So That!
Big Rocks
Discipleship
Discipleship = Following Jesus
“In the dust of the Rabbi.”
So That…
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. —Philippians 3:10-11
Big Rocks
Community
Koinonia = intimate spiritual communion and participative sharing in a common commitment and spiritual community
So That…
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. —Hebrews 10:24-25
Big Rocks
Service
So That…
God will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. —Hebrews 6:10
Doxology
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! —Romans 11:33
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” —Romans 11:34-35
For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen. —Romans 11:36
Living Sacrifice
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. —Romans 12:1
Transformed
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. —Romans 12:2
*Self Examination *
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. —Romans 12:3
Belonging to Each Other
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. —Romans 12:4-5
Varying Gifts
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. —Romans 12:6-8
So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service —Ephesians 4:11-12a
So That…
so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. —Ephesians 4:12b-13
Eye on the Goal
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. —Ephesians 4:14
As Each Part Does Its Work
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. —Ephesians 4:15-16
So That…
…Unforgotten (Hebrews 6:10)
…Unfoolable (Ephesians 4:12a)
…Unified (Ephesians 4:12b)
…Undeniably Christ’s (Ephesians 4:15)
Challenge: Make Serving Others a Big Rock.
So That…
…You will be more like Jesus.
…Others will come to know Jesus.
…We will be spiritual contributors, not religious consumers.
…The Church will thrive in a dark world.
…God will receive the glory.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. —1 Peter 2:9
Discussion Questions:
- When has someone gone out of their way to help you. How’d that make you feel?
- Is the church a vital part of the community? Why? Why not? How would the world be different without the church? How would our community be different without The Way?
- What are some of the gifts of the Spirit that are easy to see at The Way? What are some of the gifts that are harder to see because they are behind the scenes? How is God using the gifts of the people to accomplish His work?
- Pastor Jimmy often says, “If God has brought you here, not only do we have something you need, but you also have something we need to look more like Jesus.” What does he mean by this statement, and how does it apply to your life?
- Take a moment to quietly consider these three questions.
- In what ways have you been gifted to serve?
- How is God using that gift?
- How could that gift impact The Way’s ministry?
- What are some next steps you could take to put your gifts into service at The Way?
- What are some of the “So Thats” you can see would benefit you for serving Christ?