42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[d] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Romans 12:4-5

The Healthy Body

Global Wellness Economy: $6.3 trillion (2023), projected to $9 trillion by 2028.

Pharmaceutical Industry: About $1.6 trillion (2023).

Travel & Tourism: Around $5.8 trillion (2023).

Technology Industry (global IT): Roughly $5.3 trillion (2023).

Global Food & Beverage Industry: Estimated at $9.4 trillion (2023).

The wellness economy is larger than pharmaceuticals, IT, and travel, and nearly rivals food and beverage (one of the most essential global markets).

“The paradox is that a movement designed to make people healthier sometimes makes them more anxious, isolated, or perfectionistic.”

Body Dysmorphia: a mental condition characterized by extreme preoccupation with self-perceived defects in the appearance of the body.

Church Dysmorphia: a mental condition characterized by extreme preoccupation with self-perceived defects in the appearance of the Church.

Church Dysmorphia leads us to think that:

THE CHURCH IS TOO FAR GONE

14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

1 Kings 19:14

THE CHURCH SHOULD BE FULL OF PERFECT FOLLOWERS

27 And the servants[d] of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

Matthew 13:27-30

This parable teaches us that the good and evil will always be found together in the professing church, until the end of the world.

J.C. Ryle

Those who are tares today, may be wheat tomorrow.

Augustine

THE CHURCH MUST BE IMPRESSIVE

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[d] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[e] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

CHINESE UNDERGROUND CHURCH PICTURE*

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[d] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

1. God’s Word 
2. Fellowship
3. Lord’s Supper
4. Prayer

As our body is enlivened by the soul, so the Church receives its life from Christ. Hence the Church is called the body of Christ, because it receives life from him, and in turn communicates that life to its members.

John Calvin

1. A HEALTHY CHURCH IS CHURCH SOURCED BY THE WORDS OF JESUS

1. A HEALTHY CHURCH SHARES THE LOVE OF JESUS WITH EACH OTHER

1. A HEALTHY CHURCH IS SUSTAINED BY THE CROSS OF JESUS

1. A HEALTHY CHURCH COMMUNICATES WITH JESUS