Small Things Test | Herbert Cooper

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  3  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  4  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (NIV) 1. Don’t despise the day of small beginnings 1 Samuel 16:11-12 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12  So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” (NIV) 2. Do small things in a big way 1 Samuel 17:17–18   Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18  Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. (NIV) 1 Samuel 17:20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. (NIV) Colossians 3:23   Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, (ESV) 4 Benefits Of Passing The Small Things Test 1. Grows your character  1 Samuel 13:14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.” (NIV) 2. Grows your skill 1 Samuel 16:17–18 “All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.” 18  One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the LORD is with him.” (NLT) 1. David grew his warrior skills before facing a humongous giant 1 Samuel 17:34–35   But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35  I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. (NIV) 2. David grew his slingshot skills before he fought Goliath 1 Samuel 17:38–40 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39  David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40  Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. (NIV) 3. Grows your confidence 1 Samuel 17:32   David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (NIV) 1 Samuel 17:36–37 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37  The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” (NIV) 4. Grows your opportunities 1 Samuel 18:5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. (NIV) Luke 16:10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. (NIV) Your most important step is your next step