Category: Edification
Subject: Edification
Mining the Scriptures: 1 John 2:12-14
There are several ways to explain the text. The most simple is to consider that John is writing to three groups of Christians, little children, young men, and fathers. It is not dogmatic, but Barnes suggests years to approximate 20 & below, 20-40, & above 40.
The little children (note, there are two different words translated in this way in 12a and 13b which may or may not have any significance), are told by John he writing was “because your sins are forgiven you” and “because you have known the Father.” John was certainly writing to young Christians to mature them in faith.
Young men, “because you have overcome the wicked one,” and “because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.” This indicates valiant and strong Christians, who receive strength from John’s words.
Fathers, “because you have known Him who is from the beginning.” This is repeated twice, a confirmation of their long held faith, close acquaintance, and trust in God the Father.
Sermon: Efforts at Evangelism
The efforts of the apostles and other preachers of the New Testament, revealed in the book of Acts, served two purposes. First, to save souls. Second, to equip those souls to be soul winners themselves.
We Appreciate Your Service
It has (rightly) become somewhat popular when patriotic Americans see a policeman, firefighter, soldier or other first responder, to let them know “We appreciate your service.”
This is by no means a universal sentiment, but it should be. As we consider the work and danger they involve themselves it, and know that in the end it is to benefit us, we should be grateful and it is a good thing to let them know. There is so much more we could do for them, but at the least we can let them know we recognize and appreciate their work.
The same thing should be done for those who do for you spiritually. Their desire is for you or your loved ones to grow, and so they spend much time and effort to help you. It’s not just the preacher. Elders, teachers, and even those who clean the building each week, do so selflessly and for the purpose of helping you to grow spiritually.
It is easy to complain when things do not suit exactly, but it is not appropriate. Instead, gratitude should be the sentiment of the hour. There are many passages which deal with these issues. Showing respect and expressing gratitude is the least that we can do. Paul wrote, “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches” (Galatians 6:10).
When is the last time you told someone who helped you spiritually, “I appreciate you!”
Mining the Scripture: Jude 20-23
Jude finishes his dissertation on the false teachers troubling disciples in the first 19 verses of his letter.
In verse 20 Jude begins to establish what Christians are to do to avoid the fate of those caught in error. To combat error it is necessary to build oneself up via faith. Since faith derives from the word of God (cf. Romans 10:17), this entails study and application. It also requires prayer, and the obedience which is a prerequisite to any sustained relationship with God.
A proper application of our obedience is seen in our treatment of those in sin. It requires knowledge and discernment, allowing one to make a “distinction.” Is an expression of compassion required to save a soul? Or, is it more appropriate to act boldly, lest ungodly influences gain a hold, and lead to the fall of others. The key is “making a distinction” (22). Faithful Christians are to be sympathetic to all men, however, they can’t all be treated the same. Like the false teachers discussed, arrogance and destruction must be dealt with firmly.
For the Profit of All
In the first century spiritual gifts were common. Paul wrote at length to the Corinthians regarding the practice of these gifts. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:7, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”
It was necessary that he make this point, that all might understand how to utilize the gift given specifically to them. Some were given “the word of wisdom”, others “the word of knowledge”, or “faith”, or “gifts of healings”, “miracles”, “prophecy”, “discerning of spirits”, “different kinds of tongues”, and “interpretations of tongues” (12:7-10). Regardless of the actual gift, the intent was emphasized again in verse 11, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
Be The Exception
A friend recently lent me a book to read. There is much good material in it. In one chapter, the basic premise is the need to recognize that the world is broken.
It is not something that should shock us. Rather than get surprised and offended when we see evil, we should instead note its commonality, and give thanks to God for His intervention and ultimate cure for sin. Following is a quote from the book:
War is not exceptional; peace is. Worry is not exceptional; trust is. Decay is not exceptional; restoration is. Anger is not exceptional; gratitude is. Selfishness is not exceptional; sacrifice is. Defensiveness is not exceptional; love is. And judgmentalism is not exceptional… But grace is.
