Introduction

• Colossians 3:17

Local churches are authorized to provide for worship and edification, continued

Notice that New Testament churches were focused on spiritual edification

• Not any type of edification is a work of the church.
• There is a difference between edification and what might be done simultaneously with it.
  • Acts 2:46-47
  • Matthew 9:11

Local churches are authorized to provide for needy Christians

God authorized churches to provide for needy saints.

• Acts 2:44-45
  • Acts 5:4
• Acts 4:32-35
  • Acts 5:2
  • Acts 22:3 – “at the feet of Gamaliel”
• Acts 6:1-3
• Acts 11:27-30 – Some use this verse to argue for the sponsoring church arrangement, but that is not the arrangement we see in scripture.

Esther

Background

• The book is set in the capital city of the Persian Empire, Susa, east of the promised land and covers a period of about ten years.

Main characters

• Esther
• Haman – son of Hammedatha the Agagite (King Agag who was supposed to have been killed by King Saul).
• Mordecai
• Ahasuerus / Xerxes

Persian Empire

• 492-490 B.C. – Darius makes an effort to conquer Greece
• 480-479 B.C. – Xerxes starts second Greece campaign
• The history is primarily from Herodotus’ 440-430 B.C. writiings.
• Four capital cities: Pasargadae, Babylon, Susa, and Ecbatana

The removal of Vashti (Esther 1)

• The king’s anger was long-lasting. It was about four years before Esther took over as queen.

Introduction

• John 21:20-25
• John is unique among the gospels, describing many things the other gospels do not.

The Last Conversation

• John 13-17

“Wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14)

• John 13:5, 12-17
• Jesus gave them an example of humble service.
• The apostles were about to be in a position of authority and they needed to be humble.
• Acts 10:25
• Don’t I also need to be a humble servant?
• Proverbs 21:4

“Take courage” (John 16:33)

• John 16:33
• John 15:18-20
• The apostles would not have an easy job!
• John 17:14
• We must also take courage because our Savior has overcome the world.
• I John 2:17

“He will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13)

• John 14:16
• John 15:26
• John 16:13
• The apostles would have everything they needed to spread the gospel without error.

Local churches are authorized to provide for worship and edification, continued

The local church is a group designed for mutual encouragement as we serve God together, continued

• Praying
  • John 11:42
  • Acts 12:5, 12
  • Acts 4:18, 21-24, 29, 31 – After praying they spoke with boldness.
  • There is benefit to praying with others!
• Singing
  • Colossians 3:16
• Assembling
  • Hebrews 10:24-25

Notice that New Testament churches were focused on spiritual edification.

• Acts 20:32
• I Corinthians 14:11-19 – People should understand what is going on in a worship service. It should be organized and not just chaos.
• I Corinthians 11:26
• II Timothy 4:2
• Worship is not entertainment.
• Ephesians 4:11-16

Introduction

• I Corinthians 14:22-26

This starts with our attitude.

• I Timothy 2:3-4; II Peter 3:9 – Do I have the same attitude as God that I want everyone to be saved?
• Acts 26:24-29 – Paul doesn’t get offended at the insult and maintains a good attitude.
• John 1:35-37; 3:26-30 – John was a good example. Christians are not in competition with each other. We’re all just trying to lead people to Jesus.
• “This person has an eternal soul.” (John 5:28-29)
• “I should take the initiative in loving my neighbor.” (Romans 5:8)
• “I want to be an expert at love – just like my Father.” (I John 4:7-12)

What this looks like.

• Be happy when people come!
  • Acts 11:13-14; 10:24; Luke 5:27-29 – Cornelius and Levi both invited others to meet Christ. We should have the same attitude!
• Be kind!
  • II Timothy 2:24-26
• Absorb inconveniences.
  • I Corinthians 9:19-22 – Paul’s attitude was that he would bend over backwards to help people learn the gospel.
• Look at people the way God does.
  • Acts 9:11-16

Welcoming has its limits.

• Colossians 3:9-10
• Galatians 1:6-8; 4:16 – Paul would not change the gospel. His approach would change for different audiences, but not the underlying message.
• Matthew 7:28-29
• Titus 2:14-15 – This is always what our preaching should be.

Conclusion

• I Corinthians 14:25 – Will our services honor God and edify us?