December 1, 2019

Communicating to Edify

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Acts 15:22-35
Service Type:

Bible Text: Acts 15:22-35 | Preacher: Andrew Love | Series: Acts | Introduction

Thinking about the way in which we communicate

Thinking about the way the apostles communicated
Thinking about communicating to edify

The way you communicate says something about your heart

Out of the heart the mouth speaks

Our mouths reveals what is inside of us
Is our speech seasoned with grace?

Prov

How is our heart with God?

Overview:

A letter of encouragement
A ministry of encouragement

A Letter of Encouragement (v22-31)

Recap from last week

A dissension arose v1-2
The matter was taken to the Jerusalem church/leadership

Three sets of people speak
A conclusion
4 simple rules

Judas and Silas were sent alongside Paul and Barnabas

An official letter – but there is warmth, empathy, understanding

The matter may have been complicated
The letter was clear and precise/concise

More than common courtesy [they are brethren] – v23

From the brethren to the brethren

They are family
We are family
Christ our elder brother has reconciled us to God and to each other
We are all one in Christ

We are not to look disparagingly on our family

How do you treat members of your blood family?
We need to be careful how we communicate with the church

A clearing of the confusion – v24

They are humble

They came from us but had no authority
The false men ‘taught’ – 15:1

The church in Jerusalem is concerned about this
They are making clear that salvation is not by the law
Our God is a God of order

We can be unclear and confused
Jesus’ teaching is emphatic and clear

God’s word is pure – it is truth

Confirming and commending of all that is commendable – v25-27

The pharisees always knocked down …
The brothers were commended

We were of one accord
We love Paul and Barnabas – we know they have risked their lives for the gospel

Paul commended others in his letters – example

Not to verbalise the failings of others but commend in love

We live in age of over-communication

How do we communicate?
We need to think

Faithful are the words of a friend
Sometimes we need to say hard words

This letter was written under the direction of the Holy Spirit
Hear this from two of our own men – who will corroborate – face to face interaction

Do we meet together in love to talk over issues?

A compassionate and clear directive – v25-29

No greater burden than this

4 commands

Recap of above

Their response – rejoicing and encouragement v31
May grace be upon our lips

A Ministry of Encouragement

Men of God they haven’t heard before – a ministry to strengthen the people of God

Explanation of strengthening
Acts 20:32
We build up in God’s grace
God will build us up

Consider our hostile environment

We need a ministry of encouragement
We need to understand the devil is a defeated foe
We need to know our Saviour is praying for us
Example of Adam

Strengthening with many words – v32

To teach
To reprove
To train
To nuture
That we might be throughly complete
That we might be equipped for every good work

Closing Remarks

How do we respond? – with confession, repentance and prayer
We must go back to our own hearts
Quote from Andy Christophides