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  • B January 15 2023
July 19, 2018

“Did Jesus preach or teach?” 
Interesting question: did Jesus preach or teach?  Actually, the New Testament says that he did both.  Is there a reason to ask the question?  I think it becomes important when we look at the activity of those who follow Jesus, and especially those who have the calling to make more disciples for Jesus.  One of those people is Paul, the apostle.  In the weeks to come I will be examining what Paul is trying to teach us in the Letter to the Ephesians.  For now…let’s see what Andrew Wilson, Teaching Pastor at King’s Church, London, has to say about preaching and teaching… 
 “I think the answer is more straightforward… and rests in the meanings of the words themselves. A kerux (the usual word for “preacher” in the New Testament) in the ancient world was simply a herald: a guy who rode into town to deliver significant news. A didaskalos (the usual word for “teacher”) was an instructor: someone who explained or taught something to someone else.
The most helpful illustration of this comes from John Piper. He pictures a herald riding into town, shouting from high atop his horse, “Hear ye! Hear ye! The Emperor has declared an amnesty to all slaves!” That, Piper says, is preaching: proclaiming good news, announcing something that has happened, that completely changes the situation of the listeners. But he then imagines people approaching the herald with questions. What does amnesty mean? When does this announcement take effect? Does that mean I can leave my slavemaster now? Will compensation be paid to masters? And so on. At that point, Piper says, you have to start teaching: explaining the implications of the news, helping people with concepts and ideas they don’t understand, and telling people what they need to do in response, given their various situations.
In other words, the difference between preaching and teaching is …the difference between heralding and explaining.”
Makes me wonder…am I preaching or teaching…and am I applying the proper technique to the proper situation and audience?
 
Blessings,
Pastor Mike

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