OceanSide church of Christ

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SMALL PEOPLE USED BY GOD

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.  We have looked at God’s use of some small objects to do His will.

 

B.   In this lesson, let’s study how He used some small people to do His will.

 

I.         THE JEWS

 

A.  The Jewish people were small in number when God selected them to be His people (Deut. 7:7).

 

The Lord did not set his love upon you, or choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people.

 

B.   When God selected Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3), there were many mighty nations upon the earth.

 

C.  LESSON:  God manifests His great strength through things that are small.

1.    He did not want Israel to boast of her greatness.

2.    He wanted Israel to see His strength through Him.

 

D.  Application: 

1.    The Lord’s church is not a huge institution in terms of numbers.

2.    God is able to work His might through us to accomplish His will (See I Sam. 14:6b).

 

…for there is no restraint of the Lord to save by many or by few.

 

E.   God turned that people who were few in number into a mighty nation.

 

II.       A LITTL MAIDEN

 

A.  Servants within households occupied very lowly positions as far as social status was concerned.

 

B.   This servant girl was also small in size (II Kings 5:2).

 

And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought among the captive of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife.

 

C.  This little maid had a significant message that she revealed.

1.    Her mistress had a husband who was a leper (II Kings 5:1).

2.    This little maid knew a man of God who could heal Naaman (II Kings 5:3).

 

And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria!  For he would recover him of his leprosy.

 

D.  Lesson:  Greatness is determined in many ways.

1.    This little maid is contrasted with Naaman (II Kings 5:1).

a.    Captain of the host of the king of Syria

b.    A great man with his master

c.    Honourable

d.   A mighty man of valor

2.    This little maiden’s knowledge of the prophet in Samaria made her great.

1.    The prophet was found (II Kings 5:9).

2.    Naaman eventually obeyed and was cleansed of his leprosy (II Kings 5:14).

 

E.   Application:  We may not be great in wealth, social standing, might, talents, or a host of other measures.  But, because we know “the Prophet,” Jesus Christ, we are great.

1.    We may be small, weak, and frail.

2.    Our knowledge can bring spiritual deliverance to many people if only we will speak (Acts 13:38).

 

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.

 

III.      LITTLE CHILDREN

 

A.  On two different occasions, Jesus spoke about little children.

1.    Matthew 18:1-4

 

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

 

2.    Matthew 19:13-15

 

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray:  and the disciples rebuked them.  But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come to me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.  And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

 

B.   Little children possess very important traits that adults in the kingdom of heaven need to possess.

1.    Humility (I Pet. 5:6)

2.    Trust (Prov. 3:5)

3.    Loyalty (Rev. 2:10)

4.    A desire to please (II Tim. 2:4)

5.    A desire to learn (I Pet. 2:2)

6.    Enthusiasm, energy (Rom. 12:11)

7.    Forgiveness (Eph. 4:32)

8.    Cease anger quickly (I Cor. 14:20)

9.    Friends with everyone (Heb. 13:1)

10. Compassion for others (I Pet. 3:8)

 

IV.      MAN OF A SMALL STATURE

 

A.  One man in the Bible is referred to as being of little stature (Luke 19:1-3).

 

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  And, behold, there was a man name Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

 

B.   The publicans did not have a good reputation among the Jews.

1.    They were looked upon as traitors because they were loyal to Rome in the collection of taxes.

2.    They were viewed as extortioners because they took more than was required and enriched themselves at the expense of the people.

3.    In Scripture, they are often classed with sinners and harlots (Matt. 9:11; 11:19; 21:31-32).

 

C.  Zacchaeus made an effort to see Jesus, and Jesus entered into his house (Luke 19:4-6).

 

D.  This man of little stature exhibits a penitent heart before the Lord (Luke 19:8).

 

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

 

1.    Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior that results in a reformation of life.

2.    Repentance involves restitution when it is possible.

3.    Repentance can be seen because it manifests itself in the production of fruit (Matt. 3:8).

4.    Repentance is the most difficult step in the salvation process because it involves man’s giving up his will and submitting to the will of God.

 

E.   Repentance is involved in the salvation process and is a major part of God’s plan for man (Luke 19:9-10).

 

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 

 

 

 

V.        A LITTLE BOY

 

A.  Jesus was being followed by the multitudes because of the miracles He did (John 6:1-2).

 

B.   He was concerned for them, and asked Philip:  “Whence shall we buy bread, that they may eat?” (John 6:3).

 

C.  They only had “two hundred pennyworth of bread” that could be purchased, which was insufficient to feed the multitudes (John 6:7).

 

D.  Andrew pointed to a lunch that a small boy had, but deemed it to be too little as well (John 6:8-9).

 

One of the disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes:  but what are they among so many?

 

1.    The word “lad” means “little boy.”

2.    He had very little at his disposal:  five crackers and two fish about the size of sardines.

 

E.   Jesus performed an amazing miracle with the lunch of the lad (John 6:11-13).

 

And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.  When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.  Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

 

F.    LESSON:  God can take that which is little from those who are little and do great things.  Little becomes a lot in the hand of the Master.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.  God can use little, insignificant people to accomplish amazing things.

