Scripture Reading: Colossians 2:1-10

Edification and the Word of God

Intro.

1. Spiritual edification is needed by every Christian. Nobody “goes it alone” very well for very long, 1 Cor. 12:25-27; 1 Thess. 5:11.

2. Churches of men make vain attempts to offer spiritual strength and stability to the people: “Food, fun and frolic;” Social activism; Political agendas; Community services; etc.

3. While may be nothing wrong in and of themselves, these are not what the Bible says will spiritually edify the saints.

4. God’s way is the best way, it will accomplish His purposes, and it is the only acceptable way.

I. UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL EDIFICATION.

A. Edification is Defined and Achieved by Spiritual Means.

1. oikodome (n): “The act of building...in the sense of edification, the promotion of spiritual growth (lit., the things of building up). oikodomeo (v): lit., “to build a house” (“Edification, edify,” Vine).

2. “Promoting the spiritual growth and development of character of believers.” (Ibid)

3. Modern efforts to edify fail to address spiritual growth, Acts 9:31; Jude 20-21. (Church-provided camps, retreats, recreation, etc.)

B. The Edification of the Church is Inseparably Connected to the Word of Truth, Eph. 4:7-16.

1. Christ gave gifts to men, 4:8.

2. What are the gifts? 4:11

3. What is their goal? 4:12-16 Edify church (“saints...we...body”).

4. What do these gifts have in common? God’s instrument of edification – the word of truth (gospel).

a. Apostles: Revealed and confirmed the truth.

b. Prophets: Spoke the truth from God by inspiration.

c. Evangelists: Proclaim the truth (good news).

d. Pastors: Feed the flock with the truth (Acts 20:28, 32).

e. Teachers: Instruct the word.

5. cf. 4:17-24 - “Learning Christ” (v. 20) is how we obtain spiritual edification. Edification comes by and through the word of God.

II. USING THE WORD OF GOD ACCOMPLISHES SPIRITUAL EDIFICATION IN OUR LIVES.

A. Growth in Bible Knowledge, 2 Pet. 3:17-18.

1. To live holy and godly, to be unblameable, 2 Pet. 3:11, 14.

2. To avoid falling away, 2 Pet. 3:17.

3. To be a good servant who is approved by God, 2 Tim. 2:15.

4. We obtain spiritual edification by learning/using the word, 1 Pet. 2:2.

B. Growth toward Our Final Salvation, Phil. 2:12-16 (Rom. 13:11-14).

1. Obedience...holding fast the word of life, 2:12.

2. For final deliverance (from wrath) we must live by faith (obey truth), not by the will and wisdom of men, 1 Pet. 1:5.

C. Growth to Resist Temptations, Heb. 5:14 (1 Cor. 10:5-13).

1. Using God’s word in our lives helps us discern good and evil, to do good and to abstain from evil (1 Thess. 5:21-22).

2. Self-control to avoid sin develops as we deliberately apply the word of God to our lives, 1 Cor. 9:26-27. (Must know it.)

D. Growth in Grace, 2 Pet. 3:18.

-We must follow God’s word to receive God’s grace and to develop a gracious character, Tit. 2:11-12; Acts 20:32.

E. Growth as Teachers, 2 Tim. 2:2.

-Will only happen by being committed to truth as well as to the goal of teaching it to others.

F. Growth through Worship, Heb.10:24-25.

1. In worship we are obeying the word – built up, Col. 3:16.

2. We are personally strengthened, and we help strengthen each other when we offer God true worship (Jno. 4:24).

Conclusion

1. Christians are built up in Christ by living His word, Col. 2:5-7.

2. We are knit together in love as we attain the riches of “full assurance of understanding” that is in Christ, Col. 2:2-3. (Treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in His word.)

3. Christ’s word equips us with the tools we need to be built up in Him.

4. “Edify one another,” 1 Thess. 5:11.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted October 2, 2019