Edify – to build up morally and
spiritually, to uplift, to instruct, encourage or
improve.
To build, establish or construct, strengthen. To inform or enlighten or
teach
- one of the definitions for
meekness = teachable,
- how many times does the Bible
mention meekness? (the meek shall inherit the world etc.)
- is their only one definition?
- Do we always
assume the Bible is always talking about letting ourselves get ran over?)
to improve. To promote growth or happiness.
Strong’s #
6035 – Poor, needy, humble – need God – God looking for humbleness (Psalms
147:6) God uses us in this state because then we HAVE to rely on
him. When we are week HE is strong
Everything about God is to building up.
He created – heaven and earth, man, all
things good. He gave us His Word to do nothing but these things.
Fruit of spirit Gal 5:22 -
2 Tim 3:16
All
scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: He gives us good
thins (Matt 6 :26)
God only wants to
encourage, build us up and teach us so we do the same for each other. (agape)
Eph 4:11 – 15 tells us how and why
God has equipped us to take care of each other or build each other up.
Eph 4:11-15
11 It was he who
gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some
to be pastors and teachers, (How)
12 to
prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built
up
13 Until we all reach unity in
the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining
to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (why)
14 Then we will
no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and
there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in
their deceitful scheming.
15 Instead, speaking
the truth in love (strengthen), we will in
all things grow up into him (construct or
build) who is the Head, that is, Christ. (14 & 15 = result)
·who
– God
how
– placed pastors, teachers, prophets, evangelist, apostles - many versions include “helps” into this
list – (Christ was ALL things listed) (If you do not fall into anything on this
list, you are called to helps – local church/community ; some translations list
this part of the ministry – examples
(class)
why – to do the work of the ministry (build up the
Kingdom by building up people – “do The Kingdom”)
Rom 14:19
Let
us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith
one may edify another.
1 Cor 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.
·
Account
of witness by example
1 Thes 5:11 (New living
Translation)
So
encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
( how can we
do this? – encouraging words, help, set example)
In every believer, God, by virtue of
His Free Gift (Ehp. 2:8) of salvation to each of us that ask (Rev. 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door,
and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him,
and will sup with him, and he with me.)
God has deposited what He calls The
Fruit of The Spirit.
Paul compares in Galatians 2 for us
the effects on our lives when we live by the Spirit vs. not. The NLT puts it
this way
Living by the Spirit's Power
16 So I advise
you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be
doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The old sinful
nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit
wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful
nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your
choices are never free from this conflict. 18 But when you
are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law.
19 When you
follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil
results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20 idolatry,
participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts
of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong
except those in your own little group, 21 envy,
drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I
have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom
of God.
22 But when the
Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness,
and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.
24 Those who
belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful
nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 If we are
living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow
the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become
conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.
In
this passage Paul tells us to do as God does and put other people first.
By
doing that, God takes care of us – That’s how The Kingdom works (Matt 6:26)
1. God
2. other people
3. all things added to us (we are taken care of all
things added to us)
·
Notice these
traits are called the “fruit of the Spirit” - singular not plural. Even though
8 traits, God looks at it as one quality or fruit that the believer bears.
·
Some parts of the
fruit may be undeveloped, but it is still there,
·
We must develop
traits ON PURPOSE
·
Do the things
that are right – bear our Godly fruit on purpose
·
WILL NOT BE
EASY! Most difficult thing to do is to act like a Christian and set the example
that you know you should, especially when the rest of the world acts just
totally opposite. (that is one reason to
be around believers, so that you can encourage each other, we will prob. Have
to hang with new people)
Christ summed it all up for
us 281 times for us in The Word. Just one example of this is found in Mk 12:31-
And
the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is
none other commandment greater than these.
Love is
absolutely the hardest thing for Christians to do. Satan does not want
us to be like this.
Here’s why – Love does not mean that
we let people run over us. We don’t go keep going back for more when some one
is ugly to us. We can stay away – love them from a distance, just treat people
the way we would be treated. - Golden
rule
One of the ways we tie into treating
the way we would be treated is to stay humble ourselves. (read Rom
322 - 25,)
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