Edification or "built up" in the Faith
Pastor W. Max Alderman
Text: Col.3: 16-21
Introduction: To be edified or "built up" in the faith requires that a man be filled with the spirit and obedient to the Word. In reality a person cannot be filled with the spirit who is not obedient to the Word.
Word Study: Edification (a dictionary meaning of the word) Intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement; enlightenment. The word edify appears in three verses:
Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
1Cr 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do
We are shown from these verses that we have a responsibility not only to be edified, but to edify as well,
Edify, edifice, edification: as found in Vine’s Dictionary:
A-1
Noun
Strong’s Number: 3619
Greek: oikodome
Denotes (a) "the act of building" (oikos, "a home," and demo, "to build"); this is used only
Figuratively in the NT, in the sense of edification, the promotion of spiritual growth (lit., "the things of building up"), Rom 14:19; 15:2; 1Cr 14:3,5,12,26, e.g.; (b) "a building, edifice," whether material, Mat 24:1, e.g., or figurative, of the future body of the believer, 2Cr 5:1, or of a local church, 1Cr 3:9, or the whole church, "the body of Christ," Eph 2:21
B-1
Verb
Strong’s Number: 3618
Greek: oikodomeo
Lit., "to build a house" (see above), (a) usually signifies "to build," whether literally, or figuratively; the present participle, lit., "the (ones) building," is used as a noun, "the builders," in Mat 21:42; Mar 12:10; Luke 20:17; Act 4:11 The sense of "edifying," promoting the spiritual growth and development of character of believers, by teaching or by example, suggests such spiritual progress as the result of patient labor. It is said (1) of the effect of this upon local churches, Act 9:31; 1Cr 14:4; (2) of the individual action of believers towards each other, 1Cr 8:1; 10:23; 14:17; 1Th 5:11; (3) of an individual in regard to himself, 1Cr 14:4. In 1Cr 8:10, where it is translated "emboldened," the Apostle uses it with pathetic irony, of the action of a brother in "building up" his brother who had a weak conscience, causing him to compromise his scruples; "strengthened," or "confirmed," would be suitable renderings. (from Vine’s Dictionary).
This study will show how important it is for one to be Spirit filled, letting the Word of Christ dwell in one richly. When this is happening, then that one can have a part in the edification process, as commanded, when one is told to be Spirit filled. Also, one should be mindful of what the Scriptures say about edifying.
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
May we look at some things going on when edification is going on..
I. EDIFICATION REQUIRES A DEPENDENCE UPON SCRIPTURE. (Vs. 3:16a)
A. For one to be rich in wisdom. (Vs. 3:16a)
When one has a proper respect and love for the Word of God, he then may have the wisdom of God. Note these verses:
Psa 119:162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
Psa 119:169 TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
Psa 119:170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
Psa 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments [are] righteousness.
Psa 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Psa 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
B .For one to be right in the Word. (Vs. 3:16a)
Edification requires more than just being knowledgeable of the Word. One must be right in the Word. By this, one must be doing what the Word requires. Joshua, and the nation of Israel were able to conquer Jericho only because they exercised faithful obedience. Naaman would not have been healed of his leprosy had he not done exactly what the man of God told him to do. The Word of God does a work in the lives of those who believe and practice it.
1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Matthew Henry has an interesting study on the concept of letting the word of Christ dwell in you richly:
To let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, v. 16. The gospel is the word of Christ, which has come to us; but that is not enough, it must dwell in us, or keep house—enoikeitoµ, not as a servant in a family, who is under another’s control, but as a master, who has a right to prescribe to and direct all under his roof. We must take our instructions and directions from it, and our portion of meat and strength, of grace and comfort, in due season, as from the master of the household. It must dwell in us; that is, being always ready and at hand to us in every thing, and have its due influence and use. We must be familiarly acquainted with it, and know it for our good, Job 5:27. It must dwell in us richly: not only keep house in our hearts, but keep a good house. Many have the word of Christ dwelling in them, but it dwells in them but poorly; it has no mighty force and influence upon them. Then the soul prospers when the word of God dwells in us richly, when we have abundance of it in us, and are full of the scriptures and of the grace of Christ. And this in all wisdom.
II .EDIFICATION RESULTS IN A DELIGHTFULNESS IN SINGING (Vs. 3!6-17)
When the Word of God is properly in affect, then there will be singing. This singing will be noted or witnessed in ones:
• Attitude
• Actions
What will it take to rob you of your song?
It is so easy to let someone or something rob us of our song. Pressures or peril can rob us of our song. Worry and even work can rob us…
There can also be the wrong kind of song in your heart; the wrong song can be just as devastating as the right song can be delightful! May we look at the right kind of singing…
A. This kind of singing causes the heart to be taught. (Vs. 3:16b)
God uses songs and singing to both teach and remind His children what He has taught them. Look at the song that He gave Moses to give to the children of Israel.
Deu 31:19
Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
Deu 31:20
For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.
Deu 31:21
And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.
Deu 31:22
Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.
Look at this reason for singing:
Psa 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
B. This kind of singing causes the heart to be tender. (Vs. 3:16b)
Psa 42:8 [Yet] the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song [shall be] with me, [and] my prayer unto the God of my life.
C. This kind of singing causes the heart to be thankful. (Vs. 3:17)
Psa 100:1
[[A Psalm of praise.]] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Psa 100:2
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Psa 100:3
Know ye that the LORD he [is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves; [we are] his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Psa 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.
Psa 100:5
For the LORD [is] good; his mercy [is] everlasting; and his truth [endureth] to all generations.
III. EDIFICATION RESULTS IN DIRECTION BY SUBMITTING (Vs. 18-21)
A. Submitting produces control. (Vs. 3:18)
B. Submitting produces charity. (Vs. 3:19)
A.Submitting prevents chastening. (Vs. 3:20-21)
Conclusion: Being Spirit filled and obedient to the Word will build one up in the faith just as the carpenter will build his building. I grew up in a carpenter’s home and knew the joy of building. Likewise, there is much joy in building the Lord’s work.
