Responsibility of Teachers
Introduction:
1. James has
finished his discussion of faith and works and how they are applicable to pure
religion.
2. He, now,
proceeds to reveal the importance of a tongue that follows his exhortation in James 1:19.
a. James 1:19 - Wherefore, my beloved
brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
b.
He is addressing those who seek to abuse the tongue and its importance in the
salvation of man.
3. James dos not
seek to discourage those who are teachers or want to be teachers.
4. He points out
that teachers have a great and grave responsibility in their influence in the
eternal destination of man.
5. James
explains that teaching is a good work.
6. Yet that good
work must be tried in the fire of qualification to weed out those who seek
honor and glory.
7. For the
responsibility of teachers to prepare themselves and have a due regard for this
good work should concern everyone who looks toward the future of each
congregation.
I) Problem of Many Teachers
A) What is a teacher?
1. Not a master in relation to a servant.
2. A master in relation to a disciple or
learner.
a. Matthew 8:19 - And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow
thee whithersoever thou goest.
b.
Matthew 26:18 - And he said, Go into the city to
such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep
the passover at thy house with my disciples.
c.
Jesus was called master in so far as he
was the master in relation to his disciples.
3. Teacher is simply an instructor.
a. James then is referring to anyone who
instructs another individual.
b. Teachers are necessary for men need to be
instructed in the word of God.
c. One of the qualifications of an elder is
one that is apt to teach.
(i) By implication then an elder who cannot
teach cannot hold the office.
(ii) Another implication is that an elder must
have taught and trained himself as a teacher.
B) Jews glorified Rabbis
1. The Jews placed an undue emphasis upon
the Rabbi.
a. Prior to Christianity Jewish teachers of
the Law of Moses were called Rabbis.
b. It became a title of distinction between
eminent teachers of the Law and the average man.
(i) Thus, we find that honor and dignity were
ascribed to those who attained such academic accolades.
(ii) In addition to this honor and dignity was
an attached authority that what they said was law.
(a) The authority they had created a
divisiveness which destroyed the Law of Moses.
(b) The eminent teachers educated people from
their commentaries rather than from the Word of God.
(c) These commentaries held more weight in
the lives of the average Jew than the books of the Bible.
2. This fondness for the office of Rabbi
carried over to the Christian dispensation.
a. The same honor and dignity were afforded
to those who were teachers in the Church of Christ.
b. The submission of the Christians to the
authority they gave to these teachers were causing the church to divide itself.
c. We see this today.
(i) There are those individuals who gain
academic accomplishments and were those titles with honor and glory.
(ii) These same individuals which the alphabet
soup behind their names wield their academic prowess over Christians with an
iron hand.
(iii) These learned men demand that Christians
follow them because they know more than anyone else.
(iv) These men have brought destruction and
condemnation upon many individuals for their false teaching solely because they
are educated.
(v) These men are the ones who are trying to
introduce instrumental music in the church; coordinated fellowship with
denominations; bring in the doctrine of entertainment rather than worship to
God.
3. These teachers in the 1st
century were given respect over others.
a. Matthew 23:8-10 - But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and
all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is
your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your
Master, even Christ.
b. Christians once again were favoring
teachers and hold contempt for non-teachers.
c. This has a bearing on today.
(i) Favoritism today is seen in the
clergy-laity system.
(ii) Clergy are the priest
(iii) Laity is the members of the congregation.
(iv) The favoritism is built into this system
where the priest, pastor, reverend, whatever gets to have special treatment
over the laity.
(v) However, every Christian is a priest - 1 Peter 2:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the
praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
C) Teachers impact on students.
1. A teacher is an instructor in
righteousness which is necessary.
a. It is a necessity for the truth to
flourish.
b. As noted before the teacher is doing a
good work.
2. The impact of these instructors of
righteousness is tremendous.
a. Their impact is immeasurable.
b. For, they mold the minds of our youth by
their words and teachings.
(i) They edify and build up young people and
adult to encourage them to learn.
(ii) The motivate people by giving them things
to consider whether it is in line with one's previous believes or contrary to
them.
(iii) They have the ability to influence people
simply by rewarding them with grades and praise.
(iv) Their power is such that many people seek
their approval when in fact no should be sought out.
3. Being a teacher is a privilege; not a
right.
a. It is some that must be earned.
(i) We cannot award anyone the office of
teacher that has not trained themselves to be teachers.
(ii) With great influence comes great
responsibility.
b. God gives teachers authority over the
minds of Christians.
(i) This authority does not come by means of
power.
(ii) This influence comes by means of
qualifications.
(iii) These qualifications spell out the
teacher's responsibility.
II) Responsibility of Teachers
A) Preparation
1. Many people want to be teachers but they
should be learning.
a. This is to what James is referring.
(i) Many of the individuals who sought the
office because of it prestige had not educated themselves.
(ii) Their desire for acclaim superseded their
need to be disciples first.
(a) Evidently, new Christians felt that once
they became interest in the rudimentary knowledge of the truth they could be
teachers.
(b) Yet they had not searched the deep things
of God nor desired to.
(c) They only wanted to be known as teachers.
b. The same problem existed for at least 20
years.
(i) Hebrews 5:12-14 - For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one
teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are
become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that
useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But
strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of
use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
(ii) Thus James condemns these because they
had not prepared themselves.
2. James was not trying to discourage
teachers but warn them of their responsibility.
a. His condemnation came upon those who
sought the office of teacher because of the honor it brought.
b. There is also a sense in which the
necessity of preparation is the foundation of James' message.
3. Preparation takes on three specific
things.
a. The first is that he must search his
heart and the Word of God.
(i) Those desiring to be teachers must ask
themselves whether they are willing to prepare themselves for such.
(ii) By looking into one's heart they can
determine their desire to teach and their willingness to develop their ability
to teach.
(iii) Desire to teach also means that one is
willing to study the word of God and search the scriptures daily.
b. The second is that one must develop his
skill.
(i) The development of skill means that the
Christian looks for several things.
(ii) Looks to develop his skill in
edification.
(iii) Looks to develop his skill in being
faithful.
(iv) Looks to develop the oratory skill
necessary for a teacher.
(a) He must able to stand in front of a crowd
of people and speak clearly and distinctly so ALL can hear.
(b) He must able to use a microphone
properly.
(c) He cannot murmur.
(d) He needs to practice not repeating
himself.
(e) He needs to be able to develop and
outline of what his is going to say.
(f) He must practice, practice, and practice.
c. Thirdly, the teacher must be humble.
(i) To be able to escape the condemnation of
James by desiring the office because it is the right thing for him to do.
(ii) Humility means that teachers will avoid
any undue praise or elevation above other Christians.
(iii) Matthew 23:8-10 - But be not ye called
Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call
no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
B) Due Regard for the Work of Teachers
1. This due regard for work recognizes the
influence of a teacher.
a. We have already examined the influence of
a teacher.
b. But we must stress the fact that the
impact can either be for good or for bad.
(i) A good teacher seeks to inform and allow
the student to examine the truth.
(ii) A bad teacher tells people what to
believe.
(iii) The false teachers of the world tell
people what to believe.
2. This due regard recognizes the heavier
judgment upon a teacher.
a. James tells us that God places an heavier
judgment upon the teacher.
(i) This is not an arbitrary decision by God.
(ii) Because of the great influence then God
will judge the teacher with more strictness than other Christians.
b. There are stricter standards in that
leadership in the truth involves greater responsibility.
(i) This responsibility must be taken
seriously.
(ii) I cannot stress enough the importance of
this fact.
(iii) God holds you to a higher standard than
other Christians.
3. It falls upon the congregation to train
teachers and encourage those to examine themselves to teach and develop others
to teach.
Conclusion:
1. Teachers have
an influence on the souls of men they teach.
2. Let us learn
today from our Master Teacher, Jesus Christ, what he taught concerning
salvation.
3. He taught the
Plan of Salvation.
Posted in: Book of James, Sermon Outlines