Tag: teaching

32.f. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few”

 

Matthew 9:35  And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

 Acts 2:22   “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—

As Jesus encountered the depth of human need He was moved with compassion for them. He spent His time teaching and healing. Jesus here described what man is apart from God; that we are like sheep having no shepherd. This means that we are in a lot of trouble until we come under the care of our Shepherd. Being without a shepherd was worse than being under Roman bondage. The people had people who claimed to be spiritual leaders, scribes, priests, and Pharisees. For all their work and piety, these proclaimed spiritual leaders offered nothing that would guide a person into a right relationship with God. Jesus said these leaders do not attend to their flock nor do they harvest ripe fruit and allow it to go to waste. 

 “Pretenders were many, but real ‘laborers’ in the harvest were few…Man-made ministers are useless. Still, are the fields encumbered with people who cannot use the sickle. Still, the real gospel teaching men are few and far between. Where are the instructive, soul-winning ministries?” (Spurgeon)

How many preachers, teachers, and leaders go about their vocation proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ without compassion for the lost souls of men. Oh, they may have started out this way but have since turned this holy ministry of the Kingdom of God into seeking more money, recognition, and honor for themselves. They have turned from compassion for lost souls to lusts of the flesh, having a form of godliness but have become blind to the author and finisher Jesus Christ who rightly deserves all honor and glory. These teachers, preachers, and leaders may have lost their pure compassion for lost souls. It has become diluted or traded in for human and worldly ideals. The thing is, God’s Word does not return void. Though these people teach with hearts and minds divided amongst godly and worldly, God’s Word is still able to reach lost souls. God’s Word should never profit man in ways other than that which will honor and glorify Jesus Christ. In the blessings of forgiveness, redemption, salvation, healing, peace, joy, courage, strength, and love from Jesus Christ we surely benefit while on this side of eternity. However, all of these benefits are for His honor and glory. 

Pray for teachers, preachers, and laborers who are willed with the continued presence of the Holy Spirit and with their hearts, mind, and souls focused and consumed on honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ. Bind temptations of this world from affecting their ministries. Protect them from everything that will draw them away from this holy honor to honor and glorify Jesus Christ.

31.v. “And they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.”

 

Matthew 7:28  And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

 Mark 1:22    And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

 Mark 6:2     And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?

 Luke 4:22    And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”

 Luke 4:32   and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.

 John 7:46     The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!”

 His audience could not but notice that Jesus taught with an authority lacking in the other teachers in His day, who often only quoted other rabbis. Jesus spoke with inherent authority, and the authority of God’s revealed Word.  “Two things surprised them: the substance of his teaching, and the manner of it. They had never heard such doctrine before; the precepts which he had given were quite new to their thoughts. But their main astonishment was at his manner: there was a certainty, a power, a weight about it, such as they had never seen.” (Spurgeon)

We often hear people quote other people to make a point supporting their point. These are published people who we may know by name or they come from a peer-reviewed published paper. We give these people some sort of higher position because of their understanding and knowledge in their field of expertise.  I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong with this if it is understood that these people, though they may have very high IQ or wealth, they are just people who speak from a worldly, temporary position.  Jesus spoke of the heavenly and Godly.  He spoke with authority, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. And yet, we read His words and give them little thought. We read it without meditating on it. We read it like we are reading a newspaper or magazine. There is deep wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in His Word. If we were to study it for a thousand lifetimes we would just begin to scratch the surface of its holiness.  Blessed is the one who takes to heart God’s Word both in thought and practice.

30. n. “They followed him, and he welcomed them”

 

 

Matthew 4:23  And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

 Psalms 103:3   who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

 Luke 4:40-41   Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.

 Luke 9:11   When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.

Healing by Jesus was an act of mercy, demonstration of His power over creation, and a revelation of who Jesus is. I can’t imagine what it must have been like not only for the person being healed but also for those who brought their loved ones to Jesus for healing. Deaf able to hear, blind able to see, cripples able to walk, and lepers cleansed marked the authentic power, might, mercy, and love of Jesus. I am not sure what the medical capabilities were like back then, but for sure they did not need a medical Dr to tell them they were incurable.  Today we have all kinds of medical science that are able to do all kinds of healing.  Not for everything but certainly quite a bit of what affects people every day. I wonder if medical science advancements have taken the place of Jesus. I am not saying or indicating that medical science and procedures should not be utilized – that would be foolish. I just wonder if people just put more trust in it than in Jesus Christ. Can Jesus still heal? Has all healing been given over to Medical science? God has allowed and granted advancements in medical science and procedures. God has given people special gifts to understand and advance medical science and procedures for many sicknesses and ailments.  It is God we should be ever thanking for allowing this understanding and medical wisdom. It would not be known if God had not granted it and allowed it to be known. Having the medical science, understanding, and wisdom does not mean for a second God should be cast aside and all trust put into human hands. God is the author and finisher of all there is and all there will ever be. It is in Him we should place our trust and reliance. It is when we face a medical issue and come before God with humbleness saying, “God I trust you, I trust you have control over this issue, I trust the Dr. you have led me to, I trust the outcome whatever it is because I TRUST YOU. 

29.f. ” See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit”

 

Colossians 2:2  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

 Romans 11:33    Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

 2 Timothy 3:15-17   and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

 1 Corinthians 2:6-7   Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.  But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.

 Matthew 10:26   “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

 Ephesians 3:9    and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,

 Colossians 2:8   See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11   The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,  and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,

For Paul, real riches were found in the believer’s full assurance. Many lack full assurance about the character of God and are unconvinced that He is really good and loving. Others lack full assurance of their salvation and wonder if their Christian life is for real. Great freedom and confidence comes when we come to this full assurance.  “You will only find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Jesus. He has them all.” It’s not wrong to seek after wisdom and knowledge; but we must seek it all in Jesus. Real wisdom is not hidden in secret books, but deposited in Jesus Christ so that all can access it. When Paul describes the truth of God with words like riches and treasures, he reminds us that God’s truth is precious and worthy of sacrificial seeking. (Guzik) 

It might sound simple, but deceivers are deceivers. They won’t announce their false doctrine as false doctrine, and it will often be similar enough to the truth to be dangerous. Combining The Word of God with worldly knowledge and wisdom will never end well.  Dilution of God’s Word will never lead us into deeper understanding, knowledge, and wisdom.  On the contrary, it will confuse, weaken, and leave us unsatisfied.  We never obtain complete wisdom, knowledge, and understanding but we certainly will grow and mature in it for our entire lives.  Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, we will mature if we are diligent in our intentional choice to humbly seek, surrender, obey, follow, trust, and rely on and in Jesus Christ, the mystery of God to man.

29.d. “A secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory”

 

Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

 1 Corinthians 2:7    But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.

 Ephesians 3:3-10   how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.  When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,  which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.  This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

 Jeremiah 6:10    To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.

 Jeremiah 3:15   “‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

 1 Corinthians 2:6    Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.

In the Biblical sense, a mystery is not a riddle. It is a truth that can only be known by revelation and not by intuition. Now it can be known because it now has been revealed to His saints. There are aspects to God’s plan that were not clearly revealed until Jesus Christ. The mystery of salvation for all who would believe and trust in and rely on Jesus Christ. The mystery of God’s grace, mercy, and love reaching out to all mankind.  The mystery of the new birth and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The mystery of hope, joy, peace, courage, love, gentleness, kindness, patience, in all things at all times through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our hearts ought to overflow with thankfulness and our lives are lived in such a way that in all things Jesus Christ is honored and glorified.

27.q. “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions”

Ephesians 4:14  so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

 Acts 20:30-31   and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

 Romans 16:17-18    I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.  For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

 Colossians 2:4    I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

 Colossians 2:8  See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

 1 John 2:26     I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

 2 Thessalonians 2:2-5   not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.  Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

 1 John 4:1    Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

 2 Timothy 4:3   For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

Once people leave the Word of God they often then embrace fantastic fantasies. When a man rejects God’s truth, it isn’t that he believes in nothing; he will believe in anything. Their ears crave it. Their hearts feed on it. Their minds believe it.  

Philosophy threatening us Christians is dangerous because it is not obviously sinful. It is high-sounding and seems highly intelligent. Vain speculation replaces God’s truth. Deception and false direction pulls and takes captive those who are not rooted, watered, and growing (maturing) in the Word of God and their understanding and knowledge of Him. Paul is warning them about people who would come and speak charismatically about vain things that seem plausible because of the way they are presented, but in truth, it dilutes the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We have to be mindful of our innate desire to chase after worldly and fleshly stuff rather than the spiritual living water and bread of life found in Jesus Christ alone. As we grow in the knowledge and understanding of God’s grace, mercy, and love the things of this world become less important.  Our hearts and minds daily continue to be filled to overflowing with more light, wisdom, discernment in what is God-honoring and glorifying and what is not.  A shallow commitment leads to neglect.  There will be no growth in our lives.  In fact, there will be just the opposite.  Once there is no desire for growth – a withering and shrinking decline takes place and tossing to and fro from every wind of doctrine takes root.  

We are given the fullness of the Holy Spirit when we were born again.  We are given free will to choose to listen, follow, and obey its leading.  When we intentionally choose to desire more understanding and knowledge of God and what it means to live in such a way that honors and glorifies Him alone in all we say and do, then and only then will we display the peace, hope, and joy that only comes in and through Jesus Christ.

26.d. “For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own”

 

 

Galatians 1:6  I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

 Mark 6:6     And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

 Psalms 106:13    But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel.

 Isaiah 29:13     And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,

 Jeremiah 2:12-13     Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD,  for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.

 Romans 10:3   For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

 1 Peter 1:15     but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

 2 Peter 1:3    His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

Someone brought this false gospel to the Galatians. False gospels don’t just happen. People bring them, and the people who bring them may be sincere and have a lot of charisma.  It is not as though these deceivers make are proclaiming a new or different Savior.  They twist the Gospel and its pure message into something different and that seems true. 

The gospel offends our sinful nature of self-pride. It tells us we need a savior, and that we cannot save ourselves. It gives no credit to us at all for our salvation. The gospel offends our sinful nature of self-wisdom. It saves us by something many consider foolish. Third, the gospel offends our sinful self-knowledge. It tells us to believe something which goes against scientific knowledge and personal experience.

There is so much more to being a Christian than knowing about God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Knowing about something does not mean you believe in it, you just know about it.  There is a big difference.  When the gospel of Jesus Christ is watered down and diluted to the point where you can think that by doing something other than believing in, trusting on, clinging to, and relying on Jesus Christ alone, you are ignorant of the righteousness of God, and will seek to establish their own, not submitting to God’s righteousness.

25.u. “For many deceivers have gone out into the world”

 

2 Corinthians 11:13  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

 Acts 20:30    and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

 2 John 1:7-11    For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.  Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.  Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,  for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

 Jeremiah 23:14-15   But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah.”  Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: “Behold, I will feed them with bitter food and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all the land.”

It is so easy for all people, including Christians, to be taken in by image, charisma, and outward appearances. Many will only recognize evil if it is openly and unanimously declared as evil. Why is this?  Sometimes I wonder if it is more because of our itching ears wanting it this way.  We want our pastor to be one of influence, great in clarity of speech, and proclaiming insights we never knew.  We don’t want to diligently search scripture to know and understand – discern – the Word of God through the leading and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.  We want to be spoon-fed with what our pastor has to say about scripture.  We don’t spend time reading and studying God’s Word with a desire to have God give us wisdom in understanding and applying it. The Word of God was not given to pastors only.  God has given us His Word so that we can know Him more and more and live more and more in ways that truly honor and glorify Him.  Do we think that being spoon-fed a few select scriptures once per week will fill us?  Do we think being spoon-fed once per week we will have any chance of discerning what is right and wrong, true and false, good and bad in the sight of God?   This lack of desire to know and study God’s Word leaves us open to embracing lies and deceptions of Satan himself, who transforms himself into an angel of light. If Satan were to appear before a human audience, he would be regarded as an angel of light. Those who can discern it look at those who cannot and wonder with amazement at how easily they have been deceived.

“It is generally said that Satan has three forms under which he tempts men: 1. The subtle serpent. 2. The roaring lion. 3. The angel of light. He often, as the angel of light, persuades men to do things under the name of religion, which is disruptive, destructive, and disloyal of things of God. As a roaring lion, the horrors of all kinds of twisted persecutions and atrocities occur.  As the subtle serpent, he frequently and easily deceives us so that that which is right is called wrong and that which is wrong is called right.  He appeals to the weak and strong, learned and unlearned, wise and foolish, proud and humble, rich and poor.  He temps us all when we least expect it.  Why does God’s Word tell us to be diligent, resist, stand firm, and remain faithful?  It is because of the lies and deceptions of the father of all lies and deceit. How are we to know and discern that which is true and false, right and wrong, good and bad if the Word of God is not desired in our lives more than being spoon-fed once per week? Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

21.k. “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction,”

 

 

Romans 15:4  For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 1 Corinthians 10:11    Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction,

 2 Timothy 3:16-17    All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

 2 Peter 1:20-21    knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.  For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

 Hebrews 6:11-12   And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end,  so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The Word of God teaches us that there will be trials, troubles, uncertainties, testings, and things that hurt us physically as well as emotionally.  Why else would scripture tell us that God is our Rock, ever-present in times of trouble, He is our refuge, In Him we find strength, Come to me all who are heavy laden with burdens and I will give you peace, all things work together for good for those called according to His purpose, Stand fast, be strong, etc…..? 

For those who trust in, cling to, and rely on Jesus Christ – faith and hope mature.  When we face trials, troubles, and uncertainties, is when scripture seems to have more meaning and where God’s power, might, strength, control, grace, mercy, and love is more relied upon, and where we find hope, peace, and rest for our souls.  Things do not happen by chance.  God is in control.  And, though we do not know why something has happened or how it will end, we find a peace that passes all understanding.  Faith and hope are what sustain us (those who believe in, rely on, trust in, and cling to Jesus Christ), and give us the courage and endurance.  

We do not have to look very far into our present world to understand the hearts, minds, and souls of those who do not have faith or hope.  In the absence of faith and hope they fall into despair, hopelessness, worry, fear, confusion, anxiousness, hate, etc….. There is no place for God in their lives and in the absence of God in their lives, there is no refuge, hope, peace, joy, assurance, strength, and confidence.  They are left alone and without hope to face the trials and troubles that are experienced by all of mankind.   

There is one God and in Him alone will we find true peace and rest for our hearts, minds, and souls, through faith and hope, in Him alone.