Edification?

[preacher4truth]

What is it?

Most of us have heard others say they want "edifying" sermons, typically in response to a sermon they've heard that didn't make them feel so good, or perhaps in response to one that did.

Does edifying mean making a person feel good about themselves, or, is it something else altogether? Is that the point of edification, so we can "feel" good?

Has such thinking helped facilitate the desire for and accumulation of preachers that do these things, i.e. Osteen, Meyers, Copeland, Moore, &c?

I think an errant view of edification is that people believe it means they are to be made to feel good about themselves. I do not believe this is what is meant concerning edifying the saints. I think it means building one up with truth, equipping them with such things.

There seems to be an ever-increasing amount of preachers that focus on what man gets, and making men/women feel good, successful, empowered, that this thing is all about them and what they get out of it. That's what people seem to think edifyng means these days, and sound doctrine is waning away to this type of preference.

What type of theology has lent itself to the outgrowth of these types of ministries, where man, his faith, the power of choice, positive thinking, and freewill are a major focus in the message, and how man feels and what man gets is the objective?

- Peace

 

[Amy.G]

Edification means to build up the body of Christ. In contrast, we are not to tear down the body through infighting, judmentalism, or gossip. We are to be unified, love one another, build one another up. That doesn't mean to teach a fluffy, feel good doctrine, but rather teach the word of God and make disciples who LOVE God and desire to obey Him, and who know their bible, so that we are able to go out into the world and give the reason for the hope that is in us.
Sometimes it means to preach things that don't feel good to the flesh, like exposing sin. But it also means to encourage one another in the faith.

 

[DaChaser1]

What is it?

Most of us have heard others say they want "edifying" sermons, typically in response to a sermon they've heard that didn't make them feel so good, or perhaps in response to one that did.

Does edifying mean making a person feel good about themselves, or, is it something else altogether? Is that the point of edification, so we can "feel" good?

Has such thinking helped facilitate the desire for and accumulation of preachers that do these things, i.e. Osteen, Meyers, Copeland, Moore, &c?

I think an errant view of edification is that people believe it means they are to be made to feel good about themselves. I do not believe this is what is meant concerning edifying the saints. I think it means building one up with truth, equipping them with such things.

There seems to be an ever-increasing amount of preachers that focus on what man gets, and making men/women feel good, successful, empowered, that this thing is all about them and what they get out of it. That's what people seem to think edifyng means these days, and sound doctrine is waning away to this type of preference.

What type of theology has lent itself to the outgrowth of these types of ministries, where man, his faith, the power of choice, positive thinking, and freewill are a major focus in the message, and how man feels and what man gets is the objective?

- Peace

I tend to see that for me, it refers to hearing a sermon message taught, or that of a teacher in school setting, that made me reflect and think on deeper aspects of Christian faith/doctrines...

When I also incorporate this to applying it to mylife, that the lord hasconvictedme in some area need to apply it, that edifys me!

 

[Iconoclast]

Edification means to build up the body of Christ. In contrast, we are not to tear down the body through infighting, judmentalism, or gossip. We are to be unified, love one another, build one another up. That doesn't mean to teach a fluffy, feel good doctrine, but rather teach the word of God and make disciples who LOVE God and desire to obey Him, and who know their bible, so that we are able to go out into the world and give the reason for the hope that is in us.
Sometimes it means to preach things that don't feel good to the flesh, like exposing sin. But it also means to encourage one another in the faith.

This section is foundational;

1We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

5Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

and this...godly teachers,and godly brethren,godly conversation. as a means of grace.

11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16From 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.
:1_grouphug:

 

[mont974x4]

Almost 5 years ago my friend had a house fire. It was determined that we need to tear down the damaged house and build a new one.

This required an honest assessment of the damage. It required the painful process of tearing down the battered and broken. It then called for hauling it off to be disposed of. Then, we had to dig down and establish a level basis to rebuild from. Then, set the forms for the footings, and of course, pouring new footings. It required understanding where underground springs were and planning to combat their effects. Then the forms and pouring of the basement walls, then the basement floor. It took several painful months of hard work but the night before Thanksgiving they were moving into their new home.

That is a picture of a pastor edifying one of the people entrusted to him by God.

Heb 12:11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Heb 12:12 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,
Heb 12:13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. (NASB)

 

[Amy.G]

Speaking of edifying, I need your prayers because I have been asked to teach our women's Sunday school class.

