The Weighty Call of Teaching God's Word

Devotional

Day 1: The Divine Calling of Preaching

Preaching is a sacred task that transcends mere human effort, requiring a divine calling and equipping from God. It is not simply about delivering a message or sharing knowledge; it is a supernatural endeavor that involves the spiritual realm and the eternal destiny of souls. Those who are called to preach must recognize the weight of this responsibility and seek God's guidance and empowerment. This calling is not for everyone, and it is essential to discern whether one is truly called by God to undertake this sacred duty. [09:33]

"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a time when you felt a strong sense of calling or purpose. How did you discern that it was from God, and what steps did you take to pursue it?

Day 2: The Accountability of Teaching

Teaching God's Word comes with a significant level of accountability, as highlighted in James 3:1, which warns that teachers will be judged more strictly. This underscores the gravity of the task and the need for those who teach to be genuinely called and equipped by God. It is a reminder that on Judgment Day, teachers will be held to a higher standard, and they must approach their role with humility and a deep sense of responsibility. Those who feel called to teach must engage in soul-searching and discernment to ensure they are truly prepared for this ministry. [19:03]

"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." (James 3:1, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current responsibilities. How can you ensure that you are fulfilling them with integrity and accountability, knowing that you will one day give an account to God?

Day 3: Commitment to Sound Doctrine

Teachers of God's Word must be diligent in their study of Scripture, ensuring they rightly divide the Word of Truth. This involves a commitment to understanding the Bible in its entirety, allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, and avoiding the pitfalls of personal opinion or inadequate preparation. It is essential to maintain orthodoxy and sound doctrine, as this forms the foundation of effective teaching and preaching. Teachers must continually seek to deepen their understanding of God's Word and remain faithful to its truths. [22:15]

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a specific area of Scripture that you find challenging to understand. What steps can you take this week to study and gain a deeper understanding of this passage?

Day 4: Teaching with Integrity

Teaching with integrity means aligning with God's truth and building up the church. It requires a demonstration of the Spirit and power, which can only come from God. Teachers must be aware of the potential consequences of leading others astray through false or shoddy teaching. The responsibility of a teacher is not only to impart knowledge but to do so in a way that aligns with God's truth and edifies the church. This requires a commitment to truth and a reliance on God's Spirit to guide and empower. [54:43]

"But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine." (Titus 2:1, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a time when you were in a position to influence others. How did you ensure that your influence was positive and aligned with God's truth?

Day 5: Humility and Discernment in Teaching

The call to teach is a call to humility, recognizing that it is God who equips and empowers. It is a call to tread carefully, with a healthy fear of the Lord, knowing that we will one day stand before Him and give an account for how we have handled His Word. Teachers must approach their role with a sense of humility and discernment, seeking God's guidance and relying on His strength. This involves a willingness to learn and grow, as well as a commitment to faithfully steward the gifts and responsibilities entrusted to them. [49:46]

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to practice greater humility and discernment? How can you seek God's guidance in these areas today?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we delved into the profound responsibility and spiritual weight of teaching and preaching God's Word. This is not a task to be taken lightly, as it involves speaking on behalf of God and guiding His people. The essence of this calling is not merely about acquiring knowledge or attending seminary; it is about a divine calling and equipping by God Himself. The process of preparing and delivering a sermon is a supernatural endeavor, distinct from any secular task, because it pertains to souls, eternity, and the spiritual realm.

We explored the notion that not everyone is called to be a teacher or preacher. James 3:1 warns us that not many should become teachers because they will be judged more strictly. This is a sobering reminder that teaching God's Word comes with a higher level of accountability. It is crucial for those who feel called to this ministry to engage in deep soul-searching and discernment to ensure that they are truly equipped and called by God.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of orthodoxy and sound doctrine. Teachers must be diligent in their study of the Scriptures, ensuring that they rightly divide the Word of Truth. This requires a deep, ongoing commitment to understanding the Bible in its entirety, allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, and avoiding the pitfalls of personal opinion or inadequate preparation.

Moreover, we considered the implications of teaching with integrity and the potential consequences of leading others astray through false or shoddy teaching. The responsibility of a teacher is not only to impart knowledge but to do so in a way that aligns with God's truth and builds up the church. This requires a demonstration of the Spirit and power, which can only come from God.

Ultimately, the call to teach is a call to humility, recognizing that it is God who equips and empowers. It is a call to tread carefully, with a healthy fear of the Lord, knowing that we will one day stand before Him and give an account for how we have handled His Word.

