Little in Thine Own Sight
Keith Malcomson emphasizes that true spiritual blessing and God's favor come from seeing oneself as 'little in thine own sight,' a humble and contrite heart essential for obedience and divine use.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of remaining humble and small in our own eyes before God. It highlights the downfall of King Saul, who started as a humble man searching for donkeys but later became proud, leading to his rejection by God. The message warns against the curse of bigness, where pride and self-importance can lead to spiritual downfall and rejection by God.
Sermon Outline
-
I. Introduction to the Importance of Littleness
- The impact of 1 Samuel 15:17 on the speaker's life
- The danger of ignoring 'little things' in faith
- The core message: 'Little in thine own sight'
-
II. Definition and Meaning of Littleness
- Littleness means being small, unimportant, and unnoticed
- Biblical examples of littleness in key figures
- Contrast with worldly ideas of self-esteem
-
III. Biblical Examples of Humble Hearts
- David, Solomon, Gideon, Ruth, John the Baptist, Paul
- Their recognition of their own littleness
- How God uses those who see themselves as little
-
IV. The Consequences of Losing Littleness
- Saul's rejection due to losing humility
- The relationship between self-perception and God's favor
- The necessity of maintaining a contrite heart for ministry
Key Quotes
“You will have a train wreck, a car crash. You will destroy your life and make shipwreck of your faith if you think little things don't matter.” — Keith Malcomson
“When thou wast little in thine own sight was thou made the head of the tribes of Israel and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel.” — Keith Malcomson
“If you lose this, you are finished. I don't care if your ministry gets bigger. I don't care if you become more famous.” — Keith Malcomson
Application Points
- Regularly evaluate your self-view to ensure humility before God.
- Recognize that true spiritual blessing comes from a contrite and obedient heart, not self-exaltation.
- Guard against pride as it can lead to loss of God's favor and effectiveness in ministry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'little in thine own sight' mean?
It means having a humble and lowly view of oneself, recognizing one's unworthiness before God.
Why is humility important in the Christian life?
Humility aligns our hearts with God's will, making us obedient and usable by Him, while pride leads to rejection.
How did Saul lose God's favor according to the sermon?
Saul lost favor because he was no longer 'little in his own sight,' becoming proud and disobedient.
Can a person regain littleness once lost?
The sermon suggests that losing this humility may mean it is never regained, emphasizing its vital importance.
How does this teaching affect practical Christian living?
It calls believers to continually examine their self-perception and maintain a contrite heart to remain in God's favor.