Sermon Central
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You Cannot Make A Difference Series
Contributed by Duane Wente on Jul 28, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: Even the smallest light can pierce the darkest night—God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
### **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?
