Prepare To Be Teachers!
Wisconsin Dells Feast of Tabernacles - October 13, 2011 In June of 1999, in West Point, NY, 78 members of the 1939 graduating class gathered for their 60th graduation anniversary reunion.That event contained an instructive lesson for the Church of God.

During the mid-1930s then President Roosevelt, sensing the dangers ahead, asked Congress to increase the number of cadets at West Point.He asked Congress to give each congressman one additional appointment to the academies that year. 

That doubled the freshman class to over 700. Four years later, in June 1939, 456 cadets graduated from West Point. Then three months after that, on September 1st, 1939, Hitler sent his Nazi forces to invade Poland.  World War II had begun. And they had 456 well trained second lieutenants just beginning their military careers. To give that perspective, the U.S. Army had been at 148,000 for years, with only 12,000 officers. Over the next 4 years, it would grow to 12 million soldiers!

The class of 1939 was READY to provide key leadership to support that almost 1,000% growth. They were ready.

Of course, the class of 1939 didn’t start at the top.Older soldiers filled the top posts: Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley, Taylor, McAuliffe. (Don’t know if you remember McAuliffe. When he was asked to surrender said,”Nuts!”) And others. The class of 1939 filled in leadership roles under those leading generals. Members of the class of 39 led the infantry, armor regiments, Air Corps fighter and bomber groups.They participated in every major battle of WWII.They were at Corregidor, they were at North Africa.They were at Normandy Beach, they were at the Bulge.Later still, they served as higher ranking leaders in Korea and Viet Nam.

From the vantage point of today, it is clear that this class has had an astonishing impact on the U.S. military over those 60 years. Retired General Walter “Dutch” Kerwin (former vice chief of staff of the Army): “The reason our class had an impact is because we came in 1939 and got our feet on the ground and moved into key positions. We had substantial impact by having gone through three wars. . . . We, as individuals, did not change things, but we as a class, moving up the line, made substantial changes.” Gen. Andrew Goodpaster (President Eisenhower’s top military aid, later supreme allied commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Europe) said the class’ influence was due to “outstanding professional ability and character and readiness to take responsibility. We did our job.” He could say that 60 years later.  That they did their job can be seen in the numbers.224 (about half) rose to the rank of colonel.72 became general officers of the Army and Air Force.40 died in WWII. Most of the class served 30 years. My point is: When WWI began―by the grace of God―the United States had highly trained military leaders and teachers who were READY TO SERVE. During these eight days, we are focusing on the coming Kingdom of God which is going to reign over the earth. The Church of God has been privileged to understand the Holy Days―especially the fall Holy days which reveal God’s plan to bring salvation to all.

Trumpets, where Christ intervenes and takes over the earth; the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and he shall reign forever and everAtonement, where Satan is removed and taken out of the scene and all his negative influence is removed at once Tabernacles, which we’re just beginning; the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ on the earth and what a thousand year reign is going to look like we can only imagine  Last Great Day, a day of judgment which we’re going to hear about later  Those Holy Days reveal God’s plan but the Holy Days also reveal an important principle that God has built into His plan. When we understand that principle, we will better understand what God expects of us.  THE POINT IS, GOD ALWAYS PREPARES HIS TEACHERS BEFORE HE CALLS IN THE CLASS. If you look at Mark 1:1(we’re pretty familiar with these verses overall)  Mark 1:1 – The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God  When Mark wrote he wanted to explain the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

We’ve often skipped down to verse 14 – Now after John was put in prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God and saying the time is fulfilled. The Kingdom is at hand. Repent.  Now to the children of Israel repent meant go back to the covenant you agreed to. Return to God. They were in a covenant relationship so when he said “repent” he meant return to God and believe in the gospel.

We know those verses pretty well. Most of us covered them at the recent lecture.

Notice verse 16 – as he walked by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.  Immediately as he began preaching the gospel, he also started calling in those who would be apostles and leaders who would participate with him.  In verse 18 it says they immediately left their nets and followed him. That’s amazing, isn’t it? They left their families, they left their career, they left their possessions and they followed him.

