Humble Beginnings | Chad Veach

0:00 Open your Bible with me. Go to Luke chapter 2 there in your Bible. Luke chapter 2. Thank you, worship team. You're good. Thank you so much. Clap for these guys doing a great job today. Luke chapter number 2. Go there in your Bible. Go to verse number 10. I'm going to preach in just a moment. But I do want to make mention, on your seat is a little card for Christmas Eve. And we'd love for you to join us Christmas Eve night, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. They say it is supposed to rain starting on the 23rd. But you know what I call the devil? A liar. the Bible says, I can't stand the rain. Sorry, that's Missy. But we're going to have a great Christmas Eve celebration. Elbow the person next to you and tell them, I'll see you on Christmas Eve, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. It says this in Luke chapter 2, verse 10, but the angel, but the angel said to them, do not be afraid. You know, the most known and consistent statement throughout the Bible is do not be afraid. Why does God keep saying do not be afraid? Because it's clear, if God is for you, who can be against you? Even if you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, in other words, hell on earth, you don't have to be afraid. Why? He's with us. Do not be afraid.

1:31 If you're dealing with fear today, welcome to the club. We all have fear, but we've got to put our faith over our feelings. Am I preaching at Zoe Church or another? Come on, we a loud church now. Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. Look at the person next to you and tell him, to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger. Right down the title of today's message, it's called Humble Beginnings. You'll find this Savior.

2:26 You'll find this baby. He'll be wrapped in clothes. He will be lying in a manger. I like that after the first song today, Josh got up and read a beautiful verse. It was so beautiful. I'm telling you that because only seven of you heard that verse. Shots fired.

2:47 But he got up and he talked about how this is the great news to us that Jesus was not born in the four seasons. He wasn't born in a five-star hotel. He wasn't born in a palace. We find our Savior wrapped in clothes, lying in a manger. God could have had his son be born in the highest of heights, but he has his son born in obscurity, in a manger, on the backside of the property. No room for him in the inn, just a little bit of place over here in the manger. Humble beginnings. I don't know how you started, but my start looks like humble beginnings. When I was growing up, we didn't get to buy boxes of cereal. We bought bags of cereal. Who am I preaching to right now? I didn't have Dr. Pepper until age 18.

3:43 When I was growing up, we were raised on Dr. Thunder. Who knows my pain? You don't know embarrassment until you go to the public swimming pool and you're wearing a Speedo that your mom made. Some of you are stuck on the Speedo. I'm stuck on the mom-maid.

4:04 Humble beginnings. See, the thing I love about God is that God doesn't usually come in the spectacular. God often comes in the subtle. God often comes in the quiet. Remember, he brought Elijah out to the viewpoint. And he passed by in the wind and the earthquake and the fire. but the Lord was not in any of this spectacular. He showed up then in a still, small voice. And I just wanna say that if God can show up in a manger, God can show up anywhere. In fact, write that down, point number one today. If God showed up there, he can show up anywhere. See, it's just proof positive that God doesn't need the best place to show up. He can show up anywhere he wants. He can show up unannounced. He can show up while you're at your job. He can show up in your car. He can show up on a walk.

4:56 He can show up while you're running. Anybody believe that God will show up at any time and anywhere? Oh, I love, just a couple years ago, in Asbury, Kentucky, at a Bible college, there was a group of college-age students that went just like they always do to a chapel service. And as the chapel service came to an end, they just kept singing and they kept singing. And all of a sudden, a move of God broke out. And pretty soon before you know it, the whole world was watching Asbury, Kentucky. Pretty soon before you know it, the whole world traveled to come to this little Bible college that nobody had ever heard of because God was doing something there. I want to tell you, if God could do it there, God could do it here. If God could do it for them, God could do it for you. If God did it way back then, God could do it right now. Come on, praise him if you believe it. God can show up anywhere he wants.

5:52 Oh, look at it again. I love this. It says in Micah 5, verse 2, But you, Bethlehem, Ephraim, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be the ruler. Though you are small, God loves to show up in small places. God loves to show up in obscure places. God loves to show up in the unexpected. It's not the obvious person that God often uses. It's the person that everybody looked past. So funny, one time Jesse, the Bible says that this prophet, his name was Samuel, comes to choose the second king of Israel. And he shows up at a man named Jesse. Jesse's got a lot of sons. His sons are not as good as mine. Mine dominate. Mine sing Feliz Navidad.

