This document discusses the importance of teaching others about Christianity and presenting the truth in an understandable way. It notes that Jesus often taught in parables to make spiritual truths more relatable. The document emphasizes that the truth is the most important element of serving God, and that Christians have a responsibility to teach others and bear fruit. It suggests comparing the truth to something modern like a Big Mac to help explain it to today's people in a familiar way.
2. Introduction
We as Christians have the
responsibility to teach others
and teach them the truth.
Sometimes the truth is too hard
to take for some people, and
sometimes it has to be
presented in an understandable
way.
3. Introduction
Several years ago I was asked to prepare a
sermon on how to explain the church to
someone unfamiliar with the Bible.
My mind began to wander and I eventually
was struck with the following thoughts.
I have revised this sermon over the years to
be more effective.
So, this truly is an original sermon by me.
4. Introduction
There is nothing wrong to try to
explain the truth in a way that can be
understood.
Providing that you do not add to it or
leave things out.
We in our day will make comparisons
of the things that people know about.
After all, Jesus used the same method.
5. Example of teaching
Matthew 13:10 (NKJV) "And the disciples came
and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in
parables?"
Matthew 13:13 (NKJV) "Therefore I speak to
them in parables, because seeing they do not see,
and hearing they do not hear, nor do they
understand."
Matthew 13:34,35 (NKJV) "All these things Jesus
spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a
parable He did not speak to them, {35} that it
might be fulfilled which was spoken by the
prophet, saying: "I will open My mouth in
parables; I will utter things kept secret from the
foundation of the world."
6. Example of Teaching
Mark 4:2 (NKJV) "Then He taught them many
things by parables, and said to them in His
teaching:"
Mark 4:33 (NKJV) "And with many such
parables He spoke the word to them as they
were able to hear it."
Mark 12:1 (NKJV) "Then He began to speak to
them in parables: ..."
7. The Purpose of Teaching
Mark 4:11 (NKJV) "And He said to them, "To you it has
been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God;
but to those who are outside, all things come in
parables,"
Matthew 13:34,35 (NKJV) "All these things Jesus spoke
to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He
did not speak to them, {35} that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open My
mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the
foundation of the world."
Matthew 21:45 (NKJV) "Now when the chief priests and
Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was
speaking of them."
Mark 4:34 (NKJV) "But without a parable He did not
speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained
all things to His disciples."
8. Why Teach By Parables?
Most parables were stories with moral
implications.
Occasionally it would be a comparison type
of parable to describe something of the truth
such as the kingdom.
How can you describe something that is
spiritual to one who only sees the physical?
This applies to all of us, and should help us.
9. Why Teach By Parables?
Some people would only hear an
interesting story being told by a great
teacher.
Others would perceive that there was a
moral to the story, but could not figure it
out.
Now that we have been enlightened by
God's whole truth, we can understand
what He was trying to tell them and us.
10. There Was An Explanation
Mark 4:34 (NKJV) "But without a
parable He did not speak to them. And
when they were alone, He explained all
things to His disciples."
Luke 8:11 (NKJV) "Now the parable is
this: The seed is the word of God."
Matthew 22:2 (NKJV) "The kingdom of
heaven is like a certain king who
arranged a marriage for his son,"
11. Our Responsibility To Teach
The Bible was written to reveal God and instruct us in
righteousness.
As Christians, we all have the responsibility to teach and bear
fruit for the Master.
John 15:2 (NKJV) "Every branch in Me that does not bear
fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He
prunes, that it may bear more fruit."
Luke 8:15 (NKJV) "But the ones that fell on the good
ground are those who, having heard the word with a
noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with
patience."
12. Teaching The Truth
The Truth is the most important element when it comes to
serving God. Many religions will want to change it or add
to it or leave certain elements out. All this does not take
away the Truth of God. It only serves to judge them.
1 Samuel 12:24 (NKJV) "Only fear the LORD, and
serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider
what great things He has done for you."
1 Kings 17:24 (NKJV) "Then the woman said to
Elijah, "Now by this I know that you are a man of
God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth
is the truth."
A miracle had just been performed. The miracle was given
to confirm that the message given by this one has divine
origins and approval.
13. The Truth Is Most Important
Psalms 25:5 (NKJV) "Lead me in Your truth and
teach me, For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day."
Psalms 25:10 (NKJV)All the paths of the LORD
are mercy and truth, To such as keep His
covenant and His testimonies.
Psalms 33:4 (NKJV) "For the word of the LORD is
right, And all His work is done in truth."
Psalms 100:5 (NKJV) "For the LORD is good; His
mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all
generations."
Psalms 119:142 (NKJV) "Your righteousness is
an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is
truth."
14. The Truth Is Most Important
Psalms 119:151 (NKJV) "You are near, O LORD, And all
Your commandments are truth."
Psalms 119:160 (NKJV) "The entirety of Your word is
truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments
endures forever."
Proverbs 23:23 (NKJV) "Buy the truth, and do not sell
it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding."
John 1:14 (NKJV) "And the Word became flesh and
dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as
of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and
truth."
John 1:17 (NKJV) "For the law was given through
Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
15. TRUTH IS SUPREME
John 4:23-24 (NKJV)"But the hour is coming, and now is,
when the true worshipers will worship the Father in
spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship
Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must
worship in spirit and truth."
John 8:32 (NKJV) "And you shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free."
John 14:6 (NKJV) "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the
truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through Me."
John 16:13 (NKJV) "However, when He, the Spirit of
truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He
will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He
hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
16. TRUTH
John 17:17 (NKJV) "Sanctify them by Your
truth. Your word is truth."
John 18:38 (NKJV) "Pilate said to Him, "What is
truth?".....
As the questions goes, we must now attempt to
answer it in a language that would be appropriate
and understandable by todays people.
Jesus usually spoke in terms of agriculture or fishing
which those people would understand.
Let's modernize it a little and bring it closer to home.
18. CONCLUSION
Sadly, our time is up.
We have to wait until our next lesson to
see just how this is to be.
So far, we saw the necessity of teaching
others.
We saw how Jesus taught others.
We learned why we teach others.
It all comes down to presenting the truth
that can save souls.