The process of building each other up in the faith is the job of every believer. This is most clearly seen in the lives of those who are weak and doubting. In the struggles of this life we are created in Jesus to be one another’s strength. 

Observations:

• “Bear with” – to sustainably carry and not give up  
• “Weak” – our convictions that remain spiritually immature
• “Please” – our freedom to aim our attention and efforts
• “Neighbor” – our “fellow man” in the faith
• “Build up” – to construct towards development and growth

Conclusions: Applicational Foundations

1. God is growing us up together as we follow Jesus
2. Immaturity leads to division and hopelessness
3. God, through His Word, is our source of unity & hope

Application: 

1. Build up those who are struggling
   – Implication: You must first aim to grow up
2. Build up by sharing the struggle
   – Implication: You must first aim for unity in the body of Christ
3. Build up by growing up
   – Implication: You must first aim to be helped before you help others
4. Build up by embodying God’s Word
   – Implication: You must first aim to delight in God’s Word

Ephesians 4:11-12

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

Galatians 5:13-14

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

1 Corinthians 14:11-12

“If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.”

1 Corinthians 14:26

“What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.”

Ephesians 4:29

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Ephesians 4:11-16

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”