Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”
Biblical Building Block #21 Exhort One Another (Hebrews 10:25) PART 1 Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” I. Let Us Be Consistent in Church Attendance A. The Imperative. Hebrews 10:25a, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is...” The word "church" comes from the Greek word "ekklesia" and means "a called out assembly." It is both called out and assembled. (Acts 2:41; I Corinthians 1:2; II Corinthians 1:1 Galatians 1:2; Revelation 1:4). 1. An Essential Assembly The assembling of believers together in the local Church is of the utmost importance. In this text, we have a direct command from God stating clearly that we are not to forsake the local Church. Paul gives a specific command not to forsake the assembling. This is a strong admonition. They were expected not to forsake the assembling together with fellow believers. The word "forsake" means "to desert; to abandon; to leave behind." The word “forsaking” means "to leave behind or desert." The word “assembling” speaks of assembling or gathering together for worship. That is what the local Church is—a gathering of believers. This is certainly needful in our day. We are exhorted to assemble together and never to forsake our assembling, not even to neglect it for a brief time. This is the meaning of this exhortation. Believers are to assemble together... • for worship • for prayer • for the study of God's Word • for ministry and witnessing we are to assemble together often and never to forsake our coming together. Believers need each other—the presence, fellowship, strength, encouragement, care, and love of each other. Notice the phrase, "...as the manner of some is..." Some had dropped out of the church. It would seem here that some had forsaken the Christian gatherings, perhaps because of the persecutions referred to in Hebrews 10:32-33. The pressure of ostracism and persecution had caused some not to attend church ("...as the manner of some is..."). It is true and unfortunate that people do get hurt emotionally in church. I know of churches that are unfriendly and lack the love of Christ. Perhaps they had their feelings hurt by other believers, now they claim that they could worship God better alone. Many times, when people drop out of church, their focus is on themselves, not on God and others. Instead of thinking, “How can I be used of God to exhort others on in love?” often they think, “My needs aren’t being met.” You can practice faith and hope when you’re alone, but you can’t encourage others to love and good works when you’re alone! You have to gather with the saints to do it! This passage does not warn us that when we skip church, we put ourselves at risk. Rather, it warns us that when we skip church, we put other people at risk. We can’t encourage one another unless we are regularly together. Desiring to become a spiritual recluse is a sure sign a person needs fellowship with other believers. When we are gathered together and encouraging one another, we are also learning to function well as Christ’s body. Weakness comes through division, but togetherness fosters unity and strength. There can be no mutual encouragement if there is separation. A very important part of worship and Bible study is encouraging one another to do acts of love and good works. Personal interaction of ministry is absolutely necessary. Each member of the body needs the other members (I Corinthians 12:12-26). One grows cold and complacent when apart from the church. We live amidst a Laodicean mentality when folks claim to be Christian and yet have no desire to go to Church. We cannot deny the importance of church attendance whenever the doors are open. When one misses church, they will miss what God has for them! They were avoiding the means God had provided to help them. Remember, when your “get-up-and-go” has gotten up and gone, you need someone who can lift you up. Furthermore, there’s someone ready to throw in the towel who needs you to walk alongside him or her. I have found over the years that the more people love God, the more it takes to keep them out of church. Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Worship is something that is to be done with other people, not with your television at home. Some may claim, "I'm too tired. I don't get anything out of it." Perhaps the message was not inspiring; or the minster is out of touch. The great task of the church is not only to get sinners into Heaven, but to get the saints out of bed. Vance Havner said, "There is something wrong with our Christianity when we have to beg most of our crowd to come to church to hear about it." Many neglect church attendance because they don't understand the true purpose of the local church and their own importance among believers. An old fellow in a little country church had lost his hearing and much of his eyesight, too. Nevertheless, every Sunday, he could be found sitting in his seat in the auditorium. Someone asked him why he kept coming even though he could not hear or see what was going on in the church service. The old man answered, "I just want everybody to know whose side I'm on." When you are faithful in church, you are saying to others, "I am still on your side." Your presence encourages others. Thank you for reading PART 1 of Biblical Building Block #21 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for PART 2 of Biblical Building Block #21 of this series. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”
Biblical Building Block #20 Provoke One Another (Hebrews 10:24) Hebrews 10:24, And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Sometimes we have a tendency to waver in our faith; that’s why we need a local church. In this world we will be hurt, taken advantage of, abused, etc. As believers gather together for church, we are to consider how to provoke each other unto love and to good works. The word provoke is not used on the evil sense of provoking one to anger or to incite a riot or violence. Galatians 5:26, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Instead, this provoking is in the good sense of persuading and stirring up another to love and to do good works. Regardless of Satan’s schemes, we are to set our minds on others to influence them by our actions to do right. Our focus upon one another has a purpose. We are to provoke one another. The word provoke means to spur, to stir up, to stimulate strongly, to sharpen. 1. Consideration: “to stimulate strongly”. Today, our world is filled with selfishness as if everything revolves around us. The fleshly-old nature thinks about self-first but that is not the way that Spirit-filled Christians think and act. We can provoke others by our example of practicing love and good works toward them. We can bring out the best in people by doing our best for them. A good way to move people to action is to be an example of Jesus, of what He would want them to do. One example of what makes our church Christ-like is that we consider. or think about, others. Philippians 2:3-4, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” 2. Compassion: “to stir up”.
