Love Works 12

The Edification of Showing Up

Text: I Corinthians 14:1-9

Intro: Can you imagine what it would be like to be apart of a church where everyone went after what they wanted. “It’s All about Me” Video. This passage we could call the “Tale of Two Church Services”. There is a lot of teaching back and forth on the subject of tongues out of this passage and as much as good doctrine can be gleaned from an honest look, Tongues is not the main lesson to be learned.

Trans:

Service #1

1. Speaking in tongues. (We know that we do not need extra-biblical revelation. In this day and time this was a valid gift and so there was instruction on such a gift.)

2. vs. 4 shows us that those that speak in tongues are interested in one thing primarily – edifying themselves.

3. So those that would speak in tongues were primarily interested in expressing themselves and their individual ministry or gift. Edifying themselves over anything else going on in the church service.

Service #2

1. Those that gave themselves to prophesying. (This is a less spectacular event simply declaring the things that have already been shown to us by the Lord.)

2. vs. 5 shows us that those that edify are better than those that speak in tongues. Only because they are focused on the edifying of the whole church not just themselves.

Result

Service # 1 – The visitor or lost man leaves thinking every one is mad (crazy). That is when everyone comes into the church seeking to express their gift over anything else that is going on in the church.

Service # 2 – The visitor or lost man is convinced of all (everyone is called) . He is then convicted of his heart and calls on the name of God. And then leaves telling others outside that God is at this place. (By the way that is exactly what I hope others will say when they come to South Knollwood Baptist Church).

I. Love for others is the proper motivation for ministry.

Explanation: A. The fruit of excellence is the Edification of the church.

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Argument: To excel at edifying makes our ministry more convincing.

Illustration: When the greeters, choir, SS teachers, Adult Bible Class teachers, Song Servants, everyone strives for excellence it convinces the lost that our gospel is true. It convinces the visitor this church knows that what it is doing is making a difference.

Application: A.

Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

This passage shows us important ingredients to the edification of the body. First, I want you to see that it is our duty to show up. The Bible is encouraging these Hebrew that are now learning about the church experience that you are to be present when the doors are open. You hear me talk about three to thrive. Well that is a Biblical exhortation.

He is showing that we are to be in our place when the church is in session. Which makes sense how much convincing can you do when you are not present. You can’t edify the body if you are not here.

Which brings us to our next point. What is edifying when I am here. Many are involved in ministry in one way or another they have a role to play. But I want you to see what we are to be about. This idea of Exhortation. Exhortation and edification are very similar words infact they share many words that are synonyms. The key difference is who they are focused on. Edificaion is at least in the I Cor and Ephesians on the whole of the body. Exhortation in Hebrews is focused on the individual. I am saying here that Paul in Hebrews is speaking about individual acts towards individual people.

Let me illustrate this with a story. There are new people visiting the church next Sunday and as they step inside the entry way you approach the entry. They are clearly looking for what is next. So you come to them and ask if you can show them to their class. You take them to the childrens wing and drop of Herbert and Sharice and then proceed to the Adult Bible Classes. You take them to the class and introduce them not only to the teacher but also to another couple in the class.

Guess what you have exhorted and edified.

You being in your place on Sunday gave you the opportunity to fulfill the obligation of vs 25

We are not just to come to church to get ours done we come to the church house to edify to exhort. You see what he is doing is showing us the power of Seeing the need and Taking the Lead.

You have three choices when you see something that needs done in the church:

Ignore it

Most Christians live at this level. They walk the other way.

Complain about it

Some in every area let their mouth move before their hands.

Fix it

You know who it is that meets this it is those who understand that everytime they walk through those doors they make or break this church.

Conclusion: