Romans: Election, Israel, and Covenant Mercy

How Are You Being Taught - Part 1 of 3

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: New Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2016-12-29

Synopsis: In this first part of a three-part series, Pastor John Weaver examines the question 'How are you being taught?' from Psalm 25:12. He emphasizes that teaching is essential yet often neglected due to willful ignorance, pride, and rebellion. The singular mark of a true Christian is receiving God's Word. God teaches His people in the way He chooses, and the first method explored is teaching by example—both positive (Christ, Abraham, the prophets) and negative (Israel in the wilderness, Sodom, etc.). Believers are called to learn from these examples and to be godly examples themselves.

[John Weaver] If you would open your Bibles today to Psalm 25. Psalm 25. Psalm 25. I want to begin a message today which will take me three weeks to finish, so this will be installment one on part three. However, each message should stand by itself. The title of the message is, How Are You Being Taught? How are you being taught? So look in Psalm 25 and verse 12. Psalm 25 verse 12. David asked this question.

[John Weaver] What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him, that man that fears the Lord, shall he God teach in the way that he shall choose?

[John Weaver] Now I want you to think about that verse. What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. Teaching is needed by everyone, and yet it is ignored by most individuals, including the majority of Christians. One can fill a church building with free meals or entertainment, yet you offer some serious, studious, and solemn teaching of the Word of God and discover how few really turn out for teaching.

[John Weaver] The truth is we'd rather be amused than to muse. You remember the word muse in the Bible means to think. So amusement means not to think. So we'd rather be amused than to muse and we'd rather be ignorant than instructed. You have to understand that there is an ignorance that stems from inopportunity. That is, some people just do not have the opportunity to be taught or the availability of instruction. But there is also an ignorance that stems from willfulness. And the Word of God, of course, condemns willful ignorance. Let me just give you several verses to begin with. In Isaiah 56 and verse 10, God speaks about the watchman concerning Israel and He says, His watchmen are blind. They are all ignorant.

[John Weaver] They're all dumb dogs that cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Now, why are they ignorant? Because they love to sleep. They love to slumber. They love to lie down. In other words, they have no time for study. They have no time for teaching. They have no time for instruction. And probably they believe they have absolutely no need for it either. So God says here, some people are like just dumb dogs. have absolutely no desire to be taught. In Romans chapter 10 and verse 3, here's another passage, God speaking about the Jews in those days, He said this, For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God. So here are people who were not only willingly ignorant of God's righteousness, But they then attempted to establish a righteousness of their own.

[John Weaver] So you have to ask, were they willfully blind? The answer is yes. They were willfully blind, and not only were they willfully blind, but they gladly and willingly and with great deliberation plotted the betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In 2 Peter chapter 3 and verse 5, the Word of God says this, talking about the apostates, for this they are willingly ignorant of and that by the word of God the heavens of old were of old and the earth standing out of the water and in the water. Notice he said for this they are willingly ignorant of. So there are a lot of people that are just downright willingly ignorant. They want ignorance. In fact when you find people like this the only thing we can do is agree with the Apostle Paul when he said in 1 Corinthians 14 in verse 38, if any man will be ignorant, let him be ignorant still. In other words, if you're not going to learn, if you don't just stay ignorant, just stay ignorant and get it down the way.

[John Weaver] The truth is we must all be taught. We must all be instructed. There's not one individual that was born wise, spiritual, obedient and godly by nature. Not one individual. You see, Jeremiah hit the nail on the head When he said in Jeremiah 10 in verse 23, O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Because no man has the wisdom, no man has the insight, no man has the knowledge to do so.

[John Weaver] Now, I understand that there are a lot of people who consider themselves very wise. But if you're one of those individuals that considers yourself very wise, let me ask you a question. Have you ever considered your life before you were converted to Jesus Christ? If you have considered your life before you were converted to Jesus Christ, I could ask you one question. And I will tell you, if you are honest, I can tell you the answer to the question before I ever ask it. The answer will be yes. So here's the question. Listen carefully. If you could live your life over before you were converted, if you could live your life over before you were converted with the knowledge that you have now, would you live any differently? Everybody? Yes. Very obviously, yes, you would. Well, we have to ask this question then.

[John Weaver] What has made the difference in our lives since our conversion? And the answer is, obviously, the teaching of the Word of God. David said it like this in Psalm 37 verse 23. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delighted in his way. In fact, every one of us can look back and see how God has led us, how God has directed us, how God has taught us. And we have to confess and acknowledge that the changes in our lives stem from the teaching of the word of God. Since we're in Psalm 25, I want you to look at verse five. Look at this prayer that David prays. Psalm 25 verse 5, Lead me in thy truth and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation, on thee do I wait all the day. So lead me in thy truth and teach me. Look if you would please in verse 9.

[John Weaver] He says, The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way. Do you understand that God has promised to instruct us and teach us? In fact, I want you to look in Psalm 32 and verse 8. Psalm 32 and verse 8. Look at what God says. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way that thou shalt go. I will guide thee with mine eyes. So God has promised then to instruct us and to teach us. Now, I want you to turn with me to a couple of passages. I want you to turn if you would to the book of Deuteronomy chapter 33 and let's look there at the first three verses. Deuteronomy 33 and let's begin reading there with the verse one.

[John Weaver] Remember the title of this message is how are you being taught? I'm going to show you four ways from the word of God on how God teaches. Notice if you would, Psalm 33, beginning there, verse 1. And this is the blessing wherewith Moses, the man of God, blessed the children of Israel before his death. And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them. He shined forth from Mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints.

[John Weaver] From his right hand went a fiery law for them. Now watch verse 3. Watch very carefully. yea he loved the people all his saints are in thy hand and they sat down at his feet everyone shall receive of thy words wow when you read that passage it should be very obvious that all of his saints sit at his feet everyone shall receive of his words now let me tell

[John Weaver] you The singular and the most prominent mark of a true Christian is that he receives the Word of God. He receives the Word of God.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn to John 17. When you get to John 17, you have the high priestly prayer of our Lord. And I want you to see that our Lord says almost exactly the same thing And John 17 in verse three, or John 17, beginning with verse five, that is said in Deuteronomy 33 and verse three. So look in John 17, beginning there with verse five. Remember, this is our Lord's high priestly prayer. He's praying to the father and he says this. And now, Oh father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory, which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world. Thine they were, and thou gavest them me, and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou givest me are thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me. Watch! And they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me."

[John Weaver] Now what did Moses say in Deuteronomy 33 verse 3? Everyone sits at his feet and receives his word. And now here Jesus Christ in his high priestly prayer is saying, I've given them the words which thou hast given me and they have received them. So that is why I said the singular and the most prominent mark of a child of God is that he receives the word of God. If all of God's people are to be taught, you would have to ask yourself, what are the implications of these two passages, especially Deuteronomy 33 and John chapter 17? Well, let me give you several implications. First, it should be obvious that all that claim to be the people of God are not necessarily the people of God. Now, when I say that, I want to point out that there are hordes of ignorant people in the churches. Hordes. Multitudes. Why are so many of them absolutely abysmally ignorant?

[John Weaver] And the answer is because they were never ever genuinely converted to begin with. You see, the Apostle Paul himself makes a distinction between a profession and a possession. It's one thing to profess to be a Christian. It's quite another thing to possess the grace that makes one a Christian. It is entirely possible to be in an outward covenantal relationship and not be saved. Let me show you.

[John Weaver] I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Romans chapter 9. Here's an excellent illustration, Romans chapter 9, beginning there in verse 6. I want you to see what the Apostle Paul says about national Israel. Everyone in this room knows that national Israel was in a covenantal relationship with God. If you were a national Israelite, especially a male, you were circumcised. That circumcision was the outward sign that you were in a covenantal relationship with God. It was a national covenant. Does that mean, therefore, that every male that was circumcised was saved?

[John Weaver] And the answer is, of course not. If you look in Romans chapter 9, beginning there with verse 6, Paul is addressing this very issue, and he says this, Not as though the word of God had taken none effect. Now watch this statement. For they are not all Israel which are of Israel. Now when the Apostle says there's not all Israel which are of Israel, what is he saying? There's an Israel within Israel. In other words, there's an elect within an election. There's a national outward external election, but there's an internal spiritual election. So he says they're not all Israel which are of Israel.

[John Weaver] Now, in case you do not understand verse 6, He explains it further in verse 7. He says, neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children, but in Isaac shall thy children be called. So just because someone happened to be a lineal descendant of Abraham, still did not mean that he was a true Israelite. Because in Isaac shall thy seed be called, because Isaac was the child of promise. Now in case you don't understand verse 7, He makes it even plainer in verse 8. Now let's go back and read verse 6 and 7 so that you can understand it in verse 8. In verse 6, he says, Not as though the word of God hath none effect, for they are not all Israel, which are of Israel, neither because are they the seed of Abraham are they all children, but in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, that is, here's my explanation, they which are the children of the flesh. These are not the children of God. But the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

[John Weaver] So fleshly Israel is not Israel. Only those who are in Christ are the true Israel of God. So what is the Apostle Paul telling us? That there is an election within an election. And you could explain that by just looking at the church. today. There are many who are in churches that may be in an outward covenantal relationship in the fact that they join that church. They were baptized. They may even take communion. But they're not saved. They're not Christians. There are plenty of unconverted people in the churches of America.

[John Weaver] Now, if you understand this, then you can grasp the reason why so many are abysmally ignorant. They cannot discern spiritual truth. They cannot receive it. The Apostle Paul made that exceedingly clear in 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 14 when he says, For the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, They're spiritually discerned, neither can he know them. He doesn't have the ability to know them. So the first answer as to why there are so many ignorant professing Christians is not all of them are Christians. Many are just totally, absolutely lost. Secondly, if some genuine Christians are weak, ignorant, and untaught, What is the problem?

[John Weaver] Well, there are numerous answers to that. Let me just give you one right here. And that would simply be this pride. Do you realize a lot of Christians are absolutely proud of their ignorance? I usually laugh and tell about the old backwood country preacher that said, and I'm sure no one ever said it was made up by someone. But I still laugh at it. And it may have been said, who knows? But he said, and I quote, I'm ignorant. I'm glad I'm ignorant. And I'm planning on getting more ignorant. Well, he did not have to tell anyone that he was ignorant.

[John Weaver] It started out with blessed God. I ain't never been to one of them, their schools. I'm ignorant. I'm proud. I'm ignorant. And I'm planning on getting more ignorant. Well, that's the way a lot of Christians are because a lot of Christians claim what they want to be. is simply a simple Christian. In other words, what they mean by that is this, all I know and all I need to know is Jesus saves. And it kind of makes us proud that we know that Jesus saves, but we're ignorant to everything else. They think they are taking the point of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 2 when he said, for I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And so they say, well, that's all I need to know. I need to know Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and that's it. Well, I tell you what, if you would read the context of 1 Corinthians chapter 2, you would find what the Apostle Paul is doing in the context is he is contrasting a biblical, heavenly wisdom with an earthly, fleshly wisdom.

[John Weaver] And when he said, I don't want to know anything but Jesus Christ and Him crucified, he is saying, I'm rejecting the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of the flesh. So when someone tries to tell me, well, all they want to do is know Jesus like Paul did. Well, fine. Wonderful. If you would like to know Jesus the way Paul did, I would be happy for you to know Jesus the way Paul did. Because if you really want to know him like Paul did, you would understand his eternity, you would understand his godhood, you would understand his incarnation, you would understand his mediation, you would understand his resurrection, you would understand his ascension, you would understand his intercession, you would know his attributes, you would know his graces, you would know his threatenings, you would know his promises. Oh yeah. Because Paul taught on all of those things. You see, this is what I'm trying to share with you. Some people say, well, all I believe is John 3.16. John 3.16 is so simple.

[John Weaver] For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Wonderful! Isn't that simple? For God. Would you explain God to me? So loved. Would you explain that to me? How could God love a wicked, filthy, corrupt, rebellious, sinful people? The world. Did you know the word world, the word cosmos is used over 13 different ways in the New Testament? Explain the word world to me. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Oh, only begotten, monogamous, one of a kind, unique. Explain to me the incarnation of Jesus Christ. that whosoever believeth in him, would you like to explain faith? Should not perish, would you explain perishing? But have everlasting life, would you like to explain that? You see, John 3.16 is not that simple. And when somebody talks about being a simple Christian, what they're trying to do is say, I don't need to know anything. Well, if you want to believe like the Apostle Paul, you need to believe like he did in Philippians 3 and verse 10 when he said this, that I might know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings being made conformable unto His death."

[John Weaver] Now, do you really want to be made conformable unto the death of Jesus Christ? So, it's basically pride. We think that, well, all I need to know is that Jesus saves and that's it. And we don't even understand the simplest verse in the Bible. So, let me put it to you like this. The reason Most Christians are ignorant is because most Christians cannot be taught. In order to be taught, you must have a teachable spirit.

[John Weaver] And most are not willing to listen. They're not willing to learn. Most young people, when they go to college, They don't go to learn. They go to show off how much they know and instruct their teachers. And it is true, like David said in Psalm 119, verse 99, if you understand spiritual things, you probably have more understanding than your teachers because most of them have no understanding of spiritual things. That may be true. But the reason most Christians are not taught is because we understand that teaching requires time and energy And we're not willing to devote ourselves or sacrifice our time in order to be taught.

[John Weaver] You just simply witness the fact that how many will attend a Bible study or come to church once or twice and then drop out. That's why I say most people do not have a teachable spirit. Most people will not be faithful to teaching. And by the way, you will hear me say this probably several times before this brief series is over.

[John Weaver] Now, I hope you understand this. I am not required by God to teach an unteachable man. Moreover, I am not required by God to teach an unfaithful man. Paul told Timothy and second Timothy chapter two in verse two, the things that thou hast seen and heard among of me, among many witnesses.

[John Weaver] Now listen, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also. So it's not my responsibility to chase you down and try to cram truth down your throat. It's your responsibility to be faithful to the teaching and preaching of the word of God so that you may be taught. Okay? Why is it that so many Christians are untaught? Pride. They don't even think they need to be taught.

[John Weaver] I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Colossians chapter 1. I want to show you the three things the Apostle Paul says is absolutely necessary for maturity in Christ. It is impossible for any Christian to be mature without these three things. Look at it. Colossians 1 and verse 28. Colossians 1 verse 28. Colossians 1 verse 28. Whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect or mature in Christ Jesus. Now, if you want to be perfect or mature in Christ Jesus, what three things do you need? Well, in this verse, Paul says you need preaching, you need warning, and you need teaching.

[John Weaver] Now, the word warning there is where we get the Greek word, it's nutheteo, it refers to nuthetic confrontation. Nuthetic confrontation. So, Paul says you need to be preached to, you need to be euthetically confronted, and you need to be taught. So, what in the world do I mean by euthetic confrontation? So, I'd go back to Marshall, I'd say, Marshall, I see you're doing something here, and it's wrong, and it's wicked, and let me show you from the Word of God how to correct that and what God demands of you. What am I doing?

[John Weaver] I'm confronting him about his disobedience or his sin. And I'm not doing it haughtily there, and I'm not even preaching on that today, but I'm just explaining what euthetic confrontation is. There's a biblical way to do it. There's an unbiblical way to do it. You remember Galatians 6, he says, you who are spiritual, restore such in one how in the spirit of meekness, considering yourselves, lest you also be tempted. So if I'm trying to restore him, I'm not going there with a proud, arrogant, haughty attitude to let me show you what you've done. No, I'm just trying to show him from scripture how to be a more obedient and godly individual. So the Apostle Paul says, if you're going to be mature in Christ, you need preaching, you need euthetic confrontation, and you need teaching.

[John Weaver] And the reason that most Christians are so ignorant is because of our pride. We don't think we need the preaching. We don't especially want to be confronted with our sins. And we're not going to sit down and listen to serious, solemn teaching. Now, there's a third reason, I believe, as to why so many professing Christians are ignorant. And it stems from what I would call an unbiblical fear. You say an unbiblical fear? Yeah.

[John Weaver] Because we understand that increased knowledge carries with it increased responsibility. And somehow we try to deceive ourselves and we think Well, if I don't know, then I'm not responsible. But what we fail to understand is that we have the opportunity to learn and refuse to learn. That's willful ignorance. And that also is sin. And now you're responsible, not only for what you could have learned and didn't learn, you're responsible now for not learning. So you've committed a double sin.

[John Weaver] And there's a fourth reason I want to give you. I believe the final answer. As to why so many Christians are ignorant. It's because of our rebellion. You say rebellion? Yep. And rebellion is sin. I understand that pride figures into this, but pride and rebellion go hand in hand. The old Puritans had a saying. It went like this, how many would be wise if they did not already think themselves so? How many would be wise if they did not already think themselves so? So oftentimes we just simply think we don't need teaching. We're sufficient in ourselves. We know what we need to know. We're content with what little we do know and we really do not wish to learn at all. In fact, listen carefully. Here is part and parcel of our rebellion. Listen. We don't even obey that which we do know. James 4.17 says, To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin. So if you know what you should be doing and you don't do it, God says it's sin.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn very quickly to the book of Mark chapter 4. The book of Mark chapter 4. And I want you to look at verses 24 and 25. This brief series is going to go hand in hand with the brief series that I preached previously, seeing and hearing but not understanding. So look at Mark chapter 4 and verses 24 and 25. In fact, we can read verse 23.

[John Weaver] when he says, If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them, Take heed what you hear. Now watch. With what measure you meet, it shall be measured to you, and to you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath to him shall be given, and he that hath not from him shall be taken, even that which he hath.

[John Weaver] Now go back to verse 24. And he said to them, take heed what you hear, with what measure you meet it shall be measured to you. So here's what he said, whatever measure that you give in study and learning, that is going to be measured right back to you. So if you spend one hour studying, you're not going to get 20 hours worth of truth. You're going to get an hour's worth of truth. If you spend five minutes, that's all the truth. You're going to get five minutes worth. It's going to be measured to you exactly to the measure that you put in it.

[John Weaver] Now he said this, for he that hath, according to you, that he or shall more be given. So if you want more truth, here's what God says, you must obey the truth that you already have. For he that hath to him shall be given. He that hath not from him shall be taken, even that which you have. So why in the world would God give you more truth if you will not obey the truth that he's already given you? And he's also telling you this, if you don't use the truth, you lose the truth from him shall be taken even that which he had or that which he seemeth to have. Because if you do not use, and if you do not apply the truth, then you really do not have the truth.

[John Weaver] Now, let me tell you something. I've taught for 50 years. I've taught students. from the fourth grade all the way through college. Plus my preaching and teaching. One thing that I've learned over all the years of teaching is this, that students have different methods of learning. Students have different methods of learning. Some find it easy. It's a piece of cake. Others learn with great difficulty. Some individuals can just simply hear and it's theirs. Some can see and it's there.

[John Weaver] Some require seeing and hearing. Some require hands-on experience. Examples have to be used. Repetition must be enforced and clarity distilled for some to even get a glimpse of knowledge. I certainly do not claim to be an expert when it comes to teaching, nor do I claim to have all the answers. However, let me tell you this. The great teacher, our heavenly father, who's revealed himself in the Lord Jesus Christ knows exactly how to teach you and how to get his truth across to you.

[John Weaver] For some, it will be relatively easy. For some, it will be very difficult. But he will teach you one way or the other.

[John Weaver] Now I'm going to tell you. The easy way to learn. Is the easy way to learn. I want you to look back to Psalm 25. I want you to look at verse 12. Psalm 25, verse 12. Go back there. I want you to look at this. Psalm 25, verse 12. Very simple verse. But look at it. I want you to think as I read this verse to you. Look in Psalm 25 and verse 12.

[John Weaver] Plain as a nose on your face, he says it like this. What man is he that feareth the Lord? That's the question. Do you fear God? Are you saved? Then he says this, Him, that man that fears the Lord, Him shall he, God, teach in the way that he shall choose. So God's going to choose the way that is best to teach you. Job 36 and verse 22 says, Behold, God exalted by his power who teacheth like him.

[John Weaver] So you can mark this down. God's going to teach you one way or the other. And he's going to choose the most effective way to get his truth across. So how does God teach us? I'm going to cover one point today. one point next Sunday and Lord willing two points a day after that Sunday after that the very first point is this he teaches by example he teaches by example now learning by example is extremely easy in fact this is usually one of the methods that we choose to teach your own children. If we see another child get hurt or get whipped, we say to our child, look what happened to Johnny.

[John Weaver] Don't do what he did. If you do, you're going to suffer the same consequences that he suffered. Or we see some child extremely happy being blessed because of some good deed And we'll say to our children, look exactly at what happened to him. And if you follow, if you imitate his example, then of course you're going to have these blessings as well. So we then are using examples to teach our children.

[John Weaver] Now, let me go a little further. You have to remember that there are positive examples and negative examples. Let me just quote. Romans 15 in verse 4. You need to write it down. I want you to read this verse later, but here's what Romans 15 verse 4 says. For once ever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now God said whatever was written aforetime, and He's speaking primarily of the Old Testament. Whatever was written aforetime was written for our learning. So every example that you look at, both positive and negative, was written for our learning. So let me begin very quickly by giving you the positive examples. And I'm not going to go through all the scripture, but I want to show you, first of all, the very chief one.

[John Weaver] If you would turn in your Bibles to 1 Peter chapter 2. 1 Peter chapter 2. And look, if you would please, beginning there in verse 21. First Peter chapter two, verse 21. The Bible says for even here unto where you called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.

[John Weaver] Who, when he was reviled, revile not again. When he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

[John Weaver] Now go back to verse 21. For even here unto were you also called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow his steps. So Jesus Christ is the premier example in the word of God. It was Thomas the Kempis who wrote the book, Imitation of Christ. Well, we don't want to just imitate Christ. We want to participate in Christ. and let Him and allow Him to live His life in us and through us. But the Christian life is not an imitation. It is a participation. But Christ is our preeminent example.

[John Weaver] He is the positive one. He obeyed the Father. He was principled. He was submissive. He was humble. In fact, if you look in your Bible, John chapter 13, And verse 15, John chapter 13 and verse 15, this is the passage where our Lord took a towel and girded Himself and washed His disciples' feet. In John 13 and verse 15, our Lord said this, For I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you. Why? Verse 16, Verily, verily, I say to you, this servant is not greater than his Lord, Neither is he that sent greater than him that sent.

[John Weaver] If you know these things, happier you if you do them. But note what he says, I've given you an example. In other words, I've shown you what humility is all about. I've shown you what helping is all about. Here's my example in this. When we talk about positive examples, Abraham is an example of faith and obedience in the scripture. He's called the friend of God. He's called the father of all them that believe. In fact, the Bible says, that the fateful walk in the steps of fateful Abraham. In other words, Abraham is a positive example. There are multitudes of positive examples in the Bible.

[John Weaver] Let me just show you one. Go to James chapter 5, verses 10 and 11. James chapter 5, verses 10 and 11. Look at it. Hebrews, James, James 5, verses 10 and 11. Here James says it like this. James 5 verse 10, take my brethren the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord for an example of suffering, affliction, and impatience. Behold, we count them happy, which endure. You've heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy. But notice what he said, take my brethren the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord for an example. So all the prophets then would be a positive example.

[John Weaver] So what we need to do is this, we need to read the scripture. When we read about Abraham, we read about Isaac. We say, yeah, that's the way I should conduct my life. That's the way I should walk. That's the way I should live. When we read the gospels and find out how Jesus Christ obeyed the father and did what was right under every situation and circumstance, we should say, yes, that's my example. That's a very simple and easy way to learn. By the way, there are also negative examples given in the Word of God.

[John Weaver] I want you to turn to 2 Chronicles chapter 30. 2 Chronicles chapter 30. Then we're going to Psalm 78 and then to the little book of Zechariah. So go if you would please to 2 Chronicles chapter 30. 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles. Second Chronicles chapter 30, then we're going to Psalm 78. So you can find Psalm 78. Then we're going to the minor prophet Zachariah. So notice if you would please, first of all, in second Chronicles chapter 30 and verse seven, look what God says.

[John Weaver] He's telling his people and be not like your fathers. and like your brethren, which trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation as you see. Verse 8.

[John Weaver] Now be ye not stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into the sanctuary which he has sanctified forever, and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you. Let me spell this out to you. Don't act like your fathers acted Don't sin against God. Don't violate God's law. Here's what he's saying. If you want to be blessed, don't do what they did. Look in Psalm 78. Psalm 78, beginning there with verse 6.

[John Weaver] Then we'll go to the little book of Zechariah, which I think is right before Malachi. All right. Notice if you would. Psalm 78. Psalm 78. And notice if you would please verse 6, Psalm 78 verse 6. He says that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born, who should arise and declare them to their children, that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments. And might not be as their fathers a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God. Isn't that amazing?

[John Weaver] Did your mother ever tell you as a child, don't act like your father? Well, she may or may not have it, depending on what father had done. But that's exactly what God is saying. Don't act like your fathers. Don't act like your brothers. Look in the book of Zechariah, Zechariah chapter one, right before the book of Malachi, last book in the Old Testament, Zechariah chapter 1, notice if you would please with verse 2. Zechariah chapter 1, verse 2. The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers. Wow. Therefore saith thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Turn you unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. Be not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus said the Lord of hosts, turn you now from your evil ways and from your evil doings. But they did not hear nor hearken to me, said the Lord. Now, here's what God says. Don't be like your fathers. Don't be like those stupid people that I told you and I instructed you and I taught you, but you would not listen.

[John Weaver] And where are they? They're destroyed. So don't be like that. Is it this passage? We could also put in this, and I'll quote this verse next week as well from a different aspect. But you remember Romans 1 and verse 18 where the Bible says, For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Passages like this can be applied to Korah and Dathan and Abiram, Alexander the coppersmith, evil and wicked rulers such as Jeroboam, Manasseh, Ahab, and a host of others. There are multitudes of scriptures like this where God says, don't do this. Don't be like these people. Don't act like this.

