Greater Things In You

Sermon Quick Summary
Faithfulness matters in life, in relationships, in service to others and especially in our relationship with God to use whatever God has placed in you for something much greater! This message is a celebration and appreciation of volunteers at South Bay Community Church and elsewhere to encourage, inspire, and invite you to use whatever God has placed in you to be used for greater things. The Bible is clear that faithfulness in small things leads to greater opportunities to make a difference (Daniel Chapters 1-2). Serving together in community with others strengthens us for greater things (Daniel 3). For example, when we serve on a ministry team we experience strength from solidarity, a sense of unity and the presence of God working in us and through us. A lifetime of faithfulness not only shows one’s commitment to God, but also God’s faithfulness to us (Daniel 5). Step into your calling for greater things in you.

Faithfulness matters in life, in relationships, in service to others and especially in our relationship with God to use whatever God has placed in you for something much greater!
Henrietta Lacks was a woman being treated with cancer and it was discovered that her cells were not normal cells. He-La cells do not die like normal cancer cells and have been used for major advances in virtually every major medical breakthrough for the past 70 years.

In 1951, Henrietta Lacks, a mother of five, sought cancer treatment at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. While receiving care, doctors discovered something unusual about her cells. Where normal cancer cells die, Mrs. Lacks’ cells didn’t. In fact, in the science laboratory, they kept growing doubling every 20 to 24 hours.  Although given the best cancer treatment possible, Mrs. Lacks passed away later that year. Her cells, known as He-La cells, became the first of what’s now called the immortal human cell line due to their ability to continuously replicate in a culture. Her cells have been used in virtually every major medical breakthrough of the past 70 years. They’ve became foundational in medical research, leading to breakthroughs in vaccines, cancer treatments, and numerous other medical advancements. Her cells just won’t die!

Despite this profound contribution to science, Henrietta Lacks herself was largely unknown for decades. But in October 2024, Johns Hopkins honored her legacy by breaking ground on a new research facility bearing her name. At the ceremony, Theodore DeWeese, CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine, remarked: "Today is not just about the scientific advances made possible by HeLa cells. Today is about ensuring that the world remembers the woman behind them: Henrietta Lacks." She never knew the impact she would have.  She never saw the results she contributed through her body. She never received applause. And yet, her life that seemed ordinary, hidden, and unnoticed, even tragic in her untimely death led to something greater than she ever could have imagined.

This message is a celebration and appreciation of volunteers at South Bay Community Church and elsewhere to encourage, inspire, and invite you to use whatever God has placed in you to be used for greater things. 
Have some of you ever asked that question “Does what I do really matter?” Maybe you serve week after week, and no one seems to notice. Maybe you’re not serving yet because you feel like you have nothing special to offer.
Friends, know today that God has placed something inside you, like God placed in Henrietta Lacks; greater things than you can imagine. God’s invitation to us is simply to be faithful servants.
Today is Volunteer Appreciation Sunday at South Bay Community Church. We aren’t just here to say "thank you" to those who serve, although we are absolutely grateful. We are also want to encourage you, inspire you, and invite you into something greater. What you give, and what you pour out, may seem small to you, but it is part of something so much greater, and God sees you.
            Hebrews 6:10 tells us: "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." God sees, God knows, and God does not forget. God has placed something in you for greater things.

