Jesus, My Doctrine (9/25-27)

25-27 Sept 2014 – Jesus, My Doctrine – Manna by Dorothy Callies       

Matthew 7:28-29 “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these saying, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

NCV translates this: “When Jesus finished saying these things, the people were amazed at his teaching, because He did not teach like their teachers of the law. He taught like a person who had authority.”  From Matthew 16:12 Jesus mentioned to the disciples to be aware of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

What was Jesus trying to teach us to be aware of the doctrines of the Pharisees and Sadducees? Jesus mentioned that you would know them by their fruits, the false teachers who comes in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are like ravening wolves which means their doctrines had changed from God’s laws. [Ref. Mat.7:15] Here’s a few examples.

They acted like their loyalty to their religious was more important than to the Word of God. They worship themselves more than the Creator. They loved fancy clothes. They loved attention of people who salutes them in public. They loved the best seat in the church. They loved long prayers. They stole widows’ inheritance by taking advantages of having no defense for themselves after the death of their husbands. [Ref. Mark 12:38-40]

So the Pharisees’ doctrine were more concerned with their own desires than with the glory and honor of God. They were “man-centered” rather than “God-centered.” This was why Jesus said to the Pharisees and the teachers of the laws, “You are hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he said about you: ‘These people show honor to Me with words, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is worthless. The things they *teach are nothing but human rules’ (Matt. 15:1,7-9 NCV).  [*KJV: Teaching for doctrines the commandment of men]

The people “were astonished at his doctrine” (Matt. 22:33). What makes Jesus different from the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Scribes? Jesus brought back “God-centered” doctrine rather than their own “man-centered” doctrine. Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures and it is these that bear witness of Me” (John 5:39 ANS). Is there any reason why we should study His Word? The more you know about Jesus, the more you love Him.

SONG: I LOVE HIM

I love Him, I love Him

Because He first loved me

And purchased my salvation

On Calvary’s tree.

SONG: I LOVE HIM FOR HE IS MINE

I love Him for He is mine,

I love Him for He is divine;

I’ve loved Him forever it seems

This Jesus the Nazarene.

 (Inspiring Choruses)