Edification and Multiplication: Strengthening the Church's Witness
Summary
In Acts 9:31, we find a profound description of the early church's state, which serves as an ideal model for us today. The church was experiencing a period of rest following severe persecution, largely due to Saul's conversion. This respite allowed the church to be edified and multiplied, highlighting two essential characteristics that should define every Christian community and individual believer. The edification of the church refers to the spiritual growth and strengthening of its members, while multiplication signifies the addition of new believers. These two aspects are interconnected; as the church is built up, it naturally attracts others to the faith.
The honor of God is at stake in how the church is perceived by the world. We claim to be a supernatural society, God's new creation, and thus, the world judges God by what it sees in us. Therefore, our edification is not just for our benefit but for God's glory. The early Christians were deeply concerned about the state of the world and were driven by compassion to share the gospel. This should be our concern as well, especially in a world filled with darkness and confusion.
The order of edification leading to multiplication is crucial. God begins His work within the church, and when the church is spiritually strong, it becomes an effective tool for evangelism. The current emphasis on evangelism often overlooks the need for the church's edification. We must first ensure our spiritual health before we can effectively reach out to others.
The early church made the most of their period of peace by focusing on spiritual growth. This is a convicting thought, as we often fail to use times of peace for edification, becoming complacent instead. We must seize the opportunity to grow in our faith, understanding, and knowledge of God. This involves deepening our understanding of foundational doctrines, such as justification by faith, and experiencing God's love and grace more fully.
Finally, we are called to walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. This means living with a reverential awe of God, being mindful of His presence, and seeking to please Him in all things. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide, and we must be open to His leading, allowing Him to edify and strengthen us. As we do so, we will become effective witnesses, drawing others to Christ through our transformed lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Edification and Multiplication: The early church's growth was rooted in its spiritual edification, which naturally led to multiplication. This order is essential; a spiritually strong church becomes an effective witness to the world. We must prioritize our spiritual growth to fulfill our evangelistic mission. [12:47]
2. God's Honor and Our Witness: The world judges God by what it sees in the church. Our lives should reflect God's glory, compelling others to seek Him. Our edification is not just for personal benefit but for God's honor, as we are His representatives on earth. [06:46]
3. Making Use of Peace: Times of peace are opportunities for spiritual growth. Instead of becoming complacent, we should use these periods to deepen our understanding of God's Word and strengthen our faith. This proactive approach prepares us for future challenges. [20:18]
4. Walking in the Fear of the Lord: Living in reverential awe of God involves being mindful of His presence and seeking to please Him. This fear is rooted in love and leads to a life of obedience and faithfulness, free from the fear of worldly threats. [37:10]
5. Comfort of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide, providing consolation and direction. We must be open to His leading, allowing Him to edify and strengthen us. This relationship with the Spirit empowers us to live as effective witnesses for Christ. [40:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Acts 9:31
- [01:20] - Saul's Conversion and Church's Rest
- [02:13] - Ideal State of the Church
- [03:27] - Edification and Multiplication
- [05:22] - God's Honor and Our Witness
- [08:06] - Concern for the World
- [12:47] - Order of Edification and Multiplication
- [15:25] - Making Use of Peace
- [19:51] - Spiritual Growth During Peace
- [25:06] - Understanding Edification
- [32:52] - Strength and Stability Through Edification
- [35:43] - Walking in the Fear of the Lord
- [39:23] - Comfort of the Holy Spirit
- [42:20] - Conclusion and Exhortation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 9:31
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Observation Questions:
1. What were the two main characteristics of the early church as described in Acts 9:31? How did these characteristics contribute to the church's growth? [03:27]
2. How did Saul's conversion impact the early church, and what was the immediate result of this change? [01:35]
3. According to the sermon, what is the relationship between the church's edification and its multiplication? [12:19]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the world's perception of God based on the state of the church? [06:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the order of edification leading to multiplication challenge the current emphasis on evangelism in many churches today? [12:47]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the honor and glory of God are tied to the church's edification? [06:46]
3. How might the early church's use of their period of peace serve as a model for how modern churches should approach times of rest? [20:18]
4. What does it mean to walk in the fear of the Lord, and how does this concept differ from being afraid of God? [37:10]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal spiritual growth. Are there areas where you feel spiritually stagnant? What steps can you take to prioritize your edification this week? [12:47]
2. Consider how your life reflects God's glory to those around you. Are there specific areas where you feel you could be a better representative of Christ? How can you address these areas? [06:46]
3. During times of peace and rest in your life, how do you typically respond? Do you use these times for spiritual growth, or do you find yourself becoming complacent? What changes can you make to better utilize these periods? [20:18]
4. Walking in the fear of the Lord involves a reverential awe and a desire to please Him. What practical steps can you take to cultivate this attitude in your daily life? [37:10]
5. The Holy Spirit is described as our comforter and guide. How can you become more open to His leading and allow Him to edify and strengthen you? [40:06]
6. Think of a time when you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding you. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience to apply in future situations? [40:06]
7. Identify one person in your life who might be drawn to Christ through your transformed life. What specific actions can you take this week to engage them in a spiritual conversation? [42:05]
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Growth Leads to Evangelistic Impact
The early church's growth was deeply rooted in its spiritual edification, which naturally led to multiplication. This order is essential; a spiritually strong church becomes an effective witness to the world. The early Christians understood that their spiritual health was crucial for fulfilling their evangelistic mission. They prioritized their spiritual growth, knowing that as they were built up in faith, they would naturally attract others to the faith. This principle remains true today. We must prioritize our spiritual growth to fulfill our evangelistic mission. [12:47]
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord." (Ephesians 2:19-21, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize your spiritual growth this week to become a more effective witness for Christ?
