She put in two very small copper coins, worth then only a fraction of a penny. But it was Jesus that said she put in more than everybody else combined. He isn't making an issue out of her tithe and how much the others gave, but he made it a point to say she gave more than everybody because she gave it the right way. She gave the smallest but it meant the most because to Jesus it meant everything to her or it was the best that she had.
Speaker 1:We've got to understand we should never frown upon a small offering, especially when it's given the right way. And our last point, when we're talking about God, me and small things never judge or look down upon a small church. God already knows what he's going to do, how he's going to use each small thing he has his eyes and hands upon. We have no idea how far our service efforts are telecast, and I'm speaking of words of life. We have no idea how far our service efforts are telecast, and I'm speaking of words of life. We have no idea who we're touching, but we do know this God is in control and since he provides, we should simply give thanks and have faith that he's allowing us to participate in his story for his glory. For Hebrews 6 and 10 lets us know God is not unrighteous to forget our work and labor of love which we show toward his name, in that we minister to the saints and minister with every opportunity we have.
Speaker 1:So as we conclude, let me close with three quick questions. Number one when life gets hectic, do we have a quiet place to hear God's still small voice? Point number two do we give God our best in everything, be it large or small? And point number three am I or my family, are we at the right church under the right pastor, not based upon size? We thank you again for tuning in to another episode of the Words of Life show and we sincerely hope that you were ministered to with that message.
Speaker 1:Let's go before the Lord. Just in case there are some opportunities or things that we might think is trivial in what God has called us to do for him, let's go before him and talk to him about it. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank you for every opportunity that you've extended us to even take a part of a plan such as yours. Lord, you're doing mighty things. You have a great future for us and help us learn that any opportunity, any little thing that you've given us to do, we might deem it to be a little thing but, lord, in your eyes it is a great work and we should strive to hear. Well done, my good and faithful servant. It is. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ that we pray. We thank you, lord, for allowing us to participate in your story. We thank you for your Holy Spirit. So we say together it is so or amen, until next week we'll see you again. Words of life Pass the mark. We love you. Listening to Words of Life with Pastor Mark D Ingram.
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