Edify One Another

Grace Baptist Temple ^ | March 10, 2003 | Rev. Don Robinson

[pseudogratix]

Edify One Another
Romans 14:19

Caring Christians love one another. We have already looked at and emphasized the statements in scripture that tell us to "love one another" (John 13:34-35). Loving one another is not only a matter of words; it is a matter of deeds. It is one thing to say to someone, "I love you," but quite something else to prove it by our actions. Notice the word "edify" in verse 19. The word means "to build up." It comes from the Latin word which means "to build." Christians who care edify one another; they build one another up in the faith. We can be used of the Lord to help "build up" others, or be used of Satan to tear down, to destroy. It is much easier to be a destroyer than to be a builder. God has given us several spiritual tools that we can use for building up one another!

I. Our Example.

The first tool for edifying one another is our example.

We see this is in Romans 14:14-21.

A. Verse one says "receive ye," and verse nineteen says "edify one another," and we are told in verse thirteen that we are not to judge another.

B. A 'stumbling block' is conduct or action that is offensive - actions that hurt or discourage another.

C. We also see in verses 14-17 that the example of the strong Christian should encourage the weak Christian to grow

D. God uses our Christian example as a tool for edifying one another: Is our example tearing people down or building them up?

II. Our Speech.

The second tool that we have is our speech. See Ephesians 4:29.

A. As we speak to others, we are either using words that build them up or tear them down.

B. We should choose our words carefully and use words that encourage, that strengthen, that build up - edifying one another - rather than words of discouragement.

C. We are to speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15).

1. As we speak the truth in love, we are able to build people up.

2. Our words should minister grace to the hearers.

3. See Colossians 4:6.

D. Jesus said in Matthew 10:16 that we are to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves," Notice what He said about the words we use in Matthew 12:36, and 15:8-11 and 18-19.

E. The psalmist also wrote about our speech.

1. See Psalm 19:14, 139:23-24 and 141:3.

2. James wrote of it also in James 3:5-8 and 4:6-10.

III. Our Spiritual Gifts.

God gives us a third tool for the edifying of the church - the ministry of our Spiritual gifts.

A. We see this in l Corinthians 14:12 and 26.

1. Unfortunately the Corinthian church was using their gifts as 'toy' to play with and 'weapons' to fight with, and not as 'tools' to build with.

2. God has given each one of us spiritual gifts to build up other Christians.

3. Verse 26 tells us that when we gather together, we should be edifying one another.

4. "Let all things be done unto edifying" This means that every activity, every meeting, every function, every class, every service, every social event ought to be for edifying, building up the saints, encouraging, and strengthening one another.

B. When we go to church, our attitude ought to be:

1. "What can I put into it?

2. How can I better use my Spiritual gifts for the Lord Jesus?

3. Can I help someone grow?

4. How can I encourage another, minister to another?

5. Take time to encourage others, speak words of encouragement.

6. Say to yourself, "I want to help others grow today!"

IV. Our Love.

God gives us a fourth tool for building up one another. (1 Co. 8:1)

A. Love edifies!

1. Paul was saying in 8:1 that knowledge without love can tear down.

2. "Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth."

3. Knowledge without love will puff up and inflate your ego.

4. But love will build up!

5. Love always builds up!

6. This verse (8:1) is saying that we should use our knowledge in love.

7. Whatever we do, it ought to be done in love.

8. This relates to what Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 13:34-55.

V. Our Prayers.

We build each other up by our example, by our speech, by our ministry of spiritual gifts, by our love, and by our prayers.

A. As we pray for people, then God is able to work and build them up!

B. We build up one another through prayer.

1. Why not use the prayer list!

2. Pray specifically for people by name.

3. In 2 Thess. 3:1-5, Paul requested prayer for himself, his ministry, and his personal safety.

VI . God's Word.

A. In Acts 20:32, we see that the Word of God is a great tool for building up one another.

B. Always use the Word of God when discussing problems with people.

1. Because the Word of God edifies, it builds people up, it has the answers to the problems of life.

2. God's Word solves problems!

Are we a destroyer, or are we a builder? Is God using us to build up His people? Christians who care 'love one another' and 'edify one another'. If someone had to describe our church would they say that we edify one another?

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

21 years ago I used to enjoy an dripping Ice Cold Rolling Rock on a hot summer day!

