Edification
-Introduction
-Glad to be here in Sallisaw - Excited about the opportunity - Looking forward to working
together in spreading the Gospel - Saving souls and reaching higher levels of spiritual growth
-I’m not going to try to fill Royce’s shoes. I greatly admire and respect the fact that he and his
wife have worked here with and in this congregation and in this community for nearly 24 years.
-That speaks well of them and it speaks well of this congregation.
-You have expressed words of kindness regarding Royce and he has spoken very kindly of
you. That’s encouraging.
-Sometimes people wonder what it would be like for a new, younger preacher to work in a
congregation with the retiring/retired preacher still there.
-Honestly, that does not concern me. Actually, I like that. I see that as an advantage rather
than a disadvantage.
-situation with Bobby
-Like I said, I’m not trying to fill Royce’s shoes. I’m trying to be Richard Chambers and trying
to diligently seek and serve the Lord along with my family.
-Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-12
-context of spiritual gifts
-We know that there were miraculous gifts of the Spirit in the early church.
-1 Cor 12:4-11 - variety of gifts
-Mark 16:19-20 - purpose of the gifts
-1 Cor 13:8-10 - temporary nature of the gifts
-perfect = complete - ceased when the written word was completed
-Notice the results of the proper use of these gifts as listed in verse 12:
-perfecting of the saints, work of the ministry, edifying of the body
-vs 12 - NAS - “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of
the body of Christ”
-preparation, work, building up
-Work Required
-1 Cor 15:58
-Through working in the church, growth takes place.
-Spiritual growth doesn’t just happen by accident. It requires diligence and purpose.
-Heb 11:6, 1 Pet 2:2, 2 Pet 3:18
-example of a growing child
-Eph 4:13-15
-Utilizing Our Abilities
-We do not have miraculous gifts today. But, we each have our own gifts/abilities.
-We are all unique. We all have things that we can do. So, we need to work together in harmony
and unity.
-We all can contribute in our own ways.
-God does not expect us to do what we cannot do. However, He does expect us to do what
we can.
-1 Cor 12:12-25
-Eph 4:16
-All too often, people want to look to the preacher as the sole source of edification.
-True edification comes through the body working together as a whole. When that happens,
the whole body is edified, including the preacher.
-Summary and Invitation
-I will try very diligently to do my part in this process. But, please understand, my labors are but
a part of the process.
-2 Tim 4:2
-I will strive to teach the truth at all times and nothing but the truth.
-I will strive to do so lovingly and also firmly.
-Sometimes, it may be received by you (as an individual) very well. At other times, it might
not be as pleasant. In other words, I’ll get some toes now and then - including my own.
-The truth, by its very nature, reveals error.
-It reproves and rebukes as well as exhorts.
-1 Tim 4:6 - words of faith, good doctrine
-1 Tim 4:12 - be a good example
-1 Tim 4:16 - help to save souls
-Hopefully, we will all work together toward this goal of saving souls - ours and others.
-What about the condition of your soul? Have you responded to the Gospel call?
-If not, believe in Jesus as the Son of God (John 3:16, 8:24); confess that faith (Matt 10:32,
Rom 10:9-10); repent of your sins (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30); be baptized into Christ (Acts
2:38, Rom 6:3-4) and walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4, Eph 4:22-24)
-If you have obeyed the Gospel, have you remained faithful? If not, confess your wrongs,
repent of them and pray to God for forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).
Date: October 9, 2005