Edification

The subject, “EDIFICATION, EDIFY, BUILD UP” is a very important part of the work of each congregation of God’s people today.  The Greek word from which this  family of words has come lets us know that the subject is of great import to God so far as the progress of his church is concerned, please look at the meaning of the word:

EDIFICATION (Grk. oikodome, “building”); means building up. A building is therefore called an edifice. Accordingly, the work of confirming believers in the faith of the gospel and adding to their knowledge and grace is appropriately expressed by this term. Christians are said in the N.T. to be edified by understanding spiritual truth (1 Cor. 14:3-5), by the work of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph. 4:11-12, “building up”), and by good  speech (4:29). The means to be used for one’s up building are the study and hearing of God’s Word, prayer, meditation, self-examination, and Christian work of every kind. It is our duty to edify or “build up one another” (1 Thess. 5:11) by the exhibition of every grace of life and conversation. The term is also applied to believers as “living stones” builded up into a habitation for the Lord, constituting the great spiritual temple of God (Eph. 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:5).(From The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary – Copyright (c) 1988.)

ONE OF THE PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF THE CONGREGATION

It is the responsibility of each autonomous congregation to “build up it-self” or make it stronger in the qualities that God approves. The individual congregation functioning under its leadership is to work at strengthening each member in the faith — this process of strengthening each member will result in a strong, sound, congregation. The congregation that has a scriptural eldership will see to it that the program of edification is designed to strengthen the church in every way that is consistent with the Divine pattern. Whenever we examine the Scriptural references where the word is translated edify or edification we understand that the church is to put forth the effort to grow, such as Peter says in 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him (be) the glory both now and for ever. Amen.” {ASV}  Please note some of the passages: 1 Corinthians 14:3-5,3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation. 4 He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (ASV)  You will notice that in this context the emphasis is placed by the writer on edification and the importance of it. Paul, even where miraculous spiritual gifts were being used encourages that edification of the congregation is of paramount importance. Ephesians 4:11-12,11 And he gave some (to be) apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: This passage is an important one in understanding the very purpose of the church as Christ structured it; all things are to be done with the growth of the membership as goal. Ephesians 4:29,29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. ASVThe conversation of those that make up the congregation ought to be so structured that the church is built up by it. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 11 Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do. The passage here is similar to the passage in Eph 4:29, in each case the writer encourages Christians to build up each other through the process of communicating with one another in a verbal way. PRACTICAL

APPLICATION OF THE CONCEPT OF EDIFICATION

In the assemblies the process of edification may be encouraged and demonstrated by:

The Bible Classes:It is always building-up {i.e., edifying} to each member and those that visit if the class is well taught by the teacher and there is ample conversation from the class about the lesson texts.

The preaching service:The preacher ought to prepare his sermon well and deliver it with honesty, humbleness, and adequate proof text of Scripture. The hearers ought to listen intently for information that will help them grow and become better Christians. The Lord’s Supper service:

The brother that leads the service ought to speak clearly and soundly about the purpose of the Lord’s Supper.The membership ought to remain in a worshipful state during this and each phase of the service.

The singing service:The song leader for each service ought to come prepared to do the leading with devotion and zeal. The congregation ought to follow the lead of the song leader, as each person is considerate of the words of each song sung.

The prayers service:Prayer is a very important part of the edification process because the man selected to lead the prayer is heard by everyone present — the prayer will therefore edify each person that hears it.

The statements before the contribution are taken up:

Statements or passages of Scripture that are read by the man leading the service will edify and inform the membership and visitors alike. The person communication to the assembly through the announcements:

The announcer will inform the congregation about a number of things that might be useful to them about the sick, the shut-in, the plans for building cleaning or construction projects, about classes and teachers, and other coming events that are interesting to the assembled. The discussion before the service begins:

As the membership and the visitors assemble at the building, the subject matter may cover a number of things, make sure that some of that conversation and greeting of one another is spiritual in nature.

The statements at the close of the service:When the service is dismissed remember the visitors, the preacher, the song leader, and others that have participated in the service if they have done a good job, give them a pat on the back. Always be encouraging to everyone that is at the assembly, try to greet everyone. The conversation after the congregation dismisses:As you drive home in your automobile, reflect on the good that has been accomplished today. Discuss the good qualities of the service with the family members; try to strengthen their faith. The conversation of those that assemble around their table at home — especially as the family discusses the quality of the service: Try to find some good thing to say about those that were involved as leaders in the worship.