When you go on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother (these were some of the key, the inner circle of Christ’s apostles) who were in the boat mending their nets and immediately he called them and they left their nets and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and went after him. No record was kept about what Zebedee thought about that but I’m sure he was concerned as no doubt many of your family were concerned (Are you sure you know what you’re doing by participating in the Church of God?)  But notice verse 21 – Then they (these new disciples) went into Capernaum and on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.  When he was teaching he had his disciples there to hear him teaching. That was important. And they were astonished at his teaching – they and everyone else in the room. For he taught them as one having authority, not as the scribes. He was quite a different teacher.  So notice that as soon as he started the gospel, he started calling disciples and then he started training them. He had a plan; he had a plan to get ready.  Look at John chapter 17 please. This is the intercessory prayer by Jesus Christ on the final night for his disciples. He was praying here as the High Priest of the heavenly temple and praying for his disciples.  John 17:6 – I have manifested your name to the men whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, you gave them to me and they have kept your word. Vs 7 – Now they have known that all things you have given me are from you Vs 8 – For I have given them the words which you have given me and they have received them and have known that surely I came forth from you and they have believed that you sent me. They understood who Christ was; they understood why he was sent. And they accepted the words that he brought.  Vs 9 – I pray for them; I do not pray for the world but for those whom you have given me; for they are yours.  Vs 10 – And all mine are yours and yours are mine; and I am glorified in them.  Vs 11 – And now I am no longer in the world; but these are in the world, and I come to you, Holy Father. Keep through your name those that you have given me that they may be one as we are.  If we’re all in God’s name, in spirit and in truth, we’ll be one as Jesus and the Father are.  Vs 12 – When I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name; those you have given me I have kept; and none of them is lost, except the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled.  Vs 13 – But now I come to you; and these things I speak in the world that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.  Vs 14 – I have given them your word (he mentions “your name” and now he mentions “your word”); and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  People who follow Christ’s word that he brought from the Father are going to be different from the world.  Vs 15 – I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one.  Vs 16 – They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  Vs 17 – Sanctify them by your truth (Your name, your word, your truth); your word is truth.  Vs 18 – As you have sent me into the world, I’ve also sent them into the world; Vs 19 – And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they may be sanctified by the truth. (It’s the truth that sanctifies; that makes us holy.)  If you’re my disciples, he said, you will abide in my word and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free. Now he brings in us.  Vs 20 – I do not pray for these alone but also for those who believe on me through their word.  Everything we know of Jesus Christ was through those apostles. They were the ones to carry the word from there.  Vs 21 – That they may be one as you Father are in me and I in you, and they may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.  Vs 22 – And the glory you have given me, I’ve given them that they may be one even as we are one.  Vs 23 – I in them, and you in me, that they may be made perfect ( or mature) in one, that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them as you love me.  He prayed for those disciples because they were his key teachers and he knew other growth would come from them. He wanted them to stay in God’s name, in God’s word and in God’s truth and those that do will have the same unity that the Father and Christ have.  When the Day of Pentecost came that year, about fifty days later, the Holy Spirit came upon those twelve faithful teachers who were ready to serve! The twelve apostles, it says, were “filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Twelve men sent by Jesus Christ to proclaim the message of the Kingdom of God that he had brought.  We learn from Acts 1 that there were 108 others, altogether about 120 (Acts 1:15). Please notice that on the day the New Testament Church officially began… of course, the Church began long before that. Abraham’s in the Church, Isaac’s in the Church… but when the new Testament Church began, THE TEACHERS HAD BEEN PREPARED TO TEACH THE CLASS THAT GOD WAS ABOUT TO CALL! Notice that in Acts chapter 2. 
Acts 2:38 – Then Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Vs 39 – For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.  Vs 40 – And with many other words he testified and exhorted them saying, Be saved from this perverse generation.  Vs 41 – Then those that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were three thousand souls added to them.  Vs 42 – And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (the apostles’ teaching, what they taught) and fellowshipped and in the breaking of bread and prayers.  Peter was so prepared that God could record forever his first sermon. It became part of scripture, and his second one in Acts chapter 3. Jesus Christ had prepared his apostles to do the job he wanted them to do. Their job was to be the teachers but their job was also to help the entire church become teachers. Jesus Christ had prepared His teachers before He called in the class. Paul was called in Acts 9. In Acts 10 Cornelius, the first Gentile convert was called. God was preparing Paul, unbeknownst to Peter or anyone else, while at the same time teaching Peter that He was opening salvation to the Gentiles. He was training Paul at the same time He was training Peter.

After he was called, Paul spent at least three years, maybe more, being personally trained by Jesus Christ. In many revelations He tells us.  And once again, Christ had prepared His teacher Paul before He introduced him to the class in the cities of Galatia and beyond, as Paul went out to all those places. He was prepared; and later when he got with the other apostles and compared notes, they were in total agreement. When God raised up Mr. Herbert Armstrong, He knew he had a great work to do.Mr. Armstrong’s commission was to proclaim the Good New of the Kingdom of God to every nation on the face of the earth! And nothing like has happened since 70AD, where we had offices and churches and things going on all over the world. We’re far smaller now. He was to proclaim the Kingdom of God and he was to guide those God would call into His church into God’s ways. How could one man do that? He would need lots of help! As the broadcast began to draw people, they needed to have teachers. Mr. Armstrong would go out, he would have a public lecture, he’d go for five days and at the end he’d have a small group of people there and he’d find a leader and he’d put it together, go on to someplace else, and while he was gone it would just fall apart.  So in the mid-1940s, he saw the need to have more formal training.   

In 1947 Ambassador College opened its doors. 

There were four students, eight teachers; but only one of the teachers was converted!

We had incredible growth in the church in 50s, 60s, 70s & even 80s and it went on some after that. God had teachers ready before He called in the class.

We can all acknowledge that the Church today is not what it was in the past in terms of numbers, where would we be today if God had not set up Ambassador College?

I can assure you brethren, if it hadn’t been for the training received at Ambassador College, three different campuses open at different times, directly and indirectly, the Church of God would not be what it is today.

Today the United Church of God sees the need for teachers as well and they’ve opened ABC, and I’d like to see that develop and grow. One of the important things of a minister’s job is to train teachers!

Let’s look at 2 Timothy chapter 2.
2 Tim 2:1 – You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

What does that mean – “be strong in the grace that’s in Christ Jesus?” 
 
The New English Bible translates that:
2 Tim 2:1, NEB: Take strength from the grace which is ours in Christ Jesus.

God’s grace is a wonderful blessing that we can reflect on and be grateful for and appreciate and emulate in our relationships with other people.

Vs 2 – And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

So here Paul, in his final letter, his final epistle, written from prison shortly before he died or was martyred by Nero, tells Timothy to start preparing teachers, those who would be able to train others also.

When I served in Southern Africa, 1969 - 1978, the Church was growing quickly. 
When I arrived there were just two congregations in the whole of Africa – one in Johannesburg and one in Durbin. Only one had a full-time pastor, that was me in Johannesburg.

When I left South Africa in 1978, there were 15 churches with full time, Ambassador trained, teachers and pastors and many more in outlying Bible studies and activities.

I needed teachers; I saw a great need for teachers. Where would I find them? Few Africans could afford to go to Ambassador College. It’s such a long trip and most of them had little funds, married with children, passport problems, and other difficulties. I was told by Pasadena “grow your own” – nothing like a little encouragement. Since that time, I have always tried to develop leaders when I serve a congregation. Today United sees the same need and we try to train. We had some success in South Africa but more later. We saw the need to do that. We wish ABC every success.

Paul wrote the Hebrew Christians to explain some deeper things of the Gospel with the Christians in Jerusalem.
He needed more teachers and he was very conscious of that! But he knew that those Hebrew Christians well enough to know that they had gotten a little lazy.

Hebrews 5:8 – Though he was a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Even Jesus learned by the things which he suffered.

