Knowing Jesus

1. Knowing Jesus Lesson #3:What He Taught? Text: John 12:47-48

2. Review: Who He Is? He Is Either a Liar, Lunatic or Lord! Jesus words are supported by the Scriptures – “search the Scriptures …these are they which testify of Me…if you do not believe his [Moses] writings, how will you believe My words?” (Jh. 5:39, 45-47) His works testify of His Lordship – “the works I do bear witness of Me…Many good works I have shown…believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” (Jh. 10:24-25, 31-33, 37-38) His enemies rejected His works – “For good works we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.” (Jh. 10:33) Best attempts to discredit His power failed – “…And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.” (Mt. 12:22-25) He was declared to be God’s Son by His resurrection – “and declared to be the Son of God with power…by the resurrection of the dead.” (Ro. 1:5) If all the words, works and power of Jesus is credible and believable, then we must either accept or reject Jesus as our Lord!

3. Review:How He Came In HUMILITY Jesus is the very essence of humility and submissiveness as shown in the examples in birth, in power, in a moment of truth and in our heart. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of now reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men, And being found in the appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”Ph. 2:5-8) His entrance into the affairs of men reflects the true nature of His kingdom. “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. (Jh. 12:42-43)

4. “Knowing Jesus” Means Knowing What He Taught! Jesus’ Words Will Save And Judge. “And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him – the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (Jh. 12:47-48) “…The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Jn6.63b Simon Peter… "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Jn6.68 To know Jesus, we must understand, “What He Taught?” Let’s explore what Jesus taught.

5. Jesus’ Teaching Is Impressive Hearing His words makes an impression on people. Officers were impressed and risked rebuke from their superiors –“The officers answered, ‘No man ever spoke like this Man!’ Then the Pharisees answered and them, ‘Are you also deceived?’” (Jh. 7:46-47) Some of the same officers may have been in the arrest party –“…troops and officers from the chief priest and Pharisees came there with lanterns, torches and weapons…Then – when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” (Jh. 18:3,6) People were amazed at his teaching. It differed from religious leaders. –“…the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mt. 7:28-29; Mk. 1:22) Jesus’ words can’t simply be ignored or discounted (Jh. 12:48).

6. Jesus’ Teaching Is Impressive His own countrymen were impressed. His own people were amazed–“And when He had come to His own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, ‘Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter’s son?…” (Mt. 13:54-55) His words of truth were with authority and power –“ And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority…they were all amazed and spoke to themselves, saying, ‘What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out.’” (Lk. 4:32, 36) Jesus taught like no other. He is an authoritative, powerful, and credible source of truth. We should be equally impressed!

7. Jesus’ Teaching Is Understandable Understanding Jesus’ teaching takes effort. One of the absurd knocks against Jesus was His use of “subtle teaching techniques” such as parables and other “elusive” approaches. He spoke parables to sift out those who had a genuine interest - “…Why do You speak to them in parables?…Because it has been given to you to know the mystery of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given…Therefore I speak to them in parables because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand...” (Mt. 13:10-16) Only those “outside” would fail to understand - “…but to those outside, all things come in parables…” (Mk. 4:11) If we still do not understand Jesus’ teaching, then His doctrine will remain a “mystery” (Mt. 13:11).

8. Jesus’ Teaching Is Understandable We must discern His teaching spiritually, not naturally - “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned.” (I Co 2:14) He teaches this way to gauge our interest. Either we will: Show our fickle intentions – “…many of His disciples…said, ‘This is a hard saying: who can understand it?’…He said to them, ‘Does this offend you?…From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. ” (Jh. 6:59-61, 66) Feel the impact of His words – “…Do you also want to go away?…Peter answered Him, ‘Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jh. 6:67-69) OR

9. Jesus’ Teaching Is Radical Many label His teaching as “radical”, too extreme and “on the fringe.” Many labeler’s don’t know how right they are. “Radical” is defined as: of, or relating to the origin; proceeding from the root” (Webster’s) Jesus teaching sinks down to the “root” or “origin” of the problems we have brought on ourselves. He knows when such a “jolt” is needed to shake us back to reality - “…If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me…he went away sorrowful…” (Mt. 19:21-22) Jesus’ teaching proves His friendship - “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Pr. 27:6).

10. Jesus’ Teaching Is Radical Jesus says what we need to hear, not what we want to hear. Conquer temptation by removing sinful thoughts -“…You shall not commit adultery, but I say unto you that whoever looks upon a women to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. And if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out…” (Mt. 5:27-30) His teaching warns us of the emptiness of false doctrine – “Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Mt. 16:5-12) He had to overcome the “popular mainstream” religious doctrine – “…Why do you transgress the commandment of God because of your traditions?…in vain they do worship Me teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Mt. 15:1-9; 5:20)

11. Jesus’ Teaching Is Radical Jesus can teach us things we won’t learn anywhere else. His teaching is more vital than everyday things - “And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word, but Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘ Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.’ And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her..’” (Lk. 10:39-42) His teaching is truer than what others teach - “…the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mt. 7:28-29) His true words are more important than anything!

12. Jesus’ Teaching Demands A Choice Jesus’ teaching demands a response! This “uniqueness” sets Him apart from other teachers. Believe or die - “…for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (Jh. 8:24) Repent or perish - “…unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Lk. 13:3) Be saved or condemned - “He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mk. 16:16) Confess or deny Him - “…whoever confesses Me before men, him will I confess before My Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies Me before men, him will I deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Mt. 10:32)

13. Jesus’ Teaching Demands A Choice Jesus’ teaching demands a response! This “uniqueness” sets Him apart from other teachers. Serve God or riches – “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Mt. 6:24) Seek God first or not - “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Mt. 6:33) Come to Him or not - “…if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mt. 16:24) IMPORTANT FACT: Getting to know Jesus, the Master Teacher, requires that we are impressed, understand and accept His radical teaching. Accept and obey all of His words to be saved!

14. The Words Of Jesus Will Judge Us Are we hearing, understanding, and obeying the words of Jesus? “And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him – the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”” (Jh. 12:47-48) Are we ready to be judged by the words of Jesus?