THEME: THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

TOPIC: EDIFICATION

1. In what respect are we to grow as Christians?

• In grace and knowledge of the truth (2Pet. 3:18)
• In Christlikeness (Eph. 4:15)
• In love, in knowledge, and all discernment (Phil. 1:9)
• Quiet, industrious Christian characters (1Thess. 4:9-12)
• As a spiritual house to offer sacrifices (1Pet 2:5)
• In adding Christian grace and becoming partaker of the divine nature (2Pet  1:4-13)
• In the Lord and the power of His might by putting on the whole armor of God (Eph. 10 – 18)
• In love and faith (1Thess 3:12,13; 2Thess 1:3)
• Ability to resist temptation (Jude 17-23; James 4:7; 1Pet. 5:8-19)
• In ability to serve and sacrifice (Rom. 12:1,2)

2. Requisition For Growth:

• Things that hinder:

1. Wickedness, guile, hypocrisy, envies, evil speaking (1Pet. 2:1,2)
2. Dullness of hearing (Heb. 5:11)
3. Youthful lusts (2Tim. 2:22)foolish and ignorant questions (2Tim. 2:23; 1:13)
4. Love of money (1Tim. 6:10, 17, 19)

• Things that promote spiritual growth:

1. Spiritual appetite (1Pet. 2:2)
2. Exercise (Heb. 5:13,14; 1Tim. 4:7,8)
3. Heeding to what we hear (Heb 2:1-3)
4. Diligence and active service (1Tim 4:13-16
5. The right spiritual diet (1Tim 4:5,6; 6:3; Tit. 2:1; 2Tim. 2:14-16, 22,23)
6. Purity of mind and heart (Tit. 1:11-14)
7. Prayer and communion with the Lord (Phil. 4:5-7; James 1:2-6; Heb 7: 25; 4:14-16)

3. 3. Avenues Through Which the Church May Encourage This Growth:

• Take thought one for another (Phil 2:1-4, 19-21).
• Exhort each other (Heb 3:12-14; 10:24,25)
• The Elders to watch after our souls (Acts 20:28-31; Heb. 13:7-17)
• Encouraging the faint hearted, support the weak, admonish the disorderly, be longsuffering toward all (1Thess 5:12-14)
• By its worship service (Heb 10:25; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:15,16)
• By its teaching program (Acts 20:28; 2Tim 2:2; Titus 2:1-8).