Depth Over Breadth: Trusting God With the Reach of Our Ministry Through Biblical Authority and Literacy

Introduction: Setting the Foundation

Biblical authority and literacy ensure the depth and faithfulness of our ministry.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 LSB

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work.

When we focus on depth, God will extend the influence and reach according to his purpose.

We do not control numbers, we are not to chase after numbers no matter how tempting that is.

Acts 2:46–47 LSB

46 And daily devoting themselves with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved.

Biblical Authority

There are two points that we must drive home. One that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation and

God’s Word is the Final Authority

We must insist on the non negotiable authority of Scripture. We must strive to live and breathe the Word of God

Psalm 119:89 LSB

89 Forever, O Yahweh, Your word stands firm in heaven.

Isaiah 40:8 LSB

8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.

God’s Word is the Final Authority

It is God-breathed

It originates from God's perfect wisdom and character, making it the final word on matters of faith and life. Unlike cultural trends or personal experiences, which can shift, Scripture provides a stable and unchanging foundation.

Two people can experience the same phenomena and yet have very different interpretations of that same experience. Besides’ Satan has jurisdiction over experiences.

Also, unless there is an authority outside of ourselves by which we are all measured against all we are left is your opinion against mine. Which is devoid of divine inspiration.

God’s Word is the only way to distinguish human influence.

Societal values inconspicuously infiltrate church teachings. This has been a growing trend since the beginning of the church.

Colossians 2:8 LSB

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

How else are we to live according to Christ unless we have His words, eternally unchanging in an ever changing society, a fickle society who would have us conform to its values instead of Christs. So..

So, as leaders we must submit to biblical authority to show reliance on God rather than human wisdom, encouraging the congregation to value scriptural truth

Biblical Literacy Depth Before Breadth

Biblical Literacy, involves knowing, understanding and applying Scripture. It is more than Familiarity; it is a foundation fro effective ministry.

If we are to fully experience and share in an exiting relationship with Jesus, we better know who this Jesus is. The only way to know Him is through an ever increasing right understanding of Scripture.

Look at what Jesus said to the pharisees,

John 5:39 NIV

39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,

To fully experience we need to truly submerge ourselves into the accurate source of that experience which is the Word of God… Consider Ezra,

Ezra 7:10 LSB

10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of Yahweh and to practice it, and to teach His statute and judgment in Israel.

From leaders to the rest of the congregation we need to not only know but also engage and interpret the Scriptures. This equips the congregation to stand firm in their faith, whatever the cultural landscape may look like.

It will afford our congregation the ability to discern Bible truth from utter foolishness

Depth and Divine Scope Letting God determine the Influence

I understand that all of these things are interesting and crowds would probably gather for these theatricals and then we will be able to tell the Lord how much we did in his name by drawing many people.

But people or the amount of money is not the measure of success

Our true success will lie in our faithfulness and not in numbers or in faith. John MacArthur once said,

“You take care of the depth of your ministry, and God will take care of the breadth of your ministry.” John MacArthur

I really believe that God will honor our commitment to scriptural and spiritual depth and He will use it according to His purpose. Look at what Paul said:

1 Corinthians 3:6–7 LSB

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.

God distributes as he wills. God defines success as faithfulness. Look at what the master said to his servant.

Matthew 25:21 LSB

21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

which he told both to the one you brought back 2 as the one who brought back 5. It is not the scale or reach but the depth of faithfulness.

So my challenge here to all of us is the following

Commit to personal Study

Lead with a focus on Scriptural understanding and application

Trust God with the increase.