TEACHING: PRIVILEGE AND PERIL

TEACHING: PRIVILEGE AND PERIL James 3:1 February 6, 2011 Given by: Pastor Rich Bersett [Index of Past Messages] Introduction Robert Eversull was a young preacher at Oxford Church in the Chicago area when one summer he outlined all his sermons for the fall so he would be organized before his Seminary classes. As was that church’s habit, their sermon titles were published weekly in the area newspaper, so he turned them all in at once. The first of September, the church school superintendent asked if he would recognize and install the teachers during a Sunday morning worship service. He agreed but warned him he had already outlined his sermons for the next few months and would not have the time to prepare a special Christian Education Sunday sermon. He agreed that this was unnecessary and a notice of the installation service was sent to the local newspaper. A few days before Christian Education Sunday the newspaper reported: "This coming Sunday, the Sunday school teachers of the Oxford Church will be recognized and installed. Reverend Eversull's special sermon for this occasion is entitled, "Father Forgive Them for They Know Not What They Do!" Apparently there were many who were wanting to be teachers in the churches to whom James wrote his epistle. That can only spell trouble, and James, in typical straightforward style, wrote just one sentence of correction—a sharp, direct exhortation—to help address the issues. It was verse 1 of chapter 3 – Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. James’ preferred method of discouraging those who too hastily tried to become teachers was to show them the downside of the ministry of teaching. According to a radio report, a middle school in Oregon faced a unique problem. A number of girls began to use lipstick and put it on in the bathroom. After they put on their lipstick, they pressed their lips to the mirrors leaving dozens of little lip prints. Finally the principal decided something had to be done to help the poor custodians. She called the girls to the bathroom where they met with the custodian. She explained lip prints caused a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors. To demonstrate how difficult it was, she asked the custodian to show the girls the difficulty involved in cleaning those mirrors. He took out a long-handled brush, dipped it into the toilet, and scrubbed the mirror. Since then there have been no lip prints on the mirrors. As we consider this vital gift given to some by the Spirit of God for the benefit of the church, we are quickly reminded that it is both a privilege and a peril. Teaching: Privilege Throughout church history teachers have been important in the plan of God, but particularly in the first century when the New Testament scriptures were not yet recorded and recognized as authoritative. There were teachers in that missionary church at Antioch, and they were ranked alongside the prophets as leaders in the church. In Paul’s short list of the great gifts in 1 Cor. 12, teachers come in second only to the apostles and prophets. And the in great equipping passage of Ephesians 4 where the five-fold gifts are enumerated, the apostles and prophets were the ones always on the move as they served the wider church. The evangelists served here, there & everywhere as the Lord led them. But the teachers worked with the local churches, alongside the pastors. To them was given the awesome responsibility of instructing new believer in the Christian faith. We have accounts of teachers who failed in that they became false teachers, trying to twist and shape Christianity into something of their own making. They revealed themselves through their erroneous teaching and their dishonorable lives, just as Jesus predicted. Some tried to teach others before they themselves knew anything (1 Tim. 1:6-7), and others pandered to people who had “itching ears” and wanted teachers to tell them what they wanted to hear. But in spite of the failures of the false teachers, remember the important ministry God vested in those who serve Him well. In a very real sense, of course, we are all called to be teachers. In fact, the Hebrews letter chides believers who’ve been in the faith long enough that they ought to be teachers of others by now. We are all called to teach and encourage one another in the faith. But there are some who are gifted in special ways for that task, who are willing to take on the role of the more authoritative guardian and dispenser of doctrine—a role the Lord values highly. They are willing to take the considerably larger responsibility for the flock than is required of the Sunday School teacher or the Life Group facilitator, the one who shares the communion meditation on occasion or who personally disciples a young believer in faith. All believers are called to give offerings and generous donations to the needs of and through the church, but some, Paul says, are “gifted” at giving. We are all called to serve those around us, but some are specially gifted by God with gifts of mercy and service. We’re all responsible to correct and direct one another in matters of Christian growth and maturity, but some God gives the special gift and calling of exhortation. So, though we are all to one degree or another “teachers” of our children, our fellow Christians and unsaved people we know, there is the teacher role that is a larger, more authoritative role—a position reserved for the ones whom God has particularly gifted—the teachers. And James is clear: Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers. Because it is a unique honor for those whom the Lord has gifted. It was on the teachers and pastors that the ongoing ministry of the people of God depended once the churches were established in the communities. They became for the churches what the Rabbis were for the synagogues. Those leaders were so highly respected by the Jewish people that their biggest temptation was that of believing how important others thought they were. Teachers in every role they play face a danger of pride. When others continually glorify you as great in any public leadership role, the danger of pride is rife. Many of those religious leaders, as Jesus pointed out, became hypocrites who fell in love with their own titles and out of practice in servant ministry. They too easily forget their important role of example, and all who depend on them become the losers because they can no longer believe what they hear from them because of what they see in them. By their fruit you shall know them, Jesus warned (Mat. 7:16). They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. (Mat. 22:4) These wayward teachers He called blind hypocrites and guides, fools (Mat. 22:16-17). He said they were like whitewashed tombs, snakes and vipers, and promised them nothing but condemnation. So, if it seems as though James might be a little strong when he warns in this verse about the pitfalls of the teaching ministry, he has good reason. This is teaching ministry is so important and central to the mission of the Lord’s church that James is determined to keep it pure and special, instead of it being thought as just another duty anyone can do well. This is a fascinating verse, standing there, more or less all by itself. Of course, many tie the teacher topic into the next topic of James, the proper use of the tongue, but it is too strong a word to be simply a transitional comment. Let’s look at it