3. Commitment: “to spur”. To spur describes the rider of a horse that spurs it to get up and go. It is important to attend services and to support the church in her outreach programs. Today, less and less people go to church. When people stop attending church, they make a conscious decision to do so. They let other things take that priority and, for many, their love will grow cold and they’ll become calloused toward the things of God. This is another reason why every believer needs to be faithful to their home church. The idea is to lovingly call out and challenge one another to love and do good. Mutual accountability is about sharing with each other how we’re doing, but it’s also provoking each other to do better. Sometimes this happens spontaneously, but usually, if we want to effectively stir one another up, or challenge a brother or sister to step up their Christian walk, we ought to prayerfully consider how best to do it. 4. Courage: “to sharpen”. Provoke carries the thought "to sharpen." It has the idea of encouraging a particular action. Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” They were actually expected to play an active part in the maturity and witness of fellow believers. Their influence would sharpen others, encouraging and helping shape them for the Lord. I think we would all agree that is much needed in our day! We need those, especially mature believers, who will take an active part in the lives of others. Our lives will influence those around us. We have an opportunity to make a positive, spiritual difference! Aren't you glad someone took time for you when you were first saved? We need boldness to warn and encourage others. As the time of the Lord's coming draws closer, we need a sense of urgency now more than ever. We need to invite the unsaved and the saved to church and sit with them. Do everything you can to encourage people to serve God and warn the lost about the wrath to come. What makes our church a Christ-centered, Spirit-filled, strong, supporting, soul-stirring church? We love and provoke one another to do good works. This simply means we are considerate of one another, we show concern for one another, we meet one another's needs, we strengthen one another's weaknesses, we help one another through every trial and temptation. Thank you for reading Biblical Building Block #20 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for Biblical Building Block #21 of this series. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.” Biblical Building Block #19 Consider One Another (Hebrews 10:24) – PART 2 Hebrews 10:24, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works…” Gathering with God’s people is not first about being blessed but about being a blessing. It’s not first about getting but about giving. As we prepare to worship on Sunday morning, our first consideration should be to “provoke unto love and to good works.” We should approach Sunday deliberately, eager to do good to others, to be a blessing to them. In those times we feel our zeal waning, when we feel the temptation to skip out on a Sunday or withdraw altogether, we should consider our God-given responsibility to encourage “one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” This text is not about us, but about them. This text is not for Christian individuals but Christian communities. It is a tragedy when people make the decision to cut back on their involvement with church, with witnessing, with giving, or with being a help and encouragement to others so they can “enjoy more leisure time.” This robs the church of what is meant to be a great source of wisdom and godly leadership. Those who have walked with God for many years have learned things which they can and should pass on to others. Rather than looking forward to the day when we can sit back and do nothing, we should be doing all we can to finish well. Just like in a race, there is enormous value to finishing well in life. The temptation is to let up and coast as we near the end. Society promotes this concept with the view of retirement as a time to sit back and take it easy. Yet the Bible instructs us to do more. Yes, there may be physical limitations as we age that will restrict what we can do, but there is no reason for a believer not to continue to grow and mature in spiritual matters throughout life. We are to love them, to encourage them, and to stir them up in zeal until the day of Christ’s return. 1. Your Behavior can be CHANGED. 2. Your Battery can be CHARGED. 3. Your Backsliding can be CORRECTED. 