Scripture Reference: Matthew 16:13-25
3. The Singular Way in Which the Church Does Its Work
Immediately after announcing how He would build His church, Jesus explained that He must die and be resurrected. Not fully understanding, Peter objected. Jesus rebuked him and then announced the eternal principal for building a great Spirit-filled church: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24).
A. Self-denial
The church prevails and is invincible when we deny self. This means that we enthrone Christ as we dethrone ourself. Christians should remember that we never bless unless we bleed. A candle never gives light until it is consumed. Water does not become steam until it is put under 212 degrees of heat. Grapes have to be crushed before they become juice. Wheat has to be ground before it becomes bread. Christ is the Savior because He died on the cross. Jesus taught that self-denial is the key that opens the door to success in Christian service.
B. Cross-bearing
Our Lord taught that the church prevails when we take up our cross. The Christian life is the sacrificial life. Luke, in his Gospel, added one word to this command: “Let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily” (Luke 9:23, italics mine). A life lived in the constant hourly awareness of the demands of God and the needs of others is more important than moments of sacrifice.
The great Christian Missionary, Sundar Singh was traveling with a Tibetan companion on a bitterly cold day. As they trudged through the mountain, they felt they could not survive the terrible experience. Reaching a steep precipice, they saw a man who had slipped over the edge. The man was almost dead on the ledge of the rock below. Sundar immediately went down to try to help the poor fellow to safety. The companion refused to help saying that it would be all they could do to save themselves and went on, leaving Sundar behind.
With great difficulty, Sundar managed to get the dying man up the slope and back on the road. He struggled along, holding the man up. Before long, they came upon the body of his former companion. The Tibetan was frozen to death.
On struggled Sundar, and gradually the dying man, receiving warmth from the friction of his body against that of his rescuer, began to revive. Sundar himself grew warm through his labor. At last, they reached the village and were safe. With a full heart, Sundar thought of the words of the Master, “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
The church will prevail and remain invincible only as we follow Christ. Jesus said, “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19; Mark 2:14) The Christian must render to Jesus Christ perfect obedience.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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