Do Not Despise Small Beginnings

Do Not Despise Small Beginnings

Key Verse: Zechariah 4:10 (NIV) – “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”

This sermon highlights the importance of faith, perseverance, and God’s power to transform small beginnings into great outcomes.

1. God Works Through Small Beginnings

Main Idea: God specializes in transforming humble beginnings into incredible outcomes.

Illustration: A tiny mustard seed grows into the largest of garden plants (Mark 4:30-32).

Supporting Scripture: Matthew 17:20 – “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed...”

Proverbs 4:18 – “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” (Small beginnings lead to greater brightness and glory.)

Job 8:7 – “Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” (God turns humble starts into magnificent outcomes.)

Illustration: Compare the acorn to the mighty oak tree. Though tiny, the acorn contains everything needed to grow into a majestic tree. Likewise, God plants seeds of greatness in small beginnings.

Application: Trust that God’s plans for your life are already in motion, even if they seem small or insignificant.

Key Thought: God delights in starting small because it showcases His power and ability to multiply what seems insignificant.

2. Small Beginnings Require Faith

Main Idea: Faith is the foundation for recognizing the potential in small beginnings.

Illustration: Think of a child learning to walk. The first wobbly steps may seem small, but they are critical for lifelong movement.

Supporting Scripture: Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Luke 16:10 – “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” (Faithfulness in the small leads to greater blessings.)

2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we live by faith, not by sight.” (We need faith to see potential in small beginnings.)

Illustration: A farmer plants seeds in faith, believing they will grow. Similarly, we must trust God with the small steps we take today.

Application: Act in faith, no matter how small your efforts may feel, knowing that God honors even the tiniest steps of obedience.

Key Thought: Faith bridges the gap between the beginning and the fulfillment of God’s promises.

3. God Sees the End From the Beginning

Main Idea: While we see the start, God sees the finish.

Illustration: An architect envisions a skyscraper while holding only a blueprint.

Supporting Scripture: Isaiah 46:10 – “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.”

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (God’s plans for us are complete and purposeful.)

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Even small things are part of His greater purpose.)

Illustration: An artist begins with a blank canvas but envisions the completed masterpiece. In the same way, God already sees your life’s masterpiece, even if you only see the blank canvas.

Application: Rest in the assurance that God is working out every detail for His glory and your good.

Key Thought: Even when you see only small beginnings, God sees the completed plan.

4. Perseverance Is Key to Growth

Main Idea: Growth requires time, patience, and perseverance.

Illustration: Thomas Edison’s thousands of attempts to create the lightbulb teach us persistence in the face of challenges.

Supporting Scripture: James 1:4 – “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Growth comes with perseverance.)

Philippians 3:13-14 – “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Pressing on leads to God’s prize.)

Illustration: Bamboo takes years of underground growth before shooting up dramatically. Perseverance ensures you’re ready for rapid growth when God’s timing comes.

Application: Don’t give up! Keep watering and tending to what God has planted in your life.

Key Thought: The path from small beginnings to great endings requires steady, faithful effort.

5. God’s Power Multiplies the Small

Main Idea: God’s power can take what we see as small and make it extraordinary.

Illustration: Jesus feeding the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish (John 6:1-14).

Supporting Scripture: Zechariah 4:6 – “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.

Ephesians 3:20 – “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (God exceeds expectations with His multiplying power.)

2 Kings 4:1-7 – (The widow’s oil story) (God’s provision multiplies small resources in miraculous ways.)

Illustration: Jesus feeding the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish (John 6:1-14). What seemed insufficient became more than enough when placed in God’s hands.

Application: Surrender your “small” to God. Trust Him to multiply it beyond what you can imagine.

Key Thought: God amplifies our efforts beyond our capabilities.

6. Rejoice in Every Step Forward

Main Idea: Every step, no matter how small, is worth celebrating because it moves you closer to God’s purpose.

Illustration: A marathon runner celebrates reaching milestones, even before finishing the race.

Supporting Scripture: Philippians 1:6 – “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”

Psalm 37:23-24 – “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” (Each small step is guided by the Lord.)

Nehemiah 8:10 – “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Rejoice because God strengthens you as you progress.)

Illustration: A child learning to ride a bike celebrates small victories along the way. Similarly, we should find joy in each step God enables us to take.

Application: Take time to reflect on and celebrate the progress God is making in your life.

Key Thought: Celebrate progress, no matter how small, because God is still at work.

7. The Glory Goes to God

Main Idea: All success and growth ultimately point back to God’s glory.

Illustration: Michelangelo credited God as the true artist, saying he merely revealed what God had already placed in the marble.

Supporting Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:31 – “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (Everything, no matter how small, glorifies God.)

Isaiah 42:8 – “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” (God alone deserves the credit for all achievements.)

Illustration: A gardener may tend the soil, but it’s God who makes the plant grow. Likewise, all accomplishments are God’s work through us.

Application: Always give credit to God for what He has done, is doing, and will do in your life.

Key Thought: The ultimate goal of every beginning is to glorify God, who makes all things possible.

Conclusion

Encouragement: Don’t despise where you are. The seed of greatness is already planted in your small beginnings. Application: Trust God, take small steps of faith, and persevere with joy.

Reflect on how God has worked through the small beginnings in your own life. What "small" steps is God asking you to take today? Pray for perseverance, faith, and the ability to trust God with the process.

Closing Scripture: Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

‌Plan of Salvation ‌What do you understand it takes for a person to go to heaven? ‌Consider how the Bible answers this question: It's a matter of FAITH: ‌F is for FORGIVENESS ‌7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God's forgiveness. —ReadEphesians 1:7a ‌A is for AVAILABLE ‌Forgiveness is available. It is— ‌"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Available for all—ReadJohn 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. But not automatic—ReadMatthew 7:21a ‌I is for IMPOSSIBLE ‌It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven. ‌For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Because of who He is: God is loving and just His judgment is against sin—ReadJames 2:13a ‌for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (We all missed the mark!) Because of who we are: Every person is a sinner—ReadRomans 3:23 ‌But how can a sinful person enter heaven, when God allows no sin? ‌T is for TURN ‌Turn means to repent. ‌that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Turn from something—sin and self—ReadLuke 13:3b And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. Turn to Someone; trust Christ only—ReadRomans 10:9 ‌H is for HEAVEN ‌Heaven is eternal life. ‌And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. Here—ReadJohn 10:10b I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Hereafter—ReadJohn 14:3 ‌How can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord? By trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness. ‌FAITH: Forsaking All, I Trust Him. ‌Prayer: ‌Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and have displeased You in many ways. I believe You died for my sin and only through faith in Your death and resurrection can I be forgiven. ‌I want to turn from my sin and ask You to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day on, I will follow You by living a life that pleases You. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen. ‌After you have received Jesus Christ into your life, tell a Christian friend about this important decision you have made. Follow Christ in believer's baptism and church membership. Grow in your faith and enjoy new friends in Christ by becoming part of His church. There, you'll find others who will love and support you. 550 words (5 minutes)