The Wrong Kind of Teachers
The wrong kind of teaching can destroy the new Christian's simplicity by introducing intermediaries between the Christian and Christ, while the right kind of teaching keeps the Word transparent and focuses on the Presence of God.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of maintaining a direct relationship with Christ for newborn Christians, who initially experience a pure and simple faith. He warns against the influence of the wrong kind of Bible teachers who complicate this relationship by introducing intermediaries, shifting focus from Christ to the Bible itself. Tozer argues that true teachers should illuminate the Word of God in a way that