1.    These things may involve the lives of others.

2.    These things may involve the will of God.

 

B.   All we need to do is to be ready to allow God to use us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SMALL PEOPLE USED BY GOD

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

C.  We have looked at God’s use of some small objects to do His will.

 

D.  In this lesson, let’s study how He used some small people to do His will.

 

VI.      THE JEWS

 

F.    The Jewish people were small in number when God selected them to be His people (Deut. 7:7).

 

The Lord did not set his love upon you, or choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people.

 

G.  When God selected Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3), there were many mighty nations upon the earth.

 

H.  LESSON:  God manifests His great strength through things that are small.

3.    He did not want Israel to boast of her greatness.

4.    He wanted Israel to see His strength through Him.

 

I.     Application: 

3.    The Lord’s church is not a huge institution in terms of numbers.

4.    God is able to work His might through us to accomplish His will (See I Sam. 14:6b).

 

J.    God turned that people who were few in number into a mighty nation.

 

VII.    A LITTL MAIDEN

 

F.    Servants within households occupied very lowly positions as far as social status was concerned.

 

G.  This servant girl was also small in size (II Kings 5:2).

 

And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought among the captive of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife.

 

H.  This little maid had a significant message that she revealed.

3.    Her mistress had a husband who was a leper (II Kings 5:1).

4.    This little maid knew a man of God who could heal Naaman (II Kings 5:3).

 

I.     Lesson:  Greatness is determined in many ways.

3.    This little maid is contrasted with Naaman (II Kings 5:1).

e.    Captain of the host of the king of Syria

f.    A great man with his master

g.    Honourable

h.    A mighty man of valor

4.    This little maiden’s knowledge of the prophet in Samaria made her great.

3.    The prophet was found (II Kings 5:9).

4.    Naaman eventually obeyed and was cleansed of his leprosy (II Kings 5:14).

 

J.    Application:  We may not be great in wealth, social standing, might, talents, or a host of other measures.  But, because we know “the Prophet,” Jesus Christ, we are great.

3.    We may be small, weak, and frail.

4.    Our knowledge can bring spiritual deliverance to many people if only we will speak (Acts 13:38).

 

VIII.   LITTLE CHILDREN

 

C.  On two different occasions, Jesus spoke about little children.

3.    Matthew 18:1-4

 

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

 

4.    Matthew 19:13-15

 

D.  Little children possess very important traits that adults in the kingdom of heaven need to possess.

11.  Humility (I Pet. 5:6)

12.  Trust (Prov. 3:5)

13.  Loyalty (Rev. 2:10)

14.  A desire to please (II Tim. 2:4)

15.  A desire to learn (I Pet. 2:2)

16.  Enthusiasm, energy (Rom. 12:11)

17.  Forgiveness (Eph. 4:32)

18.  Cease anger quickly (I Cor. 14:20)

19.  Friends with everyone (Heb. 13:1)

20. Compassion for others (I Pet. 3:8)

 

IX.      MAN OF A SMALL STATURE

 

F.    One man in the Bible is referred to as being of little stature (Luke 19:1-3).

 

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  And, behold, there was a man name Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

 

G.  The publicans did not have a good reputation among the Jews.

4.    They were looked upon as traitors because they were loyal to Rome in the collection of taxes.

5.    They were viewed as extortioners because they took more than was required and enriched themselves at the expense of the people.

6.    In Scripture, they are often classed with sinners and harlots (Matt. 9:11; 11:19; 21:31-32).

 

H.  Zacchaeus made an effort to see Jesus, and Jesus entered into his house (Luke 19:4-6).

 

I.     This man of little stature exhibits a penitent heart before the Lord (Luke 19:8).

5.    Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior that results in a reformation of life.

6.    Repentance involves restitution when it is possible.

7.    Repentance can be seen because it manifests itself in the production of fruit (Matt. 3:8).

8.    Repentance is the most difficult step in the salvation process because it involves man’s giving up his will and submitting to the will of God.

 

J.    Repentance is involved in the salvation process and is a major part of God’s plan for man (Luke 19:9-10).

 

X.        A LITTLE BOY

 

G.  Jesus was being followed by the multitudes because of the miracles He did (John 6:1-2).

 

H.  He was concerned for them, and asked Philip:  “Whence shall we buy bread, that they may eat?” (John 6:3).

 

I.     They only had “two hundred pennyworth of bread” that could be purchased, which was insufficient to feed the multitudes (John 6:7).

 

J.    Andrew pointed to a lunch that a small boy had, but deemed it to be too little as well (John 6:8-9).

 

One of the disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes:  but what are they among so many?

 

3.    The word “lad” means “little boy.”

4.    He had very little at his disposal:  five crackers and two fish about the size of sardines.

 

K.   Jesus performed an amazing miracle with the lunch of the lad (John 6:11-13).

 

L.   LESSON:  God can take that which is little from those who are little and do great things.  Little becomes a lot in the hand of the Master.

CONCLUSION

 

C.  God can use little, insignificant people to accomplish amazing things.

3.    These things may involve the lives of others.

4.    These things may involve the will of God.

 

D.  All we need to do is to be ready to allow God to use us.