Dynamics of an Effective Church
8. Experiencing True Discipleship 48min
Matthew 16:13-26
How do we become effective members of the Church of Jesus Christ?
V17 “Blessed are you, Simon….”
V23 “Out of my sight, Satan! You are a stumbling block….”
What changed between these two comments to Peter?
Peter’s doctrine (v16) was correct - hence the blessing; but it was not translated into experience (v22)
Doctrine is absolutely important, but doctrine in itself does not make you spiritual. The doctrine has to be shown in the way we live life.
Why did Jesus tell the disciples not to tell anyone who He was? Because their behaviour did not confirm what they said they believed.
We can view matters with human wisdom, but we need God’s wisdom to do God’s work.
V24-25 Four things have to happen for the Church to prevail.
1. Deny yourself
- don’t put your own needs, desires and ideas ahead of God’s will. Christ is
our example.
- sounds tough but it is actually liberating
2. Take up your cross - die to yourself
- the cross in the life of Jesus was the ultimate in obedience to His Father
(Philippians 2:8)
- commit yourself to obeying God without reservation
- Stephen Olford - “God won’t teach you anything new until your obedience is up
to date”
- it is liberating to know God is in charge
3. Follow Me - demote yourself
- do not try and determine or direct what God will do
- drop your own agenda; relinquish control
4. Find Life by losing Life
2 Corinthians 4:10-11
- as I give my life over to Jesus Christ, He will live His life in me
- You and I have a choice - my life or the life of Christ in me
- everything we surrender to Jesus Christ is temporary; everything He gives to us
is permanent
- to become a Christian costs nothing; to live as a Christian costs everything
