Jabez Burns Sermons: 035. Joh 3:2. Christ a Divine Teacher

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Jabez Burns Sermons: 035. Joh 3:2. Christ a Divine Teacher


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Joh_3:2. Christ a Divine Teacher

"We know that them art a teacher come from God."—Joh_3:2.

Christ came to sustain the threefold office of Prophet Priest, and King. Each of these offices he fully and perfectly fulfilled. As a Prophet, he made known the will of God. As a Priest, he offered the holy and spotless sacrifice of himself. As a King, he gave laws to his church, and remains permanently seated on his gracious throne, where he shall sit until he hath made his enemies his footstool. As a Prophet, he was superior to all that had ever preceded him—greater than Moses himself. As a Priest, he was after the order of Melchizedek. As a Sovereign, he has written upon his vesture, and upon his thigh, "King of kings, and Lord of lords." Let us at present contemplate that part of his prophetical office which more immediately relates to him as a Teacher, and thus feel the propriety and force of the ruler's confession, "We know that thou art a teacher come from God."

Consider then, I. Christ as a Teacher. II. As a Teacher sent from God. III. Our Duty in Reference to Him. Consider,

I. Christ as a Teacher.

Here two things will demand our notice: 1. The nature of his instructions; and, 2. The manner of his communications.

Observe then,

1. The nature of his instructions.

(1) His instructions were diversified in their nature. He revealed the character of Deity—explained and illustrated the doctrine of Providence—exposed the depravity of the human heart—exhibited the remedy which God has provided—stated and enforced the necessity of repentance, faith, regeneration, and holiness. He published a new code of laws extending to the thoughts of men. He plainly stated the certainty of a general resurrection, and opened the glorious gates to immortality and eternal life. Matthew 5, Matthew 6, Matthew 7.; John 3.; Joh_5:19-31.

(2) His instructions were of great importance. The very opposite of the conceits and glosses of the Jewish Rabbies and affording an equally striking contrast to the wild theories of the pagan philosophers. He taught man what related to his true dignity, his present, permanent happiness, and his eternal well being. Luk_4:18; Joh_10:10.

(3) His instructions were of universal and individual concern. He was the Teacher of all classes. All stood in need of his instructions, and all were equally interested in them. He stood in the capacity of a Teacher to the whole world His doctrines were intended to enlighten every man that cometh into the world. Joh_1:9.

(4) His instructions were of eternal consequence. The woes he pronounced to the wilfully ignorant and finally impenitent were eternal, and the rewards he offered were not temporal, but eternal. For this end did he come, to show men the way to everlasting life. Joh_10:28; Joh_17:2-3; 1Jn_5:20. Notice,

2. The manner in which he communicated his instructions.

(1) With plainness and simplicity. How beautifully familiar were his discourses! How clearly he illustrated all the subjects he brought before the people! He referred them to the sower—to the fisherman—to the woman with the leaven, and the three measures of meal—to the lost sheep—to the lilies—to the vine—to houses built upon the sand and upon the rock; and the consequence was, the common people—the plain and unlearned, who formed the great majority of his congregations, heard him gladly. His discourses suited their capacities, and thus they received instruction, profit, and delight. Mar_12:37.

His teaching was distinguished,

(2) For condescension and patience. He stooped to the poor; he sought out the wretched, and those who were overlooked by the teachers of the day. He addressed publicans and sinners, profligates and harlots; and many of these pressed into the kingdom of God. And how patiently he taught his disciples! How he endured men dullness, and with all perseverance gave them lesson upon lesson; and never did he break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. Mat_9:11-13.

His teaching was distinguished,

(3) For tenderness and affection. How deeply he felt for the poor perishing souls he came to instruct! With what graciousness he made his words known to them! How his bowels yearned over them! And when they remained incorrigible he wept over them, and said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often," &c. Goodness and mercy were conspicuous in all he said, as well as in all he did. Mat_23:37. It was distinguished,

(4) For truth and fidelity. Though tender and affectionate, yet he was faithful in all things to the ministry committed to him. He was faithful to the Jews as a people—to the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees—to his own disciples. He was emphatically "the truth." And he loved souls too well to hold any part of it back. Matthew 23.

His teaching was distinguished,

(5) For unwearied constancy and perseverance. He went about from place to place in search of ignorant wandering souls; and times, places, or circumstances, had no weight with him. He cared not whether it was morning, noon, or evening; whether the sabbath or any other day. He cared not whether his congregations were collected in the synagogue, the marketplace, on the wayside, the mountain-top, or the seashore. It was his meat and drink to do the will of his Father; and he never wearied nor allowed himself to be diverted from it, until "he said, It is finished, and he gave up the ghost."

This leads us to observe,

II. That Christ was a Teacher sent from God.

As a proof of which,

1. We appeal to his harbinger.

What said the Baptist? "Behold the Lamb of God," &c. "He it is who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." He acted as his herald, and prepared the way for him as one sent from God. Joh_1:23-27.

2. We appeal to the signs at his baptism The opening heavens exhibited it The Father's voice proclaimed it: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." The Holy Ghost descended on him, and anointed him, as a Teacher sent from God. Mat_3:16.

3. We appeal to his transfiguration.

There Moses and Elijah surrendered all into his hands—the Father's attestation is renewed; and a solemn injunction is heard: "Hear ye him." Luk_9:28.

4. We appeal to his heavenly doctrines Did not his discourses attest, that both the speaker and the doctrines were from above? Who could have revealed such truths, and made such discoveries, if he had not been from God?

5. We appeal to his glorious miracles.

He did what no other preacher ever had done. He healed all manner of sicknesses, expelled devils, and raised the dead; and that by his own power, and in his own name: hence reasoned Nicodemus, "No man could do these miracles that thou dost, except God be with him."

6. We appeal to his resurrection.

For surely God would not have raised an impostor from the dead; but Christ he did raise; and thus he was proved to be the true Messiah, the Son of God, with power. Rom_1:4.

7. We appeal to the influence of his teaching.

Has it not made myriads wise to salvation? Did it not chasten the impure, reform the profligate, dignify the debased, make happy the wretched, and inspire the lost sons of men with a joyful hope of immortality? Yes; we do know that he was a Teacher sent from God.

Let us inquire, then,

III. What is our Duty in reference to Him.

To receive his heavenly instructions, that the design of his teaching may be fully answered in us. In order to this, we must receive his teaching,

1. With deep humility.

Conscious of our ignorance and unworthiness 2. With constant attention.

That we may learn the lessons he communicates.

3. With affectionate application.

Feeling that our best interests are identified with his teachings.

4. With unabated constancy.

As we shall ever stand in need of his instructions.

5. With grateful acknowledgments.

For his goodness and mercy towards us, and for the benefits he has conferred upon as.

6. With a practical exemplification of his doctrines in our dispositions, tempers, and lives.

"Doers of the word." See Parable of the Sower.

Application

1. Congratulate his scholars on their privileges, enjoyments, and prospects.

2. Invite the ignorant to hear him.

3. Warn the impenitent, that all who hear not him shall surely die.