INSIGHT
 
The word edification literally has to do with "building up". It is every Christian's duty to be a person of edification because it strengthens faith, especially those who are weak or discouraged. All faithful men of God were ministers of edification. Moses encouraged the Israelites not to be afraid of the pursuing Egyptians. For Moses reminded them of the Lord's promise to deliver them from their captors. The result was a saved people (Exo. 14:10-14,30-31). Nehemiah, the noble statesman, encouraged the people of Israel not to grow weary in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. He reminded them of God's awesome power to complete the task in them. The result was a completed wall (Neh. 4:10, 14, 15; 6:15, 16). God, Himself, through the prophet Isaiah, encouraged the Israelites not to be dismayed; He reminded them of His nearness and promised them strength (Isa. 41:10). Jesus, Himself was an man of encouragement as He reminded the apostles of their heavenly home (John 14:1-2); and even He needed encouragement during His hour of trial (Luke 22:41-43).

The kingdom of God, the church of Christ, is all about encouragement (1 Thess. 5:11). It is all about building up one another with encouraging words (Eph. 4:29). It is all about the demonstration of love towards one another, and not just talk; for knowledge puffs up, but love builds up (1 Cor. 1:8b). It is all about righteousness, peace and joy of the Holy Spirit! (Romans 14:17) As to God, it is righteousness for the Lord loves righteousness (Ps. 33:5). As to our brethren, it is peace--to live in peace and love with them. Christ came into the world to be the great peace maker. Finally, as to ourselves, it is the joy of the Holy Spirit; to delight ourselves always in the Lord! Surely we serve a great Master, who makes peace and joy so essential to our faith! Be a source of encouragement!

The Attitude in Christ
Edification

 

Key Text:            Romans 14:17-19

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. "

 

Theme:

True Christianity is called the kingdom of God. It is intended to rule us. It is not about foods, but about righteousness, peace and joy of the Spirit. It is in these things we serve Christ and are pleasing to God. For those who truly love the Lord will pursue the things of the Lord. How are we to promote righteousness, peace and joy? Paul tells us how: it is by mutual edification. Are you pursuing the things that lead to righteousness, peace and joy? Are you known for your edifying spirit? Are you a source of encouragement?

 

Application:

Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Greet your brother or sister with a loving

    hug! Hug visitors too! For there is no law

          against hugging! And I haven’t met anyone

    who hates a hug!

2. Get to know your new brethren. Make

     yourself known to them as Christ made

     himself known to you!

3. Call a brother or sister, especially when

    they are down or discouraged. Pray with

     them over the phone, if possible.

4. Invite brethren into your home, especially

    those who you do not know you well.

    (Rom. 12:13b)

     5. Write letters and cards of encouragement!

May the Lord richly bless you!

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon Outline

Edification

 I. The Church
  A. The Threefold Purpose (Rom 14:17)
   1. Righteousness--God (behavior)
   2. Peace--Brothers (ministering)
   3. Joy--Self (salvation)
 B. Edification: The Propellant For Success
  1. Eph. 4:11-13--Christ's Goal
      a. Building of His church
         --prepare the saints (Gk: perfecting)
        i) bring into an orderly spiritual state
            those who were disjointed by sin
        ii) advance them towards works
             of service (Gk: ministry)
        iii) for the building up of the body
                1. maturity in Christ
                2. addition of new members
 C. Example from Nehemiah
  1. Setting: The Rebuilding of Wall
    a. Jerusalem lies in ruins after Babylonian
          captivity.
    b. Rebuilding of wall unto like the church
        1. Nehemiah's prayer and fasting (1:4f)
            i.   Nehemiah's concern and desire
            ii.  Nehemiah's prayer of humility
        2. Nehemiah's sacrifice to accomplish
               a great work (2:5)
        3. Cooperation of the people (2:17-18)
        4. The work begins (3)
 2. Difficulties Encountered (4:6-15)
      a. Spiritual hindrances
      b. Nehemiah's Encouragement
 3. Completion of the wall (6:15)
II. Conclusion
 1. Jesus needed encouragement to complete 
     His task to which he was called!
     (Lk 22:41-43)
 2. We need encouragement to complete our
      task -- Be a ministering angel!
Small Group Study

Warm-up:

Have you ever succeeded in a task that was directly linked by the encouragement of others who believed in you?

 

See To It             Nehemiah 2:1-8; 4:1-14; 6:15

 

1. Read Neh. 2:1-8. What was Nehemiah’s

    request? Why was he sad?

 

2. What kind of relationship did Nehemiah have

    with this king? What kind of reputation

    should Christians have with outsiders?

 

3. Read Neh. 4:1-14. What happens when a good

    work is in progress? What happened here?

