01.091. THE TEACHING OF JESUS: ITS PRACTICALNESS
Lesson Seventy-eight THE TEACHING OF JESUS: ITS PRACTICALNESS Scripture Reading: John 10:7-18, Luke 16:1-31.
Scriptures to Memorize: “I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly” (John 10:10). “For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). “Ye will not come to me, that ye may have life” (John 5:40).
58. Q. What is a fifth characteristic of the Teaching of Jesus which proves its perfection?
A. A fifth characteristic of the Teaching of Jesus which proves its perfection, is its practicalness.
1. It deals frankly with all the problems of everyday human life and living. It covers, as we have already learned, the entire field of human obligations and relations.
2. It exemplifies its precepts and ideals in the life of Jesus, our Perfect Exemplar, that all men may see, understand, and follow. John 14:9—“he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” John 14:6—“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”
3. It frankly declares that man is alienated from God, lost in sin, and therefore in need of a Saviour. Matthew 9:12—“they that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick.” Luke 19:10—“for the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” Romans 3:23—“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” John 3:17—“For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.”
4. It offers as the Remedy for this condition, not a set of abstract rules to be obeyed, but an altogether lovely Person to be loved and followed; and to be followed, because He is loved. John 3:14-15—“and as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life.” John 12:32—“and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself.” Matthew 11:28—“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” John 5:40—“Ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.” The life, teaching and ministry of Jesus is far more than rules and laws—it is Divine Grace manifested to fallen men. To illustrate: a tract by Dr. William Ashmore represents a Chinaman in a pit. Confucius looks into the pit and says: “If you had done as I told you, you would never have gotten in.” Buddha looks into the pit and says: “If you were up here I would show you what to do.” So both Confucius and Buddha pass on. But Jesus leaps down into the pit and helps the poor Chinaman to get out. (Strong, Systematic Theology, p. 178).
5. It provides an all-sufficient Atonement for sin and forgiveness for the sinner. Matthew 20:28—“The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matthew 26:28—“this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins.” 1 John 1:7—“the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Colossians 2:13—“having forgiven us all our trespasses.”
6. It furnishes proper incentives to repentance and obedience on man’s part, such as: (1) the matchless demonstration of God’s love for him, in the suffering and death of Jesus on the Cross (John 3:16); (2) in it’s numerous overtures, invitations and calls to him to forsake sin and return to the Father’s house (Matthew 11:28-30, John 7:27, Revelation 22:17); (3) in the promise and hope of eternal life which it extends to him (John 3:16; John 14:6; John 20:31; Romans 6:23). John 10:10—“I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.”
7. It offers man the aid of the Holy Spirit in achieving and realizing that “sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). It frankly admits that man could not possibly attain true spiritual life and eternal salvation without divine help, and therefore promises him the aid of the living Christ and the indwelling of the Divine Spirit to meet his needs. Luke 11:13, Romans 5:5, etc. 2 Corinthians 13:14—“the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” Romans 8:26—“the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us.” Titus 3:5—“renewing of the Holy Spirit.” Compare the words of Paul: “I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me” (Php 4:13). We are safe in making the assertion that no problem of human life, pertaining to either the here or the hereafter, is left unanswered in the Teaching of Jesus. The supreme need of our day and age is for men and women everywhere to read, study, ponder, discern and understand the precepts, principles, and promises revealed in the New Testament Scriptures.
REVIEW EXAMINATION OVER LESSON SEVENTY-EIGHT 58.What is a fifth characteristic of the Teaching of Jesus which proves its perfection?