1. Edification or Entertainment? Edification or Entertainment?

2. Edified or Entertained? Some churches pride themselves in a worship service composed of edifying elements:BandsSoloists Motivational speakers Plays “Spirit Filled” speakers

3. Edified or Entertained? Some churches talk about their ministries which provide socials or opportunities for the people to come together for fun, entertainment, and a little Bible study. Youth ministries Singles ministries Married couples ministries Nursing home ministries Divorced ministries

4. Edified or Entertained? Even without all the above, it is possible for a church to intentionally structure their worship services and Bible classes so as to make them more appealing. “Well liked” motivational speaker Length conscious sermons Avoids stepping on toes

5. Edified or Entertained? In the era of television, movies, professional sports, the temptation placed upon churches and religious groups is to make their worship services more entertaining, all under the name of edification.

6. Individuals Can Edify Each Other

7. Individuals Can Edify By... Encouraging their brethren to remain faithful.... For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thess 5:8-11

8. Individuals Can Edify By... By helping to restore a fallen brother. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Gal 6:1-2

9. Individuals Can Edify By... By respecting the judgments of other brethren. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. Rom 14:19-21

10. Individuals Can Edify By... By showing love in their actions for their brethren. Romans 12:9-21

11. How Does the Local Church Edify?

12. Ephesians 4:11-16  The teachings of the apostles.  The teachings of prophets.  Evangelists who proclaim the gospel.  Pastors (elders or bishops) who shepherd the flock.  Local teachers who teach God's word.

13. How Does the Local Church Edify? Through Worship – 1 Corinthians 14:26  Singing songs cf. vs 15; Col 3:16  Teaching cf. vs 26; 2 Tim 4:2-3  Prayer cf. vs 15; 1 Tim 2:1-3  Lord's Supper cf. 1 Cor 11:26-34

14. Do We Edify or Entertain?

15. Edification or Entertainment? Many people confuse edification with entertainment. small, dull, uninspiring, boring large, energetic, uplifting A B

16. Edification or Entertainment? Many people confuse edification with entertainment. No youth groups, fellowship halls, gymnasiums Activities, socials, exercise, entertainment A B

17. Edification or Entertainment? Turning to entertainment, secular pursuits, and social concerns are not scriptural processes of edification on the part of the local church.

18. Edification or Entertainment? Youth groups, organized and funded by the local church, provides entertainment mixed with a portion of teachings.

19. Edification or Entertainment? Youth groups... Fellowship halls, built by and funded by the local church, are used for social purposes and entertainment.

20. Edification or Entertainment? Youth groups... Fellowship halls... Family life centers, built by and funded by the local church, are taking the church into a realm of social involvement not seen in the New Testament.

21. Edification or Entertainment? Youth groups... Fellowship halls... Family life centers... Gymnasiums, built by and funded by the local church, serve no spiritual purpose, only social entertainment.

22. Edification or Entertainment? Youth groups... Fellowship halls... Family life centers... Gymnasiums... "Christian rock" concerts, magicians, clowns, parities, etc., all sponsored by the local church, are methods of entertaining the young people of that church.

23. Edification or Entertainment? The process of edification, on the part of the local church, is limited to what is found within the scriptures. The local church is to edify the members through the process of teaching.