Key Takeaways

1. The Supernatural Nature of Preaching: Preaching is not akin to delivering a term paper or a work presentation; it is a supernatural task that involves the spiritual realm and eternal souls. It requires divine calling and equipping, as not all are meant to undertake this sacred duty. [09:33]
2. The Weight of Accountability: James 3:1 warns that teachers will face stricter judgment. This underscores the gravity of teaching God's Word and the need for those who teach to be genuinely called and equipped by God. It is a reminder that Judgment Day will hold teachers to a higher standard. [19:03]
3. Orthodoxy and Sound Doctrine: Teachers must be diligent in their study of Scripture, ensuring they rightly divide the Word of Truth. This involves a commitment to understanding the Bible in its entirety and avoiding personal opinions or inadequate preparation. [22:15]
4. Integrity in Teaching: Teaching with integrity means aligning with God's truth and building up the church. It requires a demonstration of the Spirit and power, which can only come from God. Teachers must be aware of the potential consequences of leading others astray through false or shoddy teaching. [54:43]
5. The Call to Humility and Discernment: The call to teach is a call to humility, recognizing that it is God who equips and empowers. It is a call to tread carefully, with a healthy fear of the Lord, knowing that we will one day stand before Him and give an account for how we have handled His Word. [49:46]
** [49:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:24] - Spurgeon's View on Elect Children
[09:18] - The Supernatural Nature of Preaching
[10:52] - The Distinction Between Teaching and Preaching
[13:08] - The Role of Homiletics
[14:20] - Soul Searching and Self-Examination
[18:48] - The Warning of James 3:1
[22:36] - The Fear of Judgment Day
[25:43] - The Impartiality of God's Judgment
[31:01] - The Responsibility of Teachers
[36:20] - The Value of Few Qualified Teachers
[40:03] - The Consequences of Shoddy Teaching
[46:53] - The Blood on Your Hands
[54:05] - Preaching with Power and Spirit
[59:20] - The Levels of Teaching Responsibility

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

James 3:1 - "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness."
2 Timothy 4:2 - "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 - "And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

Observation Questions:

What does James 3:1 warn about the role of teachers, and why is this warning significant? [18:48]
According to the sermon, what distinguishes the preparation and delivery of a sermon from a secular task like a term paper or work presentation? [09:33]
How does the sermon describe the process of discerning whether one is truly called to teach or preach? [14:20]
What are the potential consequences mentioned in the sermon for those who teach without being called or equipped by God? [46:53]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the warning in James 3:1 about stricter judgment for teachers influence the way one should approach the responsibility of teaching within the church? [19:03]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that teaching with integrity involves more than just imparting knowledge? [54:43]
How does the sermon explain the role of divine calling and equipping in the context of teaching and preaching? [11:45]
What does the sermon imply about the relationship between sound doctrine and the responsibility of a teacher? [22:15]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your own life: Have you ever felt a calling to teach or preach? How have you discerned whether this calling is from God? [14:20]
Considering the warning in James 3:1, how can you ensure that you are prepared and equipped before taking on a teaching role in the church? [19:03]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the Bible and ensure you are rightly dividing the Word of Truth? [22:15]
How can you demonstrate humility and a healthy fear of the Lord in your approach to teaching or sharing God's Word with others? [49:46]
Think about a time when you might have shared your personal opinion rather than God's truth. How can you avoid this in future teaching or discussions? [41:58]
How can you seek God's Spirit and power in your teaching or sharing of the Word, ensuring that it is not just your own wisdom being communicated? [54:43]
If you are not called to teach, how can you support those who are, ensuring that they are equipped and encouraged in their ministry? [36:20]

Sermon Clips

I believe that this is one of the most fundamental beginning points in preparing sermons and preaching sermons, and it is for us to consider this matter it is a supernatural matter. This is not like putting together a term paper in college. This is not like having to do a presentation at work. [00:09:20]

We are dealing with something altogether different. We are dealing with something that pertains to souls, to Eternity, to a spiritual realm, something that pertains to God. Look, any lost man can prepare a term paper, but not any saved man can even prepare a sermon and deliver it in a way that honors God. [00:09:39]

James 3:1 we have an inspired word from God that there should not be many teachers, and I want all your eyeballs to fall on that text because, look, let's make the connection. Preparing a sermon, standing in the Pulpit to deliver it is what teachers do. [00:18:48]

Brethren, we do not want to live our lives without thinking about Judgment Day as Christians. Every single thing we do, but I'll tell you this, James would have us wake up to a great reality that when it comes to teaching the word of God, you do not want to lightly tread on that ground. [00:20:09]

Judgment Day Has consequences, and Brethren, as we move along, I want to show you that you cannot say, well, you can say it, but you don't want to say it. Say what? You don't want to say, well, I'm a Christian, I'm forgiven if I tread on teaching ground and I'm not actually called. [00:20:29]

If you take it upon yourself to teach his word, you're being given a warning like this because what you have to answer for, look, I'll tell you, you go to handle God's word, you better tread on Holy Ground. You better walk there with the utmost of care. [00:31:49]

You do not want to run in to Preparing messages, preparing sermons, preparing Bible studies, thinking about how to deliver them until you first do some soul searching about whether God wants you there and God has prepared you to be there and God has equipped you to be there. [00:32:24]

Men who teach or preach who are not thinking about Judgment Day ought not to be there. Be careful, brothers, that's what we have going on here. And the look, the reality is if a man or a woman does not teach, then they won't be judged for teaching. [00:32:59]

The general rule of the church throughout history, including in 2017 at GCC, is a few well-qualified men and women are far more valuable to the church than trying to multiply preachers and teachers of both genders throughout the church as much as possible. [00:36:05]

God does not equip everybody to teach and then tell us only a few should. God does not waste gift. If God gifts, God intends the gift to be used. If he tells the church not to be many, it's because he has not equipped many. We need to recognize that. [00:38:07]

If you take it upon yourself to teach God's word, God holds you to say what he says and to say it how he says it. And if you don't say it there, I see men, they can stand in the Pulpit. It's absolutely Jared confused. They have not told me to be afraid of any coming danger. [00:47:22]

You need to know what you're teaching. If ever there's anything that puts that I know causes people in our church to cringe, it's when we got guys in the Pulpit who are saying things that the vast majority of the church out there recognizes this isn't true. [00:49:46]

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