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 Remember That William Carey, The Father Of ...

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Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 1, 2002 (message contributor)

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Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Remember that William Carey, the Father of modern missions told his churches, If you will hold the ropes, I
will go down to look for the lost." He started out with only six supporters but ended up staying 47 years in
India and setting in motion the entire modern missionary movement because of those six faithful partners.
"Expect great things from God attempt great things for God." Little becomes much when we place it in the
Master’s hands." The foot cannot say to hand I have no need of you, but we need...

Sermons and Outlines

John 6:1-13

WHEN A LITTLE BECOMES A LOT

Intro: It seems that life is a series of highs and lows. We face valleys and mountains and sometimes
it seems that we are not able to go one step farther. Ill. Job - Job 3:25. Our obstacle, whatever name
we attach to it, is totally overwhelming in our eyes. When this happens, the general tendency is to
just quit, to give up on the Lord. But, we forget just who God is! He is the Creator, the Master of the
Sea, the Lily of the Valley, The Bright and Morning Star. He is the One Who was, Who is and Who is
to come! He is still God and we need to remember this very important fact.

These verses picture a scene that is absolutely impossible in the eyes of man, but to God, it is
merely an opportunity to display His awesome power. It is an opportunity for Him to showcase His
ability to overcome any and all situations, without exception!

Today, I want you to take whatever burden you carry, whether it be personal, work, church or
related to someone else: I want you to look at this burden, then look at the greatness and power of
your God and finally realize that Jesus can handle it. And when this message is over, if you can wait
that long, I want you to bring it to this altar, lay it on the Lord's shoulders and leave it there forever.
Notice with me what happens When A Little Becomes A Lot.

I. v.1-7 THE SITUATION WAS OVERWHELMING

A. v.5 A RECOGNITION OF THE SITUATION - Ill. Jesus knows all circumstances - (Ill.Mt.10:29-31)
(Pro.15:3) He knows what you face today! (Ill. Jesus also knew how He was going to handle
the situation, before the situation ever materialized, v. 6. Friends, God already has the
answer to the question in hand before the question is ever asked! He is always ahead of the
game! Ill. The ram on Mt. Moriah, Elijah’s ravens and widow.)
B. v.6 A REQUEST FOR FAITH - Ill. All of God's people are supposed to live by faith -Hab.2:4;
Heb. 11:6; Rom.14:23 (Ill. Our typical response - Faithlessness says God is dead!)

C. v.7 A RESPONSE OF THE FLESH - Ill. I can't, we can't, it's never been done that way before!
(Ill. Phillip's response centered around money - 8 months wages, about $12,000.00 today!
Andrew’s response was similar, it centered around what could not be done!)

The question from Jesus was, “How are we going to handle this?”, v. 5. There were four
responses to that questions:

1. Let’s get rid of the problem - Mark 6:35-36; Matt. 15:23

2. Let’s raise more money - John 6:7

3. We have a little, but it will never be enough - John 6:5

4. Let Jesus have it - John 6:11

Ill. Do not listen to anything the flesh has to say about any situation - It lies! If you are in it,
God has you there for a purpose, Rom. 8:28. God's way to handle the impossible is found
in Phil.4:6-7. You see, God isn’t looking for excuses. He isn’t looking for self-doubts, or
questions marks. He is looking for faith!

II. v.8-9 THE SUPPLIES WERE INSUFFICIENT (Ill. Andrew)

A. v.9 THE SIZE OF THE GIFT - (Ill. 5 biscuits and 2 sardines) Ill. God is able to use the little
things - (Baby’s cry to speak to Abraham; a stick to part a Red Sea; a stone and sling to
remove a giant; a piece of cloth at Jordan; starving widow to speak to Elijah; manna to speak
to 2 million people - etc!) Your ability, or resources may be small, but God is still God and He
can use anything! (Ill. “He took”! It wasn't too small for the Lord! Ill. Often, He will use the
resources you already possess and multiply them in marvelous ways!)

B. v.9 THE SACRIFICE OF THE GIVER - Ill. He gave all he had. This is all God asks of any of us -
Give Him all, whether it be great or small and He will use it for his glory. (Ill. The typical
response - It is never the size of the gift, it is always the heart of the giver - If no one gives
God has nothing to work with!) Does He need us? No! He allows us to be involved! (Ill. Your
situation - Quit holding on to it and give it to the Lord along with yourself and God will amaze
you!

C. v.9 THE STAIN OF DOUBT - Here is where we always lose the battle. Ill. His promise -John
15:16 - Ill. We really don't believe this! If we did, there would be no worry in our lives at all,
we would take it to the Lord and let Him handle it for us!