The Bible is clear that faithfulness in small things leads to greater opportunities to make a difference (Daniel Chapters 1-2).            
            In this message, we are continuing our journey in the book of Daniel. If you were with us last week or know the biblical account, you know, Daniel and his friends were just teenagers when Jerusalem was overtaken by the Babylonians. The young men were forcibly taken from their homeland and trained to serve King Nebuchadnezzar. They were exiles in a foreign land. They lost their homes, their families, and their freedom. They were stripped of their Hebrew names and given new Babylonian names. Names meant to erase their identity and faith. So much of their lives were out of their control, but even in this trauma, Daniel understood the importance that God was still in control and even small acts of faithfulness matter to God.
            Daniel and his friends remained faithful to God by refusing the King’s food, and maintaining their own diet before God. They choose to remain faithful in this seemingly insignificant area. How did God respond? Daniel 1:17 says, "God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams."
            Because they were faithful in the small things, God entrusted them with greater things. God placed something special inside of them. Before long as we see in Daniel Chapter 2, Daniel’s faithfulness put him in a position of influence to use what God had given Daniel. One night, King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream. The dream was so disturbing that the King demanded that someone not only interpret the dream, but also first tell him what the dream was about without the King saying a word. Logically, this was impossible.  No one could do that. Worse, the King vowed to put all the wise men of Babylon to death if no one could fulfill his request. Death would have included Daniel and his friends.
            When Daniel heard what was going on, he didn’t panic, he didn’t doubt, and he didn’t run. Rather, Daniel simply did what he was already in the practice of doing:  Daniel prayed, trusted God, and was available to use the gifts God had placed inside of him. God revealed the dream to Daniel. Daniel was clear where the blessing came from. He gave God all the credit. In Daniel 2:27-28 we read, “27 Daniel replied, ‘There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king’s secret. 28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed.’”
            Daniel gave the interpretation, and let’s read how the King responds in Daniel 2:47-49, “47 The king said to Daniel, ‘Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret.’ 48 Then the king appointed Daniel to a high position and gave him many valuable gifts. He made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men. 49 At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court.”
            Did you see how God moved there? As Daniel was faithful in a small thing, God gave greater things.  Daniel, who was a young man, an exile, and nobody in Babylonian eyes, was now ruling over the entire province and chief over all the wise men. Daniel is a man of God in a position of major influence!
            Daniel’s faithfulness wasn’t just about himself.  Because of Daniel, all lives of all the other wise men were spared. Daniel’s faithfulness created opportunities for his friends who also got appointed to leadership positions.  God was glorified. Nebuchadnezzar’s heart was softened toward Daniel and our God.
            Family, God places gifts in us because God has a master plan for us to use them. God wants you to know that small acts of faithfulness have a greater impact than you think. Many of you serve in ways that no one sees. You may show up early to help set up or stay late to clean up. You may pour into people who may never say thank you. Sometimes, your faithfulness can feel small and meaningless. An example of small faithful actions, impacting greater things is Septima Clark. She taught reading in Citizenship Schools during the Jim Crow era of segregation for the right to vote.  
            Even if faithfulness may seem small and meaningless, what if God is using it for something greater? What if your time in children’s ministry is shaping the next Daniel or Esther? What if your warm greeting as a host is the reason someone comes back to church? What if your quiet acts of faithfulness are setting the stage for God to move in ways you can’t see now or may never see?
            For example, Septima Clark was a schoolteacher in the South during the Jim Crow era. She didn’t march like Martin Luther King Jr. She didn’t make speeches like Malcolm X. She simply taught people to read. That might not seem like much, but remember in those days, African American citizens had to pass a literacy tests to vote, and many couldn’t.
            Septima Clark quietly started Citizenship Schools teaching people to read, write, and helping them register to vote. She used every day materials like the Sears catalog to teach. The Citizenship Schools would meet in churches, store backrooms, and any other place she could find. She wasn’t famous. Most people don’t even know her name. But do you know who trained under her? Rosa Parks and John Lewis are just two people who were impacted by her faithfulness. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called Septima Clark the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement. Her faithfulness to God in seemingly small things led to greater things far beyond herself. Septima Clark didn’t know that teaching people to read would impact the course of history. Daniel didn’t know that choosing not to eat the King’s food would one day lead him to advise the King. You don’t know how your faithfulness today is planting seeds for greater things tomorrow. But God knows. God has placed something inside you that is uniquely yours: a gift, ability, or an opportunity. What God asks in return is faithfulness. Jesus explains, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones” (Luke 16:10). Faithfulness in small things is a manifestation to God that we can be trusted with greater things.

Serving together in community with others strengthens us for greater things (Daniel 3).
            We were never meant to do this work alone or to live out God’s mission as lone-rangers. From the very beginning, in Genesis 2:18, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 tells us, “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Jesus sent out His disciples two by two because Jesus knew that we are stronger when we serve together.
            Continuing in Daniel we see this truth in the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. By the time we get to Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar had built a massive golden statue and issued a decree, similar to an executive order today. The decree stated, “When the music plays, everyone must bow down and worship this statue. Anyone who refuses will be thrown into a fiery furnace.” Thousands of people were bowing. Everyone bowed except for three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who stood their ground of faithfulness to God. Can you imagine how terrifying that moment must have been? The King was watching, and the three men were standing alone.  They weren’t just one person against the world.  They were strong in standing together in community and in solidarity with God.  When confronted by the King with one more chance to bow down or be thrown into the fiery furnace they didn’t hesitate or waiver. Responding in the strength of one voice, they declared in Daniel 3:16-17, 16Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” That kind of courage rarely happens in isolation. That kind of courage happens when we serve together, stand together, encourage one another in faith, and connect with God to serve in community.
            Continuing the biblical account, the King literally turns up the heat.  The Bible says the furnace was made seven times hotter. It was so hot that the guards who threw them in the furnace were killed instantly.  King Nebuchadnezzar sits back to watch the scene of destruction. But wait, to the King’s surprise this story is not over!  Daniel 3:24-25 says, “24But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, ‘Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?’ ‘Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,’ they replied.25 ‘Look!’ Nebuchadnezzar shouted. ‘I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!’” Family, these biblical stories never get old; there are always nuggets to hold and meditate on. The truth is, God could have found a way to prevent them from going into the fire at all. The truth is, God could have allowed them to go into the fire, and prevented them from getting burned, which God did. However, God went one step further: God personally met them IN the fire. We get a foretaste of Emmanuel meaning God with us.  Even then God was part of the team.  The King himself witnessed the presence of God in the community of the three men.
            Family, this is a truth for us today, as well. When we serve together, something happens. We experience God’s presence in ways we wouldn’t alone. We are strengthened by the faith of those around us. We are enriched by the gifts that are shared. Our unity becomes a testimony to those watching. When we stand together to serve faithfully, we grow stronger, and we encourage one another. People can see God in our midst.

