Jesus Is... Sermon Series - Part 6
The Teacher
Sermon follow-up 6/2/25
Introduction
When we look at Jesus in the Gospels, one of His primary roles was that of a teacher. In fact, the Greek root word for "teach" appears over 300 times in the Gospels alone, with the vast majority referring to Jesus. Even Jesus Himself made it clear: "You call me teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am" (John 13:13).
Why Was Jesus' Teaching So Different?
Jesus' teaching, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, is widely regarded as the most profound teaching in human history. Even prominent atheists like Richard Dawkins have acknowledged that "Jesus was surely one of the great ethical innovators of history. The Sermon on the Mount is way ahead of its time."
What made Jesus' teaching so remarkable wasn't that it was complicated—it was actually quite straightforward. The challenge wasn't in understanding His teaching but in living it out. His words demanded transformation, not just information.
What Did Jesus Primarily Teach About?
When Jesus began His ministry, He immediately announced: "The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near" (Mark 1:15). His teaching centered around this new kingdom He was bringing—one that didn't align with people's expectations of a political or military kingdom.
At the Last Supper, Jesus gave what He called a "new command": "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus summarized all His teaching in two principles:
He then added, "All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40).
How Do We Learn Jesus' Teaching?
To truly understand Jesus' teaching, we need to:
How Do We Live Out Jesus' Teaching?
At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells a parable about two builders—one who built on rock and one who built on sand. When storms came, only the house on the rock remained standing.
Jesus explains: "Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matthew 7:24).
The things we often build our lives on—money, relationships, career, status—are like sand. They might appear solid, but they can't withstand life's inevitable storms. Only by building our lives on Jesus' teaching can we find true stability.
The Blessed Life Jesus Offers
Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes the "blessed" life. The Greek word for "blessed" (makarios) doesn't just mean happiness—it refers to a transcendent perspective that sees beyond what's right in front of us.
Jesus never promises that storms won't come. They will come whether you follow Him or not. But if you build your life on His teaching, you won't be washed away when they do. The foundation will hold.
Life Application
This week, take time to read through the entire Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). It won't take long—maybe 10 minutes. As you read, remember that these are the words of Jesus, the Teacher.
When Jesus finished the Sermon on the Mount, the crowds were amazed at His teaching because "he taught as one who had authority" (Matthew 7:29). That same authoritative teaching is available to us today. May we not just hear His words but put them into practice, building our lives on the only foundation that will stand.
Introduction
When we look at Jesus in the Gospels, one of His primary roles was that of a teacher. In fact, the Greek root word for "teach" appears over 300 times in the Gospels alone, with the vast majority referring to Jesus. Even Jesus Himself made it clear: "You call me teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am" (John 13:13).
Why Was Jesus' Teaching So Different?
Jesus' teaching, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, is widely regarded as the most profound teaching in human history. Even prominent atheists like Richard Dawkins have acknowledged that "Jesus was surely one of the great ethical innovators of history. The Sermon on the Mount is way ahead of its time."
What made Jesus' teaching so remarkable wasn't that it was complicated—it was actually quite straightforward. The challenge wasn't in understanding His teaching but in living it out. His words demanded transformation, not just information.
What Did Jesus Primarily Teach About?
When Jesus began His ministry, He immediately announced: "The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near" (Mark 1:15). His teaching centered around this new kingdom He was bringing—one that didn't align with people's expectations of a political or military kingdom.
At the Last Supper, Jesus gave what He called a "new command": "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus summarized all His teaching in two principles:
- "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind"
- "Love your neighbor as yourself"
He then added, "All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40).
How Do We Learn Jesus' Teaching?
To truly understand Jesus' teaching, we need to:
- Engage with His Word - Whether reading, listening, reflecting, or memorizing Scripture, we must interact with Jesus' actual teaching.
- Live in community with other followers - We are influenced by those closest to us. If the five people you spend the most time with aren't trying to live out Jesus' teaching, it will be harder for you to do so.
- Regularly sit under biblical teaching - Church wasn't our idea—it was God's. When we make gathering together a priority, it changes our lives because God's Spirit shows up.
How Do We Live Out Jesus' Teaching?
At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells a parable about two builders—one who built on rock and one who built on sand. When storms came, only the house on the rock remained standing.
Jesus explains: "Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matthew 7:24).
The things we often build our lives on—money, relationships, career, status—are like sand. They might appear solid, but they can't withstand life's inevitable storms. Only by building our lives on Jesus' teaching can we find true stability.
The Blessed Life Jesus Offers
Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes the "blessed" life. The Greek word for "blessed" (makarios) doesn't just mean happiness—it refers to a transcendent perspective that sees beyond what's right in front of us.
Jesus never promises that storms won't come. They will come whether you follow Him or not. But if you build your life on His teaching, you won't be washed away when they do. The foundation will hold.
Life Application
This week, take time to read through the entire Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). It won't take long—maybe 10 minutes. As you read, remember that these are the words of Jesus, the Teacher.
- Find one teaching that you can put into practice this week:
- Maybe it's being more bold in your witness
- Perhaps it's choosing not to worry
- It could be forgiving someone
- Maybe it's letting go of a relationship that isn't good for you
- Perhaps it's investing more of your treasure in heaven
- Ask yourself:
- What area of my life am I building on sand rather than on the rock of Jesus' teaching?
- Which of Jesus' teachings do I find most challenging to put into practice?
- How might my life look different if I truly built it on the foundation of Jesus' words?
When Jesus finished the Sermon on the Mount, the crowds were amazed at His teaching because "he taught as one who had authority" (Matthew 7:29). That same authoritative teaching is available to us today. May we not just hear His words but put them into practice, building our lives on the only foundation that will stand.
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