A TEACHER

Pastor Floyd Koenig

INTRODUCTION

Of the many religions in this world, only Christianity requires a supernatural teacher. No earthly qualification can enable one to grasp the truth of God.

We need to be reminded of our great need of a Divine teacher, and of the privilege of having the Holy Spirit as such a Teacher. He truly is the "Spirit of Truth"(Jn. 15:26).

I. THE BIBLE IS AN INSPIRED BOOK

A. The Bible, as our infallible textbook of faith and practice, was inspired by the Holy Spirit.

B. The Holy Spirit, not only inspired the New Testament, but He is also our Teacher (Jn. 14:26).

II. THE HOLY SPIRIT ENLIGHTENS THE MIND IN REGENERATION

A. The unsaved are in a state of total spiritual ignorance (II Cor. 4:3-4; Jn. 3:3; Eph. 4:18).

1. The Bible describes the unsaved as being blind, asleep, foolish, and full of darkness.

2. This condition is not to be viewed merely as an absence of knowledge, but rather as a natural inability to appreciate, comprehend and receive spiritual truth.

3. Sinners may be well versed in the Bible, and yet, have no ability to discern the things of God (I Cor. 1:18-21; 2:9-16).

 B. A large part of the Spirit’s work in regeneration consists in bringing to the elect a true knowledge of spiritual matters (Col. 3:10; I Cor. 1:23-24). 1. The new birth is compared by Paul to the creation of light (Gen. 1:3; II Cor. 4:6).

2. The believer has been called "out of darkness into his marvelous light"(I Pet. 2:9).

3. Every Christian has been personally taught of God (Jn. 6:45).

4. Many will testify that they sat in churches for years, and yet were spiritually blind until God saved them.

5. It is a sad fact that the unregenerate are unaware of their own blindness.

- The blind will even attempt to lead the blind (Mt. 15:14).

 III. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WORK IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER

A. Christians have an unction or an anointing that teaches them what cannot be learned from man (I Jn. 2:20,27; II Cor. 1:21 - Note "unction" and "anointing" both have the same meaning).

1. This unction is the communication of the Spirit to the believer (Isa. 61:1; Heb. 1:9).

2. Only by the Spirit’s teaching, can anyone live the Christian life.

 B. The Holy Spirit opens the Scriptures. 1. He illuminates the mind of believers that they might understand the Scriptures.

2. Christ promised the apostles that even though He was leaving, the Spirit would come and teach them (Jn. 14:26)

3. The fulfillment of this promise is seen in several ways:

a. We see in the book of Acts, that the apostles came to understand many of the teachings of Christ which they were blind to during His earthly ministry.

b. They were given wisdom in the writing of the New Testament, and in the manifestation of the gift of prophecy.

c. The Holy Spirit illuminates the believer’s mind today, as he studies the Word of God.

 C. The Holy Spirit leads the believer. 1. The Holy Spirit guides the believer and enables him to know God’s will (Rom. 8:14; Prov. 3:5-6). D. The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ. 1. The Holy Spirit, in His teaching, has the purpose of bringing glory to Christ.

2. The Holy Spirit teaches us of Christ, and makes Him precious to us (Jn. 15:26; 16:14-15).

3. The Holy Spirit has not come to call attention to Himself.

4. The Holy Spirit directs us to worship Christ .

5. In His teaching He opens the truths formerly taught by Christ (Jn. 14:26; 16:13-14).

6. The Holy Spirit brings glory to Christ as the great teacher.

7. The seeds of all truth in the New Testament may be found in Christ’s teaching.

8. It is the Spirit’s work to point men to Christ.

 E. The Holy Spirit protects the saint from error. 1. The child of God is secure in Christ because the Spirit enlightens him to danger.

2. Rather than be seduced by the spirit of antichrist, saints abide in the Savior because they are taught by the Spirit (I Jn. 2:18-20, 26-27).

 F. The Holy Spirit teaches the saint concerning his blessedness in Christ. 1. He reveals to believers the greatness of their inheritance and the wonders of God’s love and power manifested in their salvation (I Cor. 2:9-16; Eph. 1:15-19; 3:14-19). CONCLUSION

As Christians, it is our duty to study God’s Word and listen to it preached. Let us not, however, forget to look to God’s Spirit for real understanding.
 


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