We are gathered here as a portion of the Lord’s little flock. His flock universal is a little flock, and we are just a small part of that. But what is His purpose for that little flock? He says this: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
It is the purpose of God to give His little flock a big kingdom.
The Puritan William Bridge once observed that in Scripture we read many times of people who were too mighty, or too numerous, or too rich, or too proud, or too powerful, to be used by God. But we never read of a people who were too little to be used by Him.
When Gideon was called, he protested that his family was poor in the tribe of Manasseh. The angel of the Lord cajoled him into service. And then, when he had finally mustered his army, God decided that it was far too big. We know the end of that story, however much consternation Gideon had to go through on the way.
We are told in Scripture not to despise the day of small beginnings (Zech. 4:10). Because this instruction is plain, we must take care that we do not despise the day of small beginnings. God loves to start with little acorns. It is the wisdom of this world to laugh at mustard seed beginnings. It is God’s declared intention to inundate the world with something that began as the most humble trickle.
So we are the little flock, and we have gathered here to be fed. God strengthens us for the task, He is preparing us for the work, and He is fitting us for the kingdom. How He will accomplish this is His business. It is our business to come and eat, to come and drink.
So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.