(Brant Hansen, Unoffendable, page 40)
It is in this way that Christians are able to be an influence for good in our world (cf. Matthew 5:13-14). In the midst of a broken world, we are to be peacemakers, to trust in God, to edify, to give thanks, to give, to love, and to forgive.
We are to be as God is, who has extended His grace to all mankind. It is easy to “walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk” (cf. Ephesians 4:17). Instead, “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
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Sermon: Be Strong and of Good Courage
Lessons taught from Joshua 1: God keeps His promises. We must be faithful and obedient to Him. God is always with us. We need to encourage one another!
Is Church Important?
In answer to the question above, it certainly is important to God! The act of His son’s sacrifice on the cross was to, “purchase with His own blood” the church (cf. Acts 20:28).
The term church, used correctly, refers to the redeemed. “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).
There is no more important fellowship of which to be a part. And, understanding the importance of the church, perhaps it is good to consider the purpose of its establishment.
Men have ideas about this. They believe the church should be an agent of societal change. Of course, there are many such organizations that exist, so the church would only be another voice in the crowd.
Some think the church is simply a community of people who enjoy each other’s company. The church is a place to visit, eat and play together with people you like. A kind of social club. Many congregations make socializing the primary emphasis.
God said the church was established to save people. “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned'” (Mark 16:15-16).
The Lord’s church is unique in the world. It is the divine institution given the responsibility by God to share the precious message of salvation. It is disturbing that men would trivialize it by giving it purposes and works that are neither unique nor divinely authorized.
The West Side church of Christ focuses on God’s work. We would love to have you come visit our worship services. If you do, you have this promise – the effort to save and strengthen souls will be the focus of our worship, teaching and work. That’s what God wants, what we want, and we hope it is your desire as well. Please come join us!
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Sermon: How to Make a Local church Grow
Speaker: Josh Jackson
Josh discusses scriptural principles to encourage the brethren in growing as a congregation.
Sermon: The God of Comfort
In 2 Corinthians 7, the apostle noted the comfort he received from Titus, when told of the Corinthians penitent hearts. God supplies comfort to His people. Often the people themselves are the source of that comfort, as they supply support and help to each other.
Sermon: Establish and Encourage
The actions of Christians throughout the world, who show themselves examples of purity, faithfulness and zeal, serve to encourage and establish their brethren.
Sermon: Barnabas – Son of Encouragement
Barnabas stood out as an encourager of his brethren. He had a benevolent nature, a helpful spirit, and a loving nature that helped him to encourage the people of God. We must strive to be as he was!
Sermon: The Church – God’s Family
The lesson discusses the various attributes that should be present in the church, which is described as God’s family. They are Love, Selflessness, Unity, Affection, Dependability and Encouragement.
FB: Edification – A Shared Stewardship
Paul took seriously God’s call for him to preach the gospel of Christ, saying, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). While that passage specifically references Paul’s stewardship as Christ’s apostle, the principle regarding stewardship is valid, not matter the responsibility given.
One responsibility we all have is to edify (cf. Ephesians 4:16). Every part must do its share in the work of edification. It is only in this way that the body of Christ can grow in the way God intends.
Consider this truth in light of the Holy Spirit’s call to assemble. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
While it is personally beneficial to attend worship services consistently, that is not the Hebrew writer’s point. Rather, he is referring to the stewardship of edification. We have a responsibility to encourage and build up our brethren! God has supplied the assembly to help us to accomplish this task. To forsake the “assembling of ourselves together” is to be unfaithful in that stewardship.
Let’s say that you are a part of a congregation that has 100 members. When you come to assemble, you do so with the primary purpose of edifying the other 99. The wonderful part of God’s plan is that while you do so, you have 99 brothers and sisters in Christ whose primary purpose is to edify you!
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