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Hillside United Methodist Church

06/06/2022 Church service

周日礼拜

Small Beginnings

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Small Beginnings 2022
Matthew 16:21-28

Darren Hardy wrote a best-selling book called The Compound Effect.

“The Compound Effect” describes a principle of “reaping huge rewards from a series of small, smart choices.”

Making choices is something we are all doing – all the time.

Some choices are made through our actions – some though our inaction.

“If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.”

Maybe you need fresh start – you need to make a real change.

…and just maybe, you may not quote have all the pieces in place yet, but you know a new beginning is needed.

In your habits – in your relationships – in your health – in your work

…in your walk with God.

We can’t wait until we have everything figured out before we take new actions.

We refer to that inaction – that living by default as “procrastination.”

Here are some helpful approaches to overcoming procrastination:

Confront your procrastination head-on. The key is to embrace the initial discomfort and just get started.

 It's really never as daunting as you think it'll be. You can't wait until you feel inspired or motivated before you begin working on your tasks.

 Just take the smallest possible step. Do it, without worrying about being perfect and you're more likely to reach a state of flow quickly.

 It also helps to remember why the task is important.

 Zech 4:10: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”

MSG: Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!”

This literally refers to the building of the second temple, which was not being met with universal praise and enthusiasm.

But God’s opinion is all that mattered:

Haggai 2:9: ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”

We, too, need to be okay with what may appear to be a small beginning somewhere in our lives.

A single step of faith is better than a thousand great ideas that are only thought about.

Eph 2:10: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

“God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.”

The irony is, to truly take back our lives, it means we give them to God.

Are you willing to take one step of faith today? Just one step?

Overcome the inertia that has kept you away from your Divine destiny?

A step of faith.

A step that says, “I don’t know how it will all come together, but I trust YOU, GOD, to DO what I cannot do.”

2 Cor 12:9 - “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Where God guides, He provides

It’s amazing how fast your life can change when you make new decisions with corresponding actions.

Look at your own personal situation

“What do I need to lay down? What do I need to pick up?”

? If procrastination keeps us from moving toward our higher dreams and goals, what if this is just because of a lack of faith that maybe we won’t follow-through after the first small steps?

You may have a vision – but then we are required to, possess that vision.

James 2:17 - So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.

Action is required

Actions that can begin with one small step – or one solitary life in need of help

Drive-Thru Prayer Philosophy: “Touch One Life”

ONE person – ONE action, can make all the difference

Romans 5:17 - If death ruled because of one person’s failure, those who receive the multiplied grace and the gift of righteousness will even more certainly rule in life through the one person Jesus Christ.

“For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.”

“Do not despise these small beginnings”

Some days – especially a lot of Mondays – can seem very overwhelming

“What do I do? Where do I start?” “What do I do first”

“Paralysis by Analysis”

One small step

Try this: Pray

Prov 16:3 (AMP) Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him], And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].

“In all your ways acknowledge Him”

This is where faith and trust come into play in your situation

You may be seeing (as the Word says,) “through the glass darkly,” but then you have to trust God to show you the next step(s)

I do this. I really do this. It is not just talk.

When we operate from faith we are already acknowledging 2 Peter 1:3:

“His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

Do we recognize that we HAVE this Divine Power – or do we just WANT it still?

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”

“Because the Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need.”

A double-minded person is unstable in all their ways.

Jesus: “You cannot serve two masters at the same time.” 

We must step boldly into that first step of faith

“Do not despise these small beginnings”

Where are you holding back when you should be letting go?

What is that small step of faith that you need to take right away?

Heb 10:23 - Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

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Hillside United Methodist Church
3739 US 80
Phenix City  AL  36870
United States
Pastor: Mike J Koger

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