The Measure Of A Man - Part Ii

C. Applic: Christian man, are you attempting to practice hospitality? How do you use your home? What is your mindset: man cave or ministry center?

II. A Maturing Christian Man Challenges His Intellect: “Able to teach.”

A. The Next Characteristic of Maturing Christian Man is that He should be “able to teach”.

1. Maturing Christian men must grow with regard to teaching.

a. “able to teach” – didaktikos – from which we get the idea of didactic learning/teaching. The maturing Christian man should be able to communicate essential Christian truths and doctrines.

I want you to notice something about this characteristic of a maturing Christian man. Out of this entire list of 14-15 items by which we measure maturity, this is the only one that is not directly related to character.

b. When you hear the word “instruction” mentioned in the context of the church, you probably think of the pastor(s) or elder(s) in the church. An elder should be “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2). The Bible teaches us that “an elder must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine” (Titus 1:9). Yet, the Bible also teaches that all believers are to teach one another. In Romans 15:14 Paul writes, “I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.” Paul exhorts the Colossians to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom” (3:16).

2. Teaching truth in the Congregation is a high calling and honor.

a. Illust: Earlier I used the example of Jim S. as an elder who excels in hospitality. I want to highlight another elder, Jim Mays, as an example of a maturing Christian man who excels at teaching. Not only was Jim a professional educator, you can just tell when you sit in a class with Jim that he LOVES to teach. He exudes the gifts and talents of someone who can master difficult doctrines and concepts and is able to communicate them to individuals in such a way that they too can begin to comprehend. Jim makes learning enjoyable and interesting. That is the test of a true teacher.

b. I want to take a moment to address and correct a matter that we have at Good News. All too often when we have a new SCL quarter, Pastor Richard is scrambling to get new teachers. All too often he asks men and rejected multiple times for every one who accepts. Let me ask you a question: Why is that the case? Possibly you have scheduling issues with work or travel or family issues that preclude for a time. Do you see being asked to teach as a high calling or something to be avoided at all costs? Need to repent of a sinful attitude if you think the latter rather than the former. Willingness and ability to teach is a mark of maturity. It is also an honor in the Church.

B. The Maturing Christian Man must challenge his intellect.

1. As maturing Christian men we need to grow in our thinking.

a. How are you doing in your Spiritual Disciplines men? Are you reading the WOG daily? Reading the WOG daily is the most basic thing we are to do. Every believer is called to “speak the truth with his neighbor” (Eph. 4:25) and to “exhort one another” on a daily basis (Heb. 3:13). This doesn’t mean that everyone is called to hold the office of elder or deacon; God has reserved those offices for men who meet the biblical qualifications (see Acts 6:3; 1 Tim. 2:12; 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9). But it does mean that—in whatever situation we find ourselves—we are to instruct one another according to the truths of Scripture.