Heb 5:9 And having been perfected, (he was perfect before but now we have a high priest who knew what it was like to be flesh and blood; who understood the pulls and the weaknesses that we all share) he became the author of eternal salvation to all them who obey him;

Vs 5:10 Called by God an high priest according to the order of Melchisedec.

Vs 5:11 Of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing  (he wrote those Christians back then)

He wanted to explain something but it was difficult and people still have trouble with his book but it’s pretty plain overall.

Vs 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, (they’ve been around so long they should have been teachers themselves) you need someone to teach you again the first principles (the baby stuff, the beginning stuff that is mentioned in Hebrews 6:1-2) of the oracles of God; and you’ve come to need milk, and not solid food.

Every parent knows that if you give a baby solid food, you’re going to get it back. They can’t handle it. You have to give them the food that’s appropriate. And he was doing that.

Vs 13 – For every one that partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Vs 14 – But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

They had trouble (Paul’s readers) discerning good and evil.

One level of good and evil is to recognize God’s Sabbath, Holy Days, tithing, clean and unclean meats—those basic things. That’s where we all start.

But a person can believe all those and do all those things and not even be a converted Christian! 

The Jews believe all those things and they don’t accept the name Christian at all.

But to discern the thoughts and intents of our own heart; to recognize our own carnality; to recognize our own selfishness; to be aware of our own pride; to see stubbornness for what it is. One of the qualifications of an elder is they are not self-willed. Can we see self-willed in ourselves? Can we see foolishness?
That requires discerning good and evilon a much higher level. It’s a much more subtle thing and it needs to be understood.

Now we’re talking about spiritual maturity, something we have to grow in over time. It takes time; it takes seasoning as it were. The spiritually mature can help other members to discern good and evil and can benefit them by teaching God’s way of life. Mature Christians are to take on the harness of the Kingdom of God and learn to serve others selflessly. That’s what we’re supposed to do.

That’s what Peter had to learn about 50 days before his first sermon.
Big, bold, strong Peter. “I’ll never forsake you.” He denied Christ three times! He was so confident in himself—and you know you’re going to lose when you’re confident in yourself—he was confronted with his own weakness and sin.

Matthew tells him when that chicken went off, when the rooster crowed, then he went out and wept bitterly. I’ll bet he wept bitterly.

I wonder if he recalled David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51:11-14 (where he wept as well):

Psalm 51:11 – Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
 
Vs 12 – restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Vs 13 – Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

Vs 14 – Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance (NRSV).

David said, Deliver me, cleanse me and then I can be useful to you; I can teach others and help them come back to you.

After Peter really saw himself and God let him meditate on that for awhile and he was humbled, God began to use him quite powerfully as we saw in Acts chapter 2 where he could get up before a crowd and teach. He didn’t do it with his own power.   He didn’t rely on himself, he relied on the Holy Spirit working within him and to follow Jesus Christ his LORD. Those are some of the biggest lessons in life.

If you look at Ephesians chapter 4. Verses well known to the Church

Ephesians 4:11 – And he himself (Jesus Christ) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.  In Greek, that phrase (pastors and teachers ) describes one person doing both jobs, a teaching pastor.

Vs 12 – For the equipping the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ

To equip the members, the saints, the holy people to be able to serve and they help build up the body of Christ. That’s the whole church.

Vs 13 – Till we all come in the unity of the faith, (Christ prayed for unity) and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

We have to have the knowledge of the Son of God; he brought words from the Father and we’re supposed to learn them, internalize them and live them.

Vs 13 (cont’d) – to a perfect man (a mature man), to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

We are called to come to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Vs 14 – That we no longer be children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, and cunning craftiness, and deceitful plotting;

Spiritual children are unsteady about doctrine. It’s easy to deceive them. It’s easy to confuse them. They’re not yet ready to help build the body by teaching.
But at least they’re on the way.

Vs 15 – But speaking the truth (they’ve learned the truth; keep them in your name, your word, your truth)

You can speak the truth in hate; you can speak it to harm; but this is to serve, to help to build up, to strengthen.  