 

4. How did Nehemiah overcome these hindrances?

 

5. Read Neh. 6:15. What eventually happened?

    How was Nehemiah instrumental in the success

    of the rebuilding of the wall?

 

Seeing It Closer:

 

1. How does the rebuilding of the walls of

    Jerusalem relate to the church today?

 

2. How can we be like Nehemiah? How can

    we be instrumental in building the church?

     Give some examples.

 

Getting To It:

 

Pray for each other to be a people eager to labor in the building up of the church of Christ. Pray that we all can be a people of encouragement, determined to finish the wall of the kingdom!

 

 


This week's Quiet Times:

Edifying One Another

MONDAY

The purpose of the Body of Christ is to provide an environment for you to grow up in the way of God. You need a holy haven here on Earth that provides nourishment and strength to your soul so that you can keep persevering in the work of the Kingdom. The fourth and fifth chapter of Ephesians provide much insight into the attitude you must have as a member of the Body so that God can use you to encourage and build each other. Read Ephesians 4:11-13. Our older brethren are put in these positions for what purpose? What must we be united in?  Can you trace the path to maturity as described in this passage? Notice the purpose of the Body is for growth towards attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Tall order, isn’t it? If you are not growing, changing and putting off your old self, you will not be useful in the Kingdom! Write Proverbs 11:19 on an index card and memorize it. Growth is shown through what you say and how you say it! Make a list of people in the church you want to edify. Throughout the week, call them or write them an encouraging letter, from the heart!

 

TUESDAY

As a person who has been called out of the world and into the Kingdom of God, the way you treat your brothers and sisters must be holy. Read Ephesians 4:22-27. What are you taught to put off in Christ? What must be made new? Deception and superficiality are popular worldly attitudes. What must your new attitude reflect when you speak to your brothers and sisters? Anger leads to separation and destruction when sin is combined with it. Verses 26 and 27 teach you that anger must be dealt with immediately. By speaking truthfully to each other, your anger can be used to edify rather than to tear down. Ephesians 4:15 teaches you to speak the truth in love. The purpose is for building each other up, not causing others to have an attitude. Write 2 Timothy 2:21 on an index card and memorize it. Be holy as He is Holy! Who have you called or written to?

 

WEDNESDAY

Many times I have spoken because I want to be listened to--I want to be considered wise, bold and mature.  These next passages teach me that what must come out of my mouth should be only what builds other's up. Whether I feel comfortable or not is not the case.  Neither is what I would like to say, or what I feel like saying.  What must come out should reflect benevolence, compassion and maturity. If there is disagreement, I need to promote peace. Read Ephesians 4:29-32. Notice what the goal of your speech should be. What we say and how we say it needs to be towards the purpose of building. Who will you grieve if you cannot keep your tongue under control? (James 3:7-12) Would you like to be attached to someone who continually grieves you? Verse 31 contains a list of things that grieve the Spirit and your brothers, while verse 32 has a list of things that encourage and edify all. Forgiving each other as Christ forgave you! Learn the difference between the two kinds of wisdom: read James 3:13-18. What characteristics does Heavenly wisdom have? This is the wisdom that brings edification! Write verse 17 on an index card and memorize it.

 

THURSDAY

If you don’t give yourself for the purpose of edification, you are in danger of being cursed and in the end, burned. Read the following analogy the Hebrew writer has given in Hebrews 6:7-8. Who is the land? What is the rain? Who are “those for whom it is farmed”? What does it mean by thorns and thistles? As you can see, resistance to the molding hand of God will make you worthless in the Kingdom. You don’t want to be worthless! God wants you in the Kingdom so you can be useful in His hands! Read 2 Timothy 2:15-16. List the characteristics of an approved workperson. What does such a person avoid? In the previous verses we have seen, godly talk and godless chatter have been contrasted. List some examples of godless chatter. If you have partaken in some of this with someone, call that person and apologize for grieving them. Write 2 Corinthians 2:14 on an index card and memorize it. How sweet is your aroma?

 

FRIDAY

I believe that the ultimate expression of edification is when we speak and teach each other with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. This expression comes out of a joyful and thankful heart—a submissive heart, as Paul reveals in Ephesians 5:1-4 and then in Ephesians 5:19-21. Notice that the focus of the theme we have looked at this week is found in verses 1 and 2. According to these verses, what was so fragrant (pleasing) about Jesus’ actions? Verses 3 and 4 contain a list of things that are not “fragrant” to God. Can you see yourself abandoning these things and making your attitude new by putting on your “new self”, made in the image of Christ? Your new attitude in Christ should show encouragement, thankfulness, and submission. This will be a fragrant aroma! Write 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 on an index card and memorize it.  What kind of aroma are you?