Instruments of Edification

Intro

Text -

Romans 14:19 NKJV

19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

Title - Instruments Of Edification

Series - Lessons From 1 Corinthians

Background

Edification was a major theme in the Apostle Paul’s 2 epistles to the Corinthians.

Despite a significant presence of spiritual gifts among them, the church was weak and chaotic.

They lacked the wisdom that would enable them to be a strong and built up church.

Main Point

If the church wants to be built up (edified), we must identify the “things” that will contribute to our edification, and pursue them.

edification - Gk. oikodome, building up; the act of bringing something to fullness or completion

pursue - Gk. dioko, to strive after, chase

Sermon Points

What things will contribute to edification?

Peace

Romans 14:19 NKJV

19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

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Peace is the bedding ground for edification

Acts 9:13 NKJV

13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.

Acts 9:31 NKJV

31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

Acts 13.

Love

1 Corinthians 8:1 NKJV

1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.

Love is more excellent than knowledge

1 Corinthians 13:2 NKJV

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

1 Cor 13.2

Knowledge make us arrogant, and arrogance destroys relationships

Paul’s example - knowledge concerning eating of things offered to idols

1 Corinthians 8:4 NKJV

4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

1 Cor 8.4

1 Corinthians 8:7 NKJV

7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

1 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV

9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.

1 Cor 8.7

Note: it is NOT the knowledge itself that is dangerous, but the mishandling of the knowledge. This can be corrected by love.

How the problem is resolved

Ephesians 4:15–16 NKJV

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

speak the truth in love

do your share in love

Clear Message

1 Corinthians 14:3–5 NKJV

3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

1 Cor 14.3-5

The church is edified when the message from God is clear

Note: Paul’s illustrations

1 Corinthians 14:6–8 NKJV

6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?

1 Cor 14.6-8

Musical instruments with a clear not encourages singing

a trumpet with a certain sound prepared the soldier for battle

1 Corinthians 14:10–11 NKJV

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.

.11

language unites a people

How is this resolved

1 Corinthians 14:12–15 NKJV

12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. 13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

1 Cor 14.12-1

if there unknown tongues, pray for interpretation

Pray with understanding

Sing with understanding

Speak with a clear message

whether it is preaching, exhortation, singing, tongues, prophesying, etc.

Ephesians 4:29 NKJV

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Ephesians 4.29

Speak good

good words impart grace to the hearer

good words edify

God-Ordained Authority

2 Cor 10

2 Corinthians 10:8 NKJV

8 For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed—

Paul was careful how to exercise his authority. He believed it was given to him for the edification of the saints

- Paul’s 2 letters was an exercise of authority

God-ordained authority warns, and rebukes

Paul warned the church against divisions, the leaven, etc.

Paul rebuked the unrepentant sinner among them

God-ordained authority corrects

Paul corrected their way of praying

Paul corrected their practice of the Last Supper

Paul corrected their improper use of their gifts

God-ordained authority equips the saints

Ephesians 4:12 NKJV

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Ephesians 4:11–12 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

What’s the Right Attitude

Respect authority

the Corinthian church can only benefit from Paul’s authority if they recognized his role in their life.

Use your authority to edify the people of God

Peace

Romans 14:19 NKJV

19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

Peace is the bedding ground for edification

Acts 9:31 NKJV

31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

Peace makes it possible for members to be built up (edified).

peace means the members are not fighting, competing, and arguing, etc.

peace means sin is purged from the midst of the church

peace means everyone considers one another as friends and buddies in Christ.

Conclusion

Become an Instrument for Edification!

Pursue these things and practice them in the church

Become an instrument for edification -

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