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Does Jesus Care?

Does Jesus Care?

Frank Graeff wrote the words and J. Lincoln Hall  arranged the music for the following beautiful  hymn:

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply

for mirth and song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress, and

the way grows weary and long?

Indeed, the apostle Peter affirms that our Lord cares for  us: “ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand  of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all  your care upon him; for he careth for you ” (1 Pet. 5:6-7).  It is an incredible blessing to understand that Immanuel  (“ God with us ”) cares for us. The very fact that He left the  throne of heaven above to spend time among His creation  (cf. Col. 1:16) allowed Him to comprehend our cares  here on earth. Therefore, Jesus was able to encourage us:  “ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life,  what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your  body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat,  and the body than raiment ?” (Matt. 6:25). The phrase  “ take no thought ” comes from the same Greek word as  the word “ care .” Therefore, notice three qualifications  in the book of Hebrews that show His ability to care for  us when we are in need.

Jesus cares when we are tempted. The Hebrew  writer declared,

“Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made  like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful  and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God,  to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted,  he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Heb.  2:17-18)

In Matthew 4, we have one example recorded when the  great tempter tried his best to entice Jesus three times, but  Jesus withstood each time. Luke recorded in his account  after the third temptation, “ And when the devil had ended  all the temptation, he departed from him for a season ”  (Luke 4:13). Therefore, we know he continued his  attempts to lure Jesus away from His Father and towards  sin and the world until His death, using the scribes and  Pharisees on many occasions: “ Then one of them, which  was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him …”  (Matt. 22:35). The Hebrew writer makes clear that Jesus  “ hath suffered ” because of His temptations—a Greek  verb that many times denotes even pain (cf. Mark 5:26;  8:31). As a result, He is able to help and aid all who  suffer through temptation.

Jesus cares when we are in trouble. The Hebrew writer proclaimed,

“For we have not a high priest which cannot be  touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was  in all points tempted like as we are, yet without  sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne  of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace  to help in time of need .” (Heb. 4:15-16)

The phrase “ touched with the feeling of our infirmities ”  carries the multiple ideas of sympathy for that which  makes us feeble. We encounter troubles of mind and  Page 2 The Southwesterner  August 11, 2013 body daily, some more than others do. Again, inspired  revelation makes known of the High Priest for all  Christians who understands these troubles of life and  sympathizes with us.

Jesus cares when we transgress. His ultimate  purpose in coming to this world was to redeem humanity  through His death for their transgressions (cf. Isa. 53:1- 12). Thus, the Hebrew writer states, “ For Christ is not  entered into the holy places made with hands, which  are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now  to appear in the presence of God for us ” (Heb. 9:24).  Through His holy and pure sacrifice before the throne  of God, He was able to appease the wrath and justice  of God for our transgressions. His earthly mission and  death, burial and resurrection vividly show His care when  we transgress. “ For God so loved the world, that he gave  his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him  should not perish, but have everlasting life ” (John 3:16).

Does Jesus care?

O yes, he cares, I know he cares, his heart is touched

with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I

know my Savior cares

.

 

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God Loved: Are You Like God?

Like happiness, love is best defined by telling what it does. But, the very best way to describe love is to show it. God did this. Since He knows everything and since He IS love (1 Jn. 4:8), we are not surprised to learn that He not only loved the world, but that He sent His Son to die for the sins of the world (Jn. 3:16).

Now, because He actively loved those who hated Him (1 Jn. 4:10) and those who did not deserve love (Rom. 5:8), He showed that Divine love does not have to have love in return, but can lead the way by loving the unlovable. This is beyond friendship, beyond sentiment and beyond worth, but solely on God’s nature, He loves.

Most of us can love that which is lovely or affectionately. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Therefore, since God loved the unworthy, Christians are to do the same. I mean, God shows his love by doing good to the just and the unjust and therefore, we are to do this as well (Matt. 5:43ff; Gal. 6:10). Yet, this is not man’s love. But it based on the fact that God loved us first. And, so, we love as God loves. Christians are rooted in love (Eph. 3:17). We are to continue to grow in love (Eph. 4:16). We are to love truth (2 Thess. 2:10) and speaks the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Thus, when one is baptized and rises in a new life (Rom. 6:3-4), he puts on a new nature created in God’s likeness (Eph. 4:24). He can be tenderhearted, forgiving and kind (Eph. 4:32-5:2) and he is been taught by God to love (1 Thess. 4:9).

