GOD’S GIFT - ABILITY TO TEACH Penge Baptist Church May 13th 2012

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man ’ s gift ….is teaching, let him teach;. ….. (Romans 12:4-6, 7) Dictionary - Teaching: to impart knowledge of or skill in a subject; to give instruction in, to cause to learn by example or experience, to advocate or preach.

Apollos the teacher Took time to study and focused on the Bible –He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. Learnt from others, passionate, precise –He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately,

Fearless, willing to develop his knowledge –He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. Benefits from support, recognised by others as valuable –When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him.

More a mentor of converted than an evangelist –On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. –I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6) Willing to debate, using logic and well- constructed arguments –For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Risks of the gift The risk of judgement … –Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly (James 3:1) … not least since teachers get a following … –For when one says, “ I follow Paul, ” and another, “ I follow Apollos, ” are you not mere men? (1 Corinthians 3:4) … and might teach false doctrine –As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer (1 Timothy 1:3)

A gift only for the few? Passing on wisdom to younger teachers –And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:2) Teaching others as we mature –We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God ’ s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! (Hebrews 5:11-12)

The church as a centre for teaching of wisdom –Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16) Jesus ’ call for his disciples to teach –“ All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. ” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Having the right attitude Being a servant –What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe — as the Lord has assigned to each his task. (1 Corinthians 3:5) Teaching a sound way of life –For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. (1 Corinthians 4:17) In the power of the Holy Spirit! –But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26)