I'm soooo excited but scared at the same time. I hope I will edify the class and bring glory to God. raying:

 

[preacher4truth]

Speaking of edifying, I need your prayers because I have been asked to teach our women's Sunday school class.

I'm soooo excited but scared at the same time. I hope I will edify the class and bring glory to God. raying:

What will you teach Amy? I am excited for you, and may God bless you in His Word! :jesus:

 

[Amy.G]

What will you teach Amy? I am excited for you, and may God bless you in His Word! :jesus:

They have always used quarterlies in this class, so I'll be continuing with that at least until I get my sea legs. I hope to go beyond what they contain though while still staying on subject. I'm replacing the pastor's wife who will now be teaching young adults, so I have a hard act to follow. Hope they don't throw tomatoes at me! LOL

 

[preacher4truth]

They have always used quarterlies in this class, so I'll be continuing with that at least until I get my sea legs. I hope to go beyond what they contain though while still staying on subject. I'm replacing the pastor's wife who will now be teaching young adults, so I have a hard act to follow. Hope they don't throw tomatoes at me! LOL

You gotta hate having to teach from Awake!

Oh, nm, that's not your quarterly! :smilewinkgrin: :laugh:

 

[Amy.G]

You gotta hate having to teach from Awake!

Oh, nm, that's not your quarterly! :smilewinkgrin: :laugh:

Ok. You lost me. What is awake? Do you mean I have BE awake to teach? Or teach in a way that keeps the class awake? :laugh:

 

[preacher4truth]

Ok. You lost me. What is awake? Do you mean I have BE awake to teach? Or teach in a way that keeps the class awake? :laugh:

lol...Awake! is a JW (rather a "Watchtower") publication! :laugh:

Forgive me! :saint:

 

[Amy.G]

lol...Awake! is a JW (rather a "Watchtower") publication! :laugh:

Forgive me! :saint:

I don't think I will.

Since you know about this publication I will assume you have taught from it? :laugh:

 

[mont974x4]

I don't think I will.

Since you know about this publication I will assume you have taught from it? :laugh:

DOH!!!



They used to come to my house and try to give me their stuff. The last time, though, was several years ago. The conversation went something like:

Them:
We believe children are an important part of our families and community. They need to be brought up in the admonition of the Lord. We would like to give you this book as a gift to help you parent your children.

Me:
I agree children are important and being a father is one of my most important responsibilities. That is why I homeschool my boys and as a Baptist pastor I encourage the men in my church to really lead in their homes.


Them:
Thank you for your time. (make a hasty retreat never to return)

 

[Iconoclast]

I don't think I will.

Since you know about this publication I will assume you have taught from it? :laugh:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awake!

 

[preacher4truth]

DOH!!!



They used to come to my house and try to give me their stuff. The last time, though, was several years ago. The conversation went something like:

Them:
We believe children are an important part of our families and community. They need to be brought up in the admonition of the Lord. We would like to give you this book as a gift to help you parent your children.

Me:
I agree children are important and being a father is one of my most important responsibilities. That is why I homeschool my boys and as a Baptist pastor I encourage the men in my church to really lead in their homes.


Them:
Thank you for your time. (make a hasty retreat never to return)

lol...I've had them actually ask for ANY amount of money for the publication, but I refused to give anything to them, or take their magazine.

I had one (of the two) tell me that the meek will inherit the earth, and that meek means teachable, so I gathered I was to become pliable clay in their hands (talk about a set up!).

I took over the conversation at this point, asked them if they are meek, so they fearfully answered yes. :laugh: :thumbsup:

Since they admitted to being teachable, I told them the Gospel. They had to swallow their pride big time. Somehow when I told them the Gospel they were no longer interested in me and left.

 

[Amy.G]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awake!

:laugh:




:sleep:

 

[preacher4truth]

I don't think I will.

Since you know about this publication I will assume you have taught from it? :laugh:

lol...did NOT!

 

[convicted1]

lol...I've had them actually ask for ANY amount of money for the publication, but I refused to give anything to them, or take their magazine.

I had one (of the two) tell me that the meek will inherit the earth, and that meek means teachable, so I gathered I was to become pliable clay in their hands (talk about a set up!).

I took over the conversation at this point, asked them if they are meek, so they fearfully answered yes. :laugh: :thumbsup:

Since they admitted to being teachable, I told them the Gospel. They had to swallow their pride big time. Somehow when I told them the Gospel they were no longer interested in me and left.

That's it. You took a switch to their tails and then left "yelping".