Big Lessons From Small Things

BIG LESSONS FROM SMALL THINGS

or

FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS

Introduction: Prophet Zechariah 4:10--- "For who has despised the day of small things?" He was trying to encourage a nation as they were rebuilding their temple and having a difficult time.

The budget was low, the morale was even lower, and it looked like the job would never be finished. The people were discouraged because the whole project seemed so small--it just wasn't the temple

it used to be.

Solomon's Temple was destroyed in 585 B. C. when Zedekial rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. The city and Temple were burned to the ground. In 539 B. C., Babylon fell to the Medo-Persian Empire, and a year later Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return. By 536 B. C., the first group had arrived and laid the foundation of the temple. Because of opposition from neighboring peoples, work on the temple stopped and was not resumed until God raised up Haggai and Zechariah

sixteen years later to preach the need to complete the reconstruction project. The people quickly responded to the challenge, and the rebuilding of the temple was completed in 515 B. C. This second

temple is known as the Temple of Zerubbabel. It continued until the year 20 B. C. when it was severely damaged by skirmishes between the Jews and Romans.

Define Despised:

--to be utterly without a way through

--to regard as nothing

--to treat with contempt

Ezra 3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men,

that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:

Some of the Jews who witnessed the laying of the foundation for the second temple, despised

it because it was not to be compared to the Temple of Solomon.

Read Haggai 2:1-9

The prophet here declares that the glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former. (v. 9)Though the work seems small and the foundation seems not to compare, God uses the prophets to strengthen the hands of Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, to complete the work and God would bless it.

I. BE CAREFUL NOT TO DESPISE SMALL THINGS

A. To deliver His people from Egypt --- God sent a baby--- Moses

Exodus 2:1-10; Hebrews 11:23-24 In the Hall of Faith

B. To deliver the nation of Israel from spiritual defeat --- God sent

a baby --- Samuel

I Sam 1:20; 2:18; 2:26 Hebrews 11:32 In the Hall of Faith

C. To deliver mankind from sin --- God sent a baby --- JESUS

Matthew 1:18-21 "save His people"

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

I Cor. 1:28 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

II. GOD USES SMALL THINGS

A. To defeat Goliath --- David used a sling and God used a shepherd boy.

I Samuel 17:40

B. To defeat the Midianites --- Gideon used 300 soldiers with pitchers

and torches and God used a man of simple heritage.

Judges 6:11-16 Judges 7:1-7 and 16-22

C. To escape death --- Rahab used a scarlet thread and God used a harlot.

Joshua 2:3-7 and Joshua 6:23-25

D. To feed 5000 --- Jesus used a few loaves and fishes and God used

a lad's lunch. John 6:9-12

Never despise the small things because God can use them to

accomplish great things.

III. GOD USES SMALL ACTS

A. Mary of Bethany --- anointed the feet of Jesus --- God anointed her

life in preaching Matthew 26:6-13

B. The widow in the Temple --- gave her two mites (all of her living

though) --- Jesus called

a disciple meeting to make sure the men did not miss the message

--- "She gave more" Mark 12:41-44

No sincere act of worship or service is overlooked by God.

C. The 120 in the Upper Room --- gave their soul, mind, and body to

God --- God gave them Holy Ghost and the honour of starting the New