1. “Edify Another” As we come closer to the end of the age and the completion of the Bride, the words of the Apostle Paul gain greater meaning as we become less in number and become more isolated. For many the only means of fellowship are the internet or phone calls which cannot replace the joy of meeting together in the flesh.
Edify Another
Rom 14:19

2. Paul’s Admonition
Rom 14:19 (NKJV) …Let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
“…let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” Rom 14:19 NKJV The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Roman church in approximately AD 57, about 3 years before he was delivered to Rome as a prisoner, with the right to appeal to Caesar.

3. Conduct Toward Each Other
Civil matters
Justice, peace and order
Observed by members of little flock
The apostle Paul in chapter 13 had been directing the Church members in their conduct towards each other in ► civil matters, prescribing the sacred laws of justice, peace, and order, which were to be observed by the members of the little flock.

4. Church’s Conduct In Sacred things Conscience and religion observance
Differences and anxieties
Disharmony may result in stumbling
In chapter 14 and part of the following chapter Paul turns our attention to our conduct towards one another in ►sacred things, pertaining more immediately to ►conscience and religious observance. Particularly, he gives rules on how to manage our ►differences and anxieties over what should be minor matters, but which can bring about ►disharmony and may result in the stumbling of a new Brother or Sister.
Many of the problems that occurred in the Church came about because the Church of Rome was composed of both Jews and Gentiles although the Jewish converts would have been in the majority. There were naturally many among the ecclesia that had unsettling questions in regard to the transition from Judaism to Christianity which the Apostle Paul endeavors to answer. Paul often reminded the Jews of his own Jewish heritage, and how the Lord had directed him to bring the message of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

5. For the Church to Grow
Rom 14:19 (NKJV) …To pursue the things which made for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
Paul realized that for the Church to grow and to be edified, they needed to settle the many questions that were causing discontent, and “to pursue the things which made for peace and the things by which one may edify another”

6. Meaning of Edify
“To instruct in such a way as to improve, enlighten, or uplift morally, spiritually, or intellectually”
The word “edify” according to the dictionary has the meaning “to instruct in such a way as to improve, enlighten, or uplift morally, spiritually, or intellectually” The synonyms of the word are instruct, improve and educate and these give us clues to the meaning that Paul had when writing to the Romans.

7. Original Meaning Literal building of an edifice
1 Cor 3:16 (NKJV) Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
However the original meaning and use of the word “edify” brings even greater clarification to Paul’s message. The original use of the words was in relation to the literal building of an edifice and thus the usage of the word in modern English loses the force and significance of the meaning of this word. What a wonderful meaning the word has when we think of the members of the church collectively forming a temple, succeeding the literal one on Mount Zion; a temple in which the Lord dwells by his holy Spirit; as we are told in ►1 Cor 3:16 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” NKJV

8. Paul’s Words Rom 14:19 (NKJV) Pursue the things which make for peace.
Rom 14:19 (AMP) Let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony.
Let us take a closer look at Paul’s words starting with his first admonition “Pursue the things which make for peace” or as the Amplified Bible translates the verse ►“let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony”

9. Pursue Peace
Matt 5:9 (NKJV) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Many desire peace, and talk loudly about the need for peace, but do not follow up this call for peace with actions to bring it about, some through their actions cause disharmony, the very opposite of peace. Christ addressing his disciples reminds them that► “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God”. Matt 5:9 NKJV We must remember that not all followers of Christ are going to have the same level of understanding, maturity, the same talents or the same experiences, but all are traveling the same narrow way and so we have a duty not to stumble them.

10. Peace and Harmony
Rom 12:18 (NKJV) If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Will this peace and harmony always be obtained? From Paul’s words in Rom 12:18 this will not be the case; however we are told “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Here the burden of success lies with us, not with the other person.

11. Fulfill Others
Phil 2:2-4 (NKJV) Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
To see how to achieve this goal let us turn to Philippians, where Paul asked them to “Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Phil 2:2-4 NKJV. We must study to develop the character that “esteems others better than ourselves” and this can only be done by putting aside selfish ambitions and self-importance in our dealing with other Brethren.

12. Handling Disputes Esteeming one day Holier than another
Eating or abstaining from meats
Does this mean that we have to water down the truth or to accept behavior that is not in accordance with the word of God, no, but it is the manner in which we handle the differences that is critical. Some of the matters that we may disagree on are not critical to “making our calling and election sure” and Paul discusses some of these in the verses that proceed the verse under consideration. ► Esteeming of one day Holier than another, and ► the eating or abstaining from meats are two examples where Paul felt there was no reasons for disputation between Brethren.

13. Paul’s Correction
Gal 2:11-13 (NKJV) Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I (Paul) withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
However on other matters Paul did see the need to correct his brethren, even the Apostle Peter. We read in Gal 2:11-13 “Now

14. Maintaining Pure Truth
Gal 2:14 (NKJV) They were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel.
In the next verse we read why because “they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel” Gal 2:14 NKJV. Some of the believers were trying to re-introduce the law, thus causing some of the Gentiles and some of the Jews to stumble. Peter’s very actions not his words were causing the problem.

15. To Edify Another
Rom 14:19 (NKJV) …The things by which one may edify another.
To build up a Brother or Sister.
In Romans, Paul continues that it is not only peace that we should pursue, but also ►“the things by which one may edify another” “To edify another” as we have already seen is ► to build up another Brother or Sister. Paul sets out some of the people that Christ, our Lord and Master knew would be required to bring this about. Let us turn to

16. The Work At Hand
Eph 4:11-12 (NKJV)…Gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…
Eph 4: reads That Christ, our Lord and Master “…gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,”

17. Two Aspects to the Teaching
Equipping of the saints for the work of ministry
Edifying of the body of Christ
Paul saw that there were two aspects to the teaching.
► the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry
► the edifying of the body of Christ

18. Equipping for the Ministry
John 3:16 (NKJV) … God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Lets us look at the first Aspect: The equipping of the saints for the work of ministry.
The purpose of this part of our learning is so that we can be Ambassadors for Christ, giving forth the great message of hope that the human race so desperately needs. This involves the proclaiming of the good news of the Gospel that ►“… God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 NKJV

19. Equipping for the Ministry
2 Cor 5:18-19 (NKJV) That God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
We also have the privilege of proclaiming that this good new is not only for those you believe now, but to inform the world “that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2Cor 5:18-19 NKJV That all will have an opportunity to know and experience God’s love

20. Edifying the Body
Eph 4:13 We all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ...
Eph 4: 15 (NKJV) … No longer … children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting…
The second aspect has to do with working with the Brethren
The purpose is the edifying of the body of Christ. This will only be accomplished when ► “We all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ...
Eph 4:13 This can only come as we grow in knowledge and develop our character so that we are ►No longer … children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting…, Eph 4: 15 NKJV

21. Example of Bereans
Acts 17:11 (NKJV) Received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
2 Tim 2:15 (AMP) Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
As Brethren, we also have a duty to edify another, however before we can do this, we have to follow the example of the believers at Berea who► “Received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.Acts 17:11 NKJV. We have to be willing to be taught by those with more experience and with greater knowledge. We then have to study as Timothy was told ►“Study …(READ SCREEN) As we can see, we are not to blindly follow the teachings of others, but to prove their words by studying the word of God.

22. Commending to God
Acts 20:32 (NKJV) So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
1 Cor 3:6 (NKJV) I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
Lets us turn to Acts 20:32 "NKJV What wonderful words Paul uses here “I commend you to God” Paul realized that all of his work with the Brethren came to nought without the assistance from above as we read ► 1 Cor 3:6 NKJVI planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
It is only when we accept that it is our Heavenly Father who will give the increase, or the understanding to our words, that it is possible for us to edify another.

23. Gospel of God’s Grace
Acts 20:24 (NKJV) The word of His grace or The gospel of the grace of God…
The next tool is the wise use of the word of God, ► “the word of His grace”. or “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24) NKJV edifies or builds up the listener if we expound to them the proof of God's good-will to mankind and especially to those who believe now. The Gospel shows his grace towards us, and the effect of this on our lives tends to make us gracious and understanding in our dealings with others. Paul made it the business of his life to testify this, and desired not to live a day longer than he might be instrumental to spread the knowledge and savor and power of this gospel and this should also be our goal.

24. Warning on Knowledge
1 Cor 8:1 (AMP) …[Yet mere] knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature].
When it comes to knowledge, we are given a warning by Paul in 1 Cor 8:1 AMP ► “…[Yet mere] knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature].” Knowledge with out the right heart condition can lead us astray, puffing us up, and as a result does not benefit the people that we are trying to assist. The Lord's object in providing us with the knowledge is that thereby we might grow in grace. We must have the knowledge of God’s plan so as to have the basis for our love. Love therefore is the outgrowth of our Knowledge.

25. Self Examination
Jude (NKJV) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
This process is one of continual self examination, study, and practicing the fruits of the spirit that are granted to us by our Heavenly Father. Jude reminds us ► “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

26. Fruits of the Spirit
1 Cor 10:23-24 (NKJV) All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.
Through the fruits of the Spirit we learn some very important lessons on how to edify another. The Apostle Paul covers this point beautifully in ►1 Cor 10:23-24 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.” The freedom or liberty that we have through Christ must not be abused or used in away to stumble another. We must not seek things just for our own benefit, but consider how they can benefit other Brethren remembering to do all things to the glory of God.

27. The Narrow Way - Comfort
1 Thess 5:11 (NKJV) …Comfort each other and edify one another…
The journey on the Narrow Way is often a lonely one, with few travelers, only the little flock, who are often far apart, not able to meet as often as they would like. We understand that we are not alone in the sense that we always have access to the Father and our Lord and Master Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit or comforter to assist us along the way with our understanding of the word of God. However, we still crave the company of other like minded people and Paul reminded the Thessalonians in ► 1 Thess 5:11 to “…comfort each other and edify one another…” NKJV

28. Admonished to Comfort
Heb A sympathetic High Priest who was tempted or tried by the Heavenly Father in all ways.
We are admonished to comfort each other, following the example of Christ, who Paul describes as a sympathetic High Priest who was tempted or tried by the Heavenly Father in all ways (Heb ). This gives us the encouragement that He has successfully finished the walk, leaving with us the examples on how to cope with the obstacles we find on the way. Some of our greatest assets are to have a listening ear, a kind heart, and a kind word so as to not judge or stumble any others that journey with us.
How uplifted we feel when we find that others are sharing our journey, offering encouragement, helping lift us up when we are down, sharing our excitement as we find a new gem, or come to appreciate even more a passage of scripture studies years before. Oh, how this builds us up and gives us a new spring in our step as we travel the Narrow Way. Listening to the experience of those who have been journeying long can uplift us, just as the enthusiasm and excitement of a new or younger believer as they start out on this journey.

29. Edifying Body Members
Eph 4:16 (NKJV) … From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
The second admonition in 1 Thess 5:11 to “…edify one another…” or build up one another. To achieve this Paul tells us in ► Eph 4:16 that it is Christ as the head “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” NKJV

30. Edification and Fruitage
John 15:5-6 NKJV) I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Without Christ in our lives and the effect that this should have on our character, we will not have the fruits necessary to edify one another. Our Lord explained this very simple to His disciples when he said► "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5-6 NKJV
We see that the whole purpose of the edifying of another member of the body of Christ is so that in the end all members will be knitted together to form of one united body. For this to come about every member has to do their share to affect the end result, i.e. the growth of the whole body through love.

31. Fleshly Weaknesses God’s Confounds the World With; 1 Cor 1:26-29
Foolish Things
Weak Things
Base Things
Things despised God
Things Which are Not
1 Cor 1:26-29
Not Many Called Who Are;
Wise
Noble
As members of this body on this side of the veil, with the weaknesses of the flesh we can occasionally consider that some are not pulling their weight, not doing as much as we are? Sometimes we may even wonder why this one is or that one been chosen to traveling on the Narrow Way. It really does us good to take a good hard look in the mirror and wonder why we have been invited. Paul answers this question ► “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. ► But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, ► that no flesh should glory in His presence.” NKJV 1 Cor 1:26-29
1 Cor 1:29 (NKJV) … That no flesh should glory in His presence.

32. Gifts of the Spirit
1 Cor 12:4-6 (TEV) There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service.
Paul also covers this subject in great detail in 1st Corinthians chapters 12 & 13.
The First aspect is the Gifts from the Holy Spirit and how although these differ for each member of the Church they are all from the same source.
►1 Cor 12:4-6 “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service.” TEV

33. Gifts from the Holy Spirit
1 Cor 12:6-10 (TEV) The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all. The Spirit gives one person a message full of wisdom, while to another person the same Spirit gives a message full of knowledge. One and the same Spirit gives faith to one person, while to another person he gives the power to heal. The Spirit gives one person the power to work miracles; to another, the gift of speaking God's message; and to yet another, the ability to tell the difference between gifts that come from the Spirit and those that do not.
Paul continues “The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all. The Spirit gives one person a message full of wisdom, while to another person the same Spirit gives a message full of knowledge. One and the same Spirit gives faith to one person, while to another person he gives the power to heal. The Spirit gives one person the power to work miracles; to another, the gift of speaking God's message; and to yet another, the ability to tell the difference between gifts that come from the Spirit and those that do not.” 1 Cor 12:6-10 TEV

34. Talents and Abilities
1 Cor 12:11 (TEV) The Spirit … as he wishes, he gives a different gift to each person.
Do we have then any right to question why we are all so different in talents and abilities when we are told that the Spirit give “as he wishes, he gives a different gift to each person” 1 Cor 12:11 TEV Here we also see the great wisdom of our Heavenly Father. Only our head, Christ had all the gifts

35. The Fullness of Spirit
John 3:34 (TEV) The one whom God has sent speaks God's words, because God gives him the fullness of his Spirit.
John the Baptist speaking to his disciples about Jesus stated “The one whom God has sent speaks God's words, because God gives him the fullness of his Spirit.” John 3:34 TEV His followers have only been given a measure of the Spirit resulting in the need for us to rely on other Brethren for assistance, so no one can boast before God.

36. The Importance of Individual Member
1 Cor 12:12 (TEV) Christ is like a single body, which has many parts; it is still one body, even though it is made up of different parts.
Paul then goes on to discuss the importance of each individual member to the completion of the building, ►the Church of Christ. “Christ is like a single body, which has many parts; it is still one body, even though it is made up of different parts.” 1 Cor 12:12 TEV He then goes on to explain that we cannot have the attitude to another brother or sister “I don't need you!"

37. Importance of Individual Members
1 Cor 12:22-26 (TEV) On the contrary, we cannot do without the parts of the body that seem to be weaker; and those parts that we think aren't worth very much are the ones which we treat with greater care; while the parts of the body which don't look very nice are treated with special modesty, which the more beautiful parts do not need. God himself has put the body together in such a way as to give greater honor to those parts that need it. And so there is no division in the body, but all its different parts have the same concern for one another. If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised; all the other parts share its happiness.
As he goes on to explain “On the contrary….”READ SCREEN” 1 Cor 12:22-26 TEV
Paul then spends the next chapter explaining that the greatest gift that we have been given is love. We have had the great privilege of feeling the love of the Father and His Son who loved us while we were yet sinners and who made the greatest sacrifice that a Father and His son could make because of their love, the giving of Christ’s life and the acceptance of that sacrifice by our Heavenly Father to set us free from the sentence of death.

38. Paul’s Beautiful Analogy
1 Cor 13:12 (TEV) What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete — as complete as God's knowledge of me.
1 Cor 13:13 (TEV) …These three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.
In Conclusion:
Paul gives a beautiful analogy to finish his lesson in 1 Cor 13:12 “What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete — as complete as God's knowledge of me.” We certainly can echo these words as we realize the great limitation that we have in being able to judge our fellow travelers on the Narrow Way.
Paul then reminds us that as we travel on our Christian walk that of all the lessons that we learn► “…these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.” TEV

39. Let Us Abide in the love of God Work to edify another
Let us all abide in the “love of God” and work to “edify another” as we travel the narrow way. May God add his blessing.
Abide in the love of God
Work to edify another