Dig It Deep

Monday morning always begins with a prayerful evaluation of the teaching times coming up in the week ahead: Monday afternoon, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday morning, and Sunday night. There is no day off. Starting at 5 a.m., I’m always writing studies or sermons. This is in addition to my own personal studying/devotion and that which I do with my children. I think I stand in good company.

“The LORD then spoke to Aaron, saying, ‘...make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean...teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them through Moses’” (Leviticus 10:8,10,11).

“Of Levi he said, ‘...they observed Your word, and kept Your covenant. They shall teach Your ordinances to Jacob, and Your law to Israel’” (Deuteronomy 33:8-10).

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

“Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place. They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading” (Nehemiah 8:7,8).

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers” (Psalm 1:2,3).

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘...go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you...’” (Matthew 28:18-20).

“So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God...we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’ ...the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:2,4,7).

“For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears” (Acts 20:27-31).

“An overseer, then, must be...able to teach...” (1 Timothy 3:2).

“In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following” (1 Timothy 4:6).

“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:9-16).

“The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17).

“Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit Who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you” (2 Timothy 1:13,14).

“Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:14,15).

“The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Timothy 4:1,2).

“For the overseer must be...holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict” (Titus 1:7-9).

“But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).

“These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you” (Titus 2:15).

This is the Word on the matter in both Testaments. I am trying to help others come to this place in their service to Christ’s Church. I burdened to constantly be digging the well deep, far deeper than it would need to be delved for a typical Sunday morning sermon. Why? Because it’s usually needed...needed to answer a question from someone during the week, to comfort someone who’s struggling, or to guide the congregation on another matter entirely. It is the only ground for fellowship, visitation, evangelism, counseling, and good works. The study and teaching of the Word is never wasted or in vain.

How are you preparing? “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14). The Holy Spirit says through the inspired author of this letter, “by this time you ought to be teachers.” It doesn’t necessarily mean that they would be Sunday School teachers or ordained elders/deacons – but those who have been growing together with Christ’s people in His Church for some time ought to be an influence for the Word on those around them. We are surrounded by people who are seeking help, answers, and guidance for the questions of life. We alone have the answers. Can you handle the “word of righteousness,” having your “senses trained to discern good and evil”? Have you dug your own well deep, deeper than you need for your own daily devotions? You never know when you’ll need to draw the water of life for your family, neighbors, friends, or that stranger you’ll meet in the Providence of the Sovereign King this day.