6:43 But nevertheless, he's got a lot. and Samuel shows up to Jesse's house and he says, the next king of Israel's in your home and he says, the dad, Jesse says yeah he is let me bring you my oldest and he brings out his oldest like a prized possession and he brings out his oldest son and he's like, is this who you're talking about? my oldest? and he's like, it's not him and they keep going through all the boys Finally, the prophet has to ask, Samuel has to ask, is there another son that you might have? They're like, oh yeah, we got the youngest boy. He's a shepherd. He's out with the sheep. He's small. He's in obscurity. He's not that dominant. You wouldn't want him. He said, everybody stay standing until this David comes in. When David walked in the door, Samuel the prophet sees him, and he says the next king of Israel.

7:43 I just want to tell somebody today, God will show up anywhere. God will show up to anyone. He doesn't need a lot to do a lot. Clap today if you believe that God, if he can show up in a manger, if he can show up in Kentucky. He can show up for you. He can show up where you live. He can show up in your address. God could even show up today in Rancho Cucamanga. I'm not saying he will. I'm saying he could. But see, we're so trained to think that God is into the razzle, the dazzle, the glitz, the glamour, the spectacular. He's not the God of the spectacular. He's the God of humble beginnings. That's why the Bible says do not despise the day of small beginnings. He doesn't need a lot to do a lot. And if he can show up in a manger and bring the Messiah of the universe, he can show up in your life with a miracle today.

8:41 He can show up in your house with something that will blow you away. Come on, everybody clap and give them a praise if you're grateful that God can show up. Oh, you little town, you thought you were small. You thought you were insignificant. You thought you're from the wrong family. You thought you're from the wrong side of the tracks. You didn't think you were that great. No, God can show up right where you're at. I'll never forget when I'm, the only time I ever moved from L.A., the only time I ever moved from L.A. was in 2004. I left Los Angeles to go back to Seattle where I'm from. I will never do that again.

9:18 And I went back to Seattle. I felt like God had called me to go be a youth pastor at this church. And when I got there, they announced, we've got a new youth pastor. He just moved here from LA. And we're going to have this big grand opening night. And my first night as a youth pastor in this city, we had 24 young people show up. And the city's name was called Puyallup. Nobody could say Puyallup. Nobody, in fact, everybody say Puyallup. Everybody's just Puyallup. That's how they said it. And, but, but I'm, I'm just telling you, we were in this small town in the state of Washington, but even though we started with 24 kids, I just believe this is the big time. This is where God's going to move. We're going to see a move of God in this city with these young people. And as God began to bless the ministry, as people started to travel in from all over the country, whether it be Louisiana or Miami, New York, wherever they were coming in from, they couldn't pronounce the name, but we saw it as the most beautiful place on the earth. We saw it as the place that God was going to move and God was going to breathe. See, the big time is not where you're going. The big time is where you're at. The grass is not greener on the other side. The grass is greener where you water it. Oh, come on, clap and praise him today. If you believe, I got to believe that God can move in my marriage. He can move in my children. He can move in my city.

10:42 See, the truth is, is that comparison is the thief of joy. Stop comparing your marriage to another. Stop comparing your life to somebody else's life. No, I got to celebrate what God's blessed me with. I got to praise God today. It might not be what you have, but thank God for what I've got. I'm not going to see it as small. I'm not going to see it as less than. I'm not going to see it with an inferior order complex. No, I'm going to see it as blessed and highly favored as the Lord. I'm going to see it like I've got all that I need to fulfill all that's in my heart. Give them a praise today.

11:20 In fact, let me just ask you today, write down number two. Where are the small places you've been overlooking? A lot of times, the reason why we're unsatisfied, the reason why we're filled with jealousy and insecurity is because we want what they have. We look at what they've got going. Now I want you to get your eyes on the small thing that God's given you. It might not be as blessed as them, but if I don't compare, I'll see it as the big time. What is the thing that you've been overlooking? See, David was overlooked by his father. He was overlooked by his brothers, but he was not overlooked by God. Everybody else saw him as the smallest, the youngest, and the insignificant. God saw him as the next king of Israel. God sees you in a way that you can't see yourself. God sees you not where you're just at.