III. v.10-13 THE SURPLUS WAS ABUNDANT

(Ill. Jesus was not disturbed by the circumstances - Ill. v.10 - You'll never have a problem greater
than God’s ability!)

A. THE FALTERING WERE SANCTIFIED - Ill. He used the doubters to feed the hungry - a
blessing - He does this to teach us who is in control. When it looks impossible, just keep on
serving the Lord - He will reveal His purposes, in His time. (Ill. 1 Cor. 13:12)
B. THE FAMISHED WERE SATISFIED - Every need was met, possibly 20,000+ people were
fed, Matt. 14:21. Jesus took the little and turned it into a lot! (Ill. Eph.3:20) Place your little in
the Lord's hand and He will multiply it.

C. THE FAITHLESS WERE STUPEFIED - Ill. 12 baskets - 1 for each doubting disciple. When God
does move in your situation, look out, it will amaze you and everyone who sees - 1 Cor.
2:9 (Ill. Your doubts will seem ridiculous then!)

Conc: Do you look at the things you face in life and say, “There’s no way!” Friend, as long as there
is a great God Who sits on the throne of Heaven, there is a way! In fact, He says, “I am the
way!”, John 14:6! If you can get it into His hands, He will handle it and make a lot out of your little.
What do you need to bring to Him today?

 Little Is Much When God Is In It

sScripture: 1 Corinthians 1:25-29


Denomination: *other

Summary: The world always says bigger is better; smaller is not good. The ungodly believes that
more is better and less is not good; there is strength in numbers and the few becomes unimportant;
that the rich and famous are more important than the poor and insigni

Intro: The world always says bigger is better; smaller is not good. The ungodly believes that more is better
and less is not good; there is strength in numbers and the few becomes unimportant; that the rich and
famous are more important than the poor and insignificant. This is the way of the world and the philosophy
of unbelievers.

But spiritually speaking, such is not always the case as we shall see in this study. The truth of the matter is
– people’s being bigger or smaller, more or less in number, rich or poor, great or small, strong or weak is
not the main issue. The greater issue is having God all along in whatever we think, say or do!

There are instances in the Bible that proves “Little is much when God is in it.” We shall observe and learn.
See Prov. 15:16.

1. A LITTLE BREAD IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT (John 6:1-13). In the midst of the Lord’s ministry there
was a problem – multitudes of people were in a desert place one late afternoon and everyone was hungry.
The disciples have 5,000 hungry men (John 6:10) on their hands. Matthew tells us (Matt. 14:21) that this
number does not include women and children so the total could be as much as 10,000 – 15,000. And yet
look what the Lord used to feed the multitudes – five loaves and two fishes (John 6:9-10) – with 12 baskets
more to spare!

2. A LITTLE ARMY IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT (Judg. 7:1-7). It was a difficult time for Israelites when
the Midianites terrorized and impoverished them. Israel cried unto God and He heard them and wanted to
deliver them. To do so, God must raise a leader and an army in Israel to fight the cruel Midianites. He
called upon a humble farmer (Gideon) to raise up a mighty army. Now Gideon’s army of recruits was at first
32,000 WEAK, then 300 STRONG! Oftentimes there is really weakness in number when God is not in it!
(see Lev. 26:8) Cowardice is contagious among soldiers at war! Paul once said that when he is weak in the
flesh, then is he strong in the Lord by His grace! (II Cor. 12:10).
3. A LITTLE WEAPON IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT. In time of war, a large army, advanced technology
and weaponry can spell the difference between victory and defeat. In ancient Bible times, pagan kings and
generals trusted in their numbers, chariots and weapons. But Israel had the best secret weapon of all –
their faith in God! (Psa. 20:7; Isa. 31:1). Remember MOSES’ ROD (Exo. 4:1-5, 17, 20); DAVID’S SLING (I
Sam. 17:40, 49); SHAMGAR’S OX GOAD (Judg 3:31); SAMSON’S JAWBONE OF AN ASS (Judg. 15:14-
16). LESSON: In any war or struggle in life, God can use anything so insignificant that is already in our
hand to give us victory!

4. A LITTLE MONEY IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT (Mark 12:42-44). President John F. Kennedy in his
1961 inaugural address said: “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what
you can do for your country.”

In the spiritual realm we might say to every Christian: “Ask not what the Lord can give to you, ask what you
can give to the Lord.” The world’s prevailing attitude is: “get all you can and can all you get” but God says
differently in Prov. 11:24.

Preaching to a small church?

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