A lifetime of faithfulness not only shows one’s commitment to God, but also God’s faithfulness to us (Daniel 5).
                        By serving on a ministry team we gain strength from faithfulness, unity, commitment to the team, and the presence of God. Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago, at South Bay Community Church, we have ministry teams that stand together, support one another, serve God together, and seek to share God’s love and care as a team in community together. Thank each of you for your faithfulness and commitment to your team.  When we serve together, we are strengthened. We walk through the fire together. We experience God’s presence together. We point the world to God who is together with us, just like God was with Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace.
            In Daniel 5 we see Daniel is no longer a young man.  Daniel has lived through multiple kings, multiple regimes, and multiple seasons of life. Yet, through it all his faithfulness to God and his willingness to serve has remained.  At this point in history, King Belshazzar, the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, is ruling.  Unlike his grandfather, who eventually honored and worshipped God in Daniel Chapter 4, Belshazzar has no regard for God. One night, in arrogance, King Belshazzar took the sacred vessels that came from God’s temple and used them for his own party. In that moment, King Belshazzar was terrified and shaken by a mysterious hand that appeared and began writing on the wall.  The King called his wisest men, but none of them could interpret the writing. Then, the Bible tells us the Queen Mother remembered Daniel.  She told the King in Daniel 5:11, “There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him… In the days of your grandfather, he was known for his wisdom and insight” (Daniel 5:11-12, paraphrase). After all these years, Daniel was still remembered for his faithfulness. Even though Daniel would have been in his 80’s by now and he was no longer in a position of power, his life of consistent integrity and faithfulness to God left a lasting impact. So once again, Daniel was called forward. King Belshazzar offered him gold, wealth, and power if he could interpret the writing. But Daniel’s response in Daniel 5:17 was “Keep your gifts or give them to someone else, but I will tell you what the writing means.” Daniel wasn’t doing this for personal gain. Daniel had lived a life of faithfulness, was still serving God, still honoring God, and still being used by God in powerful ways. That night, Daniel delivered the meaning that God had judged the King, and Belshazzar’s reign was coming to an end. By morning, Belshazzar was dead, and a new empire had taken over.
            Daniel’s faithfulness endured beyond kings, over decades and over generations. Daniel reminds us that faithfulness is not about the applause of people. Faithfulness is about serving God through every season. Faithfulness remains even when circumstances shift, even when leadership changes, and even when seasons change.  Most importantly, God sees. God is our audience of one and the reason we serve.
            At South Bay Community Church, there are people who have served for years and decades, giving time, energy, gifts, without expecting anything in return. Thank you for being faithful to God’s calling. Because of you, lives have been changed. God sees you and smiles.
            Know that your faithfulness is not in vain. Your service is making an impact far beyond what you can see. Just like Daniel, your faithfulness is leaving a legacy. Just like Daniel was remembered long after Nebuchadnezzar was gone. Just like Septima Clark’s work continued beyond her own lifetime. Your faithfulness is planting seeds that will bear fruit for years to come.

Step into your calling for greater things in you.
If you haven’t stepped into serving yet, know that God has placed something inside of you, such as a gift, talent, or ability. When you serve, you aren’t just filling a role; you are stepping into the calling that Christ has given you. If you belong to Christ, God’s Holy Spirit dwells within you.  It is the same spirit that empowered Daniel to stand before kings. It is the same spirit that emboldened Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire. It is the same Spirit that sustained Daniel through decades of faithfulness. Because the Spirit of Christ is in you: (1) you have everything you need to live faithfully; (2) your small acts of service have eternal impact; (3) your faithfulness today is part of greater things to come.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FAMILY GROUPS
Faithfulness matters in life, in relationships, in service to others and especially in our relationship with God to use whatever God has placed in you for something much greater!
-In what ways does the life story of Henrietta Lacks resonate and inspire you on what God has placed in you for greater things beyond yourself?
This message is a celebration and appreciation of volunteers at South Bay Community Church and elsewhere to encourage, inspire, and invite you from what God has placed in you into something much greater.
-Review Hebrews 6:10. In what ways might God have placed in you a heart for justice leading to action for greater things in service to others?
The Bible is clear that faithfulness in small things leads to greater opportunities to make a difference (Daniel Chapters 1-2).
-In what circumstances have you been faithful in smaller things through prayer, trusting God, and availability to use the gifts God placed in you to put you in a position of influence for greater things?
-What encouragement do you receive from Septima Clark who acted in small, faithful ways for greater things despite difficult opposition from the fallen world’s greed, racism, and dehumanization? Why?
Serving together in community with others strengthens us for greater things (Daniel 3).
-In what ways have you been strengthened in service to God in community with others that you could not do alone? What are some of the specific strengths that are enhanced by serving with others?
A lifetime of faithfulness not only shows one’s commitment to God, but also God’s faithfulness to us (Daniel 5).
-Based on the biblical model of Daniel Chapter 5, why is it important for you to faithfully serve God over decades even when circumstances shift, leadership and seasons in your life change?
Step into your calling for greater things in you.
-If you have not stepped into serving yet, what resonates with you on the strength from faithful serving with others in your church for greater things God has placed in you?