tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987271399653590272.post385137950520662851..comments2023-10-29T19:03:11.547-04:00Comments on A Pilgrim's Progress: On Sacrificing What is Personally Edifying for the Good of the BodyErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306854704766653209noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987271399653590272.post-37199815222328336502012-07-10T18:22:41.393-04:002012-07-10T18:22:41.393-04:00Alan,
I agree. As we spend time together, we lea...Alan,<br /><br />I agree. As we spend time together, we learn what edifies others. We can then actively engage in those types of activities in order to help them grow in Christ. If this requires sacrifice on our part, all the better. Sacrifice for Christ has a way of bringing us closer to Christ.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306854704766653209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987271399653590272.post-71693567867882653762012-07-10T17:57:54.250-04:002012-07-10T17:57:54.250-04:00According to Paul, there are things given by the S...According to Paul, there are things given by the Spirit that should not be shared with the whole church because it will not build up the church, but only the person sharing it. So, I think Paul would agree with your assessment, Eric.<br /><br />In the same way, the author of Hebrews (Paul?) said that we should "consider one another to stir up love and good works." This indicates that we need to know one another well enough to know what would stir others up to love and good works, and then to do those things. So, again, I think this agrees with your point.<br /><br />Thanks for the great post, and continue to put the interests of others ahead of your own (another passage with the same point as your post)!<br /><br />-AlanAlan Knoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07452247058550736803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987271399653590272.post-67706959132596870242012-07-10T14:24:56.883-04:002012-07-10T14:24:56.883-04:00My conclusion was that the church ought to be invo...<b><i>My conclusion was that the church ought to be involved in a wide variety of activities so that everyone will be built up in Christ.</i></b><br />everyone in Christ will be built up together, and this does not require <i>a wide variety of activities</i>, but rather that we receive whatever the Spirit brings; each one as he is enabled to be strengthened thereby. It would be a myth to maintain that the one gifted as an evangelist must be edified by something relating with the heralding the gospel. We are more in Christ than our specific gifts & callings.<br /><b><i>If we have teaching every time we gather, this may end up taking a lot of the time.</i></b><br />many things, such as living examples and good reports, teach more effectively than an extended time of "teaching" --- and the Holy Spirit of God knows this. Sermons and other monologue-lecture forms are largely ineffective while consuming relatively large amounts of time. Letting what we've been given to share be brief, and then waiting on the Lord's Spirit for the next word from Him.<br />In ekklesia, Christ is first and foremost: we're <i>thinking of</i> Him; all words and actions surrounding Him are our <i>enjoy</i>. Needs of our brothers & sisters have generously been looked to in-between times of our gathering together (this is also so for those who are blessed to meet together daily). As we come together, we are prepared in heart in that we have been serving God and assisting one another in love each hour through the week; to be coming together again declaring the good works of God among us.Marshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03504426822748951069noreply@blogger.com