Vs 15 (cont’d) – in love, may grow up in all things in him, who is the head, even Christ:

Vs 16 – From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by which every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share,

We were in an organizational meeting here before the Feast and it’s amazing how the organization works together, every part doing its share as far as I can see and it’s very encouraging.

 Vs 16 (cont’d) – …causing growth of the body unto the edifying of itself in love (growth, as far as understanding and maturity).

The rest of the book of Ephesians contains what Paul knew they needed to learn. It’s powerful stuff! 

Brethren, this world is headed for crisis. Jesus said it would be the greatest crisis since human life has been on the earth!
When he returns, He will have prepared many teachers.

At the foundation of the world, God’s plan included preparing the Church to serve those people who survive this great time of trouble. To teach them! To help them!

To encourage them!

Notice what Jesus wrote to the Church! When He returns, the Church will assist Him in teaching and guiding the whole earth!
 
Look at Revelation chapter 2, please.

Rev 2:26 – And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Vs 27 – And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; (that doesn’t mean he’s going to beat them over the head; a rod of iron lasts forever, wooden ones don’t last as long; this one’s a permanent assignment) they shall be dashed to pieces with the potter’s vessel: as I received from my Father.

Vs 28– And I will give him the morning star.

Vs 29 – He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 3:21 –To him that overcomes I will grant to sit with me in my throne, (I will share my throne. He’s at the throne of the whole earth and will share this portion of it with you) as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.

Vs 22 – He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

It’s very important that we comprehend that.

The teachers assisting Jesus Christ in the World Tomorrow will include:
The Fathers, Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, all the prophets and faithful servants of the Hebrew Bible, and also the Church of the New Testament.

Remember, the class of 1939 didn’t start at the top. The more senior soldiers did that. The class of 1939 came in and filled in underneath them.
I think we will be supporting those “officers” who have gone before!

If you look at Isaiah chapter 30, which we often look at during the Feast…

Isaiah 30:19 – For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: you shall weep no more: he will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will answer you.

Vs 20 – And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet your teachers be not be moved into a corner anymore,

Today the children of Israel don’t know who their teachers are. They don’t know.

Vs 20 (cont’d) – but your eyes shall see your teachers:

If they’re going to see the teachers, you’ve got to get them ready; you’ve got to have them prepared to be there.

Vs 21 – And you shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right hand or the left.

A helpful teacher, a guide when you wonder ‘what am I going to do about this’. Here’s the way; do it that way. That would be so valuable instead of being cut off from the teachers.

Years ago after Loma Armstrong died, Mr. Armstrong commented that society had changed so much since her death that she would have trouble relating to it.
Immorality rising sharply, alternate lifestyles, all these nice phrases they have for going into bad ways of life.

Manners, politeness and courtesy decline; becoming a very uncivil society. “If you don’t like it, tough! I’m going to do what I like to do and you just have to get used to it.” Fewer care for other people today.

Then he said, “If Loma Armstrong couldn’t relate to a generation just a few years later, how would Abraham relate to a generation in the resurrection of his own children? How would he even have a connection to a world so different from his own?”

Then he answered his own question. He said that’s where the Church comes in! 
The Church will be able to relate to the world it’s living in and it can relate all the way back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through God’s word.
They can help those who have lived in this age, to relate back to those who have gone before!           

God has a great purpose for His Church! 
Before Christ returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the bride has to make herself ready.

Again my point is, when the Wonderful World Tomorrow begins―by the grace of God―Jesus Christ will have highly trained leaders and teachers who are READY TO SERVE! Ready to lead! Ready to teach!

HE ALWAYS PREPARES THE TEACHERS BEFORE HE CALLS IN THE CLASS!

And what will we teach? Jesus Christ is called the King of Righteousness. 
Those who serve Him as teachers must do and teach the same thing He did and does: Righteousness!

Let me show you that in the sermon on the mount. Matthew chapter 5, just picking out a few verses.

Matthew 5:5 – Blessed are the meek (that’s not weak; that’s the ones who are willing to learn, willing to listen) for they shall inherit the earth.
 
