Obscure Significance

Lisel Cain • March 7, 2025

We have entered a time that often measures impact by visibility. It's easy to assume that those with the largest followings, most books sold, or the most downloaded sermons are the ones God is using most profoundly. We celebrate the Christian celebrities, well-known pastors, and the latest podcasters. But what about the ones whose wisdom will never be published, whose words will not be trending, and whose voices will not be spoken beyond the walls of their local church? What about the mother who shows up each week in the nursery to rock a baby to sleep? The man who faithfully sets up chairs before anyone else arrives? The widow who quietly intercedes for the next generation?


Their work may seem obscure and seemingly insignificant, but in God’s kingdom, nothing done in faithfulness goes unnoticed.


A Kingdom Built on the Ordinary

Throughout scripture God has given us stories of ordinary people playing significant roles in His story. It is the unseen and the overlooked that He spent much of His ministry highlighting. When Jesus described the kingdom of heaven, He compared it to a mustard seed—small, seemingly ordinary and insignificant, yet capable of great growth (Matthew 13:31-32). When He talked of the widow who gave two small coins, He commended her offering as greater than all the rest (Mark 12:41-44). In His final days on Earth, Jesus chose not to be served, but to serve by washing His disciples’ feet, showing that true greatness is found in serving (John 13:12-17).


The kingdom of God is not built solely with those who seemingly have the most influence; it is upheld by the faithfulness of the ordinary. 


The Hidden Glory of Faithful Service

The Bible refers to the church as a body, and every part plays an important function (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). The beauty of God’s church is that He has generously gifted each of us with a unique role, and He does not consider one less significant than the other. While some are called to preach on a stage, others are called to prepare the coffee, mentor students, or pursue their community. Some will disciple thousands, while others will disciple one. Some will write books, and some will write letters of encouragement to those seated next to them.

What we do in secret (Matthew 6), God sees. What we consider small, God magnifies. And what seems obscure to us is significant in His eyes. At the end of our lives, the goal is not to have the most followers, the most influence, or the most recognition. The goal is to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).


Wisdom Overlooked & Unseen

Our tendency to elevate celebrity Christians has caused us to overlook the community God has given us within the church. We are often quick to turn to a Christian podcast or grab the latest self-help book than to reach out to someone in our own church body. The husband who ensures discipleship is at the forefront of his home or the woman who selflessly serves her family are equally rich in biblical wisdom. We often forget that throughout Scripture, knowledge of God was passed down through seemingly ordinary people—Hannah's faith (1 Samuel 1:27-28), Jeremiah's doubt (Jeremiah 1:7-8), and the disciples' passion to spread the Gospel shaped generations to love the Lord.

How much deeper and richer would our church community be if we recognized the wealth of knowledge and love for God present among us? We would see that merit in the faith is not measured by accolades or the name, size, and ministry opportunities of your church. Instead, we would experience the fullness of God’s design for the church. A people pursuing and bearing one another. 


Resisting the Pull of Recognition

It’s tempting to believe that influence equals impact. But Jesus Himself never sought a platform—He withdrew to solitary places, poured into a small group of disciples, and often told people not to speak of His miracles. He wasn’t interested in building a personal brand; He was interested in building the kingdom of God.

When we get caught up in recognition, we miss the quiet ways God is working through us. The mother raising her children to love Jesus is advancing the kingdom. The greeter welcoming people with care is embodying Christ’s love. The one in steadfast prayer is shaking the heavens. 


Faithfulness in the Obscurity

So to the unseen servants of the church: You are significant. Your faithfulness matters. Even if no one acknowledges your work, heaven does. To the one idolizing the celebrity: God can meet you in the ordinary. His wisdom can reach you in the gentle comfort of a neighbor. Seek those God has placed around you. 


The kingdom of God is being built through the obscure and significant hands of His people.




This blog post was written in light of Pastor Ky Martin's sermon on Romans 16:1-6, What's In A Name?

