Today’s Reading, Luke 23-24
Focal Scripture: Luke 23:5 “But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he started even to here.”
If you are a teacher you desire to make an impact on others. Not just because of your personality but because of the content you teach. In both the secular setting and the church setting, I have been around teachers that inspire and bring the best out of people. Their passion and knowledge are contagious. These teachers also genuinely care about others and it makes the connection between the head and the heart instantaneous.
I have also witnessed the opposite in teaching. I have been around teachers who can’t connect. Not because of skill or lack of training but because they are not genuine. This disingenuous attitude is easy to spot. When you care more about content than people you lose connection. Also when you don’t fully understand the content people think you are unprepared.
In today’s reading we are in the middle of Jesus being accused during his trial. The religious leaders bring this accusation against him “He stirs up the people with his teaching in Judea, Galilee and even Jerusalem.” Jesus teaching not only was powerful but it connected with others. It connected because he taught with passion and authority.
Today’s application is going to the heart of anyone who claims to be a preacher or communicator of God’s word. When you teach does is stir the people up? This stirring is not because of your personal gifts or talents. This stirring happens because you are rooted in the Spirit and teach his message. Godly preaching that gets people’s attention is from a deep connection to the source not on man made skills.
The challenge I have for you today is are you willing to pay the price to know God on a deep level? If you are, you will have teaching that stirs the hearts of people. This is the goal of every communicator of truth. To bring people face to face with Jesus where they have to make a decision. Every message is an opportunity for the gospel. Every message is to stir people up like Jesus did when he taught.
So what type of teacher are you? One who relies on personal skills? Or one who knows God so deep it comes out in every word you utter. It doesn’t take people long to know if you have been with Jesus. Leave no doubt about what stirs you, so it stirs them.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading John 1-2