again, because I believe we need to hear James’ warning that it is not only a high privilege to be a teacher, but the ministry of teacher is also fraught with potential peril. The thing that makes the teacher so pivotal in the life of the church is the position of being “up front” of the body. But it is also the very thing that can spawn pride and self-adulation in the teacher. The teaching role is a “stellar” role. That is, it is in the spotlight, it stands out as a matter of course. And when people benefit from the things a teacher shares, they often make the mistake of admiring the teacher, giving more credit to him than to the God whose Word the teacher is handling. That at wrong and dangerous. The least mature tend to exalt their pastor or teacher to a place of super-human status, or see him as more like God than most people. The problem? That’s going to feed his ego and lead him into sin. Or, if the pastor-teacher falls into sin, how is the adulating parishioner going to feel? When Jimmy Swaggart, the beloved Pentecostal TV preacher, was exposed for immoral behavior several years ago, 90% of his followers left him in disgust, but the remaining 10% begged him against the advice of spiritual advisors to restart his ministry. Meanwhile the entire church was dragged through the mud. And it wasn’t only he, but Jim Baker and Ted Haggard and a whole list of others. If you put someone on a pedestal and they fall, they will inevitably land on you. Ministry is often a sought after position. But Peter warned the ambitious that these ministries are not for those who are greedy for gain or glory; they are for the called and gifted who will serve, and not be served, shepherd the sheep and not shear them, and serve as examples to them not as lords over them. Roles and jobs, even ministries that seem to promise starry-eyed neophytes a possible position “up front” of others where they can attract attention, adulation or even accumulation of wealth, are dangerous places for them, and for those they would teach.   So, God gave us James 3:1. There is danger in the stellar nature of the teaching ministry, and James would have those who are neither mature enough nor properly gifted for it to not presume to be teachers. The teacher’s ministry is a sacred calling and a matter of serving, not a platform for the egotist, the opportunist or the narcissist. Anyone with a good voice, a pleasant appearance and enough cockiness can make an impression on stage, but sooner or later they will fail the flock through false teaching, failing fruit and increasingly obvious hypocrisy. A man can make himself great and lovable before a crowd with a little charisma in just a little while and for just a while. But only the purest of motives will produce kingdom fruit that lasts. So, before any of that travesty can happen, James offers a stern warning to all in the church: Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. Wow! It almost sounds like James is trying to scare off would-be teachers. I think he is. Because knowing that God will hold me more accountable as a teacher of His truth should bring me up short and expose any less-honorable motives and intents in me faster than anything else. What does the text mean, we who teach will be judged more strictly? Teaching is a speaking profession; and is one that is by design a tool for influencing others. Any other person can make an error or choose wrongly for himself and he will suffer the consequences. But if a teacher sins or is victimized by false teaching, then influences others to do wrong also by his erroneous instruction or dishonorable example, the consequences are multiplied enormously. Never underestimate the powerful and destructive potential of false teaching and false teachers. And never underestimate your capacity to fall into it if you presume to teach and are not gifted. This critical ministry role—that of spiritual teacher—is so married to the core ministry of the church that it must not be trifled with by those who are not serious. So, God gave us James 3:1 May I share a couple of personal reflections concerning the pastor-teacher service I am involved in? First, let me say that it is always a delicate matter to me to talk about my ministry among you. I mean, I stand here and teach you to do things from God’s Word like, Galatians 6:6, share all good things with him who teaches you; and Hebrews 13:7, Remember your leaders…consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. And Hebrews 13:17, Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give and account. Obey them that their work will be a joy, not a burden… Teaching these teachings about teachers as your teacher is a delicate—and holy—thing to me. I wouldn’t do it, if it weren’t the Word of God. So, please understand me when I say I bring you God’s Word in humility and care, as one who knows we who teach will be judged more strictly. Which leads me to number 2. Every time I even think about the role that I serve as a handler of God’s Word among His people and other seekers, I get a little spooked. I mean, I just think about the magnitude of the responsibility and get a touch of nausea. And I’m glad I do. If I ever lose that I promise I will worry enough about it that I will go immediately and talk to someone who can advise me honestly. When I come to this lectern it is never without nervousness. Years ago, I used to think it was simply the nervousness that you’re supposed to feel when you talk in front of others. And I’m sure I’ve had my share of that. But I’ve come to realize, the longer I preach and teach and counsel from His Word, that my skittishness really has to do with what I am handling. I want you to respect and honor that with me. To help me remember this Word-handling ministry of teaching is very serious indeed. I borrow and pass along a few thoughts I picked up from a Christian leader named Everett L. Wilson: Preaching is the most undemocratic of routines in a free society. Week in, week out, people come and listen for a half-hour at a time to someone like themselves. They do not interrupt; they do not walk out. They can't switch channels. Sometimes the speaker scolds them, and they sit still for it. They are not students in a university, intimidated by a professor's power over their grades and futures; they are not employees dependent upon the speaker's power over their income. Many of them, in fact, are giving sacrificially to keep the speaker's family fed, clothed, housed, and educated. Those of us who have assumed such an undemocratic prerogative had better believe we are engaged in the ministry of the Word of God; otherwise there is no hope for us! So, this Word is to me, and to all of us: Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. Conclusion How do you know if you are gifted as a teacher? Ask yourself the same questions that believers need to get answers to about any gift they think they might have: • Are you passionate about the ministry involved in this gift? •  Do you understand the biblical teaching about this gift? •  Have you been affirmed in this gift by trusted other Christians? •  When you exercise this gift does it wear you out or energize you? The teacher role is so special to God and His plan for the church! He and James – and I – want us all to understand that those whom He has called and gifted should pursue the ministry He has laid out for them. All other comers should be very circumspect.     [ Back to Top]