Sunday, September 28, 2016 am
OTHERS 2016
EDIFY ONE ANOTHER
1 Thessalonians 5:11
The
past few weeks we have addressed a number of passages that remind us
that we are to be concerned about each other as Christians.
As we continue our study of these “one another” passages, we now
want to address our need to edify one another.
a.
Defined – οἰκοδομέω,
(oikodomeō) a word that means: (BDAG) 1) literally to build something or
the building itself (Luke 6:48 – like a man building a house, Matthew
21:33, a man built a tower, etc.)
2) Building in a transcendent sense (symbolic) – in scripture there are
passages that refer to the church as being built or being a building –
Matthew 16:18 – Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build My church…”
1
Peter 2:5, “You, as living stones are being
built up a spiritual house,…”
1 Corinthians 3:9-10, you
are God’s building.. , take
heed how you build
Eph. 2:21 speaks of the
whole building being fitted together grows into a holy temple in the
Lord.
3) As used in scripture the idea is building us up spiritually – “to
help improve ability to function in living responsibly and effectively,
strengthen, build up, make more able.” (BDAG)
“To increase the potential of someone or something, with focus upon the
process involved…” (L&N, 74:15)
IT is in this third sense that we are focusing upon edifying one
another.
b.
What edification is NOT
–
The place where we meet – the church is the people.
In many of the above passages we see clearly this is not about a
building. It is about the
Christians who comprise “the building” of Christ.
It is not about the church providing for the social needs of the body
– A study of the New Testament, as we shall see, shows that edification
is about building us up spiritually. It
is not about catering “to the whole man” as some say.
While Christians certainly are to care for and to prefer each
other over the world (not just when we assemble, but in our lives – cf.
Acts 2:46, etc.), when we come together as the church it is about
building us up in the faith.
Study the usage of the word edify (edification, built up, etc.) and the
church as used in the New Testament you will see limitations as to the
work she can do.
While edification IS a work of the church (cf. 1 Cor. 14:12, 26,
Ephesians 4:16, etc.), along with worship, evangelism and some
benevolence, there is simply no command, example or inference of the
church catering to social needs.
And as such, she has no authority to build projects to appeal to
these social needs – i.e. fellowship halls, family life centers,
gymnasiums, etc. To do so is
using the Lord’s money for a function that is not authorized.
NOTE that this is not about whether or not such is a good work, per se
and beneficial to Christians, it is a question of authority.
(NOTE: Next year we are going to
focus on what the Bible
says the church is and is not.)
c.
God’s word builds us up
–
Acts 20:32, 1 Peter 2:2.
Ephesians 4:11-12 – notice
that every worker “given” involves those who handle the word of God –
which equips the saints for the edifying of the body of Christ.
As we continue our study of
edifying one another we will see that God’s word and our spiritual
well-being is the focus.
1 Corinthians 14:4 also
deals with how we seek to build up (either ourselves or others) with
God’s message.
a.
Scriptures call for us
(and demonstrate) to edify one another
1 Thessalonians 5:11-
Christ died so that we might obtain salvation eventually to live
together with Him. “Therefore,
comfort each other and edify one another, just as you are doing.”
(NASU, ESV – encourage and build up one another…)
2 Corinthians 12:19, Paul
and those with him noted that “we do all things for your edification.”
Churches edified –
Acts 9:31 – after Paul ceased persecuting, churches had peace
and were edified.
1
Cor. 14:12, 26 – in our worship, “let
all things be done for edification…”
b.
Edifying one another:
i.
Promotes peace
–
Romans 14:19, 15:2 –
pursue the things that make for peace and by which we may edify one
another; let each please his neighbor leading to edification
ii.
Promotes growth of the body –
Ephesians 4:11, 16.
NOTE: Today many churches are resorting to social activities in
the name of edification (and perhaps evangelism), but if truth be known
such activities do NOTHING to spiritually strengthen one as the text
teaches.
ALSO worthy of note here is that as we individually do our part (i.e.
grow spiritually and in His word) it causes the church to grow.
And HOW does the church grow?
Spiritually – greater knowledge and purity (not tossed to and
fro, etc.)
1 Timothy 1:4 – Paul
warned Timothy as a young evangelist to charge all there to teach the
truth only (no other doctrine), nor give heed to fables, endless
genealogies “which cause disputes
rather than edification which is in faith.”
Again the context makes it clear he is dealing with God’s word
being taught and applied.
iii.
Leads to controlling the tongue –
Ephesians 4:29.
When we seek to edify one another, we will weigh our words
carefully and guard against corrupt words (notice how guarding our
tongue is a recurring theme as we deal with “one another”).
iv.
Leads to loving our brethren and being sensitive to their conscience
- 1 Corinthians 8:1 – Paul
said that knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
His point is addressing matters about which you can with good
conscience engage in even though others cannot (NOTE: We are NOT dealing
with compromising the truth).
For example: You may with full confidence know that eating meat
offered to idols means nothing (except to fill you stomach), but if that
causes your brother to stumble, you will NOT eat it for his sake BECAUSE
of love.
Similarly,
1 Corinthians 10:23
reminds us that while something may be lawful for you to do, it may not
build up or be helpful (for others, or perhaps even yourself).
When we seek to edify our brother we will think about him in our
conduct.
v.
Is a product of proper worship –
1 Cor. 14:12, 26 – in a
text where Paul is dealing with conduct within the worship, he notes
that it is to be done for edification.
Our acts of worship, while all directed toward God, are designed
to build us up. That’s
why it’s not about being entertained.
Think of Colossians 3:16 where we teach and admonish one another
in our singing.
vi.
May involve discipline
- 1 Cor. 5:4-7, while not using the word
edify, does relate to our spiritual growth as the body of Christ.
Where there is no discipline and weak teaching, the body is in
danger of the leaven of impurity and ignorance which will destroy the
body of Christ. The warnings
are many!
As
with so many other subjects we have addressed, let us resolve that as we
consider one another, our goal will be to edify one another.
Is this your goal?
Think about it!