Just a Stick: Jenetzen Franklin

Just a Stick

Scripture References

• Exodus 4
• Mark 16

Overview

God delights in taking what looks ordinary—a simple stick—and turning it into something extraordinary when it is surrendered to Him. Through Moses’ rod, Pastor Jentezen Franklin showed that God can work miracles with common things, confront our fears, and still call us back to humility after success. The call is clear: relinquish what is in your hand, trust God to make it supernatural, and remain “just a stick” even after He uses you.

Main Points

1. What’s in Your Hand?

• God met Moses in the desert after 40 years of hiding and asked, “What is in your hand?”
• Moses’ only possession—a shepherd’s staff—became the instrument for deliverance once he laid it down.
• Lesson: God starts with what we already have; availability matters more than ability.

2. Confronting Fear

• When the staff became a snake, Moses fled; God told him to grab it by the tail.
• Grabbing the “little end” illustrates trusting God with the dangerous “big end.”
• The call of God normally includes a moment of facing the very thing we fear.

3. Ordinary in God’s Hands Becomes Extraordinary

Illustrations:

• Red Sea parted when Moses lifted a stick.
• Bitter waters of Marah were healed by a stick.
• The widow gathering sticks received a miracle of provision.
• An iron axe-head swam when touched by a stick.
• Paul survived a serpent while gathering sticks, proving God to islanders.
• Redemption itself came through two wooden sticks—the cross of Christ.

• Repeated theme: “Sometimes all God needs is a stick.”

4. Success Tests Humility

• God can thrust a person or ministry onto a big stage, but the greater miracle is returning to being “just a stick.”
• Warning against arrogance after promotion—success must not replace dependence on God.
• A stick day (ordinary faithfulness) is more common than a snake day (spectacular miracle); most of life is lived in stick days.

5. God Seeks Sticks He Can Trust

• Mark 16: believers can “take up serpents, and it will not hurt them”; God looks for people who can handle the supernatural without being harmed by pride.
• In the Ark of the Covenant God kept Aaron’s rod, not the snake, symbolizing that humility stays permanently in His presence.

“God, use me.”

Key Truths

• God evaluates excuses and still chooses ordinary people.
• Confronted fear becomes conquered fear when we act in obedience.
• Miracles flow when we remove our fingerprints and let God handle what is His.
• Supernatural success becomes dangerous when it eclipses simple dependence.
• Stick days—consistent, humble faithfulness—prepare us for snake days of public impact.

Response

• Surrender whatever is “in your hand” to God today.
• Face one specific fear this week, trusting God to handle the “big end.”
• After every success, deliberately practice humility and gratitude.
• Serve in an unseen role to keep your heart anchored as “just a stick.”
• Remember daily that the cross—two sticks—defines your value and mission.

Closing

God is still looking for ordinary sticks He can anoint to swallow up deception, open seas, and change lives. The question is not whether He can use you, but whether you will stay humble enough to be used again and again.

“Here’s my stick, Lord—God, use me.”

Prayer

Father, take the simple things we place in Your hands. Strip away our fear, our excuses, and our pride. Anoint these ordinary sticks for extraordinary purposes, and after every miracle bring us back to humble dependence on You. In Jesus’ name, amen.