Matthew Study 12: 10:32-11:19

Dear Student of the Word,

Has God ever allowed something to happen to you that you never expected? Have you ever questioned God about why it happened or searched for reassurance that God was with you. In this week's study, we look at that very thing happening to Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist. John was perplexed by what He saw Jesus doing and sent emissaries to question Jesus as to His true identity. This week we will look at what Jesus had to say in response to John's disciples and what more Jesus had to say about John himself.

The study for one day this week reads as follows. I hope you will take time to study every other day, too:

11:2&3 – Remember that John and Jesus were cousins through their mothers’ side of the family. They had to be acquainted prior to the start of their ministries. So John would have known Jesus prior to recognizing that He was the Christ. It is all the more impressive that John could see past the family relationship to recognize Jesus as the Son of God. At any rate, John sent disciples to ask Jesus about His mission. Obviously, John was expecting the Messiah to do things differently than Jesus was doing. John had already declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God (see John 1:19) but now John had to ask to make sure.

One has to admire John’s honesty and desire to know the truth. John trusted that Jesus would tell him the truth as to whether or not He was “the One.” John did not make public his doubts before he had sought Jesus for the truth. Also, John was not shy about expressing his true feelings and thoughts. He was an honest man. Are you honest with God?

v. 4 – Jesus gave no indication that He was offended by the questions posed by John’s delegation. He directed them to go back to John and report only what they saw and heard, no more and no less. This may seem like a simple response, but Jesus urged them not to interpret what they saw and heard, just to report it. The Pharisees, who also beheld what Jesus did, could not help but draw incorrect personal conclusions from the evidence, and pass their bias on to others. Jesus urged John’s disciples not to repeat the same mistake.

v. 5 – What did John’s disciples see? They beheld Jesus healing the blind, lame, lepers, and the deaf. They heard Jesus declaring the good news of the gospel to the poor. Yet that was not what Israel, including John, had expected from their Messiah. They had expected a more militant, political Savior, who would restore the throne of David in a literal sense. They had a Messiah who did wonderful deeds without any of the political overtones they had expected.

John for one was so confused that he had to ask if Jesus was truly the One, the Messiah. If John was confused, you can imagine how many others were as well? Notice that Jesus did not answer directly, “I am the One.” He urged John to examine the evidence, determine whether or not He was from God and come to him own conclusions. He urges you to do the same.

v. 6 – There are times when things happen that you may not have considered possible when you first started to serve the Lord. When those things happen, you can be scandalized by the events and question God’s intent of faithfulness. I just met with a family who have hit hard times in their family business. The bank is threatening to take action unless they meet their obligations. Yet they are staying true to God and to their governing values of excellence and integrity. They are trusting God in the midst of trying times. How about you? Are you questioning God’s faithfulness? Are you asking “why, God?” questions. I am not saying it is wrong to ask those questions. Just don’t stop until you obtain some answers so that you do not become bitter or disillusioned or worse yet, question God’s love.

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Download this week's study: Matthew Study 12-1.doc

Comments

[Steve]

I teach a course on Principles of Teaching and I discuss the similarities and differences between preaching and Bible teaching. Here are my thoughts.

Teaching and Preaching.
We are commissioned and commanded to teach!
Matthew 28:19-20: ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations … teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’
2 Tim 2:2: 2You have heard me teach many things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others. (NLT)
Ephesians 4:11-12: ‘It was he who gave some to be … pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…’

What is Bible teaching?
- to cause another to learn; to lead into learning experiences
- extended expression on a subject; including discussion, interaction and questioning
- the content is the Bible
- the appeal is to understanding and practice
- the goal is Christian maturity

What is preaching?
- ‘to publicly proclaim, to urge acceptance (or abandonment) of an idea or course of action’
- usually without significant interaction
- the message is Jesus Christ
- 2 Tim 4:2 ‘Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.
- the appeal is to bring the lost to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ; then to give spiritual nourishment to believers

Similarities:
1. Both should be based solidly on the Bible
2. Both require the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be truly effective
3. Both require sound techniques of communication
4. Both are most effective when the communicator is dedicated and committed.
5. Both require preparation and structure.
6. Both aim at transformation.

Differences:
1. Preaching usually relies on the spoken word; teaching often involves a variety of methods and teaching aids.
2. Preaching usually communicates to larger groups than teaching.
3. Preaching generally addresses a more mixed audience; teaching is more likely to group people of similar age or experience together.
4. Preaching is usually organised around a three or four point outline communicated in one session; teaching is more likely to have a more detailed outline presented over a series of contact sessions.
5. Preaching is normally a monologue (one way communication); teaching often involves dialogue.
6. The basic goal of preaching is motivational; the basic goal of teaching is instructional. As above – both aim at transformation.

Conclusion: Preaching and teaching are two expressions of the one ministry. There can be teaching in preaching, and preaching in teaching. The commission is to reach every country (Matthew 28:18-20), every culture (Acts 1:8) and all creation (Mark 16:15) by witness, preaching and teaching.