Vs 6 – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness:

They have an appetite for righteousness, and brethren, as you know, we have an appetite for what we don’t have enough of. They recognized their shortage of righteousness so they have an appetite for it. 

Vs 6 (cont’d) – He said blessed are those for they shall be filled.

Filled with righteousness.

Vs 10 – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

If you’re going to follow God’s name and His word and His truth, the world’s not going to like it so much. Many are persecuted for righteousness sake.

Look at verse 17. You know this section of scripture but let’s divide it into two parts. Verses 17 and 18 talk about Christ’s relationship with the law; verses 19 and 20 talk about the church’s relationship with the law.

Mat 5:17 – Do not think that I am came to destroy the law, or the prophets: I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

Christ is going to fulfill the law and the prophets.

Vs 18 – For surely I say to you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass away, till all is fulfilled.

Jesus is talking about his relationship with the law.

Now he’s talking about the Church.

Mat 5:19 – Whoever therefore breaks one of these least commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of God: but whoever does them, and teaches them, he will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Vs 20 – For I say unto you, except your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will be no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

It’s a very important principle for us to see and to follow that way.

And of course, you know Matthew 6:33.

Mat 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness (two things, not one, although they are one); and all these things will be added to you.

Remember what David said? Well, let me show you something before that. Romans chapter 14, a very helpful scripture to give us the right focus.

Romans 14:16- Therefore, do not let your good be spoken of as evil

Even though it’s okay to do something, there are some things we don’t do out of love for others, or concern for others.

Vs 17 – For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking.

We may begin to think so during the Feast of Tabernacles, but that’s not the point as we all know.

Vs 17 (cont’d) – For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking; but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Vs 18 – For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God, and approved by men.

Vs 19 – Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace, and things for which one may edify another (trying to build up and edify another).

Remember Psalm 23? I think most of us have it memorized.

Psalm 23:1 – The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Vs 2 – He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

Vs 3 – He restores my soul; He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Let me mention a few specifics. If we have trouble with anyone in the congregation we should leave our gift at the altar and be reconciled to our brother. 
The result is love between brethren! As Christ’s disciples we are recognized because we have love for each other and we have our problems worked out. They don’t leave them pending; they don’t have grudges. Grudge is the Old Testament word. We have a new word today. We call them “hurts.”

“I’m hurt.” That’s a grudge in the Old Testament sense. It’s the same type of thing. We have to get them resolved and then we’ll have peace. Love between brethren is wonderful. Strife between brethren is a disgrace to God’s Name! We don’t want to do that.

Steven Covey, the famous author, says start teaching what you are learning and you will benefit yourself and those you teach.

Go to Deuteronomy chapter 6, verse 4.

I don’t know what’s happened to this Bible over the years. The print has gotten smaller and smaller. I don’t know what’s happened to it.
 
Deuteronomy 6:4 - Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One:

Now this isn’t a census. This is the same One Who told Adam and Eve that they should become one. They were still two people but they needed to become one. Jesus Christ said the whole church, however big it is and would grow to eventually, it is still to be one, unified.

Vs 6 – And these words, which I command you today, shall be in your heart:

Vs 7 – And thou shalt teach them diligently to your children…

God appointed every parent in Israel to be a teacher

 Vs 7 (cont’d) – and shalt talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when thou lie down, and when you rise up. 
 
Vs 8 – And you shalt bind them for a sign… and so on

He appointed all the parents to be teachers. The children of Israel weren’t all priests, but everyone was assigned to teach his family God’s way of life.

At Mount Sinai God said to Israel: Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.
And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ The whole nation had a priestly function. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel (Exodus 19:5-6).

Imagine! Every family learned to teach so the whole nation would be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

That instruction wasn’t just for ancient Israel. It’s for all faithful servants of God today; teach their children righteousness and God’s ways. God’s laws! God is still building that kingdom of priests and a holy nation. That’s why we’re here at the Feast!
And you young people―please listen up! I have a suggestion to help you do well in school and it’s true whether you attend a great school or not so great school.

