Rom 15:2 (a coat hanger text) - "Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification."
As Christians we emphasis the fact that we must not be men pleasers but God pleasers
In another sense we are to please others as much as we can
We must be thinking of their needs before our own
We must think of their benefit
We must love our neighbour as ourself
Selfless Attitudes
How would you define a spiritual person?
In Biblical knowledge
Not in knowledge alone - for it puffs up
Love really builds
In experience
The Corinthians had a lot of experiences of God but they weren't very spiritual people
They weren't walking in love
Selfless attitudes
Think of Barnabas
Why was his name changed?
Because the people of God saw qualities of selflessness in him
Barnabas means 'son of encouragement'
Which people most build us up?
They are the people who walk with God and are selfless
Barnabas sold a field and gave the money to the Church
He was a good man
He was full of faith and the Holy Spirit
He had an inclusive attitude - he welcomed Saul
"Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God" - Rom 15:7
One who edifies is one who receives Christians
He was sent out as a missionary
He was willing to give up home and comfort
He was willing to go
He had a selfless attitude
A spiritual person is one who is selfless and who edifies
Who encourages us?
Who blesses us?
Paul is encouraging the believers re food
Think of your brother when eating
Forgo the food if it will offend (14:19-21)
Personal example re clothes
15:1-2
Edification is not about me but about you
Forgoing my rights
Example of Jesus Christ (15:3)
Paul raised his own income - he did not rely on others
He preached day and night
He lived amongst the people
"We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification" - 2 Cor 12:19
Can we say this?
Gracious Speech
"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." - Col 4:6
The tongue is very difficult to control
"Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing." James 3:10
Have you ever met such a gracious person?
Did they hurt you with even a mild correction?
"There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health." - Prov 12:18
"And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!" - Prov 15:23
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." - Prov 25:11
"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." - Prov 12:25
We are to edify one another with our tongues
"“The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary." Isa 50:4
Thoughtful Worship
Consider the 'one anothers'
Love one another
Be affectionate one another
Forgive one another
Prayer for one another
Share each others burdens
Consider one another
Church is not about what I can get out of it, but what I can give to another
When we worship God we think of others
We must never say that we are here for God's glory as if our brothers and sisters did not matter
The church in Corinth did not think this way
They were men pleasers - I follow Apollos, I like Cephas (Peter), I like Paul
There was tremendous division in the Church and problems
We need one another - no superior attitudes (1 Cor 12:21)
The divisions were so great, some Christians were prepared to take lawsuits out against other Christians
The church services reflected this mess (cf Chapter 14)
Nobody was edified (14:17)
Pursue love - this is why Paul wrote Chapter 13
There must be order in church
Edification
"How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God." 1 Cor 14:26-28
"Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel." - 1 Cor 14:12
Why are we in church?
Do we think of others?
The teaching of the word of God is what builds up and edifies
"...speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" - Eph 5:19
Example with Suzanne Clarke
Closing Remarks
Are we edifying others?
How we listen to the preacher
How we use our money
Commending others
Our presence at meetings
Encouraging the use of gifts
"Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification" - Rom 15:2
