God's Order for Husbands (Part IV)

“God’s Order for Husbands” 

1 PETER 3:7

SUBJECT: SUBMISSION AND MARRIAGE

THEME: Each believing husband is to submit to God’s order in his marriage.

RELEVANCE: the best husband first views his marriage as an expression of his submission to the Lord. Abandoning the ‘traditional,’ ‘romantic,’ and ‘institutional’ models of marriage he freely clings to God’s Order. He is not loyal to his wife primarily nor worldly models; the Christian husband is devoted to Christ first—above all. He fully submits to Christ’s authority in his life and seeks to guides his family accordingly.

INTRODUCTION:

God commands husbands to “honor” their wives not only because of their physically vulnerability, but also as spiritual equals before Him. Like you, your wife enjoys a relationship and access through Christ to our heavenly Father. Our wives should not be viewed automatically as spiritually weaker or inferior. Remember the modern women liberation movement has not accomplished any advances for modern women in general. In fact, many women have been gravely degraded and some ruined under the pretense of ‘freedom’ and independence. While most men have lost their way…confused by the modern emphasis on female ‘liberation,’ and generally uncertain about a man’s role going forward. Then with multiple social media outlets nowadays, men fear being mischaracterized as a ‘creep’ or ‘preying on women’ in an ill-advised video post.  

MESSAGE:

III.  RESPECT HER IDENTICAL SPIRITUAL RAPPORT 1 Pet. 3:7, … “and as being heirs together of the grace of life”

It is true husbands and wives needed this kind of instruction in the first century and certainly we need it today. Women were not treated like God prescribed in the NT and husbands were not viewed with the responsibilities God identified in this and similar passages. We make a grave mistake when we conclude “Christianity” is responsible for holding back women and progress. Remember God’s order was totally foreign against the first century cultural backdrop…the social context in which the NT was written. According to the NT, wives were treated with love, honor, respect, and dignity by their husbands. This was unheard of in every other religion or practice in the entire world!

The modern matrimonial ideas cannot be taken as ‘Christian’ simply because they really are not. God did not and does not author this type of behavior. We ‘worship’ God only and not wives or husbands—God has never referred to the role of a ‘wife’ as a “queen” or ‘goddess’ nor the role of a ‘husband’ as a “king.” ‘Things that are different are not the same!’ My beliefs are that these misconceptions are carnal philosophies invented by confused, insecure, and puzzled people. Folks who feel intitled to grander privileges instead of concentrating on their service to God and their families is a feature of modern ‘Christianity’ in many sectors. Again, God is not responsible for this confusion, the devil is!

One cultural mistake is basic inequality of personhood based on genders. This flawed view holds that men have greater value than women or men have more rights than women. Another idea is that women are naturally inferior to men. These are just a few of the cultural ideas that have at times snuck their way into “Christian” thinking, but God did not say this ever! These common ‘gender wars’ have ensued for millennia without real winners…in fact, every culture that embraces these wrong ideas loses. Remember, saved women and men will receive rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ that will result in awarding various positions during the Kingdom Age. The Lord Jesus as the Judge will not make these false distinctions based on gender. “Good,” “faithful,” and “servant” (Matt. 25:21-23, 34, 47; Luke 12:41-48) will be the heart of the criteria and not a believers’ gender. Those who use their gifts and opportunities responsibly will be generously rewarded. It is wonderfully conceivable and probable that many Christian women will be rewarded with elevated positions and important new roles during the Kingdom Age. We need to refocus onto God’s criteria!

Physically women are typically ‘weaker,’ they have always been…women were never intended to be men! Praise God; life is not meant to be a competition!!! Women should never be expected to perform like men…the criterion for a woman is very different from the criterion of a man. So, the average woman does not have the physical strength of the average man, but that’s about it. Women in general are supposed to be more emotional, soft, receptive, and nurturing! Spiritual equality is presented from God’s perspective and Christian husbands are called to recognize this component by accepting her identical value. God champions interdependency regarding the two genders (1 Cor. 11:11-12); such mutual reliance demonstrates God’s general design for people, but not necessarily ideas of gender independence or superiority.

1. She is a Joint heir with You. V. 7, “being heirs together of the grace of life”

What is “the grace of life”? Husbands along with their wives are joint “heirs” of God’s divine favor in eternal life, salvation! They share redemption together, so spouses are equal in their spiritual standing. Couples are designed to honor each other, inherit this grace, recognize each other as spiritual partners, and ensure our prayers are not rejected. Marriage then is an opportunity to experience grace together also, rather than only as individuals. These ongoing, gracious blessings of salvation are experienced in vital fellowship with God.

It would be correct to recall that this measure of equality is uniquely a Christian idea; generally, women were not spiritual or social equals in the first century in Greco-Roman and Jewish cultures. In contrast, the Lord Jesus treated women with unusual dignity and respect; his actions, ideals, and teachings influenced the early churches to do likewise. This is just one place where the value of womanhood is elevated through the nobleness of being a wife. It is partly in her hands that God entrust the most valuable creatures on earth, a human baby. Yes, even though she as a wife fills a role as a follower, she stands tall as a spiritual equal to her husband before God. She is a real “help meet” (Gen. 2:18) to her husband!

2. She Can be a Prayer Warrior Also. V7, “that your prayers”

A godly husband certainly is a man who prays to stay in touch with God and as a ‘living’ sacrificial offering. He consistently brings his family challenges and victories before the Lord…he cherishes deeply this vital connection throughout each day. He adores God above all else and routinely praises Him for His perfections and glory. The husband is also cognizant of his wife’s spiritual value and appreciates this quality as he visits in prayer with the Lord.

A godly wife can approach the throne of grace on behalf of her husband, her family, ‘friends,’ and her own challenges; God will listen interestedly to her prayers and meets her needs accordingly. Often God’s kingdom-related will is advanced through the prayers and activities of godly wives. She is authorized to cry out to the Lord, and our Father enjoys communion with her in a fantastic way. Her great power is wonderfully spiritual in this respect; she is worth more than ten mountains of gold because she knows how to touch the heart of God. Certainly, God is well acquainted with her prayers, midnight cries, hot tears of intercession, her confessions and accountability to Him, and her sometimes lengthy talks with Him. She is deeply spiritual…dominated intentionally by the Spirit of grace! She is not prideful, demanding, or arrogant but surrendered and humbly confident in her God! Listening to her pray move you into an awareness that you have entered the actual presence of God. At times she ushers you closer to the matchless heart of the Almighty!

So many Christian wives do not even realize they have such an inroad to access God! They are oblivious of such approaches, or they neglect Him who is divine. Many wives are seduced by carnal stuff and desires while precious few labor in the home and in prayers. An abundance of wives are even more impressed with human temporal powers instead of divine-mountain-moving power with God. They usually wear their husband’s rank, status, or achievements more fervently than he does. They push their husbands to be and do more because deep down they believe they are worth more. They attempt to use God and ‘Christianity’ for carnal gains…more money and power are usually the real reasons. Too many are like Queen Ataliah and Queen Jezabel but not enough are anything like praying and sacrificial Hannah. But praise the Lord for wives who are mighty warriors as praying women! Such a wife is a precious jewel to God and anyone else who makes her acquaintance.

QUOTE: “A man’s attitude toward his wife should recognize the fact that she is a fellow heir of the grace of life. This refers to a marriage in which both are believers.  Though weaker than the man in some ways, the women enjoys equal standing before God and shares equally the gift of everlasting life.  Also she is more than her husband’s equal in bringing new physical life into the world.”—William Macdonald

Men, we can depend on our wives to be real spiritual assets to the building of our homes. She can be your best prayer partner; she can at times be a tremendous source of objective counsel. A good wife can be a terrific help in evaluating a given situation, or in helping to make plans for the family’s future. She can contact God and believe God just like you can. Thank God for spiritual wives who realize what they have in Christ and seek the good of their relationship with their husbands. Praise the Lord for wives who are responsive, feminine, selfless, obedient, faithful, authentic, soft, and God-centered in their beliefs and behaviors.

Will The Spirit Contradict The Bible?

Is it possible for the Spirit of God to teach us something different from the Bible’s statements? Must I choose between Bible knowledge and spiritual power? Is it pleasing to God to base my beliefs on my feelings and experiences? Should I discard a belief if it does not match the Bible’s statements? These are real questions sincere Believers grapple with on a regular basis. This is largely because “Christianity” in the modern world is extremely diverse in its practices. This is not only true when considering the entire country, but also within the average size city. In addition, there are a number of methods employed by Christians to interpret the Bible. Different groups have come to different conclusions based on their system of interpreting the Bible. Some movements emphasize Bible content, others the fundamentals of the faith, while yet others place more stock in experiences and feelings. As a result worship styles vary vastly across the land. My point here is not to debate worship styles, but to look at something more foundational to our spiritual formation. What is that you ask? Well…how we view the ministry of the Spirit of truth and His usages of the Word of truth to develop and mature disciples for the Lord Jesus. More specifically, should we be satisfied with any beliefs that do not match the Bible’s teachings? Is what we believe the same as what God believes? Such considerations focus our attention on the Author and the best Teacher of the Bible. Yes, God wants to teach us the Bible to establish how we view all of life.

THE INSPIRER OF SCRIPTURE

Think with me about the thoughts of Paul beginning in 1Corinthians 2:13, where we discover the Spirit inspires the truths He teaches to believers. So the Spirit is the Revealer, Investigator, and Inspirer of Truth! That is correct; the Spirit is the divine Author of the Holy Scriptures (2Pet. 1:19-21). Consider carefully Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 2:13, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” Recall how the Lord Jesus promised that the Spirit would faithfully teach His followers (John 14:26) and skillfully guide us into all facets of God’s eternal truth (John 16:13). It is also important to note carefully the sequence here: the Spirit taught Paul from the Word, and Paul then taught the believers. The truth of God is found in the Word of God because of inspiration. The Word is truth! Being taught by the Spirit is not a subjective intra-personal subliminal mental exercise! No, it is attention to objective inspired truth! The words of a self-proclaimed prophet may not be true at all, and the words and comments of a sincere pastor may be entirely wrong as well.  Truth is always found in God’s written Word. You may not be able to trust what well intentioned men say, but you can trust the Word of God.  Specifically, I trust my King James Bible.

In addition, it is very important to note that these spiritual truths Paul is referring to are given in specific “words.”  Yes, like other faithful Bible students, I believe in the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures. In the Bible, we Christians have much more than inspired thoughts; we have inspired words—words from the heart of God. Read carefully and thoughtfully what the Lord Jesus says, “For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest” (John 17:8). Jesus was referring to the verbal units that comprise thoughts and concepts; Beloved, He recognizes them as having belonged to God. By Verbal Inspiration is meant the very words of Scripture are God’s words. Inspiration goes beyond the concepts and message to the actual words. It is through specific words that we convey our exact meaning and message. The Lord Jesus said in Matthew  4:4,  “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Again Christ places extraordinary weight on the actual wording of a sentence of Scripture and not merely the general concepts. In this light it is utterly consistent to conclude the Bible is actually God’s Word. Yes, the Bible’s content testifies to the fact that God is its actual Author. Like anything God communicates, His words and message to us Christians is absolutely reliable and free of any error because of the Great Inspirer—The Holy Spirit.

THE INSTRUCTOR OF SCRIPTURE

Still how does the Spirit teach the believer? First of all Paul employed the word “teacheth” (1Cor. 2:13) to describe the Spirit’s work. The Spirit is the Teacher; He desires to instruct and guide every genuine child of God through the wealth of the Scriptures. Robertson (1931, Volume 4, p. 88,) in Word Pictures in the New Testament viewed this word as a reference to the teaching ministry of the Spirit.  Note his comment, “Paul claims the help of the Holy Spirit in the utterance … of the words, which the Spirit teacheth… in words taught by the Spirit”. Therefore one taught by God would be considered ‘instructed’ from a subjective standpoint, but objectively they were given spiritual insights ‘communicated by teaching.’ Thus the apostles were Spirit taught. The Spirit of God taught them objective spiritual truth.

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Zodhiates 1993) says this Greek word means “to teach” and states,

In 1 Cor. 2:13 it refers to things or lessons taught or imparted or suggested by the Holy Spirit as contrasted to the things taught by words of human wisdom. There are things that are not taught by human wisdom but by God's Spirit, and the possibility of that learning is with everybody as the word "all" makes clear in John 6:45.

