Amazed at His Teaching!

Friday March 20, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
This is what the Scriptures tell us regarding the listener’s response to Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”: “The result was that when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29 NASB: emphasis added). How long has it been since you were amazed at His teaching? Not a bad question, actually.
Notice that at least one of the reasons for their amazement was that He taught, not as the scribes, but as one having authority. I wonder if some of the lack of amazement we see today is not due to the powerless preaching and teaching that most listen to on TV and radio, even from the pulpits of local churches.
I say “powerless preaching” because the gospel has long-since been abandoned for “tricks of the trade,” aka the tools for church growth. The fact is this: the gospel is the power of God for salvation, and when it is preached, the preacher/teacher is seen as one having authority, and those who have ears to hear are always amazed, even astonished.
The Elect of God have never had much of a taste for the pious pabulum that spews from the mouths of those who are more interested in attracting the masses, than they are in preaching the one, true Gospel (if you are unfamiliar with it, read Paul’s’ letter to the Romans).
If you are interested in knowing the difference, I will share it with you: the preach-er/teacher of pious pabulum edifies himself; whereas, the preacher of the gospel edifies Jesus. The next time you listen to someone teach the Scriptures, apply that litmus test, and note the outcome.
The next time you attend a worship service, notice how many of the songs edify man, not Jesus; in all probability, you will be shocked. Notice how many of the lyrics describe what we will do, or are doing, instead of what He has done. Again, you will be shocked! “My Jesus I Love Thee”, “I Stand Amazed in the Presence”, “I Am Resolved No Longer to Linger”, “I Come to The Garden Alone”, to name a few. Now, I am not implying that we should throw these songs away, but I am implying that most of the songs we sing, have more to do with what we are going to do, or are doing, than they have to do with what He has done. A reminder: It is what He has done that matters! What we have done, or are doing, matters not one bit!
If we ever plan to be amazed at His teaching, we need to begin to concentrate on what He has done for us and forget about ourselves; we need to focus on the good news of the gospel and stop trying to edify self.
You think about this—