LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT (PART-21)

HOLY SPIRIT (Part 21)

– The ultimate teacher
   – Some things to consider regarding instruction:
         – God’s teachers are not called to use the Word of God like a baseball bat.
            Note:
                The sword of the Spirit is to injure Satan and not the body of Christ.

        – We can all be teachers at different levels
           (by example; one on one; group setting; etc.).

  – (Matthew 28:19-20)
    Jesus left two primary commands with His disciples.
        1. Go and disciple all nations.
        2. Teach.
            Note:
            The Greek word for “teach” is “didasko”.
                – 1st part of definition:
                   to know (accept by fact and experience).
                – 2nd part of definition:
                   instruct by word of mouth; (to tutor, advise, or teach).

    – (Acts 15:35, Acts 28:31)
      Paul (and others) understood the instructions from Jesus.
      Note:
          Not only did they preach, but they also taught.

      Question:
      How would you describe the difference
      between “teaching” and “preaching”?
          – Preaching: The “what” (salvation through Jesus Christ)?
          – Teaching: The “how” (how to live our lives as Christians)?

      Question:
      What did they preach?
          – The Word of the Lord.
          – The kingdom of God.

      Question:
      What did they teach?
          – The Word of the Lord.
          – About the Lord Jesus Christ (His love, characteristics, etc.).

      Question:
      Why is the “kingdom of God” important?
          – Provides hope?

      Question:
      Why is teaching “about the Lord Jesus Christ” important?
          – He is the reason for our salvation opportunity.
          – It gives us the example of what Christian living is all about.
          Note:
              “The Word of the Lord” brings it all together:
              it also provides instruction and gives us real life examples.

    – (Philippians 1:9-11)
      Paul’s prayer for the Philippians ties some important elements to knowledge:
          – An increase in our capacity to love.

          – A greater level of insight.

          – An ability to discern (not just what is good, but what is best).
            Question:
            How does that benefit us?
                – It gives us a greater awareness of sin?

          – “pure and blameless”:
            Serves as a guide to help us in our efforts to resist temptation and sin.

          – “filled with the fruit of righteousness”:
            A greater sense of what is right and what is wrong.
           Question:
            Why “fruit”?
                – It could mean that this awareness is fruitful to our lives;
                  it helps us to have a greater sensitivity of sin
                  and an active knowledge of how to avoid
                  the things that trigger our sinful actions.

          – A greater desire to praise and glorify God.
            Question:
            We may understand “praise”, but how do we “glorify” God?
                – Give Him all the credit for the good things in our life.
                – Live lives that will have a positive influence on others
                  (hopefully leading to their salvation).
                – Serve Him in whatever capacity He wants us to serve.

    – (2 Timothy 2:15)
      Question:
      How can we “correctly handle the word of truth”?
          – Pray for God’s guidance in understanding His Word.
          – Through obedience of His Word.

    – (Hebrews 5:12—6:2)
      The scriptures refer to levels of maturity in teaching and learning.

    – (1 Timothy 4:1)
      We need to remember that demons are also teachers.

    – Note:
      The term “teacher” occurs 58 times in the New Testament;
      41 of them refer to Jesus Christ
      (He is the ultimate teacher; the teacher’s teacher).
      Note:
          We should strive to teach as He taught.

    – (John 8:28-29)
      Question:
      What did Jesus teach?
          – He taught what the Father taught Him.
      Note:
          We cannot teach what we please,
          we are to teach from the words of the Lord.
      Note:
          Some methods of teaching:
              – Modern day parables.
              – Testimonies.
              – Current applications of His Word.

    – Reasons for ensuring our teaching is built around God’s Word as the basic text:
          – (John 17:17)
            God’s Word is absolute truth; His Word sanctifies (sets apart) believers.
            Question:
            What is wrong with this statement,
            “there is no such thing as absolute truth”?
                – The statement disqualifies itself.
                   If there is no such thing as absolute truth then the statement is not true.

          – (Titus 2:6-8)
            As teachers, we need to be aware of the importance of our lifestyles.
                – We need to do what is good.
                – We need to have integrity.
                – Others should know that we are serious about our faith.
                – We need to be careful about what we say (and never use profanity).
                      – Sometimes this means remaining silent.
                      – We have to realize that some things
                        we may want to say could be offensive to others.
                        (I think that as we mature as Christians,
                        we will have a greater sensitivity to what is
                        improper, and we will refrain from saying it).
               – Our overall lifestyle should not provide ammunition for our opponents.

    – (1 Peter 3:15)
      Sharing Christ with others (especially when they ask us)
      is an area where all believers can be teachers.

    – (Proverbs 16:21)
      Gentleness and consideration of others is an important part of teaching.
      Note:
          In order to be gentle and kind,
          we need to be submissive and obedient to God.

    – (John 13:1-17)
      Jesus taught by example;
      He also points out that we will be blessed, if we do as He has done.