### **Introduction: Change the World**
Video Ill.: Change the World by Dan Stevers
Every kid dreams about big adventures
But at some point, the dream dies
We settle for less
Blend in
And put up walls
Welcome to the real world, kid
But you were created for more
You are a child of God
You were created for an extraordinary life
A life like Jesus’
You were meant to change the world
You were created for an earth shaking life
Full of compassion
Over overflowing with God’s love
God became man to live among us
He directly involved himself in the world‘s brokenness
And so must we
Jesus cared for the broken the sick the poor
And so can we
Jesus came to get messy emotionally, physically, relationally, and socially
And so should we
Are you willing to trust God?
Are you willing to dream again?
Are you willing to change the world?
As the Human Body Has No Insignificant Parts, So Also the Body of Christ
Source: Adapted from James Robison, Living Amazed (Revell, 2017), pages 203-204
https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2017/july/6071717.html
Copied from Preaching Today
The three smallest bones in the human body are the middle ear ossicles—the malleus, incus, and stapes—more commonly known as the hammer, anvil, and stirrup. "The hammer is arranged so that one end is attached to the eardrum, while the other end forms a lever-like hinge with the anvil. The opposite end of the anvil is fused with the stirrup (so anvil and stirrup act as one bone)."
Though the middle ear ossicles work in obscurity, completely invisible to the outside world, they are absolutely essential to our ability to hear. Without them, only 0.1 percent of the sound energy that hits the eardrum would be transferred to the inner ear. But because God has arranged these tiny parts in a way that maximizes their leverage, they produce a sonic effect far beyond their diminutive size.
This morning, the world tells us the lie that we are just one person. We are too insignificant to make a difference in this world. The world fills our ears with the lie that our church is too small to have any kind of influence. We are just too small.
But just as the human body has no insignificant parts, the body of Christ has no small or unimportant members. We all have a sphere of influence—however large or small, however visible or invisible—and we all have a vital role to play in God's plan for redeeming and restoring the world. We may be as well-hidden as a bone in the inner ear, an internal organ, or a foot inside a shoe, but every person is absolutely essential to the eternal purpose of God.
As the video said,
You were meant to change the world
You were created for an earth shaking life
Full of compassion
Over overflowing with God’s love
God became man to live among us
He directly involved himself in the world‘s
brokenness
And so must we
Today we wrap up our study of the lies the world tells.
In week one, we exposed the lie that we have to earn God’s love. But the truth is: His love is a free gift of grace — not something we can work for or deserve.
In week two, we confronted the lie that our past defines us. But Scripture showed us that in Christ, we are made new — redeemed, restored, and no longer held captive by shame.
In week three, we tackled the lie that we are not strong enough. The world says we have to do it all alone, but God’s Word reminds us that His power is made perfect in our weakness.
In week four, we came face-to-face with the lie that we are alone in this world. But we found strength in the truth that God is near to the brokenhearted — and His people are called to walk beside one another.
In week five, we unmasked the lie that God has abandoned us during our times of struggle. But Scripture showed us again and again: God is near, even in the silence. He is still with us — even if.
In week six, we debunked the lie that our worth is defined by what we have. Instead, our worth is found in our character and our moral fortitude, but most importantly in our relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Last week, in week seven, we dove head first into the lie that the truth is whatever we want it to be, only to discover that truth is not just an idea. Truth is a Person — Jesus Christ. Truth will still be the truth even when we choose not to believe it.
This morning, the world tells us to stay in our lane, keep quiet, and believe the lie that we are too small — too insignificant — to matter. But what if that is exactly the kind of person God wants to use?
### **I. The Lie: You Are Too Small to Matter**
Before we see that, though, let’s take an deeper look at the lie: You are too small to matter.
Have you ever heard these statements before??
“You’re just one person.”
“No one listens to you.”
“Why bother? It won’t change anything.”
“Your church is too small to do anything meaningful.”
Not a single ounce of positivity, but an overflowing cup of negativity.
There’s nothing worse than being told you’re insignificant — that you do not matter.
Sadly, it’s not always the world pushing us down. We often convince ourselves of the lie. You see, culture has conditioned us to measure worth by platform, popularity, and power—and if we do not have those things, then we must not matter.
This lie neutralizes the believer.
It drains out the zeal for living.
And what happens?
We retreat into complacency.
We go through the motions of faith instead of living with boldness.
We stop sharing the gospel, stop serving with passion, stop praying with hope.
We convince ourselves that someone else will do it.
We lose sight of our purpose.
We shut down, going into self-preservation mode, focusing on our emotions and our feelings, and neglecting the needs of others.
We settle for maintenance-mode Christianity.
And take a guess at who wins. Not us. Not the church. Not God. The enemy wins. Not because he is strong—but because we surrendered before we even started.
Imagine a completely dark room. Pitch black.
Now light a single candle.
The flame is small at first. It flickers and jumps back and forth with any movement of air in the room.
That little flame has amazing power. For you see, darkness now flees! It doesn’t matter the size of the flame because the very presence of light makes all the difference.
This is exactly what Jesus said in John 1:5:
5 The light shines in the darkness,? and the darkness can never extinguish it.
(John 1, NLT)
And again in Luke 8:16, Jesus reminds us:
16 “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.” (Luke 8, NLT)
Friends, we may feel like a small flame—but that light matters. And the moment you choose to shine, darkness begins to lose.
### **II. The Truth: God Uses the Unlikely to Do the Incredible**
Why is that the case? Because the truth is this: God uses the unlikely to do the incredible. Paul said it this way in 1 Corinthians 1:
27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and || used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. (1 Corinthians 1, NLT)
You see, no matter how small or how ordinary we think we are, we can be used mightily by God. Consider these stories from the Bible.
David – The Overlooked Shepherd Who Became a Giant Slayer and a King
He was the youngest of eight brothers — just a boy, tucked away in the fields watching sheep. When the prophet Samuel came to anoint the next king of Israel, David was not even invited to the lineup. His father Jesse never thought to include him.
But God saw what no one else could. 1 Samuel 16 reads:
7 …[T]he Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16, NKJV)
And so Samuel, guided by God, poured oil on the head of the forgotten shepherd — David — the least in his family, the one no one expected.
Later, when a giant named Goliath mocked the armies of Israel, it was not a soldier or a seasoned warrior who stood up. It was David.
Armed with five smooth stones and an unshakable faith, he faced the giant no one else dared to challenge — and won.
With God, one ordinary shepherd becomes a warrior… a king… and a man after God’s own heart.
Gideon – The Fearful Farmer Turned Mighty Warrior
He was threshing wheat in secret — hiding from the enemy — when the angel of the Lord appeared and greeted him with unexpected words in Judges 6:12:
12 …“The Lord is with you, valiant warrior.” (Judges 6, NASB)
Valiant warrior? Gideon was confused. Afraid. Insignificant. He said in verse 15:
15 “…[M]y family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.” (Judges 6, NASB)
But God saw something different.
He took this hesitant farmer, trimmed his army down to just 300 men, and used him to defeat an enemy too vast to count.
God did not need strength — He needed surrender. And Gideon’s fearful “yes” became a victory that only God could explain.
Mary – A Teenage Girl Chosen to Carry the Messiah
She was likely no older than 14. A small-town girl from Nazareth, betrothed to a carpenter. She had no status, no wealth, and no influence. But heaven knew her name.
The angel said to her in Luke 1:
30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary, … for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” (Luke 1, NLT)
In that moment, the fate of the world hung on her response. And Mary said in verse 38:
38 …“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true….” (Luke 1, NLT)
Through that teenage girl’s obedience, the Son of God entered the world.
Never underestimate the power of one surrendered life.
The Disciples – Ordinary Men Who Changed the World
They were not scholars. They were not priests or politicians.
They were fishermen. Tax collectors. Zealots. Blue-collar men with calloused hands and rough reputations.
But Jesus looked at them and saw more. Jesus said in Matthew 4:
19 … “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4, NKJV)
He taught them. Walked with them. Forgave them.
And when the time came, He entrusted the future of His mission to them.
And those ordinary men, filled with the Spirit of God, turned the world upside down. In Acts 17, it is said of the disciples:
6 …“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” (Acts 17, NKJV)
They were not powerful, but they were faithful.
And God still uses people like that today.
You see, God delights in using the overlooked and underestimated to do eternal work. He does this so that no one may boast—so that He alone receives the glory.
### **III. One Person Can Change the World: Real-Life Stories**
Friends, it is true, one person can change the world. Consider the story of William Wilberforce.
### **William Wilberforce – The Voice That Ended a Slave Trade**
He was born into privilege. A young man of wealth, education, and political influence in 18th-century England. William Wilberforce could have lived a comfortable, quiet life of success.
But God stirred something deeper.
After a profound spiritual awakening, Wilberforce wrote in his journal that God had “set before me two great objects: the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners.”
He was one man — standing against an empire profiting from human suffering. For years, he was mocked, slandered, and told it was a lost cause. Powerful men dismissed him. Friends abandoned him. His health declined.
But he never gave up.
