Volume 46   Number 3                                                         November 2003

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. " (Romans 14:19)

mutual: adj. 1. Felt, expressed, or performed for or toward each other; reciprocal
edification: n. Intellectual or moral enlightenment and improvement.

The Old Testament contains the stories of blessings and failures of men to do GOD'S COMMANDMENTS. Through all of this, at no time did GOD relinquish His authority over His creation. All men of note served at the pleasure of the LORD. Their power was doing what the LORD told them to do. In the fullness of time, GOD sent forth His Son an example to man and to become the sacrifice for the sins of man. Jesus by doing His Father's will was given the power and authority to judge man for salvation. Jesus brought forth the new rules and plan for His church, God still has never relinquished His final authority over His creation or church.

Men serving to the pleasure of the LORD wrote the stories and commandments which serve as our guide to salvation. These stories have been preserved for us in what we now know as the New Testament.

The church was organized on the chosen ones of Jesus, traveling and teaching about Jesus and salvation to many disciples where the disciples would then spread the Word. Thus the Word spread through the world just as leaven spreads through dough. The powers that be at that time, as all governments are, were the last to get on board. Over time, they organized the church to reflect the organization of government, which they understood well, forming unscriptural places of status and privilege in the church of our Lord.

Thus it became the custom for each congregation to have one individual who delivered the message and would oversee the functions of the church. These persons were often well educated and trained to do these assigned jobs. But this custom has its shortcomings as stated before. These persons are mere men with all of the human foibles. These persons have to earn a living, so to earn enough to live on, a large church is often required. This brings on other requirements. One thing builds on another and sometimes get out of hand. The congregation often becomes passive. And what if there is no large congregation? What to do? The money is not there to hire one man to fill the pulpit. Regardless of the size of a church, the LORD wants each individual to do His work. In a large congregation it's difficult to get each individual involved and there are those who will slide by (But not by the Lord).

This is where mutual edification comes into play and the wisdom of God is clearly seen. It is well-suited for the church of our Lord. Mutual edification in our assemblies is where men of the congregation prepare and deliver a sermon on assigned days, on the topic of their own choosing usually, but according to the Scriptures.

An evangelist will be happy to meet with the people, to teach, put forth an organizational plan and supervise the services. Eventually a cadre of persons delivering the LORD'S message and conducting the services is developed. The church is on its way with each individual fulfilling the requirements of the LORD (I Timothy 3:1-13).

One thing to point out in this arrangement is that all the eggs are not put in one basket. The worship service does not depend upon one individual. There is a saying that if you want to learn something, teach it. It not only increases the knowledge of the GOSPEL but that of other skills, gathering information, organizing that information, and presenting that information.

People hear, see and understand differently. Each depending upon culture, experience, and genetics (Acts 2:45). A person will develop a sermon from different perspectives. This perspective may get through to the understanding of an individual, where another may not. If you notice, even writers in the New Testament can describe the same story differently.

Also all the responsibility will not fall on one shoulder so some of the human foibles can be eliminated. (Each horse will be pulling the wagon) A person may get an idea from the perspective of another. Should an assigned person not be on hand for a service, another can fill in and the service can go on without much of a hitch.

I wish to point out that this does not preclude service outside the church. Just the opposite, the training and confidence developed inside the church building will enhance the abilities outside that building, which is just as important, if not more so. Mutual edification should be our way of life.

Many of those individuals who develop and present a sermon in their own church are invited to give that lesson in other churches, thus forming a fellowship with other congregations for the benefit of all. We are all members of Christ's church.

True, some individuals are better at developing and delivering the GOSPEL but that should not prohibit others from doing so. Disabilities may preclude some from such activities but there are other ways to do the work of the Lord, such as writing this article. (Luke 23:33-46) Just think of what Jesus did for us and compare. (Acts 5:42) And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

THE KING HAS NEVER ABDICATED HIS THRONE. --