Most of us have heard others say they want "edifying" sermons, typically in response to a sermon they've heard that didn't make them feel so good, or perhaps in response to one that did.
Does edifying mean making a person feel good about themselves, or, is it something else altogether? Is that the point of edification, so we can "feel" good?
Has such thinking helped facilitate the desire for and accumulation of preachers that do these things, i.e. Osteen, Meyers, Copeland, Moore, &c?
I think an errant view of edification is that people believe it means they are to be made to feel good about themselves. I do not believe this is what is meant concerning edifying the saints. I think it means building one up with truth, equipping them with such things.
There seems to be an ever-increasing amount of preachers that focus on what man gets, and making men/women feel good, successful, empowered, that this thing is all about them and what they get out of it. That's what people seem to think edifyng means these days, and sound doctrine is waning away to this type of preference.
What type of theology has lent itself to the outgrowth of these types of ministries, where man, his faith, the power of choice, positive thinking, and freewill are a major focus in the message, and how man feels and what man gets is the objective?
Edification means to build up the body of Christ.
In contrast, we are not to tear down the body through infighting, judmentalism, or gossip.
We are to be unified, love one another, build one another up.
That doesn't mean to teach a fluffy, feel good doctrine, but rather teach the word of God and make disciples who LOVE God and desire to obey Him, and who know their bible, so that we are able to go out into the world and give the reason for the hope that is in us.
Sometimes it means to preach things that don't feel good to the flesh, like exposing sin.
But it also means to encourage one another in the faith.
I tend to see that for me, it refers to hearing a sermon message taught, or that of a teacher in school setting, that made me reflect and think on deeper aspects of Christian faith/doctrines...
When I also incorporate this to applying it to mylife, that the lord hasconvictedme in some area need to apply it, that edifys me!
Almost 5 years ago my friend had a house fire. It was determined that we need to tear down the damaged house and build a new one.
This required an honest assessment of the damage. It required the painful process of tearing down the battered and broken. It then called for hauling it off to be disposed of. Then, we had to dig down and establish a level basis to rebuild from. Then, set the forms for the footings, and of course, pouring new footings. It required understanding where underground springs were and planning to combat their effects. Then the forms and pouring of the basement walls, then the basement floor. It took several painful months of hard work but the night before Thanksgiving they were moving into their new home.
That is a picture of a pastor edifying one of the people entrusted to him by God.
Heb 12:11
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Heb 12:12
Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,
Heb 12:13
and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. (NASB)
They have always used quarterlies in this class, so I'll be continuing with that at least until I get my sea legs.
I hope to go beyond what they contain though while still staying on subject.
I'm replacing the pastor's wife who will now be teaching young adults, so I have a hard act to follow.
Hope they don't throw tomatoes at me!
LOL
They used to come to my house and try to give me their stuff. The last time, though, was several years ago. The conversation went something like:
Them:
We believe children are an important part of our families and community. They need to be brought up in the admonition of the Lord. We would like to give you this book as a gift to help you parent your children.
Me:
I agree children are important and being a father is one of my most important responsibilities. That is why I homeschool my boys and as a Baptist pastor I encourage the men in my church to really lead in their homes.
Them:
Thank you for your time. (make a hasty retreat never to return)
lol...I've had them actually ask for ANY amount of money for the publication, but I refused to give anything to them, or take their magazine.
I had one (of the two) tell me that the meek will inherit the earth, and that meek means teachable, so I gathered I was to become pliable clay in their hands (talk about a set up!).
I took over the conversation at this point, asked them if they are meek, so they fearfully answered yes. :laugh: :thumbsup:
Since they admitted to being teachable, I told them the Gospel. They had to swallow their pride big time. Somehow when I told them the Gospel they were no longer interested in me and left. :confused: