God's Odd Squad: A Little Child | Edward Jackson Jr | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

God's Odd Squad: A Little Child

Edward Jackson Jr

Friendship Baptist Church • Mar 23, 2025 • 90 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Pastor Edward Jackson Jr. teaches from Jesus' miraculous feeding of the five thousand, drawing attention to the young boy who surrendered his simple lunch. He shows how God consistently selects those who are overlooked or considered 'little' by society and multiplies whatever humble resources they trustingly place in His hands. Believers are encouraged to remain faithful during modest beginnings, cultivate open-handed generosity, and rely on God's ability to turn little into a lot.

Themes

FaithfulnessDivine ProvisionGenerosityTrusting GodStewardship

Pastor's Points

1.

1. God selects those considered little people.

2.

2. God selects people who trust Him with their little.

3.

3. God can take a little person and turn their little into a lot.

Key Points

1.
God selects those considered little people, choosing individuals who are often overlooked, ignored, or dismissed by society.
2.
God selects people who trust Him with their little, looking for hearts willing to surrender current resources without waiting for future abundance.
3.
God can take a little person and turn their little into a lot, multiplying limited offerings far beyond human calculation.
4.
Even Jesus recognized the necessity of rest, encouraging His disciples to step away from busy demands to recharge.
5.
Mentors like Andrew represent access, noticing potential in overlooked individuals and bringing them directly to Christ.
6.
Holding tightly to resources out of fear or stinginess prevents God's blessing, whereas open hands allow Him to perform miracles.
7.
God uses humble seasons to test our hearts and build character, ensuring we can handle future abundance without pride.

Sermon Moments

“The contrast of the child's humble lunch—barley as poor man's bread and salted fish compared to simple sardines and crackers.”

“Andrew serving as a model of access by noticing an overlooked child and bringing his lunch to Jesus.”

“The visual warning of a closed fist, illustrating that God cannot pour blessings into a clenched, stingy hand.”

“Pastor Jackson's personal memory of relying on bus transfers and eating cranberry sauce in seminary while trusting God to supply his needs.”

“The testimony of Pastor Jackson's father feeding hungry neighbors so that God would ensure his own children were cared for in distant places.”

This Week

Surrender whatever small resources, skills, or time you currently have to God rather than waiting for ideal circumstances.

Practice open-handed stewardship with your finances, trusting God to stretch your budget when you give faithfully.

Act like "Andrew" by actively noticing, encouraging, and creating opportunities for overlooked individuals around you.

Schedule intentional times of physical and spiritual rest, following Jesus' recommendation to step away from busyness.

Refuse to minimize or disqualify the gifts and vision God has entrusted to you, no matter how small they appear.

Take an actionable step toward a God-given goal or dream today with the limited tools currently available to you.

Reflect on past seasons of struggle and praise God for how He faithfully sustained you through small beginnings.

Remember This

God specializes in choosing overlooked people and using their small, surrendered offerings to perform miraculous work.

A Challenge for You

Stay faithful with your little bit and stop minimizing what God gave you. Put your little in His hands and watch God take your little and make it a lot.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.