Good day to you!

I think that we call all agree that unless the Bible is taught, we do not have much of a chance to move forward as the church. Teaching is paramount to spiritual formation.

In the passage of the Bible we are digging into this week, we will see the teaching of Jesus. So, we can look constructively at what He said that will help us in the work of teaching in the church.

There are two characteristics that I would like to briefly bring to your attention. So, let’s read the passage and dig in. [BTW – this is a very good tool to do two things. One is to assess your teaching and the second is to assess those who teach you on a regular basis.]

It is not dishonoring to assess your teacher; it is a good thing to do this. If someone mows your lawn, do you look to see if they met your expectations, or do you simply accept what they did? How much more those who teach the Bible?

Certainly, we must honor our spiritual leaders.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.

We can assess our leaders and honor them at the same time. Please hear me though, I am not suggesting that you barrage your teacher with differences of opinion. Just because they think something that happens not to be what you think, does not qualify them as a poor teacher.

And simply because they agree with you does not make them a great teacher too. Please understand the differences between the negotiables and the non-negotiables in our faith. Stand firm in the non-negotiables of our faith and offer relational acceptance to others who hold to the negotiables. I can sense the unity already.

Ok, here we go…    

Matthew 5:17-20 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Alright, in verse seventeen, we see the AUTHORITY of Jesus. And this is the first characteristic of Jesus as our teacher. Jesus makes the assumption that He could have changed things if He had wanted to, but He didn’t. He makes the case that He came to fulfil and not abolish.

Jesus teaches with authority. And guess what… so should you.

The authority that Jesus teaches with did not originate with Himself, even though it could have. He teaches with someone else’s authority. 

John 12:49-50 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.

When you teach the Bible, in whatever capacity God allows you to do so, know that You are given authority just like Jesus. You can look at the life of Jesus and know that He was authorized and so are you.

Jesus emptied Himself of His own power and authority and came to earth only empowered and authorized by the Father. Why did He do that? Simple – to let you see how it is done, so that you can do it too.

So, teach with authority. I don’t mean loud and proud; I mean sure and confident. Say to yourself, God I receive the authority and power that You gave Jesus to do the work You sent Him to and me as well.

Father, would it be that we would see who we really are. You have authorized us to teach. Jesus has gone before us and has put Himself on display for us. He is first in all things. So, let us become more like Jesus, knowing where our power comes from. help us to become less concerned about ourselves and more concerned with who gives us authority. Thank You Jesus for making all things possible.

Blessings,
Pastor D