12:14 God sees where he's taking you. He sees where you're going. Stop looking at it like it's small. esau esau saw his birthright as small and insignificant he traded it for a bowl of soup because he thought what is this worth samson saw his anointing as small and insignificant and he started to be with this woman named delilah and she wore him down because he treated his anointing like it was nothing there is nothing more important than the anointing of god on your life There is nothing more important than the call of God on your life. We don't look at it as a small thing. We look at it as a big thing.

12:54 The Israelites are going through the desert, and fresh manna is falling from heaven, and they see it as small. They see it as insignificant, and they want to go back to Egypt. What is the thing in your life that you've been overlooking, like, this doesn't matter? This is not that important. This is not that blessed. But if you compare it with somebody else, God's hand is on your life. His favor is on your family. His grace is sufficient. And God's doing more right now than you could ever ask, think, or imagine. Somebody praise him like you're grateful. Somebody praise him like you're thankful today. Gratitude attracts miracles.

13:32 See, it's when you suffer with entitlement. It's when you struggle with ungratitude that God is blocked from doing great things in your life. But when you stand there and go, I can't believe that I am where I am. I can't believe I have what I have. I can't believe that you blessed me enough to let me live in Pialop. See, but the lie of the enemy is It's not enough It's not what they got It's not what they got hooked up with They got more Now I'm telling you, the big time It's not where you're going The big time is where you're at right now The grass is not greener On the other side The grass is greener where you water it This is the best family you'll ever be a part of This is the best season of your life This is the best church that you could join and give an over and above offering.

14:29 This is the best. This is the best. The best is not what's going to happen. The best is right here and right now. And they said, you'll find the Messiah. He'll be lying there in cloths, and he'll be lying in a manger. In a manger? What good could come from a manger? What significance could come? They didn't even have room for you in the inn? How could this be special if it's not wrapped in significance? God's greatest gifts come in the most peculiar packages. God's greatest blessings come in the most unexpected ways. You might meet somebody and just think, I just met somebody. That friend could change your life. You might have a conversation, just think we were having coffee. That conversation could lead to change your life.

15:22 You've got to be ready for what God wants to do. Because if God could do it there, he could do it here. If God could do it for them, he could do it for you. If God get it way back then, he could do it here right now. Somebody praise him like you believe that God's strategizing on your behalf. Come on, it might be a humble beginning, but if you let God work, he'll work a miracle so great. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can imagine the things that God has in store. It might be clothed in a manger, but you understand he'll become the savior of the universe. See, the problem is, is we look past and we overlook and we want something bigger, something better, something grandiose. I don't want the bigger thing.

16:16 I want the right here thing. I want the right here and right now. Thank you, God, for my Wells Fargo checkings, savings, and my tax account. Got to put a little tax account, you know, because you don't want to get surprised. but I've learned that nothing attracts miracles like gratitude. Nothing attracts God to show up like someone that would say, Lord, I am so thankful. I didn't earn it. I didn't deserve it. You've been better to me than I could ever imagine and greater to me than I could ever deserve. Right down number three today. Last one. God just needs a place where he is welcomed. Verse seven.

17:08 And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them. There was no room available for the Messiah. There was no room. There was no room. I wonder how much room is left for Jesus in your life. I wonder if there's room for God to move, room for God to speak. I wonder how much space God has in your life. God just needs a place where he's welcome and he'll do the rest. Not where he's tolerated. You ever be somewhere socially and you could tell, I don't know if these people want me here. God doesn't need a place where he's tolerated. All right, Jesus, if you want to, you can show up.

18:04 God always shows up where he's invited. He shows up where he's welcomed. Wherever we pull out the red carpet and say, you're the honored guest here, God shows up in all of his glory and in all of his power. That's why I love John the Baptist. John the Baptist said, prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make a ready path. Get ready because Jesus is about to show up. See, I want to just encourage you, start preparing your life for 2026. I know we're ending 2025, but let's just get excited for what God's about to do next year. I know this year was a year of miracles, but anybody excited to watch God work of what he's about to do in this next year coming up? All the single people, clap louder. Hallelujah.

