Responsibilities One to Another, Part 2

1 Corinthians 8:1 Biblical View of Church Membership, A

In "Responsibilities One to Another, Part 2," Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds on the New Testament command to "edify one another," building on the overarching duty to "love one another." He systematically examines numerous passages, primarily from Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, and 1 Thessalonians, to establish the centrality and meaning of mutual edification. Martin then outlines the manner of fulfilling this duty, first by refusing spiritual demolition through destructive speech, misuse of Christian liberty, and self-centeredness, and second by actively engaging in spiritual construction through mutual encouragement, admonition, burden-bearing, provoking to good works, confession, prayer, sharing the Word, and exercising spiritual gifts. He challenges believers to make edification a matter of conscience and prayer, recognizing it as a privilege rooted in Christ's self-sacrificial love.

3 illustrations in this sermon

The Meaning of Mutual Edification: Building Up

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Demolition Crew vs. Builder

The point: If you are indifferent to the command to edify, it reveals an unconverted heart, as no regenerate person can be indifferent to the will of their Redeemer.

Martin uses the analogy of a demolition crew undoing weeks of bricklaying in one blow to illustrate the destructive opposite of edification, which is positive, constructive building.

It is a positive, constructive endeavor. The opposite of what the demolition crew does. You've seen the demolition crew. Comes in with their crane and a big ball and it swings and pow, in one slap.

21:31 - 21:46 Read in full sermon

Refusing Spiritual Demolition: Destructive Self-Centeredness

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Holiness on an Island

The point: Determine to engage in spiritual construction activities, not just refusing demolition.

Martin uses the analogy of being holy on an island with only monkeys and birds versus being holy with another human being to illustrate how self-centeredness is exposed and challenged in relationships, especially marriage.

Submitting yourselves one to another. And you see it's only being full of the Spirit. Our whole being pervaded and animated and controlled by the Spirit who is the Spirit of Jesus that we will overcome the native self-centeredness which is utterly destructive of congregational harmony and unity and peace. Anybody can be pretty holy on an island with nothing but the monkeys and the birds for his companions.

41:15 - 42:00 Read in full sermon

Engaging in Spiritual Construction: Mutual Encouragement and Admonition

person anecdote

Gossip vs. Seduction in Church

In this part of the sermon: Martin transitions to positive spiritual construction activities, beginning with mutual encouragement or exhortation, citing 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11, and Hebrews 3:13. He then…

Martin states that more harm has been done in Trinity Church through gossip than through seduction, highlighting the destructive power of the tongue and the need for mutual admonition.

Give it to him on the side of the face! That's right! bad trouble. If all the guys want to get slacked, come to me. But seriously, putting the best connotation, not looking with an evil eye, if it's evident that someone is indulging in speech that was aimed at seduction, would you women listen? More harm has been done in Trinity Church over the years through gossip than seductives. More hearts have been defiled and relationships fractured by the sin of slander and by the sins of seductive speech. Mutual admonition and reproof and rebuke, that's how we build one another up. Because

54:52 - 55:49 Read in full sermon

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