INTRODUCTION:

A. What is edification?

B. Text: Ephesians 4:11-16

C. Figures used to describe the church:
1. Temple (Eph. 2:19-22)
2. Body (Eph. 4:15-16)

D. There are three essentials to building up the body of Christ.

I. THE FIRST ESSENTIAL IS DIET.

A. Pay close attention to what you eat.

B. Spiritual diet is important in building up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11- 12, 15-16).

C. The church supports the truth by means of edification (Acts 20:32; Mt. 4:4).

II. THE SECOND ESSENTIAL IS FOCUS.

A. We are motivated by the image of what we are trying to accomplish.

B. Paul’s focus in spiritual growth was Christ (Eph. 4:11-15; 2 Pet. 3:18).

C. The likeness of Christ is the goal of edification (Col. 1:28; Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18).

III. THE THIRD ESSENTIAL IS EXERCISE.

A. Body-building involves the exercise of each individual part of the body.

B. Building up the body of Christ involves every member (Eph. 4:12, 16).

C. Edification is an every-member responsibility (1 Th. 5:11; Heb. 10:24-25).

CONCLUSION:

“If we were to look into a spiritual mirror, what would we see?”