Whatever you are being taught, don’t learn it just to pass the test.
Learn it well enough to teach it yourself. You will excel beyond what you think possible. And you’ll find enjoyment too. It’s a wonderful thing to have that understanding, be able to understand it well enough to teach it.

One way to do this, look for opportunities to help other students.
Volunteer to teach younger students, or students who are struggling.

You’ll be learning the material at a HIGHER LEVEL and also learning TO SERVE others.

I like the expression of Christa McCauliffe. She was the school teacher they put on the shuttle and unfortunately it blew up. She said: “I touch the future, I teach!”

When those freshmen arrived at West Point in 1935, what might they have been thinking?
“On no! A larger class! Less opportunity for leadership, less opportunity for promotion!”
Even at graduation in June 1939, they could not have imagined how things would go in the next few months and certainly not during the next few years.

They were about to have opportunities for leadership and promotion never given to any other class before or since from West Point. But those were opportunities for war and destruction.

When Jesus Christ assembles His Church at His return, our opportunities will much greater. It will be opportunities to teach peace, not war! The earth will have gone through the most terrible time in history.

Peoples of Israel in captivity. 
Seven trumpets announce God’s intervention.
Plagues.
Famines.
Earthquakes.
War.

Battle between Jesus Christ and the combined armies of the world described as blood to the horse’s bridle. Then the seven last plagues are poured out. The earth and everyone on it will be reeling. That’s when the 1,000 years of Christ’s rule on earth begin.

Look at Jeremiah chapter 23.

Jer 23:1 – Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture says the LORD.

Here are shepherds who don’t keep the sheep together; they scatter them.

Vs 2 – Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed my people; You have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and will not attend to them: behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings, says the LORD.

Vs 3 – And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.

Vs 4 – And I will set up shepherds over them (he has to have the shepherds ready) who will feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking, says the LORD.

Vs 5 – Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness, and a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.

Vs 6 – In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely: and this is his name by which he will be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Our righteousness comes from him.)

Vs 7 – Therefore, behold, the days come, says the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD lives, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
Vs 8 – But, as the LORD lives, who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country, and from all countries where I had driven them; and they will dwell in their own land.

And he’ll have teachers, shepherds ready to be able to serve them.

And what will we be doing during the millennium? My guess is PREPARING ADDITIONAL TEACHERS FOR THE SECOND RESURRECTION!
After a thousand years of Christ’s rule, think how many will enter the Kingdom of God. Think how many teachers will be needed when the billions who have ever lived and died come up from the graves! They all come up in the same generation. We see that in Matthew 11 and 12. They all come up at the same time. They rise with this generation. It’s going to be an exceeding great army.

Let’s go to John chapter 6.

John 6:43 - Jesus therefore answered and said to them, do not murmur among yourselves.

Vs 44 – No man can come to me, except the Father who sent me draws him (the Last Great Day he’ll draw them all): and I will raise him up at the last day.

Vs 45 – It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught by God. Therefore everyone who has heard, and learned by the Father, comes to me.

God’s going to teach everyone. God’s main teacher, His principle teacher is Jesus Christ, and he always will be. He prepared twelve apostles and they helped train more. God always prepares the teachers before He calls in the class!

Where it’s all headed. Let’s go to Psalm 24.

The Holy City!
Everyone and everything in Holy City will be holy!

Psalm 24:1 – The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein.

Vs 2 – For he founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters.
 
Vs 3 – Who may ascend to the hill of the LORD? and who may stand in his holy place?

Vs 4 – He who has clean hands, and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.

Vs 5 – He shall receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Vs 6 – This is Jacob, the generation of them who seek him, who seek your face.

Vs 7 – Lift up your heads, O gates; and be lifted up, you everlasting doors; (in other words, the Holy City is going to be entered, Christ is coming in, and the gates aren’t quite big enough) and the King of glory shall come in.

Vs 8 – Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

Vs 9 – Lift up your heads, O gates; and be lifted up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Vs 10 – Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.

Remember, Jesus Christ always prepares the teachers, before He calls in the class! 

WE NEED TO BE PREPARING TODAY TO BE CHRIST’S TEACHERS TOMORROW.