April 2010

"My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." James 3:1-2

     Teaching the Word of God is an awesome and great responsibility, this is because when we stand to teach God's Word, than we should be teaching the Word of God correctly. For if we do not teach the Word of God correctly, then we are leading people astray, and we will have to bear this responsibility. This is why it is a heavy obligation to be a teacher of God's Word, and not to be taken lightly because teachers of God's Word have to give an account before God of how straight forward they were in handling His Word.

So this past month I had been doing a lot of praying about teaching and seeking the Lord on His time table. Well, when you pray you gotta be careful what you pray for. Recently I had these several opportunities:

Got to teach at PV High School on Luke 16:19-31 (No Crossing Over)

"...Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us." v26

Got to do an outreach with the students on PV High School

Got to teach at Chico High School on Matthew 19:16-26 (Jesus Witness to the Rich Young Ruler)

"...No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." v17

"...With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." v26

Got to teach at a Churches High School Art Show on Romans 12:1-21 (Spiritual Gifts for Christians)

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." v1-2

Got to teach at Jesus Center on Matthew 5:13-37 (Christ Fulfills the Law & Looks at the Heart)

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire."  v21-22

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. v27-28

"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne." v33-34

Got to teach at a Churches High School Service on Matthew 5:1-12 (The Beatitudes & Our Attitudes)

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled." v6

Got to teach at a Churches High School Service on Matthew 5:13-20 (Salt and Light)

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." v16

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." v17

     Recently I also completed my course work with the School Dimensions of the Faith at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary online, and enjoyed learning more about theology, and missions, and evangelism. A phrase that Chuck Smith often says is: "Simply Teaching the Bible Simply", which should be the aim of every Bible teacher. Remember a teacher is one who teaches concerning the things of God, and His Holy Word and in an every increasing world of false teachers who claim to be Christians. This greater accountability of teachers is especially sobering in light of our common weaknesses, however the demonstration of a living faith is in controlling what we say, and how we say it. 

"... For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more." Luke 12:48

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 

Here we can see the purposes of teaching through the Bible:

•  That we might have the correct systematic understanding of God, Jesus the Messiah, the Holy Spirit, man, sin, the plan of redemption, the hope of our heavenly future.
•  That we might know how God would have us to live. To reprove us when we go astray from His straight path.
•  To correct us when we are wrong, or do wrong.
•  To instruct us in the right way to live. How to live so that our lives might be pleasing to God, and that we might live in fellowship with Him.
•  That we might come into a spiritual maturity.
•  That we might become thoroughly furnished for every good work.
•  That we might become equipped to be all that God would have us to be.
•  The Word of God in our hearts will give us power over sin. "Thy Word, have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee."

     I want to encourage and challenge you to make sure that your life is lined up with the Bible. People are going to see how real Christians live. God will use that to intrigue people’s hearts with the truths of His Word. Soak your mind with the Word of God, obey what it says, and proclaim it from the rooftops everywhere that you go!

Seek and save that which is lost and press on in Love,
Tim Molter