The following blog post contains notes and application questions from our January 20, 2019 message, Biblical Not Big: A Commitment to Measure Our Success by Our Ability to Be and Make Disciples. For more from this series, check out How He Built This.
Summary
From the very beginning of Watermark we said that if we are biblical, who cares how big we get. The Bible is our authority, it is our conscience, and it is our guide. We are firm where it is firm, and we are flexible where it is flexible. God built this—His church—on the teaching of His Word.
Key Takeaways
- If dependence is the goal, then weakness is an advantage.
- Christians are not a perfect people, but they have been perfectly provided for by Christ.
- When you are busily serving Jesus, you can quickly turn into someone you don’t want to be and are danger of doing four things: 1) Accuse God of indifference and incompetence, 2) Attribute laziness to others and arrogantly accuse them of not loving God as much as you do, 3) Act like you are the only one doing anything that should impress God, and 4) Assume the throne.
- Jonathan Edwards started his famous resolutions with these two: 1) I will live for God, and 2) If no one else does, I will.
- Don’t like what God does for you, like who He is and what His Word says.
- Don’t let grumbling misguide you. Just because people are grumbling doesn’t mean you aren’t doing what God wants.
- Let the Word of God be your guide even if it costs you disciples.
- Don’t look to be popular...look to be faithful! Pastors who work to get crowds work for food that perishes.
- Has anyone ever said to you that you are too biblical?
- The only way to have something to show for your journey on earth is to be about the business of heaven.
- We don’t call the shots. God does! This life is not about us; it’s about Him.
Questions for Reflection, Discussion, and Application
- Has anyone ever said to you that you are too biblical? Think about the person in your life that knows, speaks, and lives out God’s Word more than anyone else. Reach out and tell them! After you encourage them, resolve to imitate them as they imitate Christ.
- The next time you read the Bible, finish your time by writing a one-sentence application of how you are going to live out—within the next 24-hours—what you just read.
- Do you want to grow in your understanding and application of God’s Word? Sign up for and join us at Equipped Disciple.
Mentioned or Recommended Resources
- Suggested Scripture study: 1 Peter 2:9-12; Luke 10:38-42; 2 Kings 22:1-23:3; Ezekiel 33:1-9,30-33; John 6:26-29,60-69; Hebrews 13:17; Ephesians 4:1-13; Acts 20:26-35
- Sermon: The Bible
- Real Truth Real Quick: Is It A Sin Not To Read Your Bible?
- Real Truth Real Quick: What Does The Bible Say About Covenant Membership and Church Discipline?
- Real Truth Real Quick: Why Does Watermark's Membership Reset Every Year?
- Sermon Series: How He Built This