For over 20 years, he fought tirelessly in Parliament. And finally, just days before his death in 1833, the British Parliament voted to abolish slavery across the empire.
One man. One voice. One persistent faith.
And millions were set free.
Or consider the story of Malala Yousafzai.
### **Malala Yousafzai – A Girl with a Book and a Dream**
She was a schoolgirl in Pakistan — just 15 years old — when the Taliban took control of her region and banned girls from attending school.
But Malala refused to stay silent. She began writing about the importance of education, even though it put her life at risk.
And one day, they tried to silence her forever. She was shot in the head while riding the bus home from school.
But Malala survived. And instead of retreating in fear, she raised her voice even louder.
She stood before world leaders, spoke at the United Nations, and inspired millions with her courage. At just 17, she became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate in history.
She said,
“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”
She was right.
One life. One act of courage. One unwavering stand for what is right.
These are not just stories of the past or headlines from another part of the world.
These are modern-day candles shining in great darkness.
They are reminders — proof — that one life, yielded to God and committed to truth, can still shape nations, spark movements, and shine light into darkness.
We may not stand before Congress. We may never speak at the United Nations. But our life — our faithfulness, our love, our service — still matters. In our neighborhood. In our school. In our family. In our church.
The enemy says, “You cannot make a difference.” But Scripture and history shout back: Yes, you can.
Let your light shine.
### **IV. Our Church Can Make a Difference Too**
And folks, this is just as applicable to our church as it is to us individually. As a church we can make a difference too!
In Matthew 5, Jesus encourages us this way:
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good || works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5, NKJV)
The great deceiver whispers, “Your church is too small.”
The world says, “You cannot compete with the big churches.”
We look at the bottom line, and tell ourselves, “We do not have the resources.”
But the truth, folks, is that light is not measured by size, but by presence.
We can make a difference. We can touch lives. We can save souls. We can let our light shine in this community.
One little church in Allegheny County, Antioch Christian Church, atop a mountain, has touched lives around the world. A church of less than 50 reached beyond the small community that lived at the top of the mountain. One young man became a foreign missionary. Others became ministers. Others married ministers. Some were teachers. The world has been touched because they were faithful to the calling God had for them.
A small church on fire for God, and on a mission to serve God is stronger than a large church that is just functioning in maintenance mode.
We may not have hundreds of people, but we can change this community one act of love at a time.
### **V. Responding to the Truth: What Should We Do?**
This morning, then, how do we respond to the truth that God can and will use us, no matter our size or strength?
Here are 4 ways to let our lights shine:
1. Refuse to Believe the Lie
Reject the voice that says, “You cannot.” That is not from God. Rely on God’s strength and power and know that with God on our side, we can do and accomplish anything God wants us to do.
2. Shine Where We Are
Friends, we do not have to do everything. That is not our call. Our calling is, though, to do something. Andy Stanley, son of the late Charles Stanley, once said, “Do for one what you wish you could do for all.”
Wherever we find ourselves, let that be where we shine God’s light for the world to see.
3. Live a Messy, Compassionate Faith
Our world is truly a mess. But it has been a mess for a very long time. Jesus was not afraid to enter the mess of this world. He reached out and touched so many lives during His short time of ministry. Let Him be our example — we must get out into our messy world too.
Get uncomfortable.
Get involved.
Get moving.
4. Start With One
One person.
One act of kindness and compassion.
One opportunity to change a life.
### **Conclusion: Choose to Listen to the Voice of Truth**
When we started today, we began with a video that asked some powerful questions:
Are we willing to trust God?
Are we willing to dream again?
Are we willing to change the world?
We were created for more than blending in.
We were made for more than going through the motions of faith.
We were created to shine.
The world says:
“You’re too small.”
“You’re just one person.”
“You can’t make a difference.”
But that voice is a lie. And throughout this entire study, we have been reminded that we must stop listening to the lies of the world — and start listening to the Voice of Truth.
The voice of truth says:
We are chosen.
We are loved.
We are redeemed.
We are equipped.
We are sent.
God does not need our platform.
God is not looking for perfection.
God is not waiting for us to be “big enough.”
He is waiting for us to say yes.
One surrendered life can change the world.
One small church can shine like a city on a hill.
So let me ask — will we listen to the voice of fear? Or will we listen to the Voice of Truth?
As we close this morning, we are going to listen to a song titled just that — Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns.
It perfectly sums up everything we have said over the past 8 weeks.
Let this be our declaration.
Let this be our prayer.
Let this be our response.
May we choose to believe the Voice of Truth.
Video Ill.: Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cKm_mYVPQE