4. Your Burdens Can Be CARRIED. Faith flourishes when you are engaged with growing Christians in the household of God. Going to church should be a continual exercise in faith strengthening. It’s sad to see the amazing attendance in many churches on Easter Sunday, followed by a significant drop the following week. Why does that happen? Because too many people think, “I was just there last week!” They are missing an important weekly dose of fellowship that will spur their faith to grow. Is your faith struggling? You can almost always trace the problem to the absence of one of these factors: exposure and obedience to God’s Word, encouragement of God’s people, or involvement in worship. Leave any of these out and you will weaken your faith. Go to church, go every week. Don’t just make it a habit, make it your lifestyle. Some may object, “But my church is so stale!” Just make sure the problem isn’t with your attitude. If the pastor is not preaching the Word of God, find one where He does preach God’s Word. God is moving in the house every week in many places around the world. Go meet with Him and His people and fire up your faith! As Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Don’t forsake or neglect gathering with other believers. Your faith will flourish. Which of those three faith boosters is currently the weakest of your commitments: 1.Exposure to God’s Word? 2.Encouragement of God’s people? 3.Engagement in worship? Points to Ponder:
Questions to Consider:
Prayer, Lord, help me not to become self-centered and forget to think about other people’s needs. Often, I get so fixated on my own problems that I forget I am not the only person in the world who is struggling with a situation. Help me to take my eyes off myself and to look around me to see who needs a special word of encouragement. Holy Spirit open my eyes and help me be sensitive to recognize people who need a tender touch. I ask You for this work in my life. In Jesus name, Amen. Thank you for reading PART 2 of Biblical Building Block #19 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for Biblical Building Block #20 of this series. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”
Biblical Building Block #19 Consider One Another (Hebrews 10:24) – PART 1 Hebrews 10:24, And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: The reality of Christian love should be demonstrated in the personal relationships and mutual concerns of the community. The church serves three main functions, each of which enables its members to fulfill the Great Commission. These include:
The church exists for you, Christian, and you exist for the church. The reason our church experiences growth is due to each of us, each member of the body, exercising our part within the body. Believers that do not attend church will not receive the encouragement they need to continue sharing their faith. Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” They miss out on the iron sharpening iron effects of fellowship with like-minded believers. What is the Lord’s answer for believer’s pursuing Christ and growing in grace? Christians are called to consider one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Everyone needs encouragement! That’s why the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to “…consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24). This word "consider" is from the word katanoeo which means to give attention to; to fix our attention upon; to give continuous care; to watch over. This carries the idea to thoroughly consider something; to think hard about something; to think something through from the top to the bottom; to deeply ponder a matter; to fix one' s eyes or mind on a matter or thing; to observe fully, behold, perceive. When Jesus talked about considering the lilies and how God took care of them, the Lord used this word “consider”. God wants us to be attentive and focused upon helping one another. We are to look for opportunities to encourage each other. What an exhortation for believers to: 1) Give attention to one another. 2) Give continuous care to one another. 3) Guard or watch over one another. This is difficult to do when one is not in church or involved in the lives of other believers. When God urges us to “consider one another,” He is saying we are to be so concerned about each other’s wellbeing that we take time to regularly and seriously contemplate how we might encourage one another. May we be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and truly be concerned about the people who are close to you. He will show you when they need a special word to lift their spirits. Think about how much it means to you when someone deliberately goes way out of his or her normal daily routine to let you know you are appreciated. Isn’t it powerful when someone does this for you? Well, just as you need people who will sincerely love you, be sensitive to your needs, and support you when you are struggling through challenges or feeling tired and worn out, the people you encounter in your daily life have those same exact needs. Let the Holy Spirit use you to be a source of encouragement to others and you can start by letting Him use you to be a blessing to someone today! We are called to gather together because the church is where we can find mutual encouragement. There is great importance in the consistent gathering together of the saints. The urgency of meeting together is stressed here because the coming of the Lord is very near. When the church gathers and its members show practical concern for one another, this distinguishes them as a community from those outside. Believers should exhibit a concern for one another that unbelievers do not have. The local church is designed by God to be a spiritual family where people sincerely love and are mindful of each other’s needs.
