Weekend Sermon -- Jesus Is The Teacher

      Welcome to this week's sermon. I am glad to be posting the message, and I thank you for taking the time to read the sermon. I just wanted to thank the Lord and report that I am feeling somewhat better this week. 

     As I am sure you are aware if you've been reading the blog this year, we have been in an extended teaching on the names and titles of Jesus found throughout the Bible. We have a few more messages on this subject. Today, I want us to focus on the fact that Jesus was referred to as teacher, and He called Himself teacher. 

     Jesus called Himself teacher in Matthew 23:10 that states, "And do not be called teachers, for one is your teacher, the Christ." Jesus is The Teacher. We are to listen to what He says not what others say. 

     Jesus was called a teacher by others in the Bible. One of these notable times was when He was approached by Nicodemus during the night. In John 3, Nicodemus says to Jesus that the people knew the Jesus was a teacher sent from God. 

     Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is recorded as teaching the people and His disciples. In the passage containing the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7, it says that Jesus sat down and taught the people. We also see that the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and Jesus gave them the Lord's Prayer as a prayer in and of itself and as a model to use for prayer. Jesus also taught the people using parables and stories that are recorded in all the Gospels. Furthermore, Jesus taught His disciples extensively. One of Jesus' extended teaching sessions with His disciples is recorded in John 13-16.

     So, what does it mean for us that Jesus is the teacher? The primary meaning that this title has for me is that Jesus has the words of life that all of us need to follow. If a person wants to know how to be forgiven of sins and receive salvation, that person needs to listen to the teachings of Jesus. Those of us who have come to faith in Jesus especially need to follow Jesus as our teacher. 

     Being a Christian means following Jesus's teachings and commandments. During His time on this earth, Jesus provided teaching and instruction to us in two different ways. He demonstrated through His actions how we are supposed to live in this world. We are to do the things that Jesus did while He was here ministering to the people. 

     As Christians, we demonstrate the reality of our faith when we follow the teachings of Jesus and put them into practice in our daily lives. Sadly, many people don't want to follow Jesus because they see so many people who say they are Christians yet they do not follow the plain teachings of Jesus Christ. 

     Jesus told us clearly what He expects His followers to do. He clearly outlined His values and way of living in the Sermon on the Mount, the Sermon on the Plain and in the Upper Room Discourse. I urge to read these core teachings of Jesus and let them sink deep down into your spirit. Make them a part of your life. If all of those who name the name of Jesus would follow His teachings, this world would be a very different place. 

     One of Jesus' teachings that this world could definitely use right now is the Golden Rule telling us to do unto others as we would have done to us. If we would all listen and learn to treat others in the same way that we would want to be treated, what a different place the world would be. 

     Jesus is the teacher, and He has called us to share His teachings with others. Part of the Great Commission tells us to preach the Gospel and to teach others all of the things that Jesus commanded.

     Jesus is the teacher. He is Lord. He is God. He is Savior. He is the Light of the World. I invite you to give your life to Jesus if you have never come to Him in repentance and faith. Amen.

Prayer Requests

     Please be in prayer regarding the situation in Israel. This is a horrible situation. Pray for peace. Pray that those taken hostage will be set free. Pray that God will comfort those who mourn. 

     Continue to pray for peace in other places where war rages. Peace needs to come to Ukraine, Syria and Yemen among other places. 

     Pray for Morocco, Afghanistan and Libya as those nations are overcoming natural disasters.

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     I would ask that you continue to pray that my health will improve. I am doing better. 

     Next week, we will continue with our current series. I will post the verses on Monday. May God bless you all.