THE HOLY GHOST OUR TEACHER
There are two great personalities which are much forgotten in these days-the devil, the father of lies; and the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth.
I. A DIVINE TEACHER IS NEEDED.-Every sinner needs a Divine Saviour; every saint needs a Divine Teacher. "He shall teach" (Joh_14:26) ought to be as real to us as " He shall save" (Mat_1:21). This great Teacher is needed because-
1. THE THINGS OF GOD KNOWETH NO MAN (1Co_2:11). Every unregenerate man is ignorant of the things of God. Man cannot find out God by searching; only by revelation. This revelation is by the Holy Spirit (1Co_2:11).
2. THE NATURAL MAN CANNOT RECEIVE THE THINGS OF GOD (1Co_2:14). Not only has the Holy Spirit to reveal the things of God, but He must also change the heart, and give the nature to receive them.
3. HOLY MEN OF OLD WERE TAUGHT BY THE SPIRIT (2Pe_1:21). Holy men to-day must have the same Teacher. He shall guide you into all truth (Joh_16:13).
II. A DIVINE TEACHER HAS COME.-
1. HE WAS SENT BY THE FATHER IN THE NAME OF THE SON (Joh_14:26). Both Father and Son are deeply interested in the education of His children. This gift implies that there is much more for Christians in this life than mere salvation from wrath.
2. HE HAS COME TO INSTRUCT (Neh_9:30). Two things every Christian ought to be-clean and wise. Ignorance of the things of God is an evidence of a grieved Spirit.
3. HE SEARCHETH ALL THINGS (1Co_2:10). This Teacher is all-sufficient; the deep mysteries of God are known to Him and revealed by Him.
4. HE ABIDETH IN YOU (Joh_14:17). "Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost" (1Co_6:19). He is always at hand, so that "Ye need not that any man teach you" (1Jn_2:27).
5. HE SPEAKETH IN YOU (Mat_10:12). He must speak through us before He can speak to us. It is not ye that speak, for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
III. THE CHARACTER OF HIS TEACHING.- He is the Spirit of wisdom, counsel, and knowledge (Isa_11:2). This text will be best understood by reading it backwards.
1. HE SHALL NOT SPEAK OF HIMSELF (Joh_16:13). Like Christ, He makes Himself of no reputation. Does this feature of our Teacher characterise us? Not I, but Christ.
2. HE AWAKENETH THE EAR (Isa_1:4, R.v.). Lord, give us the hearing ear. Ears some have, but they hear not. Why? Asleep.
3. HE USES THE WORD (Eph_6:17). Being the Spirit of truth He delights in the word of truth and seeks to guide us into the truth.
4. HE RECEIVES THE THINGS OF GOD FOR US (Joh_16:14). All the fulness is in Christ; the Spirit receives and takes of the things of Christ that He might show them unto us.
5. HE SHOWS THINGS TO COME (Joh_16:13). Now, since Christians are beginning to honour the Holy Spirit, they are beginning to understand "things to come."
6. HE BRINGS TO REMEMBRANCE (Joh_14:26). He writes the truth in the heart and recalls it to our minds when needed. His memory never fails Him. Filled with the Spirit is the cure for a bad memory.
7. HE DIVIDES HIS GIFTS (1Co_12:8). "He divideth to every man severally as He will." (1Co_12:11). Covet earnestly the best gifts. Who teacheth like Him? (Job_36:22).
IV. THE PRIVILEGES OF THE TAUGHT.-
1. THEY KNOW HIM (Eph_1:17), not only as their Saviour, but as their daily sufficiency and coming King.
2. THEY KNOW WHAT IS FREELY GIVEN THEM (1Co_2:12). They have, by faith, laid hold on the unsearchable riches of Christ. To such the promises are precious.
3. THEY ARE QUICK TO UNDERSTAND (Isa_11:3). Being taught of God they have the mind of God, and so quickly apprehend His will.
4. THEY SPEAK IN WISDOM (1Co_2:13). The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His word was in my tongue.
5. THEY HAVE AN HOLY UNCTION (1Jn_2:20). The heavenly breath is felt where the Spirit is. Paul judged not by the speech but by the power (1Co_4:19-20).
6. THEY NEED NO OTHER TEACHER (1Jn_2:27). Whether we read or hear the Word of God, let us sit at His feet. Learn of Me.
7. THEY ARE HELPFUL TO OTHERS (Isa_1:4 r.v.). This is the secret of a useful life-God working in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
Autor: James Smith