Now most assuredly, the individual that loves God will keep his commandments (1 Jn. 5:3), but the greatest of these commands is to love (Mk. 12:28ff) and anyone who loves God will love God’s children (1 Jn. 5:1) and no one who hates God’s children really loves God (1 Thess. 4:9). So, what is love? Love is being like God and doing that which God does because God is love. So, are you like God?

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The Biblical Concept of Assurance

Biblically speaking, assurance represents “security of the soul and true inner peace – a blessed assurance.” (Paul Sain) It comes from the Greek, plerophoria , which means “ full assurance, most certain confidence..” (Thayer’s Greek Definitions) In English, the word “assurance” comes from the verb “assure.”  Webster’s defines assure, “to make safe; to give confidence to hearts; to make sure or certain: convince; to make certain the coming or attainment of: i.e. a guarantee”

Assurance then is, according to Webster’s Dictionary, “The act or action of assuring: as  a : pledge, guarantee” God has pledged, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you…” (Hebrews13:5). By the same Word in which He conveyed to us these great and precious promises, He also gave us all things that pertain to our receiving of these promises. “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

Along with the pledge to never forsake us,  God has given us the Spirit as a guarantee or earnest of that pledge. The guarantee or earnest of the Spirit helps to instill confidence of salvation in us, even though, “we who are in this tent groan, being burdened…”  (2 Corinthians 5:2). The Holy Spirit is God’s earnest or guarantee (I.e. the “down-payment”) whereby He gives us assurance that everything He has promised us is true.

Again, Webster’s dictionary states that assurance is, “The state of being assured: i.e.  A being certain in the mind or confidence of mind or manner, freedom from self-doubt or uncertainty.”  Although he does not use the word “assurance”, the apostle Paul defines this  very beautifully in 2 Timothy 1:12,  “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

Assurance is closely connected to faith. Our assurance comes from a deep faith or trust in the promises that God, through His Son, has given us. If we have faith in the promises of God – we can be assured that He will fulfill His promises.

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Souls

Jesus saw souls!

We usually see what we are looking for. We tend to get focused on a single matter and fail to see all that is happening around us. Determined to purchase a special item in a store often makes us bypass items of even greater value. We see what we are focused on.

This is what happened in John chapter four when the disciples returned from purchasing food in a Samaritan village. They saw Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman, but their focus was on the food they had purchased. Jesus had seen the woman’s soul while the disciples were seeing food. Is it possible that we make the same mistake in our lives? Are we so focused on our own lives that we fail to deal with those things which really matter?

We need to see souls. This is what Jesus did. We deal with cash at the register in the stores, but fail to see the person behind the register. We speak to those around us about every topic except the one that focuses on their souls. We have hundreds of “friends” on Facebook, but rarely ever see their souls and never address what they really need to hear from us. Are we really their friends?

What about visitors to our services? We may see them and even realize we do not know them, yet never think about their souls. They come into our lives and provide great spiritual opportunities, yet we never see their souls. Imagine the impact on visitors if scores of individuals greeted them!

We must love souls. Until love—“agape love”—is manifested, others will never know that it exists. It was God’s love that prompted Him to give His Son. It was the Son’s love that caused Him to see the soul of the adulterous woman at the well in Samaria. Think again of visitors to our services. They will never see Palm Beach Lakes as a place where troubled souls are loved, until we show that love to them.

We must lead souls. Not every Christian is equipped to have a one-on-one study with a lost visitor, but there are actions all of us can take in leading visitors to the Lord. We all can speak to visitors. We all can sit with visitors. Welcome them to sit with you, or leave your “assigned” seat and go sit with them. We all can write visitors. The addresses from their registration cards are readily available at our Sunday night meetings. Take time to write to those you met and those you sat with to remind them who you are, where you met them and how glad you were they came. We all can pass visitors on to others. After you meet a visitor, introduce them to other members who can also welcome them. We all can tell others about visitors. Let others know who you met, what you learned of them, so further contacts can be made.

Let us all see souls. Let us all love souls and show it to them. Let us all lead souls in every way we can. Jesus did!

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