Everything We Need

July 29, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:3-4 We have everything we need for a godly life. Sentence has: 68 words 9 prepositional phrases 5 dependent clauses God called us. “By His divine power” The word here is summon Like Lazarus, come forth. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. By revealing Christ to us. “Through the knowledge of Him” Side note, ambiguity: The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We need to note that this comes to us by grace, but also that we have a part to play here. Effort is not a 4 letter word. You have no excuse for: Pornography- You have everything you need. Substance Abuse- You have everything you need. Pride- You have everything you need Laziness- You have everything you need Anger- You have everything you need. Prayer and Scripture Reading- You have everything you need. Evangelism- You have everything you need. He’ll go on to mention supplementing He has given us what we need for godliness now, and He promises us even greater things to come. We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature 2 Pe 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature Unusual word… The “divine nature” (Theos) appears only here and in Acts where Paul addresses the Areopagus an odd work choice and would have appealed to his pagan readers. Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. Redefining what it means to become like God. Christ shared in our nature that we might share in His. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. In 1:3, it’s through the knowledge of Christ that we are called to Him. Here, we see that a fuller revelation of Christ will conform us even more fully into His likeness. How so? Purity Immortality Restoration to Eden Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, We have everything we need for a godly life. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. Purity Immortality Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable.’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. Discipleship Questions: 2 Peter 1:3 says we’ve been given everything we need for life and godliness… Do you find that verse encouraging, challenging or both? Are there any areas of your walk where you struggle to believe that you already have everything you need for success? Do you ever make excuses to yourself or others for a lack of godliness? If yes, explain. How much work does it take to live as a Christian? What does it mean that we will be “partakers in the divine nature”?

The Genuine Gospel

July 21, 2025
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:1-2  Peter is warning us about counterfeit teaching and false teachers The genuine gospel came from Jesus through His apostles —servant (humility and honor) —apostle (called, unique, sent) The genuine gospel is just as precious to us today —received and believed “How does someone become a Christian? One person might say, ‘Because I believe,’ and another, ‘Because God chose me.’ According to Peter, both ways of stating it are correct. On the one hand, we believe. It is a fundamental definition of a Christian that he or she is a ‘believe-er’; that he or she ‘has faith’ But Peter also knows that it is not our feeble faith that holds us close to God. It is God who does all the holding, and that is the reality behind the word received.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel is centered on the person and work of Jesus —God —Savior —Christ —Lord “This fourfold description of Jesus is important because it puts him at the focal point of human history. As God, he guarantees that his words and his works cannot be replaced or revoked; as Christ, he fulfills all the Old Testament promises; as Savior, he died on the cross for our salvation in the past, present and future; and as Lord he claims the right to our individual love and obedience—notice how Peter calls him our Lord.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel transforms us as we grow in knowledge of Jesus —grace and peace multiplied Discipleship Questions: Why is false teaching so dangerous? How does remembering and focusing on the true gospel help us stand against false teaching? In what ways is the gospel just as precious to us as it was to the apostles? How do you relate to Jesus as God, Savior, Christ, and Lord? What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him?

The God of All Grace

July 16, 2025
Notes from Zach Snow's sermon on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:8-14 Why is the lion roaring? Wouldn’t it be a better strategy to be quiet…subtle…sneaky, in an attempt to “devour” Christians? I think that Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, was very intentional with his description here of the devil being a roaring lion. Went into a rabbit hole on a lion's roar…there are some spiritual applications to these: Can reach up to 114 decibels…almost as loud as a jet engine taking off They roar for social reasons (territory, create bonds, locate other members of their pride) as well as for purposes of intimidation. One of the primary purposes of the lion's roar is to strike fear in the heart of their prey. The lion will always start with a psychological advantage Fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hatred - these things can absolutely paralyse you spiritually The lion is not necessarily trying to kill you, but to destroy your faith Prayer: Be sober-minded - Have a clear and self disciplined mind - Titus 2 Exercise self control in thoughts, words, and action this is the 3rd time Peter has said this to us in 1 Peter - 1:13, 4:7 - it’s a call to remain alert and focused Being sober-minded means waging war against the things that are detrimental to the mind: fear, hatred, anxiety, depression, anger I believe these are specific things the enemy uses to derail our mental health and cause us to take our guard down Be watchful - this is the same word that Jesus used in the garden before he was arrested and crucified - this is a call to pray Prayers for others - Eph. 6:18 - Ephesians 6:18 - [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Prayers for yourself - James 1:5 - 5 j If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. So here’s the question… Do you believe in prayer? How much do you trust that God can do the things that you are not able to do? Do you trust God with the big stuff AND the small stuff? Discipleship Questions: 1.) In your personal life, what does being sober minded and watchful look like to you? 2.) Who are the people who help you stand firm in your faith the most? 3.) As a CG look at each of the points of the Theology of Suffering and find Scripture to support each one of those statements: God is ALWAYS good God is ALWAYS enough God will ALWAYS love you 4.) Discuss ways that the God of all grace has restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established you.
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