I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      Occasionally, after attending an assembly of the church, a person has said, “I didn’t get anything out of that.”  What does this statement reveal about a person?

                                                             1.      The implication of this statement is that the church has failed to edify (build up, strengthen) the person.  It may be true that the person has not been edified, but that does not necessarily mean that the fault lies with the church.

                                                             2.      This statement reveals that the person has focused his complete attention on how the service affected him.  Such a person should take his attention from himself and answer these questions:

a.       What did God get from his attendance in the service?

b.       What did the church get from his attendance in the service?

                                                             3.      It is not possible that a spiritually-minded person could glorify God in worship, edify his brothers and sisters in Christ, and yet get no personal benefit from the assembly.  Therefore, the person who makes such a statement has likely revealed his own failure rather than that of the church.

B.      The proper attitude of a Christian is to be considerate of others’ interests above his own (Phil. 2:3).  In the assembly of the church, this means that he will seek to please God and edify his brethren.

                                                             1.      God has ordained the assembling of the church as a benefit to Christians (Heb. 10:23-25).  It is not that God needs us to assemble, but it is His will and wisdom that we do so for our own good.

                                                             2.      Therefore, it is each Christian’s God-given responsibility to edify his brethren in the assemblies of the church.  As the apostle Paul wrote, “Let all things be done for edification” (1Cor. 14:26).

II.      FOR THE COMMON GOOD

A.      For our key text, let us consider 1Corinthians 12-14.

                                                             1.      In this context, Paul explained the proper use of spiritual gifts to the church at Corinth.

a.       It appears from the context that the Corinthian Christians were jealous and divisive over spiritual gifts, arguing that some were superior to others.  As a result, their assemblies had become chaotic competitions of individuals wanting to display their gifts (14:26-40).

b.       Paul instructed them that the use of the gifts in their assemblies was for the edification of all and not for an individual’s exaltation.  Therefore, the gifts were to be used only for that purpose.

c.        Moreover, by using the figure of a body, Paul showed that possessing a particular gift did not make one Christian superior to others (12:12-30).  All of the gifts came from God according to His will, so the one who possessed the gift had no right to boast (12:4-11).

d.       In an unrelated point, let us appreciate that this text gives convincing evidence of the presence of spiritual gifts among early Christians.  If these gifts did not exist, then Paul would not have written this detailed letter to instruct the Corinthians in their proper use.

                                                             2.      Although we do not have miraculous, spiritual gifts today, the principles that are given for the assemblies of the church still govern us.

B.      The first priority for every Christian in the assembly is to serve God.

                                                             1.      Notice 1Corinthians 12:4-6 – “…the same Spirit…the same Lord…the same God who works all things in all persons.”

                                                             2.      All of the varieties of talents and abilities among the members of the church are from the one true God, and therefore they should be used humbly to serve Him as He pleases.

C.      The purpose of the talents and abilities of the members of the church in the assembly is “for the common good” (1Cor. 12:7; KJV – “to profit withal”).

                                                             1.      This is the main theme of this passage of Scripture: “Let all things be done for edification” (1Cor. 14:26; see also Eph. 4:11-12).

a.       One can be edified in many ways, but the edification that is advocated in this context is that which builds up a Christian in the holy faith of Christ (Jude 20).

i.         This type of edification requires Christians to engage their minds in the activities of the assembled church (1Cor. 14:14-19).

ii.        Therefore, any activity that does not provoke meaningful thought or impart understanding in the faith of Christ is to be excluded from the assembly.

b.       The governing principle throughout Paul’s instructions is that individuals should use their talents in the assembly to edify the whole congregation in the faith (1Cor. 14:12).  When those talents are not edifying to the congregation, they should be withheld (1Cor. 14:27-28).

c.        This is why Paul valued prophecy in the assembly above speaking in tongues, for prophecy was always for edification, exhortation, and consolation (1Cor. 14:3-6, 31).

d.       This principle is violated commonly in many modern churches, where various forms of entertainment are employed in the assembly.

i.         Such shows may be impressive displays of individual talent, but they have no value for edification of a church in the faith.

ii.        Some may argue that these things are expedient to draw people to the church, but the only tool given to the church for recruiting people to Christ is the word of God (John 6:44-45).

                                                             2.      This is also the reason Paul said that love is a “more excellent way” (1Cor. 12:31-13:13), for love is the motivation for Christians to use their talents for the common good.

a.       The greatest gifts and talents are nothing if they are not used to edify others in love (1Cor. 13:1-3).

b.       Love erases all selfish concerns and focuses attention on others.

D.      The assembly of the church is no place for an individual’s self-exaltation.

                                                             1.      In 1Corinthians 12:12-30, Paul presented the church as a unified body of diverse members.

a.       He said that “there should be no division in the body” (1Cor. 12:25).  Sadly, the church at Corinth had significant problems with division (1Cor. 1:10-17; 3:1-4; 11:17-19).

b.       He also showed that all members of the church are necessary in the body – the weak and the strong, the more talented and the less talented.

                                                             2.      Because the church is a unified body, the assembly should reflect its unity.

a.       All members are mutually dependent upon one another, and no one is more important than any other (1Cor. 12:14-24).

b.       When the members assemble together, no one should be exalted above the others regardless of talents, wealth, or social class (Jas. 2:1-13).

c.        All Christians are citizen-priests in the kingdom of God (1Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6).  There is no separate priesthood, no clergy, and no laity.

i.         All members of the church serve together equally, and the assembly should demonstrate this.

ii.        Those who take leadership roles in the assembly should be viewed as fellow servants, not “reverends” or any other exalted positions.

III.   HOW CAN YOU EDIFY YOUR BRETHREN IN THE ASSEMBLY?

A.      Be present.

                                                             1.      This should go without saying, yet poor attendance is a common problem throughout the churches.

                                                             2.      If you fail to attend the assemblies of the church, you can neither edify your brethren nor be edified by them.  You lose both ways.

B.      Be prepared.

                                                             1.      The assembly of the church is an important event that should be given appropriate consideration beforehand.  Do whatever is necessary to prepare yourself to worship God and edify your brethren.

                                                             2.      Prayer, meditation on spiritual thoughts, and/or Bible study are fitting activities for a Christian preparing to assemble with the saints and worship God.

C.      Be involved.

                                                             1.      Christians should be mentally engaged in every activity of the assembly.  The thoughts of the outside world must be pushed aside.

                                                             2.      With your mind focused, you should be aware of your brethren around you.

a.       When the congregation sings, you are singing to God and to your brethren, and your brethren are singing to God and to you.  Listen to what they are telling you.

b.       When the congregation prays, you are collectively addressing your Father in heaven.

c.        When you observe the Lord’s Supper, you are collectively proclaiming the Lord’s death in a powerful way that you cannot do alone.

d.       When the word of God is read and taught, listen carefully to understand the truth that God wants you and your brethren to know together.

D.      Finally, realize that if you are committed to giving God and your brethren your very best in the assembly of the church, then you will gain much for yourself.