One natural implication is that all believers are taught by the Spirit as they yield to Him. One more comment here will suffice to communicate most conclusively the teaching ministry of the Spirit directly and through human instrumentality. Paul emphasized that the intellectuals of this world could not teach the knowledge he was giving to the Corinthian believers. It has been further suggested (Nelson Study Bible 1997) that the Spirit did not simply dictate words to Paul and the other apostles; He taught them. The apostles related with their own vocabulary and style what they had learned from the Spirit. Thus in many regards they wrote and taught Scripture from highly developed understandings of the material.

 Not only does the Spirit teach directly and indirectly, but He combines and compares “spiritual things with spiritual” realities (1Cor. 2:13). He habitually shows the relationship between concepts and truths. The Spirit repeats and reminds the student of the insights, messages, and truths He has taught us previously (John 14:26). He relates the formerly learned truth to something new he desires to educate and edify with. Then the Spirit wisely leads the child of God into new discoveries, new insights, and new applications of old truth. The grandness of this privilege cannot be overstated—believers are taught by God! What a blessing it is to research, compare passages, cross reference verses, and grasp Bible terms as the Spirit of the Living God reveals truths about the Father, the Lord Jesus, Himself, redemption, sanctification and on and on the wonderful list goes. One of the joys of Bible study is suddenly seeing a concept in broader biblical usages. Another blessing is realizing that I have been brought to a certain conclusion by the Spirit’s teaching ministry in my life. Beloved, how cool is that!

What a wonder to witness the Spirit combining, connecting, and linking spiritual realities to other truths. With awesome skill He carefully synchronizes, blends, inculcates, compares, distinguish, contrasts, and harmonizes God’s truths to the benefit of the believer’s comprehension of God and His will. The tragedy of all tragedies is many Christians are too busy or too distracted by the entertainment world for this kind of research and quiet meditation before the Word.  The priorities of worldliness, materialism, and personal achievement have effectively crowd out any faint ambitions to know God intimately. The result is a spiritually bankrupt brand of Christianity where all types of maladies further and hasten its deterioration. This is why Christians are so impoverished, weakened, and ignorant of God. It is not that Christianity is irrelevant, or inconsequential. No Christians are attempting to live without a Spirit-taught knowledge of God. What enrichment they forfeit, what peace they forego, and what principles they live without! Warren Wiersbe (1989, Vol. 1, p. 576) in The Bible Exposition Commentary said further,

The Holy Spirit is like a householder who “bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old” (Matt 13:52). The new always comes out of the old and helps us better understand the old. God gives us new insights into old truths as we compare one part of Scripture with another. Jesus based His teaching on the Old Testament, yet people were amazed at what He taught because it was so fresh and exciting.  I suggest that you make time every day to read the Word and meditate on it. Follow a regular schedule in your reading and give yourself time to pray, think, and meditate. Let the Spirit of God search the Word and teach you. The study and application of basic Bible doctrine can transform your life.

Beloved, life was designed to be experienced with God; God created us for Himself. We are grossly incomplete without Him. The Holy Spirit’s teaching and instruction ministry in our lives brings us into some realizations of this original design of God. Mentoring and coaching are intimate interactions among people. The same is true of the Spirit’s mentoring and teaching ministry in our lives. Some lessons we will enjoy more than other. There will be occasions when the Spirit confronts our sin and seeks restoration with God. While this may feel uncomfortable it is so vital to our spiritual formation. We can count on the Spirit to always be timely and relevant in what He teaches us because He knows us far better than we know ourselves. Trust His guidance from one subject to the next knowing He always has our highest good in mind.

Lastly, prepare yourself for a few surprises. The Spirit will correct our misconception about God more than once. You and I do not know yet what we presently know wrongly. Again trust the Spirit of God to carefully guide you through the applicable Bible passages to help you come to the correct conclusions. Honestly, all of us without any exception have some misconceptions about God that requires tweaking. Just be honest with God and submissive to the Scriptures.

Remember, what the Spirit of God teaches will always be consistent with what is taught in the body of Scripture. The Holy Spirit is not confused. He does not impress us with ideas or concepts that contradict His own statements in the Bible. The Spirit teaches from the Bible. If we think or believe something and it does not align with the Scriptures, then we have believed a lie. The Spirit of God is the Author and Teacher of the Bible. He will not lead you and me to contradictory conclusions. He always agrees with the Bible He wrote. I have heard sincere Christians say, “I do not care what the Bible says…I know what the Spirit of God told me!” I have also witnessed Christians saying, “I just go with it…I cannot explain it from the Bible, but I believe it is of the Spirit of God.” May I say with all humility of heart, that the Bible’s statements matter most to the Spirit of God, and He will not show us or teach us anything that is not consistent with His Bible. Our experiences do not establish truth; the Bible is truth. Our conclusions do not establish truth; the Bible is truth according to the Lord Jesus (Jn. 17:17). The Spirit of Truth (Jn. 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1Jn. 4:6) will only communicate truth from the Word of Truth (2Cor. 6:7; Eph. 1:13; 2Tim. 2:15; Js. 1:18) as written in the Bible. Beloved, when we believe something claiming it is from the Spirit of Truth, but cannot substantiate that conclusion from the Word of Truth, it is quite likely we have believed a lie. Listen carefully…have the faith and holy courage to take what the Bible clearly says when correctly interpreted over what you feel, have experienced, or think. Submit yourself to the teaching and instructing ministry of the Spirit of God on that subject with the hope of emerging from that study with a correct perception of God and His Word. Whenever you open your Bible, ask the Spirit of Truth to teach and guide you into all truth. He will teach you wondrous things out of His holy Book. May you know wonderful blessings as you chose to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus and a student of the Spirit in the Word of God. 

Marks of a Bible Teacher

TEXT: Rom. 12:7

SUBJECT: The Spiritual Gift of Teaching

                                                           

THEME: Today We Want to Explore the Spiritual Gift of Teaching and the Characteristics of the Teaching Ministry.

INTRODUCTION: 

This article is the continuation of the previous post The Gifted Teacher. This portion of the lesson focuses on the traits of a godly gifted teacher.  Previously we stated a spiritual gift is a God-given ability for ministry to others.  This is consistent with Romans 12:7, where the Apostle Paul says,  "Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching".

People with this Romans 12:7 gift are those who, regardless of their office or particular ministry in the local body of Christ, are motivated by a desire to clarify and expound truth. They enjoy mental challenges and learning. They are generally able to communicate well and will always have a driving need for biblical truth to be accurately expounded with well-documented proof of any conclusions drawn. They do not merely transfer information; they teach to transform lives among the people of God, and to win the lost to faith in Christ. Let us now turn our focus to the qualities every Bible teacher should cultivate. 

 LESSON:

What are the Characteristics of the Gift of Teaching?

Typical Features of the Gift of Teaching

    1.  The Example of Luke.

One of the foremost teachers in the Bible is Luke. Just look at how he begins his Gospel account!

Luke 1:1-4, Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, [2] Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; [3] It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order,most excellent Theophilus, [4] That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

Does not Luke sound like a teacher?

           — He says of himself that he is an expert, that his understanding is “perfect,” and that his account will be orderly.

           — His desire is that Theophilus “know the certainty”—in other words, to know with exactness of detail.

           — Luke’s Gospel as well as the book of Acts are highly detailed accounts. They are intended to teach the truth with certainty that Jesus is the Christ.

    2.  The Instructions to Timothy.

1 Tim. 4:13, Till I come, give attendance to reading [reading of the Word of God and explaining the passage] to exhortation [a call for people to apply the Scriptures], to doctrine. [Systematically teaching the Word]

1 Tim. 5:17, Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word [Scripture Exposition] and doctrine [Systematic Teaching].

           — The harder a believer works in teaching God’s Word, the more honorable he/she is. 

           — It’s sad to realize that many teachers have been diverted away from the most important pursuit—teaching. 

           — They make a priority of the details of service and leave the main priority behind and unattended to.

    3.  The Skills of a Teacher.

Teaching was considered a highly valued profession in both Jewish and Greek circles. To be a teacher within the early church was also an exalted position—few were called teachers. A great responsibility was placed upon teachers to be accurate, wise, diligent in their research, and skilled in their ability to present information. Then as now, the gift of teaching was expected to display the following characteristics:

           A.  Concerned with Systematic Sequence. 

The gift of teaching includes great concern with a systematic sequence. Teachers seek to present material in a way that is easy for others to follow.

ILLUSTRATION:  Luke notes that he was writing an orderly account. Luke 1:1-3, Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration … It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order….

Obviously Luke was concerned with consecutive order. The teacher lays out his material so it all points toward specific themes, which taken together convey the main point.

APPLICATION:  A teacher must seek to be a good communicator. Too often teachers are content to present the facts as they have studied them, without making their subject matter of interest or application to their students. For true “learning” to occur, one must not only be a good researcher and organizer of information, but an effective communicator—a person who knows how to convey information in a way that will captivate the will and desire of those who hear him speak.

           B.  Concerned with Precise Meaning.  Luke 1:3,“. . . having had perfect understanding of all things . . . ”  The gift of teaching includes a concern with the accuracy of words and the use of language.

                  — A teacher is concerned with precise definitions and shades of meaning. A teacher can be irritating at times because he or she is always asking, “What do you mean by that? What does that mean to you?”

                  — He wants to hear and speak with accuracy.  2 Tim. 2:15, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

           C.  Concerned with Reporting Research. Luke 1: 2, a declaration . . . they delivered them . . . ministers of the word;   The gift of teaching includes a delight in researching and reporting as many details as possible.

ILLUSTRATION:  The Gospel of Luke contains more details about key events than any other Gospel. Luke sees meaning in details. The person gifted in teaching delights in his own study of a passage of Scripture or in his own research. He takes great joy in seeing meaning in factual details that may have been overlooked by others. Once this information has been acquired, the teacher longs to share everything he knows. At times that can be more information than others want or need to hear, but the teacher feels compelled to “teach all.”

No other Gospel writer tells us about the birth of Jesus as Luke tells us. Nearly three chapters of His Gospel are devoted to the birth of Jesus—he not only tells the story of Mary and Joseph, but also the stories of Zacharias and Elizabeth, and Simeon and Anna. He does not deal only with the facts of the story, but with dialog, monologue, and references to the Old Testament.

           D.  Concerned with Thorough Study.  (Ezra 7:10, 25; 1Tim. 4:6)

The gift of teaching includes a great interest in knowing as much as possible about a subject being studied.

                  1.  A Teacher Never Tires of Delving into a Chosen Area of Study, or Engaging in Multiple Studies with Increasing Depth over Time.

                                                    

                  2.  The Teacher Desires That All of the Information He Presents Is Accurate, Valid, and Verifiable.

ILLUSTRATION:  Traditional historical accounts tell us that Luke took several years to research his Gospel, talking to numerous people who had known Jesus personally.  Then his reporting continued into the Book of Acts as he declares the ministry of Christ continuing through the Apostles under the Holy Spirit’s administration. Acts 1:1-3, The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, [2] Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: [3] To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

         E. Concerned with Promoting Change!

Remember, the Bible is not to be studied as an end in itself, but as a revelation of God and His truth to us so that our thinking, our values, our habits, our actions, our words, and most of all, our very lives are changed. Change! That is the grand purpose of the Bible. Changing us so that we become more than the person we were yesterday, less like a fallen person and more like God.

God is not merely a safety net or a lifeboat. He isn’t just walking with us to rescue us from problems so that our lives will go smoother. He requires active participation from us. He demands our commitment, our allegiance, our worship, and our obedience. To do that, we need the power of the Word (Hebrews 4:12).

When we learn the true word and follow it,

•          hurting people are helped;

•          abused people are healed;

•          angry people are soothed;

•          depressed people are encouraged;

•          fearful people are given courage;

•          weak people are given strength;

•          confused people are given insight;

•          foolish people are given wisdom;

•          ignorant people are given knowledge;

•          selfish people are given generosity;

•          hateful people are given love;

•          doubting people are given faith;

•          aggressive people are given gentleness;

•          proud people are given humility.

It is not quick and it is not easy, but it is sure.

God’s Power to Execute the Teaching Ministry (Grace for Our Inadequacies)

    1.  Weigh Your Responsibilities Carefully.

It is important for every believer to weigh these matters about teaching responsibilities and characteristics very carefully. 

• James reminded the teachers of this extremely important fact.   James 3:1, says, “My brethren, be not many masters [teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”  The truth is that Teachers will be held in a more severe and stricter judgment than their students.      

• This may seem unfair, but yet it forces us to be careful and accurate in what the Lord calls us to do.  It gives us good reason to reflect upon our responsibilities as servants of God. 

• Once again we want to notice that next sentence in that same chapter gives another reason: “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” (Js. 3:2a).  

APPLICATION:  As Bible teachers we know that we make many mistakes; we stumble in so many ways and are largely misunderstood in too many things.  This kind of reflection can have a negative impact if we are not careful. 

    2.  Take The Teaching Challenge in Grace.

           A.  We Are Naturally Hesitant to Presume to Teach Others the Word. 

We see ourselves as being grossly inadequate for the task and therefore reluctant to respond to God’s calling upon our lives.

           B.  Teach in Faith and by God’s Grace.

However, it is evident in analyzing the lives of God’s leaders that this feeling of inadequacy is not a good reason for declining the job. After all, we are all sinners saved by grace before God.

                  — Who among us could claim that we have not blown it in many ways and in many different situations? If that is an adequate reason for not stepping up and taking the lead, no one would ever do so. 

                  — Remember God gives the motivational gift of teaching to His Bible instructors, therefore be one who labors in the Word of God with confidence in God’s grace to enable you to be fruitful in this ministry.

   3. Rely upon the Spirit’s Anointing Power.

When one is yielded to God and relies on the anointing of the Spirit wonderful things take place! There is progressive, personal sanctification that is manifested in the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23). There is the teaching of spiritual truths that can come only by the guidance and illumination of the Spirit (John 16:12–14).

• The deep things of God can only be known by those who rely upon the teaching ministry of the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:9, 10). The Spirit enables the teacher and believer to apply the truths of the Word of God to their particular situations. The Spirit also enables the teacher to properly worship and love God (John 4:24).
• In addition to all of the personal blessings derived from reliance upon the power of the Spirit, there are the blessings of the Spirit’s anointing in ministry to the local body of Christ. The natural and spiritual gifts one possesses for ministry are dependent upon the power of the Spirit if they are to be exercised effectively.
• Jesus likened the anointing of the Spirit to rivers of living water flowing from within the believer (Jn. 7:38). Rivers of living water speaks of divine energy, energy that enables the believer to serve God effectively. One may possess great spiritual gifts and yet not be used of God if there is not a reliance upon His power. On the other hand, one may have few gifts and yet be greatly used of God because of a reliance upon the anointing.
• Jesus taught us to rely upon the Spirit of God. With humility He said, “I can of mine own self do nothing” (John 5:30). He set an example for those who teach when He expressed His need for the power of the Spirit to sustain Him. We, too, are to rely upon the Spirit’s power and guidance so that we might accomplish the work He has for us.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, 1Cor 15:10, says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

All of the apostles had been called to that position “by the grace of God,” but Paul was without peer in his devotion (1Cor. 9:19-27). Only by God’s undeserved favor poured out upon repentant sinners was Paul saved and enabled to serve. And he certainly ministered with great energy and effectiveness! He had worked harder than any of the other apostles, as he traveled more, suffered more opposition, wrote more New Testament epistles, and founded more churches. This was not an arrogant boast because he knew that his hard work was a result of “the grace of God” that was “with” him. The history of Christianity confirms that his devotion was entirely effectual. Yet Paul knew and ministered with the recognition that it was not his power, but God’s (1Cor 2:4-5) which produced these outstanding results (1Cor 3:6).  Likewise, let us recognize that the same grace is available to us to teach God’s Word effectively and see other lives transformed by His mighty grace.

The Grace of God

1. There are those who regard themselves as simply the effects of natural causes.

2. Others are wont to attribute their character to social and civil influences, the times and institutions in which they live.

3. There are men of great individuality and power of character who are apt to attribute to their own selves the whole skill and efficiency of their life.

4. The truly Christian man is wont to combine all these as composing a Divine providence; and led by the Spirit of God to see his life and character in its relations to God’s superintending power and grace…. –The Biblical Illustrator