Ep. 19 - Edification & Service
Episode Description
What is actually happening when the church gathers together? What are we doing, what are we supposed to be doing, and why have so many abandoned it? The church has become consumeristic -- judged by its programs, its atmosphere, and what it offers the individual. But the believer who gathers only to receive has misunderstood the church entirely. We gather to be built up and to build up. We gather to serve and to be served. We gather because the spiritual decline of one member is the spiritual decline of the whole.
In this episode, Pastor Josh examines edification and service as the twin purposes of the gathered church. Edification begins with the faithful preaching of the Word -- God must reveal Himself to us, and He does so through Scripture faithfully taught. That Word, dwelling richly in the inner man, then flows outward in service: provoking one another to love and good works, bearing one another’s burdens, comforting, correcting, and restoring in the spirit of meekness. Every member is necessary. Every presence, every prayer, every act of service builds the body. The church grows as every member invests in others through truth and love.
Key Scriptures
1 Corinthians 11:17 -- Coming Together for the Worse
Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
2 Timothy 4:2 -- Preach the Word
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Psalm 19:1, 7 -- General and Special Revelation
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork... The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Ephesians 4:15-16 -- Every Joint Supplying
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Galatians 5:13 -- By Love Serve One Another
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Galatians 6:1-2 -- Bear One Another’s Burdens
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Hebrews 10:24-25 -- Provoke unto Love and Good Works
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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.
1 Corinthians 12:7 -- Every Member Necessary
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
Episode Outline
The Consumeristic Church -- Judged by atmosphere and program, not Word and service
Coming Together for the Better -- 1 Corinthians 11:17 and the failure of the Corinthians
The Preaching of the Word -- 2 Timothy 4:2 and the primacy of faithful exposition
General and Special Revelation -- Psalm 19 and why Scripture exceeds what creation declares
Edification Defined -- The Word building up the inner man for godliness and Christ-likeness
Every Joint Supplying -- Ephesians 4:15-16 and the corporate growth of the body
By Love Serve One Another -- Galatians 5:13 and service as the outflow of edification
Bear One Another’s Burdens -- Galatians 6:1-2 on restoring, comforting, and carrying together
Every Member Necessary -- 1 Corinthians 12:7 and the profit of the whole
Questions Discussed
What is actually happening -- and what is supposed to be happening -- when the church gathers?
Have you come to church primarily to receive, or also to give?
Why is the faithful preaching of the Word the most fundamental activity of the gathered church?
What is the relationship between edification and service -- why are both necessary?
Do you know the people at your church well enough to bear their burdens?
Do you underestimate your role -- your presence, your prayers, your acts of service?
Is the local church you are part of gathering for the better or for the worse?
