Our focus
this week has been Putting Value in the Local Church. We have been discussing many of the one
another commands of Scripture for as we obey them we will not only find the
local church valuable, but we will make it more valuable to others.
In this final edition regarding the one another commands of scripture we
find ourselves in 1
Thessalonians 5:11 (NKJV) where is says,
“11Therefore comfort each other and
edify one another, ”
As we strive
to comfort one another the things that individuals can be comforted through are
almost endless and in this sin torn world they will not quit any time
soon. Whether it is a death in the
family, a broken marriage, a broken friendship, or news of a sickness that will
likely bring death we are to comfort.
Find ways to come alongside and encourage. There is no pastor alive that can perform
this to the whole body within the local church unless the church has an
attendance of under 10. He may try, but
will always come up short. This is a
command for all believers in Christ. Yet
once again, if we are not interacting with other believers on a regular basis
how will we know what they need to be comforted for?
We are also
to “edify one another”. To “edify” means
to build up make stronger. We as
believers are to help others to grow in the knowledge of the Lord and in His
Word.
These ideas
of comfort and edify may at times be done simultaneously. An immature believer may be struggling to
have faith to continue to be obedient as they go through a particular
trial. We then have the opportunity to
share our love with them and then to comfort them as we teach them of God’s
faithfulness that is taught in the scriptures.
Often this can be illustrated from the lives of Christ-followers in the
Bible as well as personal experiences and times of growth in our lives.
Another time
it can be done simultaneously is when an individual in their immaturity does
not understand principles of God’s Word that apply to a given situation. They may not understand that as believers we
are to expect to be persecuted. We will
be attacked for the stand we take for Jesus Christ. Yet, God knows what we are going
through. God never allows us to be
tempted above that we are able. (I Cor. 10:13)
God always loves his own. So no
matter what comes we must not lose heart, but rather continue to walk
faithfully through whatever he has given us to endure for Him as we count it a
privilege. (Phil. 3:8-10)
My prayer is
that our individual local churches would be full of believers fulfilling the
one another commands bringing glory to God as we wait for his return.
The video version of this is available at www.youtube.com/churchoflittleton FW # 37
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