[John Weaver] Now, let me show you. I want you to turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 10. 1 Corinthians chapter 10. And let's begin reading there with verse 5. 1 Corinthians chapter 10. And look at verse 5. We're talking about Israel. In fact, go back to verse 1, just so you'll see, it says, Moreover, brethren, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud and all passed through the sea. So it's talking about the deliverance of Israel from Egypt as they pass through the Red Sea. Now skip down to verse 5.

[John Weaver] But with many of them God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now, these things were our examples. To the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication as some of them committed and fell in one day twenty-three thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ as some of them also tempted and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur you, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happen to them for examples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

[John Weaver] Wherefore, let him that thinketh these standeth, take he lest he fall. Now you know what the Apostle Paul just did? The Apostle Paul just took everything that happened to old Israel in the Old Testament and applied it to us in the New Testament. He said, here are negative examples. Don't do like these people did. Don't do that. That's plain. Look in Hebrews chapter 4. Hebrews chapter 4. Hebrews chapter 4.

[John Weaver] Notice if you would, and let's begin reading there. let's begin reading there with verse 11 he said let us therefore let us labor therefore to enter into that rest lest any man fail after the same example of unbelief what example is it talking about Israel who came out of Egypt by the way I should have mentioned a while ago, you remember as we were reading from 1 Corinthians 10, the Bible said, with many of them, God was not well pleased. Do you know how many of the original men that came out of Egypt actually got into Canaan land? Two. Joshua and Caleb. He killed the rest of them.

[John Weaver] And this is what he's saying. In verse 11, let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. He said, use them for an example. Don't live like them. Don't do like them. When you get to 2 Peter, just turn over just a few pages, 2 Peter. After Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter. Look in 2 Peter chapter 2, beginning there of verse 4.

[John Weaver] We're talking about negative examples. 2nd Peter 2 verse 4. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved into judgment, and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly, and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example to all those that should after live ungodly, What? He said, all of these are examples to you. Do you want to be like Sodom and Gomorrah? That's exactly where we're headed, by the way. Do you want to be destroyed like that? Do you want to be destroyed like those antediluvians in Noah's day? Do you want to be destroyed like the fallen angels? He said, these are examples. Do you understand it is possible to learn and receive teaching by examples?

[John Weaver] We may learn virtue, patience, honesty, morality, kindness, tenderness, and a host of other attributes just simply by watching, observing, and listening to others if our hearts are open. Likewise, if our hearts are open, we may be properly warned while we observe what happens to the wicked and the ungodly. When we see someone stick their hand into the fire, and their hand starts burning, and their flesh starts falling off, if we are wise, we'll say, I'm not going to do that. I'm going to learn from that. I'm not going to jump in front of a train the way some people, I'm going to learn from that. I'm going to stop at the railroad track and look left and look right.

[John Weaver] I told you this once before, but it's the absolute truth. Some animals are smarter than people. Alice and I were going to Northern Michigan to preach. We were in Glen Arbor. I think it was, there was a deer. right by the interstate of Doe. There's a patch of green grass on the other side of the exit ramp. I watched that Doe. Alice was driving. That Doe came to that exit ramp, stopped, looked to her left, looked to her right, and then she walked across. I thought, that animal's got better sense than most people.

[John Weaver] I'm just simply saying we can learn if we pay attention. Learning by example is the easiest way to learn. Practically all animals learn by example. Watch calves, they eat what their mamas eat. Goats do the same thing. Even mankind learns by observation and by example when we are young. But however, When we get older, we think that learning by example is for babies. I mean, we want to experiment. We won't hands on learning. And so we stick our hand in the fire and we have to learn the hard way. The truth of Proverbs 13 in verse 15, the way of the transgressor is hard. So each of us has learned from example.

[John Weaver] Each of us has benefited from the examples of other people, whether those examples have been positive or negatives. So when we see someone that has a godly example, we should follow it. If we see someone with an ungodly example, we should avoid it. But now let me point something out to you. Do you realize that you are an example to others? And you may be a positive or negative example. You cannot escape the concept of being an example. You are whether you like it or not. You're either an example for good or an example for bad. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3 and verse 17, Brethren, be followers together of me and mark them which walk so as you have us for an example. In 2 Thessalonians 3 and verse 9 he says, Not because we have power, but to make ourselves an example unto you that you might follow us.

[John Weaver] He told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4 in verse 12, Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example to believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. So here's my applications. The first one is this. It's your responsibility to be a godly example to others in every sphere of life. It is not your responsibility to apply your example to others. It's just your responsibility to be an example. That is God's prerogative as to whether or not he uses you as an example to others. But it's your responsibility to be a godly example. You remember he said in Matthew 21 in verse 32, For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and you believed him not.

[John Weaver] He's talking to the scribes and Pharisees. But the publicans and the harlots believed him, and you, when you've seen it, When you, when you had seen it, repented not afterwards that you might believe. What was he saying? You had a responsibility to learn from the example of others, from the positive, and you didn't do it. The second application is this. It's your responsibility to heed all warnings from wicked and evil examples and not to follow them. God said in Exodus 32 in verse two, thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. Neither shall thou speak in a cause to decline after many to rest judgment. He said in first John three, verse 11, beloved follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God, but he doeth evil has not seen God. You are an example. You may not like it, but you're an example. You're either a good one or a bad one.

[John Weaver] And someone somewhere is watching you and someone. Somewhere we'll learn from your life. Either that which is right or that which is wrong. The easy way to be taught of God is to observe and learn. That's easy. You just need a teachable heart and an observant mind and a knowledge of scripture. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee. We thank you for your word. We thank you for the fact, Lord, that you are indeed going to teach us and you will teach us one way or the other.

[John Weaver] We will receive your words. How simple and how easy it is to learn from example. Help us Lord to take the easy path because it does get harder and harder to learn. We ask for your grace and your mercy in Christ's name. Amen. Amen.

How Are You Being Taught - Part 1 of 3

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	vx3LH1EjPUI
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Romans: Election, Israel, and Covenant Mercy
Genre	Sermon
Date	2016-12-29
Dictation Name
Book	Book 184: How Are You Being Taught — Chapter 1
Source Timed Segments	75

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: The Necessity of Teaching

Teaching is needed by everyone but ignored by most, including Christians. Many prefer amusement over instruction, and willful ignorance is condemned in Scripture.

If you would open your Bibles today to Psalm 25. Psalm 25. I want to begin a message today which will take me three weeks to finish, so this will be installment one of part three. However, each message should stand by itself. The title of the message is, "How Are You Being Taught?" How are you being taught? So look in Psalm 25 and verse 12. Psalm 25 verse 12. David asked this question.

"What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him, that man that fears the Lord, shall He, God, teach in the way that he shall choose." Now I want you to think about that verse. "What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose." Teaching is needed by everyone, and yet it is ignored by most individuals, including the majority of Christians. One can fill a church building with free meals or entertainment, yet you offer some serious, studious, and solemn teaching of the Word of God and discover how few really turn out for teaching. The truth is we'd rather be amused than to muse. You remember the word "muse" in the Bible means to think. So amusement means not to think. So we'd rather be amused than to muse, and we'd rather be ignorant than instructed. You have to understand that there is an ignorance that stems from inopportunity. That is, some people just do not have the opportunity to be taught or the availability of instruction. But there is also an ignorance that stems from willfulness. And the Word of God, of course, condemns willful ignorance. Let me just give you several verses to begin with. In Isaiah 56 and verse 10, God speaks about the watchmen concerning Israel and He says, "His watchmen are blind. They are all ignorant.

They're all dumb dogs that cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber." Now, why are they ignorant? Because they love to sleep. They love to slumber. They love to lie down. In other words, they have no time for study. They have no time for teaching. They have no time for instruction. And probably they believe they have absolutely no need for it either. So God says here, some people are like just dumb dogs, have absolutely no desire to be taught. In Romans chapter 10 and verse 3, here's another passage, God speaking about the Jews in those days, He said this, "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God." So here are people who were not only willingly ignorant of God's righteousness, but they then attempted to establish a righteousness of their own.

So you have to ask, were they willfully blind? The answer is yes. They were willfully blind, and not only were they willfully blind, but they gladly and willingly and with great deliberation plotted the betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In 2 Peter chapter 3 and verse 5, the Word of God says this, talking about the apostates, "For this they are willingly ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water." Notice he said, "For this they are willingly ignorant of." So there are a lot of people that are just downright willingly ignorant. They want ignorance. In fact, when you find people like this, the only thing we can do is agree with the Apostle Paul when he said in 1 Corinthians 14 and verse 38, "If any man will be ignorant, let him be ignorant still." In other words, if you're not going to learn, if you don't want to learn, just stay ignorant, just stay ignorant and get it down the way.

The Mark of a True Christian: Receiving God's Word

Deuteronomy 33:3 and John 17 show that the prominent mark of a true Christian is receiving God's Word. Many professing Christians are ignorant because they were never genuinely converted.

Remember the title of this message is "How Are You Being Taught?" I'm going to show you four ways from the Word of God on how God teaches. Notice, if you would, Deuteronomy 33, beginning there, verse 1.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 33:1-3

"And this is the blessing wherewith Moses, the man of God, blessed the children of Israel before his death. And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them. He shined forth from Mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints. From his right hand went a fiery law for them."

Now watch verse 3. Watch very carefully.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 33:1-3

"Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at his feet; everyone shall receive of thy words."

Wow. When you read that passage, it should be very obvious that all of his saints sit at his feet; everyone shall receive of his words. Now let me tell

you, the singular and the most prominent mark of a true Christian is that he receives the Word of God. He receives the Word of God. Now, I want you to turn to John 17. When you get to John 17, you have the high priestly prayer of our Lord. And I want you to see that our Lord says almost exactly the same thing in John 17, beginning with verse 5, that is said in Deuteronomy 33 and verse 3. So look in John 17, beginning there with verse 5. Remember, this is our Lord's high priestly prayer. He's praying to the Father and he says this:

Scripture Reading — John 17:5-8

"And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world. Thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou gavest me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me."

Now what did Moses say in Deuteronomy 33 verse 3? Everyone sits at his feet and receives his word. And now here Jesus Christ in his high priestly prayer is saying,

Scripture Reading — John 17:5-8

"I've given them the words which thou hast given me and they have received them."

So that is why I said the singular and the most prominent mark of a child of God is that he receives the Word of God. If all of God's people are to be taught, you would have to ask yourself, what are the implications of these two passages, especially Deuteronomy 33 and John chapter 17? Well, let me give you several implications. First, it should be obvious that all that claim to be the people of God are not necessarily the people of God. Now, when I say that, I want to point out that there are hordes of ignorant people in the churches. Hordes. Multitudes. Why are so many of them absolutely abysmally ignorant?

And the answer is because they were never ever genuinely converted to begin with. You see, the Apostle Paul himself makes a distinction between a profession and a possession. It's one thing to profess to be a Christian. It's quite another thing to possess the grace that makes one a Christian. It is entirely possible to be in an outward covenantal relationship and not be saved. Let me show you. I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Romans chapter 9. Here's an excellent illustration, Romans chapter 9, beginning there in verse 6. I want you to see what the Apostle Paul says about national Israel. Everyone in this room knows that national Israel was in a covenantal relationship with God. If you were a national Israelite, especially a male, you were circumcised. That circumcision was the outward sign that you were in a covenantal relationship with God. It was a national covenant. Does that mean, therefore, that every male that was circumcised was saved?

And the answer is, of course not. If you look in Romans chapter 9, beginning there with verse 6, Paul is addressing this very issue, and he says this,

Scripture Reading — Romans 9:6-8

"Not as though the word of God had taken none effect."

Now watch this statement.

Scripture Reading — Romans 9:6-8

"For they are not all Israel which are of Israel."

Now when the Apostle says,

Scripture Reading — Romans 9:6-8

"They are not all Israel which are of Israel,"

what is he saying? There's an Israel within Israel. In other words, there's an elect within an election. There's a national outward external election, but there's an internal spiritual election. So he says,

Scripture Reading — Romans 9:6-8

"They are not all Israel which are of Israel."

Now, in case you do not understand verse 6, he explains it further in verse 7. He says, "Neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children, but in Isaac shall thy children be called." So just because someone happened to be a lineal descendant of Abraham, still did not mean that he was a true Israelite. Because in Isaac shall thy seed be called, because Isaac was the child of promise. Now in case you don't understand verse 7, he makes it even plainer in verse 8. Now let's go back and read verse 6 and 7 so that you can understand it in verse 8. In verse 6, he says, "Not as though the word of God hath none effect, for they are not all Israel which are of Israel, neither because are they the seed of Abraham are they all children, but in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, that is, here's my explanation, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God. But the children of the promise are counted for the seed."

So fleshly Israel is not Israel. Only those who are in Christ are the true Israel of God. So what is the Apostle Paul telling us? That there is an election within an election. And you could explain that by just looking at the church today. There are many who are in churches that may be in an outward covenantal relationship in the fact that they join that church. They were baptized. They may even take communion. But they're not saved. They're not Christians. There are plenty of unconverted people in the churches of America.

Reasons for Ignorance Among Christians

Ignorance stems from pride, an unbiblical fear of increased responsibility, and rebellion. Many do not obey what they know, and God measures truth according to the measure we give.

Well, there are numerous answers to that. Let me just give you one right here. And that would simply be this: pride. Do you realize a lot of Christians are absolutely proud of their ignorance? I usually laugh and tell about the old backwoods country preacher that said—and I'm sure no one ever said it, it was made up by someone, but I still laugh at it. And it may have been said, who knows? But he said, and I quote, "I'm ignorant. I'm glad I'm ignorant. And I'm planning on getting more ignorant." Well, he did not have to tell anyone that he was ignorant.

It started out with, "Blessed God, I ain't never been to one of them there schools. I'm ignorant. I'm proud I'm ignorant. And I'm planning on getting more ignorant." Well, that's the way a lot of Christians are because a lot of Christians claim what they want to be is simply a simple Christian. In other words, what they mean by that is this: all I know and all I need to know is Jesus saves. And it kind of makes us proud that we know that Jesus saves, but we're ignorant to everything else. They think they are taking the point of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 2 when he said,

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 2:2

"For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

And so they say,

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 2:2

"Well, that's all I need to know. I need to know Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and that's it."

Well, I tell you what, if you would read the context of 1 Corinthians chapter 2, you would find what the Apostle Paul is doing in the context is he is contrasting a biblical, heavenly wisdom with an earthly, fleshly wisdom.

And when he said, "I don't want to know anything but Jesus Christ and Him crucified," he is saying, "I'm rejecting the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of the flesh." So when someone tries to tell me, "Well, all they want to do is know Jesus like Paul did," well, fine. Wonderful. If you would like to know Jesus the way Paul did, I would be happy for you to know Jesus the way Paul did. Because if you really want to know Him like Paul did, you would understand His eternity, you would understand His Godhood, you would understand His incarnation, you would understand His mediation, you would understand His resurrection, you would understand His ascension, you would understand His intercession, you would know His attributes, you would know His graces, you would know His threatenings, you would know His promises. Oh yeah. Because Paul taught on all of those things. You see, this is what I'm trying to share with you. Some people say, "Well, all I believe is John 3:16. John 3:16 is so simple.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Wonderful! Isn't that simple? "For God." Would you explain God to me? "So loved." Would you explain that to me? How could God love a wicked, filthy, corrupt, rebellious, sinful people? "The world." Did you know the word "world," the word kosmos, is used over 13 different ways in the New Testament? Explain the word "world" to me. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." Oh, "only begotten," monogenes, one of a kind, unique. Explain to me the incarnation of Jesus Christ. "That whosoever believeth in him," would you like to explain faith? "Should not perish," would you explain perishing? "But have everlasting life," would you like to explain that? You see, John 3:16 is not that simple. And when somebody talks about being a simple Christian, what they're trying to do is say, "I don't need to know anything." Well, if you want to believe like the Apostle Paul, you need to believe like he did in Philippians 3 and verse 10 when he said this, "That I might

Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:10

know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death."

Now, do you really want to be made conformable unto the death of Jesus Christ? So, it's basically pride. We think that, "Well, all I need to know is that Jesus saves and that's it." And we don't even understand the simplest verse in the Bible. So, let me put it to you like this. The reason most Christians are ignorant is because most Christians cannot be taught. In order to be taught, you must have a teachable spirit. And most are not willing to listen. They're not willing to learn. Most young people, when they go to college, they don't go to learn. They go to show off how much they know and instruct their teachers. And it is true, like David said in Psalm 119, verse 99, if you understand spiritual things, you probably have more understanding than your teachers because most of them have no understanding of spiritual things. That may be true. But the reason most Christians are not taught is because we understand that teaching requires time and energy, and we're not willing to devote ourselves or sacrifice our time in order to be taught.

You just simply witness the fact that how many will attend a Bible study or come to church once or twice and then drop out. That's why I say most people do not have a teachable spirit. Most people will not be faithful to teaching. And by the way, you will hear me say this probably several times before this brief series is over.

Now, I hope you understand this. I am not required by God to teach an unteachable man. Moreover, I am not required by God to teach an unfaithful man. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy chapter 2 and verse 2, "The things that thou hast seen and heard among of me, among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also." So it's not my responsibility to chase you down and try to cram truth down your throat. It's your responsibility to be faithful to the teaching and preaching of the Word of God so that you may be taught. Okay? Why is it that so many Christians are untaught? Pride. They don't even think they need to be taught.

I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Colossians chapter 1. I want to show you the three things the Apostle Paul says is absolutely necessary for maturity in Christ. It is impossible for any Christian to be mature without these three things. Look at it. Colossians 1 and verse 28. Colossians 1 verse 28.

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:28

"Whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect or mature in Christ Jesus."

Now, if you want to be perfect or mature in Christ Jesus, what three things do you need? Well, in this verse, Paul says you need preaching, you need warning, and you need teaching.

Now, the word "warning" there is where we get the Greek word, it's noutheteo, it refers to nouthetic confrontation. Nouthetic confrontation. So, Paul says you need to be preached to, you need to be nouthetically confronted, and you need to be taught. So, what in the world do I mean by nouthetic confrontation? So, I'd go back to Marshall, I'd say, "Marshall, I see you're doing something here, and it's wrong, and it's wicked, and let me show you from the Word of God how to correct that and what God demands of you." What am I doing? I'm confronting him about his disobedience or his sin. And I'm not doing it haughtily there, and I'm not even preaching on that today, but I'm just explaining what nouthetic confrontation is. There's a biblical way to do it. There's an unbiblical way to do it. You remember Galatians 6, he says, "You who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourselves, lest you also be tempted." So if I'm trying to restore him, I'm not going there with a proud, arrogant, haughty attitude to let me show you what you've done. No, I'm just trying to show him from Scripture how to be a more obedient and godly individual. So the Apostle Paul says, if you're going to be mature in Christ, you need preaching, you need nouthetic confrontation, and you need teaching.

And the reason that most Christians are so ignorant is because of our pride. We don't think we need the preaching. We don't especially want to be confronted with our sins. And we're not going to sit down and listen to serious, solemn teaching. Now, there's a third reason, I believe, as to why so many professing Christians are ignorant. And it stems from what I would call an unbiblical fear. You say an unbiblical fear? Yeah.

Because we understand that increased knowledge carries with it increased responsibility. And somehow we try to deceive ourselves and we think, "Well, if I don't know, then I'm not responsible." But what we fail to understand is that we have the opportunity to learn and refuse to learn. That's willful ignorance. And that also is sin. And now you're responsible, not only for what you could have learned and didn't learn, you're responsible now for not learning. So you've committed a double sin. And there's a fourth reason I want to give you. I believe the final answer as to why so many Christians are ignorant. It's because of our rebellion. You say rebellion? Yep. And rebellion is sin. I understand that pride figures into this, but pride and rebellion go hand in hand. The old Puritans had a saying. It went like this, "How many would be wise if they did not already think themselves so?" How many would be wise if they did not already think themselves so? So oftentimes we just simply think we don't need teaching. We're sufficient in ourselves. We know what we need to know. We're content with what little we do know and we really do not wish to learn at all. In fact, listen carefully. Here is part and parcel of our rebellion. Listen. We don't even obey that which we do know. James 4:17 says, "To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin." So if you know what you should be doing and you don't do it, God says it's sin.

Now, I want you to turn very quickly to the book of Mark chapter 4. The book of Mark chapter 4. And I want you to look at verses 24 and 25. This brief series is going to go hand in hand with the brief series that I preached previously, "Seeing and Hearing but Not Understanding." So look at Mark chapter 4 and verses 24 and 25. In fact, we can read verse 23.

when he says, "If any man have ears to hear, let him hear." And he said unto them, "Take heed what you hear. Now watch. With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you, and to you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given, and he that hath not, from him shall be taken, even that which he hath."

Now go back to verse 24. "And he said to them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you." So here's what he said, whatever measure that you give in study and learning, that is going to be measured right back to you. So if you spend one hour studying, you're not going to get 20 hours worth of truth. You're going to get an hour's worth of truth. If you spend five minutes, that's all the truth you're going to get—five minutes worth. It's going to be measured to you exactly to the measure that you put in it.

Now he said this, "For he that hath, to him shall more be given." So if you want more truth, here's what God says, you must obey the truth that you already have. "For he that hath, to him shall be given. He that hath not, from him shall be taken, even that which he hath." So why in the world would God give you more truth if you will not obey the truth that he's already given you? And he's also telling you this, if you don't use the truth, you lose the truth. "From him shall be taken even that which he had" or that which he seemeth to have. Because if you do not use, and if you do not apply the truth, then you really do not have the truth.

Now, let me tell you something. I've taught for 50 years. I've taught students from the fourth grade all the way through college. Plus my preaching and teaching. One thing that I've learned over all the years of teaching is this, that students have different methods of learning. Students have different methods of learning. Some find it easy. It's a piece of cake. Others learn with great difficulty. Some individuals can just simply hear and it's theirs. Some can see and it's there.

God Chooses the Way to Teach Us

Psalm 25:12 declares that God teaches those who fear Him in the way He chooses. The first method is teaching by example, which is the easiest way to learn.

For some, it will be relatively easy. For some, it will be very difficult. But He will teach you one way or the other. Now I'm going to tell you. The easy way to learn is the easy way to learn. I want you to look back to Psalm 25. I want you to look at verse 12. Psalm 25, verse 12. Go back there. I want you to look at this. Psalm 25, verse 12. Very simple verse. But look at it. I want you to think as I read this verse to you. Look in Psalm 25 and verse 12.

Plain as the nose on your face, he says it like this: "What man is he that feareth the Lord?" That's the question. Do you fear God? Are you saved? Then he says this, "Him, that man that fears the Lord, him shall He, God, teach in the way that he shall choose." So God's going to choose the way that is best to teach you. Job 36 and verse 22 says, "Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?"

So you can mark this down. God's going to teach you one way or the other. And He's going to choose the most effective way to get His truth across. So how does God teach us? I'm going to cover one point today, one point next Sunday, and Lord willing, two points the Sunday after that. The very first point is this: He teaches by example. He teaches by example. Now learning by example is extremely easy. In fact, this is usually one of the methods that we choose to teach our own children. If we see another child get hurt or get whipped, we say to our child, "Look what happened to Johnny.

Positive Examples in Scripture

Christ is the premier example (1 Peter 2:21), followed by Abraham, the prophets, and others. Believers are to follow their faith, obedience, and humility.

If you would turn in your Bibles to 1 Peter chapter 2. 1 Peter chapter 2. And look, if you would please, beginning there in verse 21. 1 Peter chapter 2, verse 21. The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 2:21-23

"For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously."

Now go back to verse 21. "For even hereunto were you also called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." So Jesus Christ is the premier example in the Word of God. It was Thomas à Kempis who wrote the book, "Imitation of Christ." Well, we don't want to just imitate Christ. We want to participate in Christ and let Him and allow Him to live His life in us and through us. But the Christian life is not an imitation. It is a participation. But Christ is our preeminent example.

He is the positive one. He obeyed the Father. He was principled. He was submissive. He was humble. In fact, if you look in your Bible, John chapter 13, and verse 15, John chapter 13 and verse 15, this is the passage where our Lord took a towel and girded Himself and washed His disciples' feet. In John 13 and verse 15, our Lord said this, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." Why? Verse 16, "Verily, verily, I say to you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." But note what he says, "I've given you an example." In other words, I've shown you what humility is all about. I've shown you what helping is all about. Here's my example in this. When we talk about positive examples, Abraham is an example of faith and obedience in the Scripture. He's called the friend of God. He's called the father of all them that believe. In fact, the Bible says that the faithful walk in the steps of faithful Abraham. In other words, Abraham is a positive example. There are multitudes of positive examples in the Bible.

Let me just show you one. Go to James chapter 5, verses 10 and 11. James chapter 5, verses 10 and 11. Look at it. Hebrews, James, James 5, verses 10 and 11. Here James says it like this: James 5 verse 10, "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." But notice what he said, "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example." So all the prophets then would be a positive example.

So what we need to do is this, we need to read the Scripture. When we read about Abraham, we read about Isaac, we say, "Yeah, that's the way I should conduct my life. That's the way I should walk. That's the way I should live." When we read the Gospels and find out how Jesus Christ obeyed the Father and did what was right under every situation and circumstance, we should say, "Yes, that's my example." That's a very simple and easy way to learn. By the way, there are also negative examples given in the Word of God.

Negative Examples in Scripture

God warns against following the examples of unfaithful fathers, Israel in the wilderness, Sodom, and others. These are written for our admonition (1 Corinthians 10:11).

I want you to turn to 2 Chronicles chapter 30. 2 Chronicles chapter 30. Then we're going to Psalm 78 and then to the little book of Zechariah. So go, if you would please, to 2 Chronicles chapter 30. 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles. 2 Chronicles chapter 30, then we're going to Psalm 78. So you can find Psalm 78. Then we're going to the minor prophet Zechariah. So notice, if you would please, first of all, in 2 Chronicles chapter 30 and verse 7, look what God says.

He's telling his people, "And be not like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see. Verse 8. Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you." Let me spell this out to you. Don't act like your fathers acted. Don't sin against God. Don't violate God's law. Here's what he's saying: If you want to be blessed, don't do what they did. Look in Psalm 78. Psalm 78, beginning there with verse 6.

Then we'll go to the little book of Zechariah, which I think is right before Malachi. All right. Notice, if you would, Psalm 78. Psalm 78. And notice, if you would please, verse 6, Psalm 78 verse 6. He says, "That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God." Isn't that amazing? Did your mother ever tell you as a child, "Don't act like your father"? Well, she may or may not have, depending on what father had done. But that's exactly what God is saying. Don't act like your fathers. Don't act like your brothers. Look in the book of Zechariah, Zechariah chapter 1, right before the book of Malachi, last book in the Old Testament, Zechariah chapter 1, notice if you would please with verse 2. Zechariah chapter 1, verse 2. "The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers. Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord." Now, here's what God says. Don't be like your fathers. Don't be like those stupid people that I told you and I instructed you and I taught you, but you would not listen.

And where are they? They're destroyed. So don't be like that. Is it this passage? We could also put in this, and I'll quote this verse next week as well from a different aspect. But you remember Romans 1 and verse 18 where the Bible says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness." Passages like this can be applied to Korah and Dathan and Abiram, Alexander the coppersmith, evil and wicked rulers such as Jeroboam, Manasseh, Ahab, and a host of others. There are multitudes of scriptures like this where God says, "Don't do this. Don't be like these people. Don't act like this."

Now, let me show you. I want you to turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 10. 1 Corinthians chapter 10. And let's begin reading there with verse 5. 1 Corinthians chapter 10. And look at verse 5. We're talking about Israel. In fact, go back to verse 1, just so you'll see, it says, "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea." So it's talking about the deliverance of Israel from Egypt as they passed through the Red Sea. Now skip down to verse 5.

"But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." Now you know what the Apostle Paul just did? The Apostle Paul just took everything that happened to old Israel in the Old Testament and applied it to us in the New Testament. He said, "Here are negative examples. Don't do like these people did. Don't do that." That's plain. Look in Hebrews chapter 4. Hebrews chapter 4. Hebrews chapter 4.

Notice if you would, and let's begin reading there with verse 11. He said, "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." What example is it talking about? Israel who came out of Egypt. By the way, I should have mentioned a while ago, you remember as we were reading from 1 Corinthians 10, the Bible said, "With many of them God was not well pleased." Do you know how many of the original men that came out of Egypt actually got into Canaan land? Two. Joshua and Caleb. He killed the rest of them.

And this is what he's saying. In verse 11, "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." He said, "Use them for an example. Don't live like them. Don't do like them." When you get to 2 Peter, just turn over just a few pages, 2 Peter. After Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter. Look in 2 Peter chapter 2, beginning there of verse 4. We're talking about negative examples. 2 Peter 2 verse 4. "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly." What? He said, "All of these are examples to you. Do you want to be like Sodom and Gomorrah?" That's exactly where we're headed, by the way. Do you want to be destroyed like that? Do you want to be destroyed like those antediluvians in Noah's day? Do you want to be destroyed like the fallen angels? He said, "These are examples." Do you understand it is possible to learn and receive teaching by examples?

Application: Be a Godly Example

Every believer is an example to others, either for good or bad. We are responsible to be godly examples and to heed warnings from wicked examples.

Each of us has benefited from the examples of other people, whether those examples have been positive or negative. So when we see someone that has a godly example, we should follow it. If we see someone with an ungodly example, we should avoid it. But now let me point something out to you. Do you realize that you are an example to others? And you may be a positive or negative example. You cannot escape the concept of being an example. You are whether you like it or not. You're either an example for good or an example for bad. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3 and verse 17, "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." In 2 Thessalonians 3 and verse 9 he says, "Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us."

He told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4 and verse 12, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." So here's my applications. The first one is this: It's your responsibility to be a godly example to others in every sphere of life. It is not your responsibility to apply your example to others. It's just your responsibility to be an example. That is God's prerogative as to whether or not He uses you as an example to others. But it's your responsibility to be a godly example. You remember he said in Matthew 21 and verse 32, "For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not:

but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him." What was he saying? You had a responsibility to learn from the example of others, from the positive, and you didn't do it. The second application is this: It's your responsibility to heed all warnings from wicked and evil examples and not to follow them. God said in Exodus 23 and verse 2, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment." He said in 1 John 3, verse 11, "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." You are an example. You may not like it, but you're an example. You're either a good one or a bad one.

And someone somewhere is watching you, and someone somewhere will learn from your life. Either that which is right or that which is wrong. The easy way to be taught of God is to observe and learn. That's easy. You just need a teachable heart and an observant mind and a knowledge of Scripture. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You for Your Word. We thank You for the fact, Lord, that You are indeed going to teach us and You will teach us one way or the other.

We will receive Your words. How simple and how easy it is to learn from example. Help us, Lord, to take the easy path because it does get harder and harder to learn. We ask for Your grace and Your mercy in Christ's name. Amen. Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

The Necessity and Neglect of Teaching

Summary: Teaching is essential for spiritual growth, yet many Christians ignore it due to willful ignorance and a preference for amusement.

Evidence: Teaching is needed by everyone, and yet it is ignored by most individuals, including the majority of Christians. (00:01:08-00:01:43)

Willful Ignorance Condemned

Summary: Scripture condemns those who are willingly ignorant, such as the watchmen of Israel and the apostates described in 2 Peter.

Evidence: For this they are willingly ignorant of... (2 Peter 3:5) (00:03:37-00:04:41)

Receiving God's Word as Mark of a True Christian

Summary: The singular mark of a true Christian is receiving God's Word, as seen in Deuteronomy 33:3 and John 17.

Evidence: Everyone sits at his feet and receives his word. (Deuteronomy 33:3) (00:09:53-00:10:08)

Pride and Rebellion as Barriers to Learning

Summary: Many Christians are proud of their ignorance and rebel against teaching, thinking they need only simple knowledge.

Evidence: The reason most Christians are ignorant is because most Christians cannot be taught. In order to be taught, you must have a teachable spirit. (00:22:50-00:23:37)

God Teaches in the Way He Chooses

Summary: Psalm 25:12 promises that God will teach those who fear Him in the way He chooses, which may be easy or difficult.

Evidence: Him shall He, God, teach in the way that he shall choose. (Psalm 25:12) (00:35:13-00:35:48)

Learning by Example

Summary: God teaches through positive and negative examples in Scripture, and believers are to learn from them and be examples themselves.

Evidence: Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things... (1 Corinthians 10:6) (00:48:01-00:48:52)

Key Arguments

Willful ignorance is sin and leads to destruction.

Summary: The Bible condemns those who are willingly ignorant, such as the watchmen of Israel and the Jews who rejected Christ.

Evidence: They were willfully blind, and not only were they willfully blind, but they gladly and willingly and with great deliberation plotted the betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. (00:03:37-00:04:41)

Not all professing Christians are truly saved.

Summary: Many in churches are ignorant because they were never genuinely converted; there is a distinction between profession and possession.

Evidence: They are not all Israel which are of Israel. (Romans 9:6) (00:13:54-00:14:34)

Pride causes Christians to reject teaching.

Summary: Many Christians are proud of their ignorance, claiming they only need to know 'Jesus saves,' but this is a misunderstanding of Paul's intent.

Evidence: The reason most Christians are ignorant is because most Christians cannot be taught. (00:22:50-00:23:37)

Increased knowledge brings increased responsibility.

Summary: Some avoid teaching out of fear of responsibility, but willful ignorance is itself a sin that compounds guilt.

Evidence: We understand that increased knowledge carries with it increased responsibility. (00:28:07-00:28:58)

God measures truth according to our measure of study and obedience.

Summary: Mark 4:24-25 teaches that the measure we give in study and obedience determines the truth we receive.

Evidence: With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you. (Mark 4:24) (00:31:15-00:31:45)

Scriptural examples are given for our learning.

Summary: Both positive and negative examples in the Bible are intended to teach us how to live and what to avoid.

Evidence: Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition. (1 Corinthians 10:11) (00:48:53-00:49:27)

Every believer is an example to others.

Summary: We are either a positive or negative example, and we have a responsibility to be godly examples in all areas of life.

Evidence: Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12) (00:56:15-00:57:06)

Scripture References

Psalm 25:12

Context: The foundational verse for the series: God teaches those who fear Him in the way He chooses.

Isaiah 56:10

Context: Watchmen are blind and ignorant because they love to slumber, illustrating willful ignorance.

Romans 10:3

Context: The Jews were ignorant of God's righteousness and established their own, showing willful blindness.

2 Peter 3:5

Context: Apostates are willingly ignorant of creation, demonstrating willful ignorance.

1 Corinthians 14:38

Context: If a man will be ignorant, let him be ignorant still; a warning against refusing to learn.

Jeremiah 10:23

Context: The way of man is not in himself; no one has innate wisdom to direct his steps.

Psalm 37:23

Context: The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, showing God's guidance through teaching.

Psalm 25:5

Context: David prays for God to lead and teach him, acknowledging dependence on divine instruction.

Psalm 25:9

Context: The meek will He guide in judgment and teach His way, linking meekness to teachability.

Psalm 32:8

Context: God promises to instruct and teach us in the way we should go.

Deuteronomy 33:1-3

Context: All saints sit at God's feet and receive His words, marking true believers.

John 17:5-8

Context: Jesus says His disciples received the words given to Him, paralleling Deuteronomy 33:3.

Romans 9:6-8

Context: Not all Israel are true Israel; there is an election within election, illustrating false profession.

1 Corinthians 2:14

Context: The natural man cannot receive spiritual things, explaining why the unconverted are ignorant.

1 Corinthians 2:2

Context: Paul determined to know only Christ crucified, but this is often misused to justify ignorance.

Philippians 3:10

Context: Paul desired to know Christ deeply, contradicting the idea of being a 'simple' Christian.

Colossians 1:28

Context: Preaching, warning, and teaching are necessary for maturity in Christ.

Mark 4:24-25

Context: The measure you give in study and obedience determines the truth you receive.

1 Peter 2:21-23

Context: Christ is our example in suffering and humility, leaving us a pattern to follow.

1 Corinthians 10:5-12

Context: Israel's failures are negative examples for us, warning against lust, idolatry, and murmuring.

Historical References

Thomas à Kempis, 'Imitation of Christ'

Context: Mentioned in contrast to participating in Christ rather than merely imitating Him.

Important Quotes

What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

Significance: The foundational verse for the entire series, emphasizing God's sovereign choice in teaching methods.

The truth is we'd rather be amused than to muse.

Significance: Highlights the human preference for entertainment over thoughtful reflection on God's Word.

If any man will be ignorant, let him be ignorant still.

Significance: A sobering biblical principle that God allows persistent willful ignorance to continue.

The singular and the most prominent mark of a true Christian is that he receives the Word of God.

Significance: Defines the essential characteristic of genuine believers.

How many would be wise if they did not already think themselves so?

Significance: A Puritan saying that exposes the pride that prevents learning.

With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you.

Significance: Key principle that the effort we put into learning determines what we receive from God.

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Significance: Establishes the purpose of negative biblical examples as warnings for believers.

Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Significance: The call for every believer to be a godly example in all aspects of life.

Discussion Questions

Why do you think many Christians today neglect serious teaching and prefer entertainment?

Context: The message opens with the observation that teaching is ignored by most, even in churches.

How can we distinguish between willful ignorance and ignorance due to lack of opportunity?

Context: Weaver distinguishes between ignorance from inopportunity and willful ignorance.

What does it practically mean to 'receive the Word of God' as a mark of a true Christian?

Context: Deuteronomy 33:3 and John 17 are used to show that true believers receive God's words.

In what ways does pride manifest itself in our attitude toward learning Scripture?

Context: Pride is identified as a major reason Christians remain ignorant.

How does the principle of 'measure for measure' in Mark 4:24-25 challenge your current study habits?

Context: The measure we give in study determines the truth we receive.

What positive biblical example has most influenced your walk with Christ, and why?

Context: Positive examples like Christ, Abraham, and the prophets are given for our learning.

How can we effectively learn from negative examples without becoming judgmental or self-righteous?

Context: Negative examples are warnings, but we must take heed lest we fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).

In what areas of your life are you consciously aware that you are an example to others?

Context: Every believer is an example, either for good or bad.

Applications

Cultivate a teachable spirit

Summary: Recognize your need for teaching and be willing to listen and learn, rejecting pride and willful ignorance.

Evidence: In order to be taught, you must have a teachable spirit. (00:22:50-00:23:37)

Be faithful in attending teaching

Summary: Commit to regular study and church attendance, understanding that teaching requires time and energy.

Evidence: It's your responsibility to be faithful to the teaching and preaching of the Word of God so that you may be taught. (00:24:36-00:25:07)

Obey the truth you already know

Summary: Apply what you have learned, because God gives more truth to those who obey what they have.

Evidence: If you want more truth, here's what God says, you must obey the truth that you already have. (00:31:46-00:32:35)

Learn from biblical examples

Summary: Study both positive and negative examples in Scripture to know what to follow and what to avoid.

Evidence: Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition. (00:48:53-00:49:27)

Be a godly example to others

Summary: Live in such a way that others can follow your example of faith, purity, and love.

Evidence: Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (00:56:15-00:57:06)

Heed warnings from wicked examples

Summary: When you see the consequences of sin in others' lives, take warning and do not follow their path.

Evidence: Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. (Exodus 23:2) (00:57:06-00:58:06)

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T20:04:45Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T12:44:01Z

Clean Transcript

How Are You Being Taught - Part 1 of 3

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

If you would open your Bibles today to Psalm 25. Psalm 25. I want to begin a message today which will take me three weeks to finish, so this will be installment one of part three. However, each message should stand by itself. The title of the message is, "How Are You Being Taught?" How are you being taught? So look in Psalm 25 and verse 12. Psalm 25 verse 12. David asked this question.
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"What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him, that man that fears the Lord, shall He, God, teach in the way that he shall choose."
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Now I want you to think about that verse. "What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose." Teaching is needed by everyone, and yet it is ignored by most individuals, including the majority of Christians. One can fill a church building with free meals or entertainment, yet you offer some serious, studious, and solemn teaching of the Word of God and discover how few really turn out for teaching.
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The truth is we'd rather be amused than to muse. You remember the word "muse" in the Bible means to think. So amusement means not to think. So we'd rather be amused than to muse, and we'd rather be ignorant than instructed. You have to understand that there is an ignorance that stems from inopportunity. That is, some people just do not have the opportunity to be taught or the availability of instruction. But there is also an ignorance that stems from willfulness. And the Word of God, of course, condemns willful ignorance. Let me just give you several verses to begin with. In Isaiah 56 and verse 10, God speaks about the watchmen concerning Israel and He says, "His watchmen are blind. They are all ignorant.
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They're all dumb dogs that cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber." Now, why are they ignorant? Because they love to sleep. They love to slumber. They love to lie down. In other words, they have no time for study. They have no time for teaching. They have no time for instruction. And probably they believe they have absolutely no need for it either. So God says here, some people are like just dumb dogs, have absolutely no desire to be taught. In Romans chapter 10 and verse 3, here's another passage, God speaking about the Jews in those days, He said this, "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God." So here are people who were not only willingly ignorant of God's righteousness, but they then attempted to establish a righteousness of their own.
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So you have to ask, were they willfully blind? The answer is yes. They were willfully blind, and not only were they willfully blind, but they gladly and willingly and with great deliberation plotted the betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In 2 Peter chapter 3 and verse 5, the Word of God says this, talking about the apostates, "For this they are willingly ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water." Notice he said, "For this they are willingly ignorant of." So there are a lot of people that are just downright willingly ignorant. They want ignorance. In fact, when you find people like this, the only thing we can do is agree with the Apostle Paul when he said in 1 Corinthians 14 and verse 38, "If any man will be ignorant, let him be ignorant still." In other words, if you're not going to learn, if you don't want to learn, just stay ignorant, just stay ignorant and get it down the way.
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The truth is we must all be taught. We must all be instructed. There's not one individual that was born wise, spiritual, obedient, and godly by nature. Not one individual. You see, Jeremiah hit the nail on the head when he said in Jeremiah 10 and verse 23, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Because no man has the wisdom, no man has the insight, no man has the knowledge to do so.
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Now, I understand that there are a lot of people who consider themselves very wise. But if you're one of those individuals that considers yourself very wise, let me ask you a question. Have you ever considered your life before you were converted to Jesus Christ? If you have considered your life before you were converted to Jesus Christ, I could ask you one question. And I will tell you, if you are honest, I can tell you the answer to the question before I ever ask it. The answer will be yes. So here's the question. Listen carefully. If you could live your life over before you were converted, if you could live your life over before you were converted with the knowledge that you have now, would you live any differently? Everybody? Yes. Very obviously, yes, you would. Well, we have to ask this question then.
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What has made the difference in our lives since our conversion? And the answer is, obviously, the teaching of the Word of God. David said it like this in Psalm 37 verse 23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way." The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in his way. In fact, every one of us can look back and see how God has led us, how God has directed us, how God has taught us. And we have to confess and acknowledge that the changes in our lives stem from the teaching of the Word of God. Since we're in Psalm 25, I want you to look at verse 5. Look at this prayer that David prays. Psalm 25 verse 5, "Lead me in thy truth and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation, on thee do I wait all the day." So lead me in thy truth and teach me. Look, if you would please, in verse 9.
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He says, "The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way." Do you understand that God has promised to instruct us and teach us? In fact, I want you to look in Psalm 32 and verse 8. Psalm 32 and verse 8. Look at what God says. "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way that thou shalt go. I will guide thee with mine eyes." So God has promised then to instruct us and to teach us. Now, I want you to turn with me to a couple of passages. I want you to turn, if you would, to the book of Deuteronomy chapter 33 and let's look there at the first three verses. Deuteronomy 33 and let's begin reading there with verse 1.
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Remember the title of this message is "How Are You Being Taught?" I'm going to show you four ways from the Word of God on how God teaches. Notice, if you would, Deuteronomy 33, beginning there, verse 1. "And this is the blessing wherewith Moses, the man of God, blessed the children of Israel before his death. And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them. He shined forth from Mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints.
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From his right hand went a fiery law for them." Now watch verse 3. Watch very carefully. "Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at his feet; everyone shall receive of thy words." Wow. When you read that passage, it should be very obvious that all of his saints sit at his feet; everyone shall receive of his words. Now let me tell
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you, the singular and the most prominent mark of a true Christian is that he receives the Word of God. He receives the Word of God.
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Now, I want you to turn to John 17. When you get to John 17, you have the high priestly prayer of our Lord. And I want you to see that our Lord says almost exactly the same thing in John 17, beginning with verse 5, that is said in Deuteronomy 33 and verse 3. So look in John 17, beginning there with verse 5. Remember, this is our Lord's high priestly prayer. He's praying to the Father and he says this: "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world. Thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou gavest me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me."
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Now what did Moses say in Deuteronomy 33 verse 3? Everyone sits at his feet and receives his word. And now here Jesus Christ in his high priestly prayer is saying, "I've given them the words which thou hast given me and they have received them." So that is why I said the singular and the most prominent mark of a child of God is that he receives the Word of God. If all of God's people are to be taught, you would have to ask yourself, what are the implications of these two passages, especially Deuteronomy 33 and John chapter 17? Well, let me give you several implications. First, it should be obvious that all that claim to be the people of God are not necessarily the people of God. Now, when I say that, I want to point out that there are hordes of ignorant people in the churches. Hordes. Multitudes. Why are so many of them absolutely abysmally ignorant?
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And the answer is because they were never ever genuinely converted to begin with. You see, the Apostle Paul himself makes a distinction between a profession and a possession. It's one thing to profess to be a Christian. It's quite another thing to possess the grace that makes one a Christian. It is entirely possible to be in an outward covenantal relationship and not be saved. Let me show you.
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I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Romans chapter 9. Here's an excellent illustration, Romans chapter 9, beginning there in verse 6. I want you to see what the Apostle Paul says about national Israel. Everyone in this room knows that national Israel was in a covenantal relationship with God. If you were a national Israelite, especially a male, you were circumcised. That circumcision was the outward sign that you were in a covenantal relationship with God. It was a national covenant. Does that mean, therefore, that every male that was circumcised was saved?
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And the answer is, of course not. If you look in Romans chapter 9, beginning there with verse 6, Paul is addressing this very issue, and he says this, "Not as though the word of God had taken none effect." Now watch this statement. "For they are not all Israel which are of Israel." Now when the Apostle says, "They are not all Israel which are of Israel," what is he saying? There's an Israel within Israel. In other words, there's an elect within an election. There's a national outward external election, but there's an internal spiritual election. So he says, "They are not all Israel which are of Israel."
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Now, in case you do not understand verse 6, he explains it further in verse 7. He says, "Neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children, but in Isaac shall thy children be called." So just because someone happened to be a lineal descendant of Abraham, still did not mean that he was a true Israelite. Because in Isaac shall thy seed be called, because Isaac was the child of promise. Now in case you don't understand verse 7, he makes it even plainer in verse 8. Now let's go back and read verse 6 and 7 so that you can understand it in verse 8. In verse 6, he says, "Not as though the word of God hath none effect, for they are not all Israel which are of Israel, neither because are they the seed of Abraham are they all children, but in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, that is, here's my explanation, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God. But the children of the promise are counted for the seed."
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So fleshly Israel is not Israel. Only those who are in Christ are the true Israel of God. So what is the Apostle Paul telling us? That there is an election within an election. And you could explain that by just looking at the church today. There are many who are in churches that may be in an outward covenantal relationship in the fact that they join that church. They were baptized. They may even take communion. But they're not saved. They're not Christians. There are plenty of unconverted people in the churches of America.
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Now, if you understand this, then you can grasp the reason why so many are abysmally ignorant. They cannot discern spiritual truth. They cannot receive it. The Apostle Paul made that exceedingly clear in 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 14 when he says, "For the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." He doesn't have the ability to know them. So the first answer as to why there are so many ignorant professing Christians is not all of them are Christians. Many are just totally, absolutely lost. Secondly, if some genuine Christians are weak, ignorant, and untaught, what is the problem?
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Well, there are numerous answers to that. Let me just give you one right here. And that would simply be this: pride. Do you realize a lot of Christians are absolutely proud of their ignorance? I usually laugh and tell about the old backwoods country preacher that said—and I'm sure no one ever said it, it was made up by someone, but I still laugh at it. And it may have been said, who knows? But he said, and I quote, "I'm ignorant. I'm glad I'm ignorant. And I'm planning on getting more ignorant." Well, he did not have to tell anyone that he was ignorant.
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It started out with, "Blessed God, I ain't never been to one of them there schools. I'm ignorant. I'm proud I'm ignorant. And I'm planning on getting more ignorant." Well, that's the way a lot of Christians are because a lot of Christians claim what they want to be is simply a simple Christian. In other words, what they mean by that is this: all I know and all I need to know is Jesus saves. And it kind of makes us proud that we know that Jesus saves, but we're ignorant to everything else. They think they are taking the point of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 2 when he said, "For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified." And so they say, "Well, that's all I need to know. I need to know Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and that's it." Well, I tell you what, if you would read the context of 1 Corinthians chapter 2, you would find what the Apostle Paul is doing in the context is he is contrasting a biblical, heavenly wisdom with an earthly, fleshly wisdom.
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And when he said, "I don't want to know anything but Jesus Christ and Him crucified," he is saying, "I'm rejecting the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of the flesh." So when someone tries to tell me, "Well, all they want to do is know Jesus like Paul did," well, fine. Wonderful. If you would like to know Jesus the way Paul did, I would be happy for you to know Jesus the way Paul did. Because if you really want to know Him like Paul did, you would understand His eternity, you would understand His Godhood, you would understand His incarnation, you would understand His mediation, you would understand His resurrection, you would understand His ascension, you would understand His intercession, you would know His attributes, you would know His graces, you would know His threatenings, you would know His promises. Oh yeah. Because Paul taught on all of those things. You see, this is what I'm trying to share with you. Some people say, "Well, all I believe is John 3:16. John 3:16 is so simple.
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"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Wonderful! Isn't that simple? "For God." Would you explain God to me? "So loved." Would you explain that to me? How could God love a wicked, filthy, corrupt, rebellious, sinful people? "The world." Did you know the word "world," the word kosmos, is used over 13 different ways in the New Testament? Explain the word "world" to me. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." Oh, "only begotten," monogenes, one of a kind, unique. Explain to me the incarnation of Jesus Christ. "That whosoever believeth in him," would you like to explain faith? "Should not perish," would you explain perishing? "But have everlasting life," would you like to explain that? You see, John 3:16 is not that simple. And when somebody talks about being a simple Christian, what they're trying to do is say, "I don't need to know anything." Well, if you want to believe like the Apostle Paul, you need to believe like he did in Philippians 3 and verse 10 when he said this, "That I might know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death."
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Now, do you really want to be made conformable unto the death of Jesus Christ? So, it's basically pride. We think that, "Well, all I need to know is that Jesus saves and that's it." And we don't even understand the simplest verse in the Bible. So, let me put it to you like this. The reason most Christians are ignorant is because most Christians cannot be taught. In order to be taught, you must have a teachable spirit.
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And most are not willing to listen. They're not willing to learn. Most young people, when they go to college, they don't go to learn. They go to show off how much they know and instruct their teachers. And it is true, like David said in Psalm 119, verse 99, if you understand spiritual things, you probably have more understanding than your teachers because most of them have no understanding of spiritual things. That may be true. But the reason most Christians are not taught is because we understand that teaching requires time and energy, and we're not willing to devote ourselves or sacrifice our time in order to be taught.
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You just simply witness the fact that how many will attend a Bible study or come to church once or twice and then drop out. That's why I say most people do not have a teachable spirit. Most people will not be faithful to teaching. And by the way, you will hear me say this probably several times before this brief series is over.
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Now, I hope you understand this. I am not required by God to teach an unteachable man. Moreover, I am not required by God to teach an unfaithful man. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy chapter 2 and verse 2, "The things that thou hast seen and heard among of me, among many witnesses,
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the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also." So it's not my responsibility to chase you down and try to cram truth down your throat. It's your responsibility to be faithful to the teaching and preaching of the Word of God so that you may be taught. Okay? Why is it that so many Christians are untaught? Pride. They don't even think they need to be taught.
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I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Colossians chapter 1. I want to show you the three things the Apostle Paul says is absolutely necessary for maturity in Christ. It is impossible for any Christian to be mature without these three things. Look at it. Colossians 1 and verse 28. Colossians 1 verse 28. "Whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect or mature in Christ Jesus." Now, if you want to be perfect or mature in Christ Jesus, what three things do you need? Well, in this verse, Paul says you need preaching, you need warning, and you need teaching.
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Now, the word "warning" there is where we get the Greek word, it's noutheteo, it refers to nouthetic confrontation. Nouthetic confrontation. So, Paul says you need to be preached to, you need to be nouthetically confronted, and you need to be taught. So, what in the world do I mean by nouthetic confrontation? So, I'd go back to Marshall, I'd say, "Marshall, I see you're doing something here, and it's wrong, and it's wicked, and let me show you from the Word of God how to correct that and what God demands of you." What am I doing?
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I'm confronting him about his disobedience or his sin. And I'm not doing it haughtily there, and I'm not even preaching on that today, but I'm just explaining what nouthetic confrontation is. There's a biblical way to do it. There's an unbiblical way to do it. You remember Galatians 6, he says, "You who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourselves, lest you also be tempted." So if I'm trying to restore him, I'm not going there with a proud, arrogant, haughty attitude to let me show you what you've done. No, I'm just trying to show him from Scripture how to be a more obedient and godly individual. So the Apostle Paul says, if you're going to be mature in Christ, you need preaching, you need nouthetic confrontation, and you need teaching.
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And the reason that most Christians are so ignorant is because of our pride. We don't think we need the preaching. We don't especially want to be confronted with our sins. And we're not going to sit down and listen to serious, solemn teaching. Now, there's a third reason, I believe, as to why so many professing Christians are ignorant. And it stems from what I would call an unbiblical fear. You say an unbiblical fear? Yeah.
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Because we understand that increased knowledge carries with it increased responsibility. And somehow we try to deceive ourselves and we think, "Well, if I don't know, then I'm not responsible." But what we fail to understand is that we have the opportunity to learn and refuse to learn. That's willful ignorance. And that also is sin. And now you're responsible, not only for what you could have learned and didn't learn, you're responsible now for not learning. So you've committed a double sin.
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And there's a fourth reason I want to give you. I believe the final answer as to why so many Christians are ignorant. It's because of our rebellion. You say rebellion? Yep. And rebellion is sin. I understand that pride figures into this, but pride and rebellion go hand in hand. The old Puritans had a saying. It went like this, "How many would be wise if they did not already think themselves so?" How many would be wise if they did not already think themselves so? So oftentimes we just simply think we don't need teaching. We're sufficient in ourselves. We know what we need to know. We're content with what little we do know and we really do not wish to learn at all. In fact, listen carefully. Here is part and parcel of our rebellion. Listen. We don't even obey that which we do know. James 4:17 says, "To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin." So if you know what you should be doing and you don't do it, God says it's sin.
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Now, I want you to turn very quickly to the book of Mark chapter 4. The book of Mark chapter 4. And I want you to look at verses 24 and 25. This brief series is going to go hand in hand with the brief series that I preached previously, "Seeing and Hearing but Not Understanding." So look at Mark chapter 4 and verses 24 and 25. In fact, we can read verse 23.
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when he says, "If any man have ears to hear, let him hear." And he said unto them, "Take heed what you hear. Now watch. With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you, and to you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given, and he that hath not, from him shall be taken, even that which he hath."
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Now go back to verse 24. "And he said to them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you." So here's what he said, whatever measure that you give in study and learning, that is going to be measured right back to you. So if you spend one hour studying, you're not going to get 20 hours worth of truth. You're going to get an hour's worth of truth. If you spend five minutes, that's all the truth you're going to get—five minutes worth. It's going to be measured to you exactly to the measure that you put in it.
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Now he said this, "For he that hath, to him shall more be given." So if you want more truth, here's what God says, you must obey the truth that you already have. "For he that hath, to him shall be given. He that hath not, from him shall be taken, even that which he hath." So why in the world would God give you more truth if you will not obey the truth that he's already given you? And he's also telling you this, if you don't use the truth, you lose the truth. "From him shall be taken even that which he had" or that which he seemeth to have. Because if you do not use, and if you do not apply the truth, then you really do not have the truth.
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Now, let me tell you something. I've taught for 50 years. I've taught students from the fourth grade all the way through college. Plus my preaching and teaching. One thing that I've learned over all the years of teaching is this, that students have different methods of learning. Students have different methods of learning. Some find it easy. It's a piece of cake. Others learn with great difficulty. Some individuals can just simply hear and it's theirs. Some can see and it's there.
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Some require seeing and hearing. Some require hands-on experience. Examples have to be used. Repetition must be enforced and clarity distilled for some to even get a glimpse of knowledge. I certainly do not claim to be an expert when it comes to teaching, nor do I claim to have all the answers. However, let me tell you this. The great teacher, our heavenly Father, who's revealed Himself in the Lord Jesus Christ, knows exactly how to teach you and how to get His truth across to you.
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For some, it will be relatively easy. For some, it will be very difficult. But He will teach you one way or the other.
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Now I'm going to tell you. The easy way to learn is the easy way to learn. I want you to look back to Psalm 25. I want you to look at verse 12. Psalm 25, verse 12. Go back there. I want you to look at this. Psalm 25, verse 12. Very simple verse. But look at it. I want you to think as I read this verse to you. Look in Psalm 25 and verse 12.
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Plain as the nose on your face, he says it like this: "What man is he that feareth the Lord?" That's the question. Do you fear God? Are you saved? Then he says this, "Him, that man that fears the Lord, him shall He, God, teach in the way that he shall choose." So God's going to choose the way that is best to teach you. Job 36 and verse 22 says, "Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?"
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So you can mark this down. God's going to teach you one way or the other. And He's going to choose the most effective way to get His truth across. So how does God teach us? I'm going to cover one point today, one point next Sunday, and Lord willing, two points the Sunday after that. The very first point is this: He teaches by example. He teaches by example. Now learning by example is extremely easy. In fact, this is usually one of the methods that we choose to teach our own children. If we see another child get hurt or get whipped, we say to our child, "Look what happened to Johnny.
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Don't do what he did. If you do, you're going to suffer the same consequences that he suffered." Or we see some child extremely happy being blessed because of some good deed, and we'll say to our children, "Look exactly at what happened to him. And if you follow, if you imitate his example, then of course you're going to have these blessings as well." So we then are using examples to teach our children.
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Now, let me go a little further. You have to remember that there are positive examples and negative examples. Let me just quote Romans 15 and verse 4. You need to write it down. I want you to read this verse later, but here's what Romans 15 verse 4 says: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Now God said whatever was written aforetime, and He's speaking primarily of the Old Testament, whatever was written aforetime was written for our learning. So every example that you look at, both positive and negative, was written for our learning. So let me begin very quickly by giving you the positive examples. And I'm not going to go through all the Scripture, but I want to show you, first of all, the very chief one.
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If you would turn in your Bibles to 1 Peter chapter 2. 1 Peter chapter 2. And look, if you would please, beginning there in verse 21. 1 Peter chapter 2, verse 21. The Bible says, "For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
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who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously."
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Now go back to verse 21. "For even hereunto were you also called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." So Jesus Christ is the premier example in the Word of God. It was Thomas à Kempis who wrote the book, "Imitation of Christ." Well, we don't want to just imitate Christ. We want to participate in Christ and let Him and allow Him to live His life in us and through us. But the Christian life is not an imitation. It is a participation. But Christ is our preeminent example.
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He is the positive one. He obeyed the Father. He was principled. He was submissive. He was humble. In fact, if you look in your Bible, John chapter 13, and verse 15, John chapter 13 and verse 15, this is the passage where our Lord took a towel and girded Himself and washed His disciples' feet. In John 13 and verse 15, our Lord said this, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." Why? Verse 16, "Verily, verily, I say to you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
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If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." But note what he says, "I've given you an example." In other words, I've shown you what humility is all about. I've shown you what helping is all about. Here's my example in this. When we talk about positive examples, Abraham is an example of faith and obedience in the Scripture. He's called the friend of God. He's called the father of all them that believe. In fact, the Bible says that the faithful walk in the steps of faithful Abraham. In other words, Abraham is a positive example. There are multitudes of positive examples in the Bible.
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Let me just show you one. Go to James chapter 5, verses 10 and 11. James chapter 5, verses 10 and 11. Look at it. Hebrews, James, James 5, verses 10 and 11. Here James says it like this: James 5 verse 10, "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." But notice what he said, "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example." So all the prophets then would be a positive example.
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So what we need to do is this, we need to read the Scripture. When we read about Abraham, we read about Isaac, we say, "Yeah, that's the way I should conduct my life. That's the way I should walk. That's the way I should live." When we read the Gospels and find out how Jesus Christ obeyed the Father and did what was right under every situation and circumstance, we should say, "Yes, that's my example." That's a very simple and easy way to learn. By the way, there are also negative examples given in the Word of God.
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I want you to turn to 2 Chronicles chapter 30. 2 Chronicles chapter 30. Then we're going to Psalm 78 and then to the little book of Zechariah. So go, if you would please, to 2 Chronicles chapter 30. 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles. 2 Chronicles chapter 30, then we're going to Psalm 78. So you can find Psalm 78. Then we're going to the minor prophet Zechariah. So notice, if you would please, first of all, in 2 Chronicles chapter 30 and verse 7, look what God says.
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He's telling his people, "And be not like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see. Verse 8.
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Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you." Let me spell this out to you. Don't act like your fathers acted. Don't sin against God. Don't violate God's law. Here's what he's saying: If you want to be blessed, don't do what they did. Look in Psalm 78. Psalm 78, beginning there with verse 6.
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Then we'll go to the little book of Zechariah, which I think is right before Malachi. All right. Notice, if you would, Psalm 78. Psalm 78. And notice, if you would please, verse 6, Psalm 78 verse 6. He says, "That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God." Isn't that amazing?
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Did your mother ever tell you as a child, "Don't act like your father"? Well, she may or may not have, depending on what father had done. But that's exactly what God is saying. Don't act like your fathers. Don't act like your brothers. Look in the book of Zechariah, Zechariah chapter 1, right before the book of Malachi, last book in the Old Testament, Zechariah chapter 1, notice if you would please with verse 2. Zechariah chapter 1, verse 2. "The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers. Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord." Now, here's what God says. Don't be like your fathers. Don't be like those stupid people that I told you and I instructed you and I taught you, but you would not listen.
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And where are they? They're destroyed. So don't be like that. Is it this passage? We could also put in this, and I'll quote this verse next week as well from a different aspect. But you remember Romans 1 and verse 18 where the Bible says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness." Passages like this can be applied to Korah and Dathan and Abiram, Alexander the coppersmith, evil and wicked rulers such as Jeroboam, Manasseh, Ahab, and a host of others. There are multitudes of scriptures like this where God says, "Don't do this. Don't be like these people. Don't act like this."
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Now, let me show you. I want you to turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 10. 1 Corinthians chapter 10. And let's begin reading there with verse 5. 1 Corinthians chapter 10. And look at verse 5. We're talking about Israel. In fact, go back to verse 1, just so you'll see, it says, "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea." So it's talking about the deliverance of Israel from Egypt as they passed through the Red Sea. Now skip down to verse 5.
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"But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
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Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." Now you know what the Apostle Paul just did? The Apostle Paul just took everything that happened to old Israel in the Old Testament and applied it to us in the New Testament. He said, "Here are negative examples. Don't do like these people did. Don't do that." That's plain. Look in Hebrews chapter 4. Hebrews chapter 4. Hebrews chapter 4.
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Notice if you would, and let's begin reading there with verse 11. He said, "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." What example is it talking about? Israel who came out of Egypt. By the way, I should have mentioned a while ago, you remember as we were reading from 1 Corinthians 10, the Bible said, "With many of them God was not well pleased." Do you know how many of the original men that came out of Egypt actually got into Canaan land? Two. Joshua and Caleb. He killed the rest of them.
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And this is what he's saying. In verse 11, "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." He said, "Use them for an example. Don't live like them. Don't do like them." When you get to 2 Peter, just turn over just a few pages, 2 Peter. After Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter. Look in 2 Peter chapter 2, beginning there of verse 4.
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We're talking about negative examples. 2 Peter 2 verse 4. "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly." What? He said, "All of these are examples to you. Do you want to be like Sodom and Gomorrah?" That's exactly where we're headed, by the way. Do you want to be destroyed like that? Do you want to be destroyed like those antediluvians in Noah's day? Do you want to be destroyed like the fallen angels? He said, "These are examples." Do you understand it is possible to learn and receive teaching by examples?
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We may learn virtue, patience, honesty, morality, kindness, tenderness, and a host of other attributes just simply by watching, observing, and listening to others if our hearts are open. Likewise, if our hearts are open, we may be properly warned while we observe what happens to the wicked and the ungodly. When we see someone stick their hand into the fire, and their hand starts burning, and their flesh starts falling off, if we are wise, we'll say, "I'm not going to do that. I'm going to learn from that. I'm not going to jump in front of a train the way some people do. I'm going to learn from that. I'm going to stop at the railroad track and look left and look right."
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I told you this once before, but it's the absolute truth. Some animals are smarter than people. Alice and I were going to Northern Michigan to preach. We were in Glen Arbor, I think it was, there was a deer right by the interstate, a doe. There's a patch of green grass on the other side of the exit ramp. I watched that doe. Alice was driving. That doe came to that exit ramp, stopped, looked to her left, looked to her right, and then she walked across. I thought, "That animal's got better sense than most people."
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I'm just simply saying we can learn if we pay attention. Learning by example is the easiest way to learn. Practically all animals learn by example. Watch calves, they eat what their mamas eat. Goats do the same thing. Even mankind learns by observation and by example when we are young. But however, when we get older, we think that learning by example is for babies. I mean, we want to experiment. We want hands-on learning. And so we stick our hand in the fire and we have to learn the hard way. The truth of Proverbs 13 and verse 15, "The way of the transgressor is hard." So each of us has learned from example.
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Each of us has benefited from the examples of other people, whether those examples have been positive or negative. So when we see someone that has a godly example, we should follow it. If we see someone with an ungodly example, we should avoid it. But now let me point something out to you. Do you realize that you are an example to others? And you may be a positive or negative example. You cannot escape the concept of being an example. You are whether you like it or not. You're either an example for good or an example for bad. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3 and verse 17, "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." In 2 Thessalonians 3 and verse 9 he says, "Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us."
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He told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4 and verse 12, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." So here's my applications. The first one is this: It's your responsibility to be a godly example to others in every sphere of life. It is not your responsibility to apply your example to others. It's just your responsibility to be an example. That is God's prerogative as to whether or not He uses you as an example to others. But it's your responsibility to be a godly example. You remember he said in Matthew 21 and verse 32, "For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not:
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but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him." What was he saying? You had a responsibility to learn from the example of others, from the positive, and you didn't do it. The second application is this: It's your responsibility to heed all warnings from wicked and evil examples and not to follow them. God said in Exodus 23 and verse 2, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment." He said in 1 John 3, verse 11, "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." You are an example. You may not like it, but you're an example. You're either a good one or a bad one.
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And someone somewhere is watching you, and someone somewhere will learn from your life. Either that which is right or that which is wrong. The easy way to be taught of God is to observe and learn. That's easy. You just need a teachable heart and an observant mind and a knowledge of Scripture. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You for Your Word. We thank You for the fact, Lord, that You are indeed going to teach us and You will teach us one way or the other.
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We will receive Your words. How simple and how easy it is to learn from example. Help us, Lord, to take the easy path because it does get harder and harder to learn. We ask for Your grace and Your mercy in Christ's name. Amen. Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T20:04:45Z

How Are You Being Taught - Part 1 of 3

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

In this first part of a three-part series, Pastor John Weaver examines the question 'How are you being taught?' from Psalm 25:12. He emphasizes that teaching is essential yet often neglected due to willful ignorance, pride, and rebellion. The singular mark of a true Christian is receiving God's Word. God teaches His people in the way He chooses, and the first method explored is teaching by example—both positive (Christ, Abraham, the prophets) and negative (Israel in the wilderness, Sodom, etc.). Believers are called to learn from these examples and to be godly examples themselves.

Introduction: The Necessity of Teaching

Teaching is needed by everyone but ignored by most, including Christians. Many prefer amusement over instruction, and willful ignorance is condemned in Scripture.

The Mark of a True Christian: Receiving God's Word

Deuteronomy 33:3 and John 17 show that the prominent mark of a true Christian is receiving God's Word. Many professing Christians are ignorant because they were never genuinely converted.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 33:1-3

"And this is the blessing wherewith Moses, the man of God, blessed the children of Israel before his death. And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them. He shined forth from Mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints. From his right hand went a fiery law for them."

Now watch verse 3. Watch very carefully.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 33:1-3

"Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at his feet; everyone shall receive of thy words."

Wow. When you read that passage, it should be very obvious that all of his saints sit at his feet; everyone shall receive of his words. Now let me tell

Scripture Reading — John 17:5-8

"And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world. Thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou gavest me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me."

Now what did Moses say in Deuteronomy 33 verse 3? Everyone sits at his feet and receives his word. And now here Jesus Christ in his high priestly prayer is saying,

Scripture Reading — John 17:5-8

"I've given them the words which thou hast given me and they have received them."

And the answer is, of course not. If you look in Romans chapter 9, beginning there with verse 6, Paul is addressing this very issue, and he says this,

Scripture Reading — Romans 9:6-8

"Not as though the word of God had taken none effect."

Now watch this statement.

Scripture Reading — Romans 9:6-8

"For they are not all Israel which are of Israel."

Now when the Apostle says,

Scripture Reading — Romans 9:6-8

"They are not all Israel which are of Israel,"

Scripture Reading — Romans 9:6-8

"They are not all Israel which are of Israel."

Reasons for Ignorance Among Christians

Ignorance stems from pride, an unbiblical fear of increased responsibility, and rebellion. Many do not obey what they know, and God measures truth according to the measure we give.

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 2:2

"For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

And so they say,

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 2:2

"Well, that's all I need to know. I need to know Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and that's it."

Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:10

know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death."

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:28

"Whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect or mature in Christ Jesus."

Now, if you want to be perfect or mature in Christ Jesus, what three things do you need? Well, in this verse, Paul says you need preaching, you need warning, and you need teaching.

God Chooses the Way to Teach Us

Psalm 25:12 declares that God teaches those who fear Him in the way He chooses. The first method is teaching by example, which is the easiest way to learn.

Positive Examples in Scripture

Christ is the premier example (1 Peter 2:21), followed by Abraham, the prophets, and others. Believers are to follow their faith, obedience, and humility.

If you would turn in your Bibles to 1 Peter chapter 2. 1 Peter chapter 2. And look, if you would please, beginning there in verse 21. 1 Peter chapter 2, verse 21. The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 2:21-23

"For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously."

Negative Examples in Scripture

God warns against following the examples of unfaithful fathers, Israel in the wilderness, Sodom, and others. These are written for our admonition (1 Corinthians 10:11).

Application: Be a Godly Example

Every believer is an example to others, either for good or bad. We are responsible to be godly examples and to heed warnings from wicked examples.

How Are You Being Taught - Part 1 of 3

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	vx3LH1EjPUI
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Romans: Election, Israel, and Covenant Mercy
Genre	Sermon
Date	2016-12-29
Dictation Name
Book	Book 184: How Are You Being Taught — Chapter 1
Source Timed Segments	75

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Necessity of Teaching: Teaching is needed by everyone but ignored by most, including Christians. Many prefer amusement over instruction, and willful ignorance is condemned in Scripture.
The Mark of a True Christian: Receiving God's Word: Deuteronomy 33:3 and John 17 show that the prominent mark of a true Christian is receiving God's Word. Many professing Christians are ignorant because they were never genuinely converted.
Reasons for Ignorance Among Christians: Ignorance stems from pride, an unbiblical fear of increased responsibility, and rebellion. Many do not obey what they know, and God measures truth according to the measure we give.
God Chooses the Way to Teach Us: Psalm 25:12 declares that God teaches those who fear Him in the way He chooses. The first method is teaching by example, which is the easiest way to learn.
Positive Examples in Scripture: Christ is the premier example (1 Peter 2:21), followed by Abraham, the prophets, and others. Believers are to follow their faith, obedience, and humility.
Negative Examples in Scripture: God warns against following the examples of unfaithful fathers, Israel in the wilderness, Sodom, and others. These are written for our admonition (1 Corinthians 10:11).
Application: Be a Godly Example: Every believer is an example to others, either for good or bad. We are responsible to be godly examples and to heed warnings from wicked examples.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Willful ignorance is sin and leads to destruction.

The Bible condemns those who are willingly ignorant, such as the watchmen of Israel and the Jews who rejected Christ.

They were willfully blind, and not only were they willfully blind, but they gladly and willingly and with great deliberation plotted the betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. (00:03:37-00:04:41)

Not all professing Christians are truly saved.

Many in churches are ignorant because they were never genuinely converted; there is a distinction between profession and possession.

They are not all Israel which are of Israel. (Romans 9:6) (00:13:54-00:14:34)

Pride causes Christians to reject teaching.

Many Christians are proud of their ignorance, claiming they only need to know 'Jesus saves,' but this is a misunderstanding of Paul's intent.

The reason most Christians are ignorant is because most Christians cannot be taught. (00:22:50-00:23:37)

Increased knowledge brings increased responsibility.

Some avoid teaching out of fear of responsibility, but willful ignorance is itself a sin that compounds guilt.

We understand that increased knowledge carries with it increased responsibility. (00:28:07-00:28:58)

God measures truth according to our measure of study and obedience.

Mark 4:24-25 teaches that the measure we give in study and obedience determines the truth we receive.

With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you. (Mark 4:24) (00:31:15-00:31:45)

Scriptural examples are given for our learning.

Both positive and negative examples in the Bible are intended to teach us how to live and what to avoid.

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition. (1 Corinthians 10:11) (00:48:53-00:49:27)

Every believer is an example to others.

We are either a positive or negative example, and we have a responsibility to be godly examples in all areas of life.

Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12) (00:56:15-00:57:06)

Scripture References

Psalm 25:12: The foundational verse for the series: God teaches those who fear Him in the way He chooses.
Isaiah 56:10: Watchmen are blind and ignorant because they love to slumber, illustrating willful ignorance.
Romans 10:3: The Jews were ignorant of God's righteousness and established their own, showing willful blindness.
2 Peter 3:5: Apostates are willingly ignorant of creation, demonstrating willful ignorance.
1 Corinthians 14:38: If a man will be ignorant, let him be ignorant still; a warning against refusing to learn.
Jeremiah 10:23: The way of man is not in himself; no one has innate wisdom to direct his steps.
Psalm 37:23: The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, showing God's guidance through teaching.
Psalm 25:5: David prays for God to lead and teach him, acknowledging dependence on divine instruction.
Psalm 25:9: The meek will He guide in judgment and teach His way, linking meekness to teachability.
Psalm 32:8: God promises to instruct and teach us in the way we should go.
Deuteronomy 33:1-3: All saints sit at God's feet and receive His words, marking true believers.
John 17:5-8: Jesus says His disciples received the words given to Him, paralleling Deuteronomy 33:3.
Romans 9:6-8: Not all Israel are true Israel; there is an election within election, illustrating false profession.
1 Corinthians 2:14: The natural man cannot receive spiritual things, explaining why the unconverted are ignorant.
1 Corinthians 2:2: Paul determined to know only Christ crucified, but this is often misused to justify ignorance.
Philippians 3:10: Paul desired to know Christ deeply, contradicting the idea of being a 'simple' Christian.
Colossians 1:28: Preaching, warning, and teaching are necessary for maturity in Christ.
Mark 4:24-25: The measure you give in study and obedience determines the truth you receive.
1 Peter 2:21-23: Christ is our example in suffering and humility, leaving us a pattern to follow.
1 Corinthians 10:5-12: Israel's failures are negative examples for us, warning against lust, idolatry, and murmuring.

Historical References

Thomas à Kempis, 'Imitation of Christ': Mentioned in contrast to participating in Christ rather than merely imitating Him.

Important Quotes

What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

The foundational verse for the entire series, emphasizing God's sovereign choice in teaching methods.

The truth is we'd rather be amused than to muse.

Highlights the human preference for entertainment over thoughtful reflection on God's Word.

If any man will be ignorant, let him be ignorant still.

A sobering biblical principle that God allows persistent willful ignorance to continue.

The singular and the most prominent mark of a true Christian is that he receives the Word of God.

Defines the essential characteristic of genuine believers.

How many would be wise if they did not already think themselves so?

A Puritan saying that exposes the pride that prevents learning.

With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you.

Key principle that the effort we put into learning determines what we receive from God.

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Establishes the purpose of negative biblical examples as warnings for believers.

Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

The call for every believer to be a godly example in all aspects of life.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

Why do you think many Christians today neglect serious teaching and prefer entertainment?

[Context]

The message opens with the observation that teaching is ignored by most, even in churches.

[Question]

How can we distinguish between willful ignorance and ignorance due to lack of opportunity?

[Context]

Weaver distinguishes between ignorance from inopportunity and willful ignorance.

[Question]

What does it practically mean to 'receive the Word of God' as a mark of a true Christian?

[Context]

Deuteronomy 33:3 and John 17 are used to show that true believers receive God's words.

[Question]

In what ways does pride manifest itself in our attitude toward learning Scripture?

[Context]

Pride is identified as a major reason Christians remain ignorant.

[Question]

How does the principle of 'measure for measure' in Mark 4:24-25 challenge your current study habits?

[Context]

The measure we give in study determines the truth we receive.

[Question]

What positive biblical example has most influenced your walk with Christ, and why?

[Context]

Positive examples like Christ, Abraham, and the prophets are given for our learning.

[Question]

How can we effectively learn from negative examples without becoming judgmental or self-righteous?

[Context]

Negative examples are warnings, but we must take heed lest we fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).

[Question]

In what areas of your life are you consciously aware that you are an example to others?

[Context]

Every believer is an example, either for good or bad.

Applications

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T12:44:01Z