Part 5, The Anatomy of a True Church
Matthew 28:8-10; 16-20
Luis Cruz, GCF Durham
The church has a muscular like system that works both individually and collectively to support the church’s posture, balance and movement. The spiritual muscular structure of the church includes: worship, discipleship and evangelism. Every child of God behaves in a certain way that support the church’s day to day basic functions. These behaviors are born out of our unselfish love, humility, and obedience to the Lord. For this study, let’s call this behavior outward expressions of faith that moves the whole church.
1. The Spiritual Posture of Individual Worship.
“So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:8-10
a lifestyle of holiness
a matter of the heart
an individual’s decision to live in a way that will set him or her apart
a constant spiritual exercise that builds our spiritual muscles.
1 John 5:3-5, “3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
2. The collective posture of Worship.
“they worshiped him...” Matthew 28:17b.
1Chronicles 16:28-29, “28 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”
God moves and works constantly throughout the world.
He moves behind the scene.
He creates circumstances to direct your path.
A call to collectively come together to worship God.
Ascribe to Him greatness, strength and holiness.
We are called to bring an offering - ourselves.
Collectively, we are His temple – 1Cor. 16:19-20
A collective posture that honors God.
3. Balancing the Body by Sharing the Gospel
The muscles move to balance the whole body as it walks. This is also true with the church as it moves in the community to share the gospel. “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”” Matthew 28:19-20
A church that does not go is a disobedient church.
A church that loses its passion for souls will surely die.
After collective worship, there is much work to be done.
John 3:16, “Love, believe, repent and be saved”.
Simple way to share: “Your life before Christ, how you met Christ, one particular change done by Christ.”
We share, but God saves.
We must desire to share, pray for it, be encouraged to do it.
4. Growing Spiritual Muscles by Making Disciples.
“16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:16-18
A disciple: worships God, abides in His Word, lives and makes other disciples.
Submission to Christ’s authority.
Teaching the Word with authority.
Challenge for this week;
How can you be part of God's move, personally and collectively?
How can you best reflect worship in your day to day activities?
Pray for opportunities to share the gospel and the courage to share it.