Sermons

Summary: Psalm 25:12 speaks to us concerning the type of person that the Lord can give instruction to. Until we have a teachable spirit within us, we will never have joy in the deeper things of Christ.

A Teachable Spirit

Griffith Baptist Church – 12/9/07

P.M. Service

Text: Psalm 25

Main Verse: 25:12

Introduction

What distinguishes a teachable spirit from an unteachable spirit? It is not the willingness to learn that which we would desire to learn but rather a willingness to learn that which we need to learn, even if it is unpleasant or seems unnecessary. The little eaglet does not care to be shoved out of the nest but will never learn if not faced with the prospect of a deadly fall. So the Christian says to the Creator, teach me so that I know and am drawn closer to you, no matter what, for “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Ps. 91:1)

Outline of Psalm 25

A. Pleas for Guidance – 25:1-7

B. Plans for the Righteous – 25:8-14

C. Prayer for Forgiveness and Protection – 25:15-22

1. What Are Unteachable People Like?

A. They think they have learned enough

B. They tune out instruction

C. They make excuses for their behavior and attitudes (Like Moses Ex. 4:10-15)

2. Getting Ourselves Ready to Learn

A. Prepare yourself in your heart and mind

B. Be open and anticipate needing to change

C. Focus in on the one thing that God is speaking to you about (do not multi-task – the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step)

Body

1. Who Is Taught?

A. According to our text, one who fears the Lord. What is the fear of the Lord?

i. Purity (holy) in His sight – Psalms 19:9 – The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

ii. It is connected with wisdom and knowledge – Psalms 111:10 – The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Prov. 1:7)

iii. It hates sin – Proverbs 8:13 – The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

iv. Because God is our judge – Hebrews 10:30-31 – 30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

v. Humility - James 4:10 – Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (also, the example of Isaiah in Is. 6:1-8)

vi. Bottom line – One who fears God realizes the terrible potential of the Creator to exercise judgment on every living thing because He is holy and yet He exhibits mercy and grace to us constantly. One who fears God realizes that His mercy and grace can be replaced by judgment at any moment, and so seeks to please God.

B. Those who are saved (just) - Proverbs 9:9 – Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

C. Those who are wise and seek wisdom - Proverbs 1:5 - A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

2. What Are We Taught?

A. The contents of teaching

i. To number our days (Ps. 90:12)

ii. Knowledge (Ps. 94:10)

iii. The Law (Ps. 132:12) – the precepts and principles of God’s Word

iv. His Will – Psalms 143:10 - Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

v. Doctrine – 1 Timothy 1:3 – As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, and 1 Timothy 4:13 - Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

B. The results of teaching

i. Godliness - Titus 2:11-12 - 11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

ii. A warning - 1 Timothy 6:3-5 - 3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

3. How Are We Taught

A. By the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 2:13 – Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

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