They had Rolling Rock in Detroit?? It's a local beer brewed a bit east of me in Latrobe PA. i'm suprised that it got that far west. BTW, i'm assuming Detroit, i really don't have any idea where you lived at that time, but i do recall you saying that you lived in Detroit, hence the assumption.

[snerkel]

I do not recall anyone bragging about being drunk. I do recall a false claim being made using such terminology. I was also offended by the situation. Trust was broken and lies were spread. Bearing false witness is still in the Bible and it is still considered a sin.

[Alex Murphy]

Bearing false witness is still in the Bible and it is still considered a sin.

So is "you shall have no other gods before me" but that hasn't stopped her either.

[restornu]

I lived in NYC since 1972 and my first bottle of R&R was at the "All State bar & Grill" on W 72 st, when they still used ice water sinks to store ice cold beer!

Any other question?

[restornu]

BTW It was not said by me I only clarifies it when someone accused me of not defendeding them and I said their name never entered my mind when I read post #689!

[restornu]

see answer on

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/851229/posts?page=1680#1680

[snerkel]

For the record, I do not drink alcohol. I informed Jesse of this fact privately and asked for a clarification to be posted or retraction of the insinuation. He took no action.

For the record, I don't drink alcohol. I prefer Mt. Dew.

[snerkel]

My remarks were directed to this comment in your post

I don't think a drink or two was the issue it was some bragging getting drunk among those who are of the coth and no one council at the time.

No offense intended, but when you present information such as that, in the manner in which you did, it implies that those in question were bragging about getting drunk, when in fact, they were not.

[CARepubGal]

I see the slander stands. Well, this must be how you "stand for something." Too bad it isn't something more decent and uplifting. I feel profoundly sorry for you Sharon.

[Wrigley]

This is a case of someone either not being able to understand how she was played, or this person knowing all along what was going on was wrong, but still went along with it.

The first should be shown pity, the second scorn.

[CARepubGal]

My thoughts exactly. And I am not sure which applies in this case.

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

Any other question?

No, not really, i didn't think that Rolling Rock was known about outside of Western Pennsylvania. A little FYI: When i was in Germany with the Army, the nation was at the time separated into two countries. West Germany was about the size of Oregon. There were 3,571 different brands of beer in West Germany alone. Of course the breweries also sold pressed cardboard coasters to go with their particular beer...to protect the table from condensation and slight spillage. i had a collection of 3,550 different ones, couldn't find those last 21!

Alas, the collection was stolen along with some other articles from my hold baggage.

[ksen]

Morning rest, how are you doing?

What is the bottem line things of the Lord or or defending a doctrine.

The things of the Lord ARE doctrine.

Should we all not be seeking truth?

Truth IS doctrine.

[restornu]

I was refering to the various doctrines of a church as Calvinist or Arminianism etc.

[Codie]

I do not drink because I come from a family of alcoholics. My years studying and counseling alcoholics/addicts taught me that it is heredity .

Is there now an alcoholic gene?

[Gamecock]

No doubt some little minimum wage reprobate!

[RnMomof7]

I do not know if they have Identified it, but Alcoholism is hereditary

They have done many studies and they have found that the children or grandchildren of alcoholics have a different response to alcohol that the children of non alcoholics...As an example the Irish really are more prone to alcoholism than the Jewish

It may have something to do with metabolism and the way the liver detoxes it..I have not done a workshop on this in some time so I have no clue what the lastest findings are..BTW risk taking (such as gambling or sky diving etc) also has a heredity component..

[Codie]

No,it is a choice.

[RnMomof7]

In one sense it is true. You can make a decision not to drink. But if you decide to drink (abuse as some college kids do) and you have the gene you will be more likely to end up with alcoholism . Heredity is not necessarily destiny, but we are foolish to disregard it.





" Research shows that heredity plays an important role in alcoholism. For example, the pattern of brain electrical activity associated with alcoholism appears to be inherited. Other studies show that people with an alcoholic parent have a greater risk of developing the disease than do children of nonalcoholics. Scientists are working to identify the particular genes (chemical units of heredity) that increase risk. Most experts think that many genes are involved and that environment also plays a key role in developing the disease. Environmental influences may include income level, family stability, and community acceptance of drinking. Experts think that the relative importance of various genes and environmental factors may differ among individuals. "
http://www.a2zpsychology.com/a2z%20guide/alcoholism.htm


http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa18.htm