October 23, 2013

Teaching Questions

Jesus as a Boy in the Temple

In our last article, we looked at some good questions asked of a teacher that related to spiritual things. However, not all questions are asked by those needing information. Sometimes questions are asked by a teacher as a way to challenge his audience. Notice the example of Jesus when He was a young boy:

“Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers” (Luke 2:46-47).

Jesus was God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14). He was not asking questions because He lacked understanding and was seeking instruction. He asked questions as a way to teach. The understanding and answers He imparted while His flesh and blood body was just twelve years old amazed those who heard Him.

This was not the only time Jesus employed this method of teaching. In this article, we will notice just a few examples in the Scriptures of questions that were asked by teachers as a way to lead their hearers to the truth.
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August 12, 2013

Making Wise Investments (Part 4): The Great Gain of Godliness

Making Wise Investments (Part 4): The Great Gain of Godliness

Why do we serve God? Different people will have different answers to that question. Yet not all of them will have the right motivation. Some are motivated by material gain – a better life now. We sometimes use the term “health and wealth gospel” to refer to the message that is tailored to this group’s desires. Others are motivated by spiritual gain – a better life in eternity. Many are motivated by a combination of the two. In this lesson, we will consider Paul’s words to Timothy in which he warned of the danger of being motivated by material gain and he explained what is the great gain of godliness.

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment” (1 Timothy 6:6).

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December 28, 2012

Maintaining Purity in the Midst of Persecution (12/28)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Revelation 1-5.

Occasionally brethren will speak of the alleged “benefits” of persecution. One such “benefit” is that Christians focus less on doctrinal errors and combating false teachers because of the extra attention that needs to be paid to the persecutions and encouraging the brethren to withstand them.

However, if we notice the letter to the church in Pergamum, we will see that persecution does not give Christians permission to ignore or tolerate error.

“I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth” (Revelation 2:13-16).

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December 25, 2012

False Prophets and Teachers (12/25)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Peter 1-3; Jude 1.

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves” (2 Peter 2:1).

Peter warned that the existence of false teachers would be a certainty among God’s people. He did not say there might be false teachers. He said there will be false teachers, just as there were false prophets in times past.

But what is a false teacher? Brethren sometimes differ on the definition. Some believe that one’s status as a false teacher is dependent upon him having corrupt motives. Yet the context helps us to determine who should be described as a false teacher. In fact, the two preceding verses give us the key, though we may sometimes fail to make the connection because of the man-made chapter divisions. Though there is a chapter break, the context is the same. We can learn what a false teacher is by noting the contrast between a false prophet and a true prophet.
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December 12, 2012

“Be On The Alert” (12/12)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Acts 20:4-23:35.

When Paul met with the Ephesian elders in Miletus, he warned them of the dangers that would be coming in the future.

“I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears” (Acts 20:29-31).

Paul said that the dangers facing the church would come from two sources:
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December 11, 2012

Deceiving the Hearts of the Unsuspecting (12/11)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Romans 14-16.

Too many Christians are content to ignore the threat of false teachers. They naively assume the best of their brethren at all times, not wanting to believe that a fellow Christian could ever lead them away from the Lord. But if we notice Paul’s warning to the saints in Rome, we will see that this type of attitude puts one in danger of being led astray by false teachers.

“Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting” (Romans 16:17-18).

False teachers are to be marked (KJV) so that we know who they are. This is not popular in a society that values political correctness and religious ecumenism at all costs. Yet this is vitally important for our spiritual survival. Notice some of the things that false teachers do to those who are persuaded by them:
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December 6, 2012

Disguised as Servants of Righteousness (12/6)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Corinthians 10-13.

Paul warned the brethren in Corinth about the dangerous influence of false teachers. His warning is just as appropriate for us today.

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

False teachers will always exist, and we must be on the alert against them. But we should not think that false teachers will be immediately apparent as such. No false teacher is going to inform you that what he is teaching is not true. He will present his message as though it is the truth. He will disguise himself as a servant of righteousness.
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