With Pursuing Edification

by Tim Martin

In Romans 14:19, the Holy Spirit instructs us to pursue things which edify one another. Edification means the act of building up and adding to existing structure. The job of building up the Lord's church is a project that has no completion date, save that of the second coming of Jesus Christ. The Scripture says we are to pursue these things. Pursuit requires effort and determination. We would not run after something we didn't desire. Therefore, we should desire and crave what God asks us to pursue: edification of the church.

This task is not solely the responsibility of church leadership. Paul is not directly nor exclusively addressing the leadership of the congregation in Rome. It is direction from the Spirit of God Almighty to the entire brotherhood in Rome. It still applies today to the brotherhood right here in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. We all must pitch in and supply the work necessary to strengthen the congregation and make it ready to do the work of God. Paul tells the congregation in Ephesus that the Lord has assigned members in the church to do the work of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers ( Ephesians 4:11). Why? "For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (NKJV). The leaders and teachers of the congregation are there to equip the saints to do the work of ministry. Ministry is defined as works of service for the Lord. Deacons are to oversee and organize ministries, providing avenues to serve. The elders minister by providing guidance, protection, and nourishment to the flock. The staff is responsible for certain areas of ministry and providing opportunities for work. Teachers use the Bible to explain the duties God expects of His servants. That is not the end all-be all of the work of the Lord. The entire membership is responsible for performing acts of service to edify the local congregation, the church as a whole. Don't fall into Satan's trap of complacency and laziness and ignore the building work needed here in Mt. Juliet. There are nearly 1,100 people that gather to worship on a regular basis each week. Is it logical to think that in a group that size, the Lord's work is going to be accomplished by just about 60 people? The structure already exists, so our building work entails enlargement, reinforcement, repair, modification, and improvement. Cultivate a desire to pursue building up our family here and the entire church. The project managers, superintendents, and foremen have work assignments and materials. The Architect has given us the design and plans. Let's get to work.

January 22, 2012

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With Pursuing Edification by Tim Martin In Romans 14:19, the Holy Spirit instructs us to pursue things which edify one another. Edification means the act of building up and adding to existing structure. The job of building up the Lord's church is a project that has no completion date, save that of the second coming of Jesus Christ. The Scripture says we are to pursue these things. Pursuit requires effort and determination. We would not run after something we didn't desire. Therefore, we should desire and crave what God asks us to pursue: edification of the church. This task is not solely the responsibility of church leadership. Paul is not directly nor exclusively addressing the leadership of the congregation in Rome. It is direction from the Spirit of God Almighty to the entire brotherhood in Rome. It still applies today to the brotherhood right here in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. We all must pitch in and supply the work necessary to strengthen the congregation and make it ready to do the work of God. Paul tells the congregation in Ephesus that the Lord has assigned members in the church to do the work of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers ( Ephesians 4:11). Why? "For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (NKJV). The leaders and teachers of the congregation are there to equip the saints to do the work of ministry. Ministry is defined as works of service for the Lord. Deacons are to oversee and organize ministries, providing avenues to serve. The elders minister by providing guidance, protection, and nourishment to the flock. The staff is responsible for certain areas of ministry and providing opportunities for work. Teachers use the Bible to explain the duties God expects of His servants. That is not the end all-be all of the work of the Lord. The entire membership is responsible for performing acts of service to edify the local congregation, the church as a whole. Don't fall into Satan's trap of complacency and laziness and ignore the building work needed here in Mt. Juliet. There are nearly 1,100 people that gather to worship on a regular basis each week. Is it logical to think that in a group that size, the Lord's work is going to be accomplished by just about 60 people? The structure already exists, so our building work entails enlargement, reinforcement, repair, modification, and improvement. Cultivate a desire to pursue building up our family here and the entire church. The project managers, superintendents, and foremen have work assignments and materials. The Architect has given us the design and plans. Let's get to work. January 22, 2012 Related Articles: Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM