The Gospel Is Bigger Than Us
Welcome To New Berlin Road Church, where we want you to Gather Grow and Go
THE GOSPEL IS BIGGER THAN US
Kingdom Work Is Bigger Than Our Circle
Mark 9:38–41
Main Idea: God’s work is bigger than our preferences, our group, and our control.
Application: Celebrate others who are faithfully advancing the Gospel.
Scripture Reading
Mark 9:38–41
John sees someone ministering in Jesus’ name and tries to stop him because the man was not part of their group. Jesus responds:
“Do not stop him…”
Jesus reminds His disciples that the Kingdom of God is bigger than their circle.
1. We Must Beware of Spiritual Pride
Mark 9:38
John says:
“Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he was not following us…”
Notice what John does not say:
“He was not following You.”
He says:
“He was not following us.”
Key Truth
Sometimes we confuse loyalty to our group with loyalty to Christ.
Spiritual pride causes us to:
- See other believers as competition instead of co-laborers
- Become jealous of what God is doing through others
- Care more about who gets credit than whether people are reached
- Focus on numbers instead of names
- Forget that God’s Kingdom is bigger than our church
Heart Check
Do I see other Gospel-centered churches and ministries as competition or co-laborers?
2. We Must Celebrate Gospel Work Beyond Ourselves
Mark 9:39
Jesus says:
“Do not stop him…”
This does not mean we stop being discerning. Doctrine matters. Truth matters. The Gospel matters.
Biblical warnings:
- Acts 19:11–20 — The seven sons of Sceva tried to use Jesus’ name without truly knowing Him.
- Matthew 7:21–23 — Some will say, “Lord, Lord,” and Jesus will say, “I never knew you.”
- John 14:6 — Jesus is the only way to the Father.
Key Truth
This passage is telling us to have discernment
It is not telling us to be divisive.
Discernment vs. Division
Discernment asks:
“Is Jesus being honored according to His Word?”
Division asks:
“Why are they not doing it our way?”
A city is not reached, and God is not honored, when people on the same team fight over secondary issues.
3. We Must Recognize True Kingdom Allies
Mark 9:40
Jesus says:
“For the one who is not against us is for us.”
Jesus is teaching His disciples to recognize allies instead of creating unnecessary enemies.
Old Testament Connection
In Numbers 11:24–29, Joshua wanted Moses to stop Eldad and Medad from prophesying in the camp. Moses responded:
“Are you jealous for my sake?”
Moses did not feel threatened by God working through others.
We need:
- Joy instead of jealousy
- Cooperation instead of competition
- Humility instead of suspicion
- Love instead of division
John 13:35
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
A fighting church damages its witness.
A jealous church weakens its mission.
A divided church distracts from the Gospel.
But a humble, Gospel-centered church points people to Jesus.
4. We Must Value All Acts of Faithful Service
Mark 9:41
Jesus says:
“Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.”
Jesus moves from casting out demons to giving a cup of water.
That means both the visible and the ordinary matter to God.
God sees:
- The preacher
- The teacher
- The singer
- The greeter
- The nursery worker
- The prayer warrior
- The person setting up chairs
- The person serving behind the scenes
- The person who quietly loves others
- The person who gives a cup of water in Jesus’ name
Key Truth
No act of service done in Jesus’ name is wasted.
The world rewards platforms.
Jesus rewards faithfulness.
Conclusion
John said:
“He was not following us.”
Jesus said:
“Do not stop him.”
The Kingdom of God is bigger than:
- Our preferences
- Our methods
- Our comfort zones
- Our traditions
- Our recognition
- Our church name
The mission is not to make much of us.
The mission is to make much of Jesus.
Final Challenge
Let’s be a church that:
- Humbly guards our hearts against spiritual pride.
- Celebrates Gospel work beyond ourselves
- Recognizes true Kingdom allies
- Values small acts of faithful service
A. T. Pierson said the ideal missionary must have four passions:
A passion for Christ, a passion for truth, a passion for the souls of men, and a passion for self-sacrifice.
That is what we need.
Because the Kingdom is bigger than us.
Application Questions
- Do I see other Gospel-centered churches and ministries as competition or co-laborers?
- Am I more concerned with who gets credit or whether Jesus is being glorified?
- Is there spiritual pride in me that keeps me from celebrating what God is doing through others?
- What “cup of water” act of service can I offer this week in Jesus’ name?
Weekly Prayer
Lord, help me celebrate Your work wherever the Gospel is being advanced. Remove pride from my heart, give me humility, and teach me to serve faithfully in Your name. Amen.
