========================================================================
  INSTRUCT-THEN EXHORT
  by A.W. Tozer
========================================================================

Summary: The apostolic method of teaching emphasizes the importance of
instructing people with scriptural reasons and exhorting them to respond
appropriately.

Topics: "Exhortation", "Christian Doctrine"
Scripture References: Hebrews 10:24

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of the apostolic method of
teaching, which combines instruction with exhortation, as exemplified in
the writings of Paul. He highlights that the faithful men of old
provided scriptural reasons for Christian actions, encouraging believers
to respond with personal faith and godliness. Tozer points out that the
message of Christ's supremacy over Moses and the angels serves as a
foundation for the exhortation to love and pray for one another. This
method of teaching calls for immediate and unreserved action based on
the truths of Scripture. The sermon encourages believers to understand
the reasons behind their faith and to act accordingly.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The godly men of old through whom the Scriptures came to us were
faithful in their exhortations to personal faith and godliness,
characteristic of the early church. The apostolic method of teaching,
instructing and encouraging was based on solid and fundamental Christian
doctrine. This was Paul's method in his New Testament letters. First he
gives his readers the scriptural reasons for certain Christian actions
and attributes. He provides the basis and reason-then he exhorts the
readers to respond appropriately. We do not know if Paul was the human
writer to the Hebrews, but the method of exhortation is like Paul's.

We are assured that Christ is greater than Moses and greater than the
angels and that He purchased mankind's salvation.

Then the exhortation: if all of these things are true, then we should
keep on loving one another, keep on praying for one another. It is a
good and gracious argument: because we have reasons for doing something,
we ought to do it without delay and without reservation!

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/instruct-then-exhort/
========================================================================