Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
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Sunday, December 3, 2006 Volume 50, Issue 46 2ND ANNUAL
DON'T MISS IT!!!
JESUS - THE MASTER TEACHER Throughout it's history the world has seen thousands of great teachers. The writings of such men as Pluto, Aristotle and Socrates have been preserved from antiquity and thus call to us from the dust of the past. Many great instructors have forever left their mark upon civilization. But of all the teachers who have ever lived and influenced mankind, no teacher has left so great a mark as the humble teacher of Galilee - Jesus of Nazareth. His message was great because it was unique in itss purpose; it called to repentance, it saved, it guided, it broke the bonds of sin and it destroyed the power of death. Next to being our Savior, Jesus is most important as our Master Teacher, because the words he spoke; "they are spirit, and they are life" (Jno. 6:63). Following are five reasons why Jesus truly is the Master Teacher. First, Jesus is the Master Teacher because he was "a teacher come from God." (Jno. 3:2) Nicodemus was right, Jesus was one of the many teachers that God sent previously through prophets and angels. But, of all these, Jesus was the Master Teacher because his message was the last and highest. The scripture confirms this by saying; "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;" (Heb. 1:1,2). Second, Jesus was the Master Teacher because he was "equal with God" (Jno. 5:18). When Nicodemus said that Jesus was "a teacher come from God he was only partly right, for Jesus was also God who came to teach. All those teachers were inspired alright, but they were not Divine beings. Jesus was the Master Teacher because he was God manifest in human flesh; "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (Jno. 1:1, 14) Third, Jesus is the Master Teacher because his words are eternal and "shall not pass away" (Matt. 24:35). Human opinions, human theories, and human philosophies constantly change from generation to generation. School textbooks are often out of date as soon as they are printed. But the words of Jesus are eternal (Jno. 6:63). Although you and I did not get to sit at the feet of the Master Teacher, as did the early disciples, we do have his words recorded in the New Testament, and we are going to be judged by those words in the last day (Jno. 12:48). Fourth, Jesus is the Master Teacher because he lived what he taught (Acts 1:1). It is one thing to teach a lesson, it is something else to live by it. He taught and lived the lesson of not returning evil for evil (Matt. 5:39; Lk. 23:34). He lived and taught the lesson of loving your enemies (Matt. 5:44), Rom. 5:6-8). One can never be a master teacher unless he lives by his own teaching. Fifth, Jesus was the Master Teacher because he had a unique manner of teaching. First, he made no mistakes when he taught (Lk. 23:4). Second, he spoke without hesitation (Matt. 22:34-46). Third, he never expressed a doubt (Jno. 14:1-6) Fourth, he spoke on profound topics with great simplicity (Mk. 12:37). Truly, "Never man spake like this man." (Jno. 7:46) See You in Bible Class,
FAMILY NEWS PRAYER REQUEST FOR OUR MEMBERS WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS SERVICE GROUPS Service Group #4, please turn in your assignment cards from last week. IN THE MILITARY THANK YOU Dear Woodland Hills Family, Our son is home, safe and sound, and our entire family would like to
thank you for the Welcome Home on your sign. Not only does it validate
his service, I think it helps the healing process for him to see proof
that his country supports him. Again, thank you from all the
Fletchers. OPEN HOUSE SYMPATHY We extend our sympathy to the family of Burton Coffman who passed away recently. Brother Coffman was the author of several books including commentaries on the Bible. Brother Coffman was 101 years old. OUR RECORD
THE VIRGIN BIRTH Through the centuries there have been men who, thinking they have discovered something new under the sun, have sinfully sought to shed new light on the biblical account of the virgin birth. With these mistaken men teaching the story of our Savior's birth, each a little differently based on what they see as right in their own eyes, it is refreshing to open the Bible to Matthew 1:18-26, and take a literal look at the simple story of Emmanuel's entrance. The CONCEPTION (vs. 18,19). This wonderful story begins by showing us the distress of Mary. When one carefully considers the factors involved, it is easy to see why she would be distressed: (1) she was engaged to Joseph, (2) she was a virgin - pregnant with the future Messiah, (3) and she thought she had to explain all this to Joseph. The story then gives us the description of Joseph. Joseph was a "just man," and therefore he would want her to handle this situation in a correct way. Her word alone did not convince him, yet his love for her could not bear to see her stoned in the streets. So, because of his sincere doubt and his sincere love, he would "put her away secretly." The CLARIFICATION (vs.. 20, 21) Our righteous God would not leave Joseph in this clouded condition. He sends Joseph reason to believe Mary's story. While Joseph slept there came a messenger from God with a message of hope. The situation had been clarified. The CONFIRMATION (vs. 22, 23). The story becomes clearer to us when Matthew says the purpose of these things was to fulfill prophecy. This specific prophecy can be found in Isaiah 7:14, and now, there is no doubt - the story had been confirmed. The COMPLETION (vs. 24, 25). Joseph can now rise from his sleep totally free of worries, ready to obey God. The redeemer was brought into the world, and Joseph named him Jesus. Finally, after years of expectation, the virgin birth was complete. Bobby O'Dell
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