The Teachings of Jesus

Introduction
Teachers are some of the most unforgettable people in our lives. They shape us, correct us, and guide us. Not all teachers stand in classrooms. My father taught me perseverance through hard work on poles, wood, hay, and stalls. My stepmother taught me that I could develop my mind if I chose to. April’s grandmother taught me how to care for others—one pie at a time. John Hicks taught me how to live by the Scriptures. Russ Costello taught me the importance of communication. Don Murrell taught me the value of a smile and a listening ear. Even my roommates taught me lessons—mostly what not to do as I watched their drinking and drugs destroy their lives. At age ten or eleven, a group of kids even taught me how to break into houses—a lesson in the wrong direction.

We all learn by observation or instruction. Some things are good for us, others are not. Christianity itself must be taught. It is not inherited, nor contracted—it is passed on by teaching. Jesus charged His apostles to teach everything He commanded (Matthew 28:20). Paul instructed Timothy to pass the truth along to others who would teach also (2 Timothy 2:2). God’s truths are passed onward through teaching. To reach our potential as Christians, we must learn from the Master Teacher—Jesus Christ. He was called “Teacher” over forty times in the Gospels. His methods show us how to both appreciate His teaching and imitate it.

Jesus Taught With Authority
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), Jesus contrasted His words with the traditions of men: “You have heard that it was said… but I say to you.” Matthew 7:28–29 records the crowd’s astonishment because He taught with authority. The scribes and rabbis repeated the words of others, but Jesus spoke as the very voice of God.

Yet Jesus also appealed to Scripture. In Matthew 21:42, He quoted the Scriptures to the chief priests. In Luke 24:27, after His resurrection, He opened the Scriptures to the disciples. In John 8:40–47 He declared that truth comes from the Word of God. For us, the authority in teaching comes only from God’s Word—not human tradition, not opinions, not man-made doctrines. Matthew 15:7–9 warns us not to elevate tradition over truth.

Jesus Accompanied His Teaching With Action
Acts 1:1 describes Jesus as one who both did and taught. Matthew 9:35 shows Him teaching, preaching, and healing as He went. He practiced what He preached. He taught love for enemies in Matthew 5:44 and prayed for His enemies in Luke 23:34. His life matched His words.

Our teaching, too, must be matched by action. Words without deeds ring hollow. The world must see us care, serve, and love. Hypocrisy undermines the gospel, but consistent action strengthens it.

Jesus’ Teaching Was Motivated by Compassion
Mark 6:34 describes Jesus looking at the crowds like sheep without a shepherd. He felt compassion, and He taught them. He gave them the Word of God before He fed them with loaves and fish. People today still search for meaning, hope, and guidance. Like Jesus, we must let compassion move us to teach.

Jesus’ Teaching Was Balanced
Jesus taught about God’s love and care in the parables of Luke 15—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. But He also taught about God’s judgment, as in the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21–35) and the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30). Paul followed this same pattern in Acts 20:27 when he declared the whole counsel of God. We, too, must be balanced, neither emphasizing grace without judgment nor judgment without grace.

Jesus’ Teaching Fit the Ability of His Listeners
In John 16:12–13, Jesus told His disciples there was more He could teach them, but they were not yet ready. Paul compared spiritual teaching to milk and meat in 1 Corinthians 3:1–3. A newborn cannot eat solid food, and new Christians cannot grasp every truth at once. Jesus met people where they were and led them forward. We must do the same.

Jesus Taught Whenever Opportunity Arose
Jesus taught in the synagogue (Matthew 13:54), in the temple (Luke 19:47), in homes (Luke 7:36), in a boat (Luke 5:3), to multitudes, small groups, and individuals. Formal or informal, large or small, Jesus used every opportunity to teach. The Great Commission charges us to make disciples “as we are going.” Every day holds opportunities if we are willing to take them.

Conclusion
Jesus was the Great Teacher. He taught with authority, matched His teaching with action, motivated His teaching with compassion, balanced His teaching with grace and judgment, taught according to ability, and seized every opportunity. As His disciples, we are called to teach what He taught and to emulate how He taught. Let us be faithful teachers who practice what we teach and teach what we practice.

Exhaustive Sermon Outline: The Teachings of Jesus

Introduction

• Teachers shape our lives.

• Christianity is taught, not inherited.

• Jesus is the Master Teacher.

I. Jesus Taught With Authority

• Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:28–29).

• Appealed to Scripture (Matthew 21:42; Luke 24:27; John 8:40–47).

• Condemned human traditions (Matthew 15:7–9).

II. Jesus Accompanied His Teaching With Action

• Acts 1:1; Matthew 9:35.

• Practiced what He preached (Matthew 5:44; Luke 23:34).

• Our teaching must be matched by action.

III. Jesus’ Teaching Was Motivated by Compassion

• Mark 6:34.

• Compassion led Him to teach and then to feed multitudes.

• We must be moved by compassion to teach the lost.

IV. Jesus’ Teaching Was Balanced

• Love and care (Luke 15).

• Judgment and warning (Matthew 18:21–35; Matthew 25:14–30).

• Acts 20:27—whole counsel of God.

• Our teaching must be balanced.

V. Jesus’ Teaching Fit the Ability of His Listeners

• John 16:12–13.

• 1 Corinthians 3:1–3—milk and meat.

• Meet people where they are, lead them forward.

VI. Jesus Taught Whenever Opportunity Arose

• In synagogues, temple, homes, boats.

• To multitudes, small groups, individuals.

• Matthew 28:19–20—teach as we go.

Conclusion

• Jesus is the Great Teacher.

• We must teach what He taught and imitate how He taught.

Call to Action

The world is still filled with people searching for truth, hope, and meaning. We are Christ’s disciples, called to teach with authority from Scripture, to back our words with action, to show compassion, to teach with balance, to meet people where they are, and to use every opportunity. Will you commit yourself to be a faithful teacher for Christ?

Key Takeaways

• Christianity is taught, not inherited (Matthew 28:20; 2 Timothy 2:2).

• Jesus taught with authority from God’s Word (Matthew 7:28–29; John 8:40–47).

• Teaching must be matched by action (Acts 1:1; Matthew 9:35).

• Compassion motivates true teaching (Mark 6:34).

• Teaching must be balanced between love and judgment (Luke 15; Matthew 25).

• Lessons must fit the listener’s ability (John 16:12–13; 1 Corinthians 3:1–3).

• Opportunities to teach are everywhere (Matthew 28:19–20).

Scripture Reference List

• Matthew 28:20 – Teaching all nations.

• 2 Timothy 2:2 – Passing on the faith through teaching.

• Matthew 7:28–29 – Jesus taught with authority.

• John 8:40–47 – Truth comes from God’s Word.

• Matthew 15:7–9 – Warning against human traditions.

• Acts 1:1 – Jesus did and taught.

• Matthew 9:35 – Jesus taught, preached, healed.

• Mark 6:34 – Jesus’ compassion led to teaching.

• Luke 15 – God’s love in parables.

• Matthew 25:14–30 – Judgment in parables.

• John 16:12–13 – Truth given as disciples were able.

• 1 Corinthians 3:1–3 – Milk and meat.

Prepared by Travis Main