Sermon title: A divine Teacher & Revealer
Scripture: John 16:14; 14:26
Introduction: Who here wants to learn? Who wants to learn something that others have not learned? What would you like to learn about if you had a choice?
The computer is something that I think many of us are learning about. In fact even though I have taken an introductory course in computers I know I have only touched the very basics of operating all the different mechanisms of computers. But I believe I am getting better and more knowledgeable every day as I use my laptop.
Sometimes we have to struggle in learning, we have to make mistakes in learning, we may at times have to ask our friends, or aquaintenances in order to solve our problems.
Perhaps your wish would be to understand about God and His word along with His ways and to discern his voice. I have good news… Jesus wants us to learn about Him and His word and know Him and His ways. What Jesus says is that we are able to learn His ways because he will teach us His ways. There is no question in my mind that each one of us is capable of learning. We are given the grace of God that we may be able to be taught by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit will remind us of things taught to us of which we have diligently studied thus we grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus. Though Jesus is no longer here in the physical presence we can be assured that the replacement through the HS. is sufficient.
Illustration:
Frank Gallagher
If anyone here ever watches the TV show Seinfeld, you know that Jerry’s next door neighbor, Kramer, is very much at home in Jerry’s apartment. He probably spends more time there than in his own apartment. He has his own set of keys, and lets himself in whenever he wants. He eats whatever is in the refrigerator, and takes anything else he wants from Jerry’s apartment, usually returning it broken or not at all. In a way, that’s the way Jesus wants us to feel about His Word, the Bible. He wants us to spend a lot of time there, and has given us His Holy Spirit as the key. God wants us to be "at home" in His Word, to be ourselves there, and to make use of all that it has to offer. The blessings in the Scriptures are ours to take freely without having to repay. So my second point is that Jesus wants us to use His Word as our home.
Transition: To be at home with God’s word through the power of the Spirit is the challenge of all disciples, and the joy for all of us as we receive wisdom and understanding from his word.
Body:Listen to what one author says;
"The divine Spirit reveals its working on the human heart. When the Holy Spirit operates upon the mind, the human agent will understand the statement made by Christ, "He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you." Subjection to the word of God means the restoration of one’s self. Let Christ work by His Holy Spirit, and awaken you as from the dead, and carry your minds along with His. Let Him employ your faculties. He has created your every capability that you may better honor and glorify His name. Consecrate yourself to Him, and all associated with you will see that your energies are inspired of God, that your noblest powers are called into exercise to do God’s service. The faculties once used to serve self and advance unworthy principles, once serving as members of unrighteous purposes, will be brought into captivity to Jesus Christ and become one with the will of God." {Testimonies to Ministers by Ellen White 396.1}
How many of us would like that? To be capable of using our abilities to the fullest, to be able to understand God’s word for our own selves, to be able to advance the cause of God by sharing what the HS has taught us. How can I learn for myself isn’t that what we pay the Pastor to do? We can come to the church to listen to the Pastor & SS lesson and not contribute to the service. So in other words be spoon fed but not feed ourselves. This is not God’s plan. Each one of us has the opportunity to learn from God’s word, to sharpen our understanding of God, to be fed directly by God’s Holy Spirit.
We have been simply taking from John’s gospel ch.16 vs.’7-14; and studied each significant part , in fact this is the sixth sermon of this series on the Holy Spirit that we are receiving. 8 vs.’ – six sermons.
How did I do this?
Through prayer- very important ingredient to understanding God’s word, never enter serious Bible Study without prayer.Then read the scripture passage of which you would like to understand more, if possible in different versions
By researching different resource material like the
1. Sda Bible commentary,
2. Jon Paulien’s expository on the Bk. Of Jn.,
3. Bible concordance,
4. And by using one of my favorite resources
the CD on EGW writing’s,
5. The internet for illustration’s, quotes, sermons on the particular scriptures that you are studying or topic that you are studying. Example HS., Crucifixtion, 7 Churches etc.
by comparing scripture with scripture,
if possible Greek texts
I believe we can all do this, interesting note Ellen White only had a grade 3 education, although she was helped in the finalizing of her writings through a secretary, she sought God in prayer. We tend to be lazy; we want things instant.
Illustration:How many here like things instant?
We have instant coffee,Inka, Postum; we have restaurants with fast food service, not that these are all bad but it causes laziness if there is too much of this instant stuff. How many here like a home cooked meal and I am not talking about a T.V. dinner or some instant soup, whether someone else serves it or yourself there is nothing like it. And so it is as God’s people if we expect to find a good home meal in God’s word we ought to search the things of concern for ourselves first and then get another opinion and ask the Pastor or your head Elder. It is wise to consult with other brothers and sisters to get a clearer picture on any given subject. Oh one thing whether you are the one studying out the subject or the one who is giving the counsel to another please I beg of you, don’t always rely on previous understanding of the subject on hand, perhaps there is more to learn from those particular difficult topics or scriptures than first meets the eye. In other words we need to be careful of being so dogmatic that’s the way I learn’t it, I’ll never change- we may just be missing a blessing from God. When we have an open mind we will tend to become stronger not weaker. If it is the truth that we want and that is what we have prayed then that is what we will receive Amen!
1 Cor. 2:13 HS. He will teach us
Yes God has sent us a divine teacher, a divine revealer in the form of the HS. What we need to do is go to him and ask for understanding and wisdom and to be humble enough to be corrected, to be instructed, to be reproved, or rebuked. Listen as we read
2 Tim.3: 14-17.
Be assured of. In other words know without a doubt that what you have learned is of God, if unsure ask yourself why? Get a foot hold on it.
Illstration:
A mechanic or now better termed as a technician will not rely on some customers understanding of what is wrong but he will find out by trouble shooting it himself then he will repair the problem.
Now let us do the same as we receive problems concerning the doctrine, interpretation of God’s word let us trouble shoot for ourselves and get help when you have exhausted all resources.
Often Mrs. White would congregate with a few to search out the lessons of the Bible, the symbols of Daniel and Revelation, but when it began to get highly argumentative, the tension was great, then she said brethren let’s go home do some more studying and come back together another day. When they came back often they would come together with solutions to their debates and questions and they were also in a better frame of mind, and spirit.
Quote: Steps to Christ p.110-111
“There are many things apparently difficult or obscure, which God will make plain and simple to those who thus seek an understanding of them. But without the guidance of the Holy Spirit we shall be continually liable to wrest the Scriptures or to misinterpret them. There is much reading of the Bible that is without profit and in many cases a positive injury. When the word of God is opened without reverence and without prayer; when the thoughts and affections are not fixed upon God, or in harmony with His will, the mind is clouded with doubts; and in the very study of the Bible, skepticism strengthens. The enemy takes control of the thoughts, and he suggests interpretations that are not correct. Whenever men are not in word and deed seeking to be in harmony with God, then, however learned they may be, they are liable to err in their understanding of Scripture, and it is not safe to trust to their explanations. Those who look to the Scriptures to find discrepancies, have not spiritual
111
insight. With distorted vision they will see many causes for doubt and unbelief in things that are really plain and simple. {SC 110.1}
Disguise it as they may, the real cause of doubt and skepticism, in most cases, is the love of sin. The teachings and restrictions of God’s word are not welcome to the proud, sin-loving heart, and those who are unwilling to obey its requirements are ready to doubt its authority. In order to arrive at truth, we must have a sincere desire to know the truth and a willingness of heart to obey it. And all who come in this spirit to the study of the Bible will find abundant evidence that it is God’s word, and they may gain an understanding of its truths that will make them wise unto salvation. {SC 111.1}
Christ has said, "If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching." John 7:17, R.V. Instead of questioning and caviling concerning that which you do not understand, give heed to the light that already shines upon you, and you will receive greater light. By the grace of Christ, perform every duty that has been made plain to your understanding, and you will be enabled to understand and perform those of which you are now in doubt.” {SC 111.2}
___ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _____ _ ____ ____ _ _ _
There is an evidence that is open to all,--the most highly educated, and the most illiterate,--the evidence of experience. God invites us to prove for ourselves the reality of His word, the truth of His promises. He bids us "taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8. Instead of depending upon the word of another, we are to taste for ourselves. He declares, "Ask, and ye shall receive." John 16:24. His promises will be
112
fulfilled. They have never failed; they never can fail. And as we draw near to Jesus, and rejoice in the fullness of His love, our doubt and darkness will disappear in the light of His presence. {SC 111.3}
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
When Christ is truly our love then the word of God will be our love. We will want to follow God’s teaching, we will want to be transformed by the renewing, regenerating power of the HS. We will shine the light of Christ and not ourselves. We will ask ourselves what would Jesus do. We will here god speak to us through His word, we will have the witness within ourselves that the Bible is true, that Christ is the Son of God.
2 Pet.3:18- grow in grace, in knowledge. When this occurring believers will be obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. You will receive new light and beauty in its sacred truths.
Proverbs 4:18- light shines more and more.
The period of great spiritual light, if that light is not sacredly cherished and acted upon, will be turned into a time of corresponding spiritual darkness. The impression made by the Spirit of God, if men do not cherish the sacred impression, and occupy holy ground, will fade from the mind. Those who would advance in spiritual knowledge must stand by the very fount of God, and drink again and again from the wells of salvation so graciously opened unto them. They must never leave the source of refreshment; but with hearts swelling with gratitude and love at the display of the goodness and compassion of God, they must be continually partakers of the living water. {1Selected Messages 135.1}
Jn.8:12,6:35-Believers will come to Christ for their source of light and love.
Yet to those who trample upon God’s word,& his revelations will turn to unbelief if the evil is not resisted thus it is the plan of Satan to destroy what God has set out to do.
He will tempt us with much amusement, and entertainment; he will tempt us with these things in order to preoccupy our mind and time, so that we may not be a spiritually minded people, who will glorify Jesus. Satan’s deception goes much further than the word he will rob us of our time with God, so we may not receive a divine understanding and revelation of God.
Trans. What do I need to do Pastor? I want the divine teacher to teach me, I want much more clearer insights into God’s word, I want a much closer walk with my Lord than ever before.
Conclusion:
Scripture states in Lk.11:13 We are told to ask and he will give the HS. My desire is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Now if we have received the HS. it will be evident in our character being changed into his likeness, Christ likeness. Remember we will grow in grace. Then further truth and revelations will come thus grow in knowledge. We cannot be given more when we are not willing to accept what is given to us now.
God is looking for a people who will long to learn.
God is looking for a people who will humble themselves to be taught.
God is looking for a people who will be molded into Christ image.
God is looking for a people who will desire to hear His Voice
Appeal:
Is it your desire to receive the divine Teacher,& Revealer and be willing to learn from Him.
