MY TEACHING IS NOT MY OWN IT COMES FROM GOD

Proclamation:

“The Jews there were amazed and asked, ‘How did this man get such learning without having been taught?’  Jesus answered, ‘My teaching is not my own, it comes from the one who sent me.  Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.  Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.’”  John 7:15-18 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the Apostle John under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the teaching of Jesus, The Christ, at the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles and His dialogue with the Jews who did not believe Him.  Jesus went to the feast in secret because there were those there who sought to kill Him. (John 7:1 and 10)  The people there murmured about Him, some saying that He was good, and others saying that He was a deceiver. (John 7:12-13)  During the festival Jesus went to the temple courts and began to teach. (John 7:14)  The Jews were amazed at His teaching.  He told them that His teaching was not His own, it came from God, The Father, who sent Him.  He also offered an explanation for His healing of the lame man on the Sabbath. (John 7:21-24)  Then He repeated that He was not there on His own authority but that God, The Father, had sent Him there. (John 7:28-29)  After that, He said that soon He would leave them and return to God, The Father, who sent Him. (John 7:33-34)

Application:

When we present The Word of God to others, whether it be by telling them, teaching them, or preaching, the purpose is to glorify God and not self.  We are not to seek personal glory; we are to give God the glory.  We must choose to do the will of God, to spread His Holy Word, and to give Him glory.  Spread The Word of God, share The Word with others, but remember that it is not about us, it is all about Him.

TEACH ME YOUR WAY LORD AND GIVE ME AN UNDIVIDED HEART

Proclamation:

“Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.  I will praise You, Lord my God, with all my heart, I will glorify Your name forever.”  Psalm 86:11-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

This psalm was written by King David under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  This psalm is another one of the many prayers which David spoke to The Lord when he was in distress. (Psalm 86:1 and 6-7)  He acknowledged who The Lord God was and how great His deeds were. (Psalm 86:8-10)  Then he asked God to teach him and show him the way.  He had been blessed with knowledge before, but he wanted more instruction. (Psalm 25:4)  One cannot truly love The Lord with a heart that is divided between the love of God and the love of the world.  A unified and undivided heart is a gift from the Lord so that His people would love and fear Him. (Jeremiah 32:39)  He wanted to praise God with his whole heart and with all that was within him. (Psalm 103:1)

Application:

The only way for us to walk God’s way is for Him to show us the way. (Psalm 119:105)  He must teach us, lead us, and guide us in order for us to walk His way.  Only with the single-mindedness of a single-hearted loyalty to The Lord God can we truly love Him with all of our heart, mind and soul. (Deuteronomy 11:13 and Joshua 22:5)  Jesus, The Christ, said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)  We cannot love Him if we do not follow His Holy Word.  We cannot love Him if we confess a sin and then continue to repeat that sin.  That is proof that we love the sin more than we love Him. (John 3:19)  Our lifestyle is a reflection of our beliefs.  Believers are not perfect, but we follow God’s way.  If you continually follow the sinful path, you are not walking God’s way.  You must turn from your wicked sinful ways and seek Him if you want The Lord God to hear and answer your prayers. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

STAND FIRM AND HOLD ON

Proclamation:

"... From the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.  He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.  May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."  2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (NIV)

Explanation:

These word were written by the Apostle Paul under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God to the believers in Thessaloniki.  Paul was encouraging them by reminding them that God chose them to be saved.  He also told them to "... stand firm and hold to ..." what they have been taught.  Then he prays that God will encourage them, and strengthen them, and allow them to do more good work.

Application:

We each were created and saved by God for a purpose.  Our good works here are a part of kingdom building here on earth.  All that we do should be done for the glory of God.  Temptation is all around us and our human nature is basically sinful.  Our trials, storms, and tribulations seem to keep pulling us down.  We need to "… stand strong and hold …" on to our Bible teachings and our faith in God.  Whatever it is that we are going through, may God encourage our hearts and strengthen us, and allow us to do more good deeds in the future.