18:59 Saw that hand right there. Amen. Pray, I prophesy right now. In the name of Jesus, a woman of God, a woman of virtue, a woman that loves Jesus, loves the church, she serves in the name of Jesus. In the name of Jesus. This man's hand went up desperate. He was like this.

19:23 It was like the man with the withered hand. I'm kidding. But we do thank God for your patience on these streets. And I'm glad you're here at church serving, worshiping. Praise the Lord. Praise God. Is this on the internet? God just needs a place where he's welcome. I love this verse. Put it on the screen. Revelation chapter 3, verse 20. Here I am. I stand at the door and I knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and I will eat with that person and they with me. Jesus never breaks down the door. Jesus never barges in. He stands and he knocks. And he says, I want to let you know, I want to dine with you.

20:18 But I will not show up in a home where I'm not welcome. Make your life a place that's welcoming Jesus. You're inviting Jesus. You're learning how to host Jesus. I desire you, God. I want actually less of me. And I actually want more of you in my life. I'm not interested in less of Jesus. I'm making room for more of Jesus. Anybody else? See, that's how you know. And watch what the Bible says to those that do this and live this life. Worship team, come join me. John chapter 1, verse 12. Yet to all who did receive him. Come on, receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave them the right to become children of God. See, we are receiving him.

21:07 We are not rejecting Jesus. we are not turning our backs to Jesus we are saying to this child wrapped in cloths lying in a manger we believe in you and we receive you from you. And we don't want less of you, King Jesus. We want more of you. and so you are welcomed in this place you are the honored guest nothing like hosting at your house nothing like having people come to your house get all the candles lit and get all the bathrooms scrubbed down and make sure everything is good and get all the food ready and the i'm preaching to somebody on those bathrooms now come on somebody but i'm getting you know you because you got to scrub them get them ready and you're getting everything ready in your house getting everything prepared. Why? Because there's a guest that's on the way. And I want to encourage you, Jesus is on the way. Jesus wants to be in your life. He doesn't want to be a part of it. He wants to rule it. He wants to control it. He wants to show you where to go, what to do, what to say, how to live.

22:19 and you'll find in a manger a baby, but he's not a baby. He'll be wrapped in cloths, but he's wrapped in glory, and he's not coming to the urges to be here. He's coming on a rescue mission from heaven. He's come to save the world from their sins. He's come to proclaim good news. Come on, Zoe, we've got good news this Christmas, that God so loved the world that he gave his one and his only son that if anybody would believe in him, they would not perish, but they would receive everlasting life. Come on, praise him today if you believe in Jesus. See, it's not about the start. It's all about how it ends. Your life might have started bad, but when God gets a hold of it, it's getting better.

23:17 Your life was born maybe your parents didn't even want you. Maybe you weren't named in the beginning. Maybe you grew up in toxicity and abandonment. I know a father that had your name in mind. I know a God that started to mold you before you were ever born. You weren't born and God made a plan when you were in your mother's womb. God was knitting you together, fearfully and wonderfully made, all for the glory of the living God. And I know you got humble beginnings because Jesus has humble beginnings. And you might have started with cereal boxes and Dr. Pepper.

24:00 But nevertheless, God took that seed of faith that was in you. And he's doing immeasurably more than you could ever ask, think, or imagine. And I want to tell you to watch God. work. If you open up your heart, the Father and the Son that will come and that will make their home in you. And God will take over. Because He's not interested in just being the Savior of your life. He'd like to be the Lord of your life. So we've got to decrease so He can increase. We've got to make it our prayers, O.A., less of me, more of you. Don't let me look at this life, small, insignificant. I wish I had. If only I could. They've got it so much better.

24:55 What a lie. to think that God could only move there, but he can't move right here. Stop overlooking your anointing, your calling. Stop overlooking the blessing of God on your life. Don't treat it with indifference. Treat it with gratitude. Say, Lord, thank you. You've been so good to me. And I welcome you into my heart. I want more of your influence in my life. More of your kingdom. Your kingdom come and your will be done. On earth as it is where? In my life as it is where? In my heart. In Zoe Church. In Los Angeles, California as it is in heaven.

25:50 Amen. Stand to your feet today.