Day 2: Reflecting God's Glory Through Our Lives
The world judges God by what it sees in the church. Our lives should reflect God's glory, compelling others to seek Him. The early Christians were aware that their actions and character were a reflection of God's nature to the world. They lived with the understanding that their edification was not just for personal benefit but for God's honor, as they were His representatives on earth. This awareness should drive us to live lives that honor God and draw others to Him. [06:46]
"Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can your actions today reflect God's glory to those around you, especially those who do not yet know Him?
Day 3: Seizing Peaceful Times for Spiritual Growth
Times of peace are opportunities for spiritual growth. Instead of becoming complacent, we should use these periods to deepen our understanding of God's Word and strengthen our faith. The early church made the most of their period of peace by focusing on spiritual growth. This proactive approach prepared them for future challenges. We too must seize the opportunity to grow in our faith, understanding, and knowledge of God during peaceful times. [20:18]
"Therefore, let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God." (Hebrews 6:1, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take during this season of peace to deepen your understanding of God's Word and strengthen your faith?
Day 4: Living in Reverential Awe of God
Living in reverential awe of God involves being mindful of His presence and seeking to please Him. This fear is rooted in love and leads to a life of obedience and faithfulness, free from the fear of worldly threats. The early Christians walked in the fear of the Lord, which guided their actions and decisions. This reverence for God should be a guiding principle in our lives as well, leading us to live in a way that honors Him. [37:10]
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." (Proverbs 9:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God in your daily life, and what changes might this bring to your actions and decisions?
Day 5: Embracing the Comfort and Guidance of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide, providing consolation and direction. We must be open to His leading, allowing Him to edify and strengthen us. The early church relied on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength, which empowered them to live as effective witnesses for Christ. This relationship with the Spirit is essential for us today as we seek to live lives that honor God and draw others to Him. [40:06]
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:26, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to be more open to the guidance and comfort of the Holy Spirit, and how can you invite Him to lead you today?
Quotes
The honor of God is at stake in how the church is perceived by the world. We claim to be a supernatural society, God's new creation, and thus, the world judges God by what it sees in us. Therefore, our edification is not just for our benefit but for God's glory. [00:05:22]
The early Christians were deeply concerned about the state of the world and were driven by compassion to share the gospel. This should be our concern as well, especially in a world filled with darkness and confusion. [00:08:06]
The order of edification leading to multiplication is crucial. God begins His work within the church, and when the church is spiritually strong, it becomes an effective tool for evangelism. The current emphasis on evangelism often overlooks the need for the church's edification. [00:12:47]
Times of peace are opportunities for spiritual growth. Instead of becoming complacent, we should use these periods to deepen our understanding of God's Word and strengthen our faith. This proactive approach prepares us for future challenges. [00:20:18]
Living in reverential awe of God involves being mindful of His presence and seeking to please Him. This fear is rooted in love and leads to a life of obedience and faithfulness, free from the fear of worldly threats. [00:37:10]
The Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide, providing consolation and direction. We must be open to His leading, allowing Him to edify and strengthen us. This relationship with the Spirit empowers us to live as effective witnesses for Christ. [00:40:06]
We must seize the opportunity to grow in our faith, understanding, and knowledge of God. This involves deepening our understanding of foundational doctrines, such as justification by faith, and experiencing God's love and grace more fully. [00:25:06]
The church was edified and the result was that they were multiplied. Now I mustn't stop with this this morning but I do commend to you to notice the order of these two things. The thing that is put first is the edification of the church herself. [00:19:51]
The greatest need of the hour is the edification of the Christian church. We must start with ourselves, my friends, and we should feel an awful sense of condemnation that the Christian church is as she is today. [00:25:06]
The world needs to be delivered; it needs to be saved. So the business of the church is not just, I say, to condemn what the world is doing. It is so to represent the glories of this new life that men and women shall be drawn to it and attracted by it. [00:10:10]
The church was edified and the result was that they were multiplied. Now I mustn't stop with this this morning but I do commend to you to notice the order of these two things. The thing that is put first is the edification of the church herself. [00:19:51]
The Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide, providing consolation and direction. We must be open to His leading, allowing Him to edify and strengthen us. This relationship with the Spirit empowers us to live as effective witnesses for Christ. [00:40:06]
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