And if you’re wondering how to do that when times are hard, that’s what the local church is for. Connecting to a vibrant, Biblically-based, Christ-centered loving church is a critical tool that can steer one away from disobedience so that one can avoid sin’s consequences and divine discipline. Believers who are not a functioning part of a local church are living outside of the will of God and limit God’s work in their lives. It’s not that we never get discouraged. But why is there less discouragement within our church? Members of our church observe and consider each other’s needs thoroughly. 1. We are committed to one another far more than a commitment to Sunday morning services. 2. We are committed to worshiping with them. 3. We are committed to fellowshipping with them. 4. We are committed to serving them. 5. We are committed to praying for them all throughout the week. Our church is a place where everyone is committed to being a blessing to one another. It is to bind ourselves together in a covenant in which we promise to do good to them, to make them the special object of our attention and encouragement. It is to promise that we will identify and use our spiritual gifts for their benefit so we can serve them, strengthen them, and bless them. Prayer, Lord, help me not to become self-centered and forget to think about other people’s needs. Often, I get so fixated on my own problems that I forget I am not the only person in the world who is struggling with a situation. Help me to take my eyes off myself and to look around me to see who needs a special word of encouragement. Holy Spirit open my eyes and help me be sensitive to recognize people who need a tender touch. I ask You for this work in my life. In Jesus name, Amen. Thank you for reading PART 1 of Biblical Building Block #19 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for PART 2 of Biblical Building Block #19 of this series. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”
Biblical Building Block #18 - Comfort One Another (I Thessalonians 4:18) – PART 2 I Thessalonians 4:18, Wherefore comfort one another with these words. We have a responsibility to comfort one another with the teaching of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. You’ll find find this example in the book of I Thessalonians. In each of the five chapters of I Thessalonians, the apostle Paul is reminding the church of the return of Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ will not forget His promise to all believers. We’ve got the pure Word of God that says He’s coming again. Notice the following Scriptures. I Thessalonians 1:10, And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. I Thessalonians 2:19, For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? I Thessalonians 3:13, To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. I Thessalonians 4:16, For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. I Thessalonians 5:2, For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. When Jesus comes, we can expect: 1. The Resurrection (I Thessalonians 4:13-15) 2. The Rapture (I Thessalonians 4:16-17a) 3. The Reunion (I Thessalonians 4:17b-18) Paul lets them know that the coming of Jesus is not an event that should bring fear to the hearts of believers. The return of Jesus Christ for His church is an event that should comfort the hearts of those who know Jesus. The fact of our Lord’s Second Coming should comfort our hearts as well. Jesus is coming. He is quickly coming Amen. He is coming to take the saints of God home to Heaven to live there for eternity. What a glorious day that will be! I want my Saviour to return. I’m not looking for signs nor am I wanting signs. I’m listening for a shout and the sound of the trumpet to blow. Jesus is coming, and without a doubt, He is coming with a shout. Praise God, when He is coming, we’ll be going. We are to encourage one another with these words. Just as sure as a person needs to be about his salvation, you need to be sure of the Lord’s return. 1) It Will Be Serious. Matthew 24:37-39, “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” 2) It Will Be Selective. Luke 17:34-36, “I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” 3) It Will Be Secure. Revelation 22:7, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:20, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” 4) It Will Be Swift. Matthew 24:27, “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder: · Paul says keep on keeping on. · Paul tells the church to keep on living like Jesus could come today because He might just come today! Amen!
· List as many Scriptures as you can that give you comfort. Prayer: Lord God, thank You for enabling me to trust You with every occurrence in life, even those that feel beyond my ability to endure. Help me place my hope where Your Word tells me to place it; in You and Your promise of an abundant future with You forever. My hope is found in the promise that You are coming back for me! On those days when I struggle, it’s such an encouragement that this life is not all there is. Help me to be always ready for Your return. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Thank you for reading PART 2 of Biblical Building Block #18 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for Biblical Building Block #19 of this series. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”
Biblical Building Block #18 - Comfort One Another (I Thessalonians 4:18) - PART 1 I Thessalonians 4:18, Wherefore comfort one another with these words. The comforting words mentioned in the passage of our text is that Christ will return and take us home to Heaven. In our world of trouble, sickness, heartache, we should be a comfort to one another. Vance Havner said, “No journey is complete that does not lead through some dark valleys. We can properly comfort others only with the comfort wherewith we ourselves have been comforted of God.” Vance Havner also said, “He who becomes a brother to the bruised, a doctor to the despairing, a comforter to the crushed may not actually say much. What he has to offer is often beyond the power of speech to convey. But the weary sense it and it is a balm of Gilead to the soul.” One reason a dog is such a comfort when you're downcast is that he doesn't ask to know why. “Why does God bring thunderclouds and disasters when we want green pastures and still waters? Bit by bit we find, behind the clouds, the Father's feet; behind the lightning, an abiding day that has no night; behind the thunder, a still, small voice that comforts with a comfort that is unspeakable.” - Oswald Chambers. Joni Eareckson Tada said, “You don't have to be alone in your hurt! Comfort is yours. Joy is an option. And it's all been made possible by your Saviour. He went without comfort so that you might have it. He postponed joy so that you might share in it. He willingly chose isolation so that you might never be alone in your hurt and sorrow.” We should look to give strength and support to those experiencing distress, difficulties, dangers, or infirmities. We can be a comfort by our presence, a kind deed, or a good word. II Corinthians 7:6, “Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus…” Just as God “comforteth those that are cast down” so should we comfort others (II Corinthians 7:6).“God doesn’t comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters” - John Henry Jowett. We can receive comfort from: 1. The Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31) Acts 9:31, “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” 2. The Scriptures (Romans 15:4) Romans 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” 3. God (II Corinthians 1:3) II Corinthians 1:3, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; God is the God of all consolation and encouragement.” 4. Saints (II Corinthians 1:4) II Corinthians 1:4, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” We are to "comfort" or exhort and encourage each other. Comfort means to call to one's side, to call to one's aid, to comfort and exhort. This word means to strengthen someone by our words. Paul is telling the church that what he has told them they are to tell others. As he has sought to comfort the Thessalonians with these words, the church should also comfort one another. He exhorts them to comfort themselves together by considering and rejoicing in all that they have in the Lord. Life is difficult, at best, but this is not all there is for the child of God. We are a people of hope. We have the assurance of our salvation based upon the finished work of Calvary and the empty tomb. We can take comfort even in the most difficult of times. Paul says we should comfort one another because of all that we know about the coming of the Lord. The reason many are falling away and giving up on the Lord is because they have lost hope. I Corinthians 15:19-20, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” Paul gives two words to the church to continue to do. The believer is to minister by comforting and edifying others. God is the God of all consolation, comfort, and encouragement. Therefore, to be like God by encouraging one another, we must comfort one another, and build up one another. The ministry of encouragement should be a part of every believer's life. Jesus Himself loved the church so much that He gave Himself for it. May you and I love the churches members as an extension of the love of Christ for His church. As you enter a weekend of ministry in the local church, don’t be guilty of not noticing people. Look for people you can encourage and do it! The church should: 1) Comfort them that are down. 2) Encourage them that are discouraged. 3) Lift up those that have fallen. 4) Warn those that are faithless with the intent of seeing others live like Jesus can come today. Prayer, Lord God, thank You for enabling me to trust You with every occurrence in life, even those that feel beyond my ability to endure. Help me place my hope where Your Word tells me to place it, in You and Your promise of an abundant future with You forever. My hope is found in the promise that You are coming back for me! On those days when I struggle, it’s such an encouragement that this life is not all there is. Help me to be always ready for Your return. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Thank you for reading PART 1 of Biblical Building Block #18 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for PART 2 of Biblical Building Block #18 of this series. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”
Biblical Building Block #17 Edify One Another (I Thessalonians 5:11) – Part 2 I Thessalonians 5:11, Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. Until Christ returns, we are also to edify, or build up, each other. This is the idea of investing in people in such a way they become spiritually stronger and more mature. At times, we all need encouragement and building up. Continual encouragement and edification keeps us ready for Christ’s return. II Peter 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” The fundamental way we edify one another is through teaching and instruction. A Christian is built up in his faith as he learns more about the Bible and increases his knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can also edify the body of Christ through witnessing, good works, and being an example. God wants us to be like a sponge in the sense that what we take in should be given back out. Paul told Timothy in II Timothy 2:2, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” The church will only be strong when every member seeks to build up other members. As Paul writes Ephesians 4:15-16, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Paul challenged his readers to encourage and build up one another just as they were doing. It suggests stirring people to make a decision for Christ and to grow in him. Paul was telling them to motivate one another to get up and get busy doing what God wanted them to do. This process of encouraging and building up is the responsibility of the entire church, not just of the leaders. Paul said it was the grace of God that allowed him to build the lives of others according to the grace of God. Because of that he charges, “…let every man take heed how he buildeth…”. I Corinthians 3:10, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” All of us are builders and we must be careful to build wisely. This whole passage is about the coming of the Lord. No one is above being encouraged, comforted, strengthened, and edified in the faith. We must be encouraging one another on in the faith. The church could learn a lot from birds! When geese migrate they can be seen flying in a V- shaped formation. While to us on the ground it is a thing of beauty, to the geese it is essential for survival. If you watch them, you will observe that at certain intervals, relative to the strength of the headwind, the lead bird—who was doing the most work by breaking the force of the wind will drop off and fly at the end of the formation. The reason for this is that the V-formation is much more efficient than flying close; up to 60 percent less work is required! It has been discovered that the flapping wings create an uplift of air, an effect that is greater at the rear of the formation. So the geese take turns ‘uplifting' one another. By cooperating and working together, the geese can achieve long migrations that would otherwise be exceedingly difficult for the strongest and deadly for the others. In a similar manner, when believers in Christ actively uplift one another through prayer, sharing material means, and heart-to-heart friendship and caring, they can go further into godliness than if they attempt their pilgrimage alone. God does not want us flying alone, that is why He has placed each believer in a local flock. Each local flock has a responsibility to comfort and edify one another in the faith. The Thessalonians were indeed comforting and encouraging one another. Point to Ponder: The Thessalonians were living like Jesus could come today! Question to Consider: Are we living like Jesus can come today? PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for putting people in my life to encourage me. I thank You for Your Son, Your Spirit, my sweetheart, and sweet church family. In Jesus Name, AMEN! Thank you for reading PART 2 of Biblical Building Block #17 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for Biblical Building Block #18 of this series. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”
Biblical Building Block #17 Edify One Another (I Thessalonians 5:11) Part 1 I Thessalonians 5:11, Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. Satan's most effective weapon for defeating Christians is not some gross sin; it is discouragement. At times all of us need to be built up both emotionally and spiritually because our fallen world continually tries to drag us down. We are to build each other up emotionally and spiritually. The best place to do this is at church in Bible study and worship services. The word edify means “to strengthen, to construct, build each other up”. God wants us to encourage one another because it makes us like Him. II Corinthians 1:3, Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. The words comfort and edify speak of a binding obligation that is continuous. This is to be the habitual pattern of our lives. We never reach a time when we can stop comforting and edifying each other. The word “build up” comes from the world “architecture”. It speaks of a housebuilder; one who constructs or erects. Here it speaks of building up in the faith or to cause to advance in Jesus Christ. The precept is to build up or strengthen fellow believers. We as Christians have a mission to help one another to grow and become all that God wants us to be. Our goal as Christians should not be to tear others down, but to build them up. To build up implies the need for continual growth in the things of God. Paul combines the idea of using our words to build up others in. Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Both Paul and Peter were well aware that there were those who were weak in their faith. (I Corinthians 3:1: I Peter 2:2). There would be those who were babes in Christ or wouldn’t embrace truth as they should. This is an exhortation for the strong to edify the weak. Paul wanted them to maintain their commitment to each other. We, too, need to be reminded and challenged in that regard. The strong need to encourage the weak. We need a steadfast commitment to encourage and edify one another. God continually sends people across our paths who need encouragement. That's why Hebrews 3:13a tells us how often we are to exhort, or encourage, one another. Hebrews 3:13, “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Every day we should be looking for someone to encourage. They are there if we are paying attention. Every day we should try to encourage at least one person with a phone call, a handwritten note, or a kind word. On a regular basis, everyone needs a cheerleader or someone to encourage them. My best encourager is my wife, Joy. She knows when I’m down and how to build me up. Several years ago, I attempted to try and climb a rock wall. I don’t have a bucket list, but if I did have one, I suppose climbing a rock wall would be on it. I had been wanting to do this for many years. After I put on my harness and began climbing, it was just a few minutes and I was struggling. Both of my wrists were in pain. I felt like quitting, but I didn’t want to give up so easily. I could not go any further, as if I was frozen. Joy saw that I was struggling. At that point I said, “I can’t”. She quickly responded with assurance in her voice, “Yes you can”. At that point I began climbing and continued without any hesitation. When I made it to the top, I turned and looked down towards her. With one hand on the rock and the other held high above my head in the air, Joy took a picture. I must say for the 22 years of marriage, this has been Joy’s role. She has never hindered anything I felt the Lord would have us to do. She has always encouraged me to follow the Lord in the ministry. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for putting people in my life to encourage me. I thank You for Your Son, Your Spirit, my sweetheart, and sweet church family. In Jesus Name, AMEN! Thank you for reading PART 1 of Biblical Building Block #17 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for PART 2 of Biblical Building Block #17 of this series. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”
Biblical Building Block #16 Forgive One Another (Colossians 3:13) – PART 3 Colossians 3:13, Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 3. God forgives Totally. God never does anything partially or halfway, including forgiveness of our sin. Notice: The following Scriptures. Hebrews 8:12, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17, “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Jeremiah 31:34, “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Micah 7:18-19, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” This means when we confess our sin, God wipes out every heavenly memory and every trace, making it, as far as His eternal records are concerned, as if our sin never happened. That's great news because we don't have to feel guilty about something that never happened. In legal terms, this means our sins have been expunged—they have been erased, or removed, completely. God wants us to forgive where we don’t remember it against them. I can remember it to watch out for them, but I shouldn’t go around remembering it to hold it against them. Let’s say I do something to you and you have forgiven me for it. You don’t go around and remember it against me. You remember it in a sense that knowing I’m frail, feeble, that I’m a human being. But you don’t hold it saying; “I remember what he did to me”. If you remember it holding bitterness than you haven’t forgiven. I want to remember my offences, that it humbles me, and reminds me not to do that brainless thing again. It requires our response to go to the next level as we choose to freely and wholeheartedly forgive with no restraints and no strings attached. Just as God has extended His grace to us so many times by freely forgiving us of our sins against Him. This is wonderful news because when our sins are forgiven, there is no longer any barrier in our relationship with God. We can take advantage of the promise in Hebrews 4:16, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Perhaps you don’t have any idea what your act of forgiveness will do for the kingdom of God. Jesus said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” They thought they were killing a blasphemer, but in reality, they were crucifying the Saviour of the sins of the world. Stephen said, “Lord lay not this sin to their charge.” They thought they were stoning a heretic, but God was launching the Apostle Paul. Questions to Consider: Can you think of someone whom you wronged, intentionally or unintentionally, but regardless of your bad behavior, they took the high road and forgave you for it? How much precious time was wasted that could never be recaptured because you got upset? Have you considered that this may be something you’re going through right now? Why don’t you choose forgiveness, move on, and let the Lord deal with it in His own way? Points to Ponder: I confess that I take heed to myself and I refuse to walk in unforgiveness, bitterness, or strife. Neither do I attempt to justify my own negative behavior in response to what upset me. Instead, I choose to give place to the love of God, which is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit who indwells me. I make a daily decision to love and to forgive others as God through Christ has loved and forgiven me. Prayer, Father God, please reveal those I need to forgive. Shine the bright light of Your truth into the dark corners of my heart, where I hide unforgiveness. I choose today to forgive. Because it’s something You commanded me, I know it’s possible. And because it’s something that pleases You, I beg You to help me. Please help me to forgive, deeply, from my heart, as You have forgiven me. Wherever possible, and as much as it depends on me, please heal my relationships. In the name of Jesus, who paid the highest price for my forgiveness, amen. Thank you for reading PART 3 of Biblical Building Block #16 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for Biblical Building Block #17 of this series. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”
Biblical Building Block #16 Forgive One Another (Colossians 3:13) – PART 2 Colossians 3:13, Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. How does God forgive us for Christ’s sake? 2. God Forgives Eternally. He doesn't forgive like the man who said, "I have buried the hatchet but marked the spot." Romans 4:8, “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” The word impute means "to count". It is the same word found in I Corinthians 13:5, where we are told love thinketh no evil. I Corinthians 13:5, “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil...” When we confess and forsake our sins, God doesn't impute our sins against us, which means He doesn't count them against us anymore, and He will never bring them up again. God convicts, or reminds, us of our sins for only one reason: to cause us to repent and become usable in His service. It is actually impossible for us to forgive and forget because while we can forgive the act, we can't forget the hurt. As someone has said, "Love does not forgive and forget; it remembers and still forgives." Love lets go of the hurt. If we have sins we have confessed and forsaken that keep coming to our minds, it is not God harassing us. It's Satan trying to make us feel guilty and unusable in God's kingdom. When that happens, we need to say to Satan what Jesus said to Peter. After Jesus begins to tell His disciples about how He will die, Peter rebukes Jesus and tells Him he will never let Him die. This would have circumvented God's plan of salvation. Matthew 16:23b, “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Jesus isn't calling Peter "Satan," but instead, Jesus is telling Peter he is playing the role of Satan because Satan always tries to circumvent God's plan. Satan does that by trying to make us feel guilty and useless because of confessed past sins. When he does this, we must say, "Satan, get behind me! God has eternally forgiven me of that sin." Unforgiveness is a terrible thing. Let me tell you why your unforgiveness will not only effect you but mess up your theology. When you say, “I have forgiven them all I’m going to”, what you’re saying is that there is a limit to your forgiveness. When you do this, immediately the devil comes through the back door of your soul, and he makes you think that because you limit your forgiveness to others that God is going to limit His forgiveness to you. This grieves the Holy Spirit of God. He grieves when we don’t fix relationships in life. I wonder what our Heavenly Father sees when He looks down upon His children and sees that we won’t forgive one another. If we hold onto it, it will hinder the power of God and the love of God in this church. God wants us to forgive one another so that we don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God. When a church has the Holy Spirit grieved in it, there will be no power, peace, blessing in the church. When the Holy Spirit of God is grieved you can’t sing with all your heart, you can’t get anything out of worship. God will not allow it because He is grieved. Grieve is a love word. You don’t grieve over people you do not love. The Holy Ghost of God loves you. Whenever you will not forgive other people, He is grieved. And when the Holy Spirit of God is grieved, you’re not going to have the joy, peace, vibrancy of life that God wants you to have. Love will grow cold, joy will be gone, and peace will be disturbed. Have you noticed that people who irritate or hurt us often do so more than once? Peter must have had a person like that in his life. Matthew 18:21, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” Jewish rabbis taught that a person had to forgive only three times, but Peter doubles that number and adds one for good measure. He obviously thinks seven is a very generous number. Jesus tells Peter he must forgive how many times? Matthew 18:22, “Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” By answering with this number, Jesus is saying we must not keep track, or count, because there should be no limit to the number of times we forgive someone. What does I Corinthians 13:5d tell us about love? “...thinketh no evil...” The word thinketh is a bookkeeping term that means "to account or calculate," as in putting figures in a ledger or on a spreadsheet. Don’t file part of it back. Don’t hold any part of it. Never put a limit on your forgiveness because God never puts a limit on His forgiveness for you. Peter said 7 times. If a person is counting, they are not forgiving. If you've forgiven somebody 490 times, it a good sign you have gotten into the habit of continual forgiveness. Most Christians know I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He says, “you come to me, you confess your sins, I will be faithful.” Faithful means every time! Prayer, Father God, please reveal those I need to forgive. Shine the bright light of Your truth into the dark corners of my heart, where I hide unforgiveness. I choose today to forgive. Because it’s something You commanded me, I know it’s possible. And because it’s something that pleases You, I beg You to help me. Please help me to forgive, deeply, from my heart, as You have forgiven me. Wherever possible, and as much as it depends on me, please heal my relationships. In the name of Jesus, who paid the highest price for my forgiveness, amen. Thank you for reading PART 2 of Biblical Building Block #16 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for PART 3 of Biblical Building Block #16 of this series. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com |
AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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