Built Up In The Faith

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.