Overview of Pass The Small Tests | Joel Osteen
In this message, Joel Osteen teaches that God often guides people through quiet inner promptings — the “I know” thoughts, impressions, or uneasiness we feel in everyday life. His central point is that small acts of obedience prepare us for bigger blessings, greater favor, and breakthroughs. He encourages listeners to stop overthinking, quit making excuses, and respond quickly to what they sense God is asking them to do.
Main Theme: Small Obedience Leads to Big Outcomes
Osteen argues that God usually does not begin with huge tests. Instead, He asks for small, practical acts of faith and discipline to reveal whether a person can be trusted with more.
Core idea
- Small tests are not insignificant
- Partial obedience is not obedience
- Quick obedience activates God’s power
- What seems minor to us may have major spiritual significance
He repeatedly stresses that God is not trying to take something away, but to position people for something better.
Biblical Examples Used
The blind man and the mud
- Jesus put mud on a blind man’s eyes and told him to wash it off.
- The miracle was released when the man obeyed the simple instruction.
- Osteen uses this to show that obedience, not the size of the task, unlocks the miracle.
Naaman and the Jordan River
- Naaman was told to wash in the Jordan to be healed of leprosy.
- He resisted because it seemed too small and beneath him.
- When he finally obeyed, he was healed.
Saul and the Amalekites
- Saul was told to destroy everything, but he kept the best livestock and spared the king.
- Osteen points out that Saul lost the throne because of partial obedience.
- This serves as a warning that ignoring small instructions can cost us destiny.
Real-Life Illustrations
The pancake story
- A mother tries to teach her sons a lesson about sharing.
- One boy says, “All right, Kevin, you be Jesus.”
- Used humorously to open the message and set up the idea of self-interest versus obedience.
Joyce Meyer and the shopping cart
- Osteen shares Joyce Meyer’s habit of returning her grocery cart even when others don’t.
- The point: excellence in small things matters.
Craig Groeschel giving a woman $5
- As a new believer, Craig felt prompted to give a discouraged woman his only $5 bill.
- That act met a real need and encouraged him to obey God’s prompting.
- Later, he obeyed again by going to dinner despite having little money — and was treated to a meal.
A pastor’s infertility breakthrough
- A minister and his wife struggled to have a baby.
- God impressed on him that he needed to treat his wife better.
- When he changed his attitude and became more loving, they eventually conceived.
- Osteen uses this to show that sometimes the breakthrough is waiting on a simple attitude change.
The tie given to an African pastor
- Osteen felt led to give a visiting pastor his brand-new tie.
- At first he resisted because it was new, but he obeyed.
- Years later, that tie became a symbol of hope and faith in the pastor’s ministry.
- The story illustrates how a small gift can have a lasting kingdom impact.
Johnny’s $108 gift
- A church member felt led to bless a couple with money.
- The amount matched exactly what the husband had lost by taking time off work to attend church.
- Osteen uses this as an example of how God can use obedience to confirm care and provision.
Key Takeaways
1. God speaks in practical ways
- Not every leading from God is dramatic.
- Often it comes as a simple inward nudge:
- Call your parents
- Slow down on spending
- Avoid certain people
- Serve somewhere
- Apologize
- Be kinder at home
2. Excuses delay destiny
- Osteen warns against:
- “I’ll do it later”
- “It’s no big deal”
- “I’m too busy”
- “I don’t feel like it”
- He says these rationalizations can keep people from the best God has for them.
3. God tests character before releasing more
- If you can be faithful in small matters, God can trust you with greater responsibility.
- Small acts of kindness, discipline, and humility are treated as spiritual preparation.
4. Obedience often benefits others too
- A small act from you may become someone else’s encouragement, provision, or turning point.
- Your obedience can plant a seed that later grows into something much larger.
Practical Applications
Osteen encourages listeners to ask themselves:
- Is there something small I keep putting off?
- Am I ignoring a quiet prompt from God?
- Do I need to:
- forgive someone,
- return something,
- apologize,
- serve,
- be more disciplined,
- change my habits,
- or treat someone better?
His challenge
- Do it quickly
- Do it wholeheartedly
- Don’t partial-obey
- Trust that God’s instructions are for your good
Closing Message
The sermon ends with an encouraging declaration: if people will obey in small things, God will bring big blessings, new opportunities, healing, restoration, promotion, and favor. Osteen says believers can become everything God created them to be when they consistently respond to God’s inner prompting.
He also closes with:
- a short salvation prayer inviting listeners to make Jesus Lord of their lives,
- a promotion for his book Your Words, Your Reality,
- and a reminder to keep speaking faith-filled words and staying sensitive to God’s voice.