Small is Good
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” Zechariah 4:10, New Living
Americans like big. Real big. In fact, the bigger the building, the bigger the group, the more of whatever it is, if more is more than the other, the better it is. Or so we think.I am not sure when this idea of “bigger is better” came into our culture, but I sense it began out of a source of pride, affluence, and seeking to be quite well off, more so than the Jones.
Remember that old saying? How we must “keep up with the Jones?” Says who?
In these last days, when the shaking and rattling and rolling is occurring, by the Lord’s design and in His perfect timetable, that which has been looked upon as His will to build it all bigger is getting a re-work. In fact, He is taking us back to the original plan of the gathering of believers, in what we have come to call “church.”
“Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:43-47, NASU
During the birth of these first gatherings of believers in Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ, they met from home to home. It was a pattern that had already been established by the Jews, as they generally kept their synagogues, their shuls, small. It provided more of a sense of belonging, family, and not getting lost in a big crowd. There were the times of the Lord’s appointed feasts for that. The main purpose of the smaller gatherings, in homes, was to give each an opportunity to share their Holy Spirit-inspired gifts and have real fellowship with one another while sharing a meal with gladness and sincerity of heart more fully.
For over a year now we have re-established a gathering of believers in our home, meeting regularly with 10-12 others, sometimes more. We knew them as cell groups in Michigan over 40 years ago, and the Lord has called us back to this way of “having church”. Often it is on a Friday night when we welcome Shabbat (Sabbath), the Lord’s day of rest, by lighting the two candles, as known from our Jewish roots in being grafted into the olive tree (Romans 11:16-18), praying His blessings over each other, singing worshipful and praise songs of both Jewish and Christian origins, and hearing a word shared by a teacher of His Word.
A most important part is the “breaking bread”, or oneg as is Hebrew, when we continue fellowship while eating the treats and wholesome foods that each one has brought for the enjoyment of the others. All this provides a truly shared experience of fellowship and intimacy in the ways of the Lord and with one another.
We do not despise the day of small beginnings. Neither do we look at these small gatherings in homes as just a fad that will go away. It is the Lord’s desire to strengthen, encourage, and build up His Body for the sake of all, from which we then can go into the world to share the heart of the Father, the Only Begotten Son, and His Holy Spirit.
As we see trusted relationships and standard families grow farther apart around us, we must particularly be at work among ourselves to keep our bonds of friendship and community strong. We must allow the Lord Jesus to be building us up together in the midst of how the world seeks to tear us down.
“We will then no longer be infants tossed about by the waves and blown along by every wind of teaching, at the mercy of people clever in devising ways to deceive. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in every respect grow up into him who is the head, the Messiah. 16 Under his control, the whole body is being fitted and held together by the support of every joint, with each part working to fulfill its function; this is how the body grows and builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:14-16, Complete Jewish Bible
I encourage each of you to become involved with a church that has a focus on small groups, in homes, and see how the Lord will grow your faith, your trust, your love for the brethren, and the world He so desires for them to know Him.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin, Love For His People founder
Message #96 in this series – in the year of our Lord 08.14.2022 – “Small is Good”, Sunday, 2:00 pm in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA |