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A Teacher Come From God: The Mission

 

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with Him. (John 3:2)

 

Biblical teaching is empowered by divine agents. This means there are spiritual powers behind such teaching. It is not just the teaching of a man. The divine agents of Biblical teaching are God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

 

It is God who sets believers in the Church with the spiritual gift and office of teaching (Ephesians 4:11). In Biblical teaching the subject that is taught God's Word.

 

It is God the Father who sent Jesus Christ to earth to teach us about Himself and to provide salvation for all mankind:


For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
 

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)
 

JESUS CHRIST:


Jesus Christ, God's Son, is the greatest spiritual teacher of all times. Jesus was sent to earth by God the Father:


The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with Him. (John 3:2)


Since Jesus was sent to earth as a teacher representing God, He is the example for Biblical teachers to follow. Jesus is the one who sends believers to the world as teachers: As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (John 20:21)


And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth.


Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;


Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:18-20)


THE HOLY SPIRIT:


When Jesus returned to Heaven following His death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit was sent by God to be the resident teacher in believers. The Holy Spirit dwells within your spirit and teaches you the things of God:


But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

 

Additional functions of the Holy Spirit in teaching are revealed in the following passages. The Holy Spirit:
 

Gives instruction in "all things" Jesus taught (John 14:26).
Helps you remember what you learn (John 14:26).
Guides you into all truth (John 16:13).
Declares [announces] future events in God's plan (John 16:13).
Reveals the "deep things" of God (I Corinthians 2:10).
Is the wisdom behind Biblical teaching (I Corinthians 2:13).
Teaches you what to say in crisis situations (Luke 12:12).
Anoints you to teach and minister (Luke 4:18, I John 2:27).
Enables prayer for students (Romans 8:26).

 

The Holy Spirit is also at work in the lives of those you teach:
 

As you teach, the Holy Ghost is the spiritual power that convicts sinners and
causes them to respond to the Gospel message (John 16:7-11).
The Holy Spirit reveals the Lord Jesus Christ to them (John 16:14).
The Holy Spirit leads them into the "born again" experience (John 3:5,6,8).
He will lead them to life in the Spirit instead of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
He will witness to their hearts the truths of God's Word (Acts 5:29-32).

 

THE MASTER TEACHER


Jesus is the example for Christian teachers to follow. He is the model for Biblical teaching. Because of this, it is important to learn all you can about Him as a teacher. First, let us look at qualities in the life of Jesus that should be evident in the lives of Christian teachers:


FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:


The "fruit" of the Holy Spirit was evident in the life of Jesus. Spiritual "fruit" refers to the positive qualities the Holy Spirit wants to develop in the lives of all believers:


...The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)


Read through the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and note how each of these qualities were evident in the life of Jesus. Each "Spirit filled" teacher of God's Word should also have these same qualities. It is spiritual fruit, not gifts, that are the true test of ministry:

 

And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? (Matthew 12:23)


ATTITUDES OF JESUS:


In addition to spiritual fruit, Jesus also was a model of proper attitudes that should be evident in the lives of teachers of God's Word. The following Scriptures illustrate these attitudes:


-Jesus had great compassion for people and their needs: Matthew 15:32; Mark 1:32-35; 8:2-3; Luke 10:54-56; 19:41


-This compassion led Him to intercession for those He taught: Matthew 11:21-24; 23:37-39
 

-This resulted in concern for the Father's business: Luke 2:49; 4:43; John 4:34; 9:4
 

-Jesus had an attitude of no condemnation towards those He taught: (Mark 2:17; John 8:1-11). He accepted people where they were and then led them to the level of faith where they should be. He did not condemn Thomas when He doubted (John 20:24-29). He did not condemn the ruler who felt it necessary that Jesus come to his house to pray for his daughter (Matthew 9:18-26) although it had already been shown this was not necessary (Matthew 8:5-13).


-Although Jesus did not condemn, He was uncompromising with sin. This means He did not in any way approve of it or overlook it: Matthew 11:21-24; 15:3-9; 12:12-13; Mark 10:17; Luke 5:31-32; 19:45-46
 

-Jesus demonstrated a trust in God for the impossible: Mark 10:17; 11:22-24; Luke 18:27
 

-He demonstrated boldness and authority in His teaching: Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 8:38; 11:24-33; Luke 5:24
 

-Most important, He had a servant's attitude toward those to whom He ministered: Matthew 20:25-28; 23:2-12; Mark 10:42-45; Luke 22:25-27

 

THE MISSION OF THE MASTER
When we speak of the "mission" of Jesus, we refer to the following:
Why Jesus taught.
When and where He taught.
Who He taught.
What He taught.
How He taught.

 

Let us examine why, when, where, and who Jesus taught. Following chapters will focus on the message [what] and methods [how] of His mission.


WHY HE TAUGHT:
 

Jesus taught because He was commissioned by God to do so. The mission [reason or purpose] of Jesus is summarized in the following Scriptures:
 

Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17)
 

I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Matthew 9:13)
 

Think not that I am come to send peace on the earth: I come not to send peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34)
 

(Jesus meant His message would cause division; some would accept it and some would not.) I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 15:24)
 

For the Son of Man is come to save that which is lost. (Matthew 18:11)
(See also Luke 19:10).

 

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Mark 2:17)
 

Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for therefore I came forth. (Mark 1:38)
 

For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them... (Luke 9:56)
 

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
 

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
 

And ye are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:46-48)
 

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work. (John 4:34)

 

For I came down from Heaven not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me. (John 6:38)


...To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth... (John 18:37)


I am come a light unto the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. (John 12:46)


I speak that which I have seen with my Father... (John 8:38)


...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)


WHEN AND WHERE HE TAUGHT:


Jesus taught on the Sabbath Day:


And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught. (Mark 1:21) (See also Luke 4:31; 6:6; 13:10).


Jesus taught daily:


And He taught daily in the temple... (Luke 19:47)


He taught in cities and villages:


Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for therefore I came forth. (Mark 1:38)


And Jesus went about all the cities and villages teaching... (Matthew 9:35) (See also Matthew 11:1; Mark 1:38; 6:6; Luke 13:22).


He taught in the centers of religious worship:


And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues... (Matthew 4:23) (See also Matthew 13:54; Mark 1:21; 6:2; Luke 4:15; 6:6; 13:10; John 6:59; 18:20).


And when He was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto Him as He was teaching... (Matthew 21:23)


(See also Matthew 26:55; Mark 12:35; 14:49; Luke 19:47; 20:21; 21:37; John 7:14,28; 8:2,20).

 

 

He taught anywhere and everywhere:


And He went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto Him, and He taught them. (Mark 2:13) (See also Mark 4:1; 10:1; Luke 5:3).


WHO HE TAUGHT:


Jesus taught crowds of people:


And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain... And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying... (Matthew 5:1-2)

 

Jesus taught individuals:

 

See John 3 and 4 for references on the ministry of Jesus to individuals.

 

Jesus taught men and women in all levels of society:


-He taught the rich: Mark 10:17-22
-He taught the poor: Luke 4:18
-He taught all levels of society: The Samaritan woman was of a lower class (John 4). Nicodemus was a ruler and a member of the upper class (John 3).


-He taught those of His own race:


I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 15:24)


...teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. (Luke 23:5)


-He taught those of other races. See John 4 where Jesus taught the Samaritan woman.
 

-He taught religious leaders:


And it came to pass on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. (Luke 5:17)


-He taught all ages: He taught young rulers (Mark 10:17-22) and a man who had waited 38 years for a miracle (John 5:1-16).


-His teaching mission was to the whole world, people from every culture, tribe, and tongue:
And He said unto them, I must preach the Kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. (Luke 4:43)


Jesus gave special teaching to His disciples:


And He thought them many things by parables, and said unto them in His doctrine. (Mark 4:2)


Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and His disciples came unto Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. (Matthew 13:36)


Jesus taught special lessons to His disciples because they were the men He was training for leadership in the Church.

 

Sometimes Jesus combined groups and taught them together: See Luke 15:1-17:11.


"SO SEND I YOU"


Jesus made an important statement concerning His followers which applies to all true believers. He said...


As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (John 20:21)


This means believers are sent into the world with the same mission as Jesus. Like Jesus, we are teachers "come from God".

 

 

We can briefly summarize our mission in teaching by this statement:

 

As the Father sent Jesus, so are we sent to accomplish similar purposes. His mission is our mission. Since we have the same mission as Jesus, we should follow His example in who, where, and when we teach. Our mission is to all people, anywhere, anytime. We must also allow God to develop spiritual qualities in our lives like those of Jesus. Review this lesson concerning the mission of Jesus. As you do, remember that you are sent to a lost world with a similar mission.

 

 

FOR FURTHER STUDY


Study the following references for further study on the ministry of Jesus to crowds:


Matthew: 5:1-2; 7:28-29; 8:1-2 [individual in midst of multitude]; 8:16-17,34; 9:1-8,36-38; 11:7; 13:1-9; 14:13-23; 15:30-39; 17:14; 19:2; 20:29-34; 21:8-11; 22:23; 26:47
 

Mark: 1:33-35,45; 2:1-5,7-15,20-21,32-35; 4:1-36; 5:14-17,21-43; 6:2-5,33-46,55-56; 7:24,31-37; 8:1-9; 9:14-27; 10:1,46-52; 11:8-10; 14:43-52; 15:8


Luke: 2:45-52; 4:16-30,40-44; 5:1,15-16,18-26; 6:17-7:1; 7:11-18; 8:1,37,40,56; 9:12-18,37; 12:1; 13:11-17; 18:35-43; 19:1-10,36-40; 22:47; 23:1


John: 2:1-11; 4:39-42; 5:1,13; 6:5-15,22; 7:40; 8:1-9; 12:9,12-13
 

Study the following references for further study on the ministry of Jesus to individuals:
Matthew: Chapter 8 (leper, servant, Peter's mother-in-law, a scribe); Chapter 9 (a man sick of palsy, diseased woman, child); 12:9-13 (a man with a withered hand); 12:22 (demon possessed); 15:21-28 (woman with demon-possessed daughter); 17:17-18 (a man with demon-possessed son); 19:16-22 (rich young man); 22:34-40 (a lawyer); 26:6-13 (woman with ointment).

 

Mark: 1:23-26 (man in synagogue with unclean spirit); 1:40-45 (leper); 5:1-20 ("Legion"); 8:22-26 (blind man); 10:46-52 (blind Bartimaeus).


Luke: 7:11-17 (dead man); 8:2 (Mary Magdalene); 9:57-62 (individuals who would be disciples); 10:25-37 (a lawyer); 10:38-42 (Martha); 12:13-15 (a brother concerned about inheritance); 13:10-17 (woman with spirit of infirmity); 13:23-30 (unidentified questioner); 14:1-6 (man with dropsy); 19:1-10 (Zacchaeus).


John: 1:47-51 (Nathanael); Chapter 3 (Nicodemus); 4:4-42 (Samaritan woman); 5:1-16 (lame man at Bethesda); 8:1-11 (woman caught in adultery); Chapter 9 (man blind from birth); Chapter 11 (Lazarus, Martha); 13:1-10; 21:15-25 (Peter); 19:25-27 (His mother); 20:11-18 (Mary); 20:24- 29 (Thomas).
 

3. Jesus is called "teacher" 48 times in the Gospels. Find and mark these references in your Bible.
 

We come not with great speech or intellect;
We emphasize Christ and His cross;
We rely not upon human wisdom, but upon the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit.


For mature believers we speak spiritual wisdom that has been revealed by God.


-The Spirit unveils things that never occurred to natural man
-He shares the deepest truths of God
-Only He understands the thoughts of God
-He gives insight into God’s grace


We set forth these spiritual truths in words that the Spirit teaches;
We appreciate them by spiritual insight;
We have the thoughts of Christ;
We are mere servants to whom the Lord has given a task;

 

Some of us plant, some water but God gives the growth;
 

We are nothing in ourselves, compared with God who gives the growth.
Those who plant and water are one in aim yet each gets his own reward according to his work.

 

We are God's fellow workers; you are His field, His house according to God's
commission.


One is the architect who lays the foundation (Christ), while another builds upon it.


Each one must be careful how he builds the judgment day will test by fire each man's work; if his work stands the test he receives his reward.


We are God's temple where the Spirit has His permanent home.


The world's wisdom is foolishness with God; we cannot boast of men but everything [spiritual] belongs to you in Christ, in God we are servants of Christ and stewards of God's truths, who must prove worthy of the trust . . our only judge is God Himself who will expose secret motives and give praise accordingly all we have is a gift from God which excludes boasting.