Build Up One Another

1. INTRODUCTION

   1. We are currently engaged in a study of our relationships with one another as fellow Christians.

      1. Our relationships with one another affect our relationship with Christ.  He personally receives our treatment of one another (Matt. 25:31-46).

      2. Therefore, we must love one another in order to love Christ, and we must serve one another in order to serve Christ.

   2. In this lesson, we will consider our need to build up one another.

       

2. EDIFICATION AS A GOAL

   1. The work of building up one another is often called edification.

      1. The concept of edification is borrowed from the process of constructing a house or some other structure. 

      2. In the New Testament Greek, the word oikodomēcan mean either a material structure, i.e., a building (Matt. 24:1; Mark 13:1-2), or the act of building up people, i.e., edification (Rom. 14:19; 1Cor. 14:26).

   2. Edification should be a goal for all of our interactions with one another.

      1. This goal is set forth in Romans 14:1-15:13.

         1. This context gives instruction for dealing with weak brethren.  Rather than causing them to stumble and tearing them down, we are to build them up.

         2. In Romans 14:19, the Scripture says, "So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another."

         3. In Romans 15:2, we are told to be considerate of our brethren and not just ourselves.  Notice this passage:

            ¹Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.  ²Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.

      2. This goal is also emphasized in 1Corinthians 14.

         1. The context here is about the use of spiritual gifts.  We no longer have these gifts, but we can apply the principles to the abilities we do have.

         2. Notice the principle goal of edification in the following verses:

            1. 1Corinthians 14:12 -- So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

            2. 1Corinthians 14:26 -- What is the outcome then, brethren?  When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation.  Let all things be done for edification.

   3. Edification should also have a goal, which is to bring each Christian as well as the whole church to spiritual maturity.

      1. Consider Ephesians 4:11-16:

         ¹¹And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, ¹²for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; ¹³until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.  ¹⁴As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; ¹⁵but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, ¹⁶from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

      2. The Lord has given talents to each Christian for the express purpose of edification, which has the goal of bringing the church to maturity.

      3. Christ Himself is the goal, for He is the standard by which we measure spiritual maturity, and He is our example of self-sacrificial edification, just as 2Corinthians 8:9 states, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich."

3. WAYS TO EDIFY

   1. We cannot build up one another unless we are together.

      1. In the passages from 1Corinthians 14 that we noticed earlier, we saw that edification occurs "when you assemble" (v. 26).  Obviously, if members of the church do not assemble together, then they cannot be edified, and they cannot offer edification to others.

      2. Consider the instruction of Hebrews 10:24-25:

         ²⁴And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

   2. Our primary tool for building up one another is our speech.

      1. Noticing again Ephesians 4:15, it is by "speaking the truth in love" that "we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ."

      2. Specifically, it by speaking the word of God that we may build up one another.

         1. "Speaking the truth in love" requires us to speak the word of God, for His word is truth (John 17:17).

         2. In Acts 20:32, Paul said, "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified."  No other message can build a person in this way.

      3. Such edifying words of truth are the only kind of words we should speak to one another.

         1. In Ephesians 4:29, the Scripture teaches, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear."

         2. Notice that such words are most effective when spoken in a timely manner.  A similar message is found in Proverbs 15:23, which says, "A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!"

         3. To speak words that are good for edification according to the need of the moment, we must understand what that need is.  Therefore, we must know God's word and be alert to one another's needs.

      4. Our words should have specific purposes that aid in building up one another.

         1. After describing the resurrection, Paul told the Thessalonian Christians, "Therefore comfort one another with these words" (1Thess. 4:18). Comforting words build up those who are suffering or grieving.

         2. Similarly, Paul also told the Thessalonians to "encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing" (1Thess. 5:11).  Encouragement builds up those who are weak or discouraged.  See also Hebrews 3:13.

   3. Singing to one another allows the word of God and the Spirit of God to dwell within us and builds us up.

      1. In Colossians 3:16, the Scripture says, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

      2. Likewise, Ephesians 5:18-19 says,

         ¹⁸And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord...

      3. Singing words of truth engages our minds, hearts, and emotions in such a way that we are edified both by singing and by hearing others sing. Nothing can be more edifying than to have the word of Christ and the Spirit of God dwelling within us.

          

4. CONCLUSION

   1. Each one of us needs to build up others and to be built up by others.

      1. A person can build himself up only so far.  He needs the help of others to be fully edified.

      2. For this reason, God has given us fellowship with Him and one another, so that we may build up one another in His love.

   2. Therefore, let us "pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another" (Rom. 14:19).