Jesus’ Teaching

Matthew 7:24-28

Introduction

1.       My struggles with this sermon

2.       Books have been written about Jesus as a teacher

3.       Matthew:  the sermon on the mount (5-7), the instructions to the apostles (10), the great parables of Jesus (13), the teaching in Jerusalem the week before he died (20-23), including Jesus’ detailed description of events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the importance of what happens at the end of the world (24-25)  

Discussion

1.       What you will find in Jesus as a teacher

a.       Someone who always spoke the truth – John 17:8  

b.       Someone who was always willing to answer a question – Matt 19:3; 21:23; 22:15-17; 22:23-28; 22:34-36  

c.       Someone who challenged his hearers to think – Matt 16:13-19 – What do people say, who do you say – the dialogs in John (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) (these dialogs illustrate Jesus’ confrontational style of teaching)  

d.       Someone who challenged his hearers to act on the truth that they had learned – Matt 7:24-27  

2.       Some important things that Jesus taught

a.       That correct conduct flows from quality of character – the sermon on the mount begins with character (Matt 5:3-12) and ends with conduct (Matt 7:21)  

b.       That minute details should not be neglected but they should not come before the great principles of God, justice, mercy and faithfulness – Matt 23:23-24  

c.       That the end of all things is hidden with God, the Father only knowing the time of Christ’s return to judge the world – Matt 24:36  

d.       A new beginning is necessary in order to enter the kingdom (reign) of God – John 3:1-5 (One does not slide or “ooze” into a relationship with God)  

Conclusion

1.       Accepting the birth of Jesus requires no great effort or change on our part

2.       Accepting the miracles of Jesus requires no great effort or change on our part

3.       Accepting the teaching of Jesus changes everything

4.       One is not truly a disciple of Jesus until this willingness to change is confirmed in a baptism that is in obedience to Jesus – Matt 28:18-20 (for most groups, baptism is a “church” ordinance bringing one into alignment with the teaching of that church rather that a submission to Jesus)