How to Handle a Big Day

Deuteronomy 33:13-16

Scripture Reference

And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,

And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,

And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,

And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.

Introduction

Many of us enjoy big days in church—a record attendance, a special outreach, an event that seems to bear much fruit. Yet a “big day” by itself does not make a faithful church or a mature Christian. The Scripture about Joseph reminds us that God gives varied blessings—dew from heaven, fruit from the sun, deep wells beneath the ground—so that we might steward them wisely. Handling a big day well means bearing fruit properly, forgiving rightly, and faithfully investing in others. These are practical, spiritual skills that are learned and sustained only by dependence on the Lord and a steady daily walk with Him.

Yesterday I probably should have preached this before we had our big days, but you’ll understand when I give you the title.

Quote from Preacher

Dr. Terry LeQuieu begins with the candid admission that timing is practical—“Yesterday I probably should have preached this before we had our big days, but you’ll understand when I give you the title.” That sets the tone: the sermon is aimed at helping the church prepare for, respond to, and steward times of blessing and attention.

Outline

1. Prepare a Deep Well: The Deep That Couches Beneath
   1. Meaning — The “deep that coucheth beneath” (Deut. 33:13) points to a reservoir, a place of stored provision. In Joseph’s context it was literally grain stored for famine. Spiritually it is the Holy Spirit’s work within us, habits of prayer, Scripture memorization, and godly relationships that sustain us.
   2. Application — Build spiritual reserves now: be regular in Bible reading, faithful in prayer, consistent in church attendance and service. When a drought (trial, criticism, exhaustion) comes, you will draw from the deep.
   3. Illustration — Joseph stored grain in years of plenty so Egypt could survive famine. Christian maturity stores spiritual nourishment so we can stand in seasons of testing.
2. Bearing Fruit Properly: Wisdom to Store and Steward
   1. Meaning — Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream (seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine) shows divinely-given wisdom to set aside resources during blessing seasons.
   2. Application — When ministry grows or personal blessings increase, don’t squander them on pride or carelessness. Instead, invest in discipleship, evangelism, facilities, and care for the needy so growth is sustained, not fleeting.
   3. Practical steps — Create plans: financial reserves for ministry needs, training volunteers, consistent outreach rhythms so blessings are used to build long-term gospel work.
3. Forgiving Properly: Release the Offense
   1. Meaning — Joseph forgave those who wronged him—his brothers, the merchants, even those who forgot their promise. Forgiveness is an act of faith, not merely feeling.
   2. Application — Big days will bring people with complicated pasts and hurts. Don’t let bitterness keep the gospel from working in a life. Forgiveness prevents ministry from becoming a closed room where strangers are judged instead of reached.
   3. Practical steps — When offended, pray immediately for the person; ask God for a right heart; remember God’s mercy; look for chances to show kindness rather than coldness.
4. Faithful Investment: The Freshness of Investing in Others
   1. Meaning — Joseph continued to invest in others even after setbacks. He ministered to prisoners, managed resources, and later restored relationships. Investing intentionally produces joy and long-term fruit.
   2. Application — Discipleship is not glamorous, but it is fundamental. Whether you pick up someone for church, sit with one who is lost, or disciple a new believer, faithful investment multiplies Christ’s work.
   3. Practical steps — Commit to one person to disciple this year; volunteer for visitation or soul winning; invite an unbeliever to church and keep the door open even when conversion does not come immediately.
5. Consistency Over Peaks: Not Defined by Best or Worst Moments
   1. Meaning — Dr. LeQuieu: we are not defined by our best day or our worst day; we are defined by our daily walk.
   2. Application — Big days must be used to encourage steady discipleship—increase Wednesday and Sunday night commitment, small-group growth, and regular service schedules rather than measuring success only by one Sunday morning attendance.
   3. Practical steps — Track engagement across the week, celebrate consistent faithfulness, and plan follow-up for visitors to convert first impressions into long-term growth.

Summary

Big days are God-given opportunities for growth, witness, and blessing. But blessings require stewardship. Using Deuteronomy 33:13–16 and the life of Joseph as our model, we learn four major truths: build a deep well of spiritual resources, bear fruit wisely, forgive quickly and fully, and faithfully invest in others with a fresh heart. The goal is not to ride the highs and capitulate to the lows, but to be steady—walking daily with the Lord so that both mountaintops and valleys shape Christlikeness in us and in the church.

We’re not defined by our worst moment or by our best moment. We’re defined by our consistency in the midst of it all.

Quote to Ponder

This succinct summary from Dr. Terry LeQuieu helps reframe how we think about personal and congregational identity: consistency in daily walk matters most.

Application for the Week

Here are practical, faith-filled steps you can take this week to apply the sermon to your life and to help the church steward its big days wisely.

1. Build Your Well
   1. Daily: Read one chapter of the Bible and pray for 10 minutes. Record one insight in a journal to begin building reserves.
   2. Weekly: Attend both Wednesday and Sunday night services this week. Spiritual consistency deepens your reservoir.
2. Steward Fruit
   1. Personal: Give a special gift or tithe on top of your regular offering, designating it for outreach or church needs so blessing seasons extend ministry.
   2. Church: Volunteer to help set up or follow up with visitors from the recent outreach—fruit must be gathered and cared for.
3. Practice Forgiveness
   1. Immediate: If you are holding a grudge against someone in the church or town, pray for them daily this week and, if possible, send a short text or make a call asking God’s blessing on them.
   2. Relational: Resolve one relational tension by initiating a humble conversation seeking restoration or at least peace.
4. Invest Faithfully
   1. Discipleship: Invite one person to a church service or Bible study and commit to meeting them afterward for coffee or a faith conversation.
   2. Freshness: If you already disciple someone, ask them what spiritual help they need and pray together this week to renew enthusiasm and growth.
5. Measure Consistency
   1. Commit: Make a small, realistic plan to attend corporate worship, a midweek service, and a small group for the coming month. Ask a friend to hold you accountable.
   2. Evaluate: At the end of the week, review your progress and thank God for what He did in you and through you—celebrate small wins.

God uses ordinary people who are faithful in small things. As a local church we will be measured not by one big crowd but by how consistently we love, forgive, disciple, and sacrifice for the gospel. May we draw from the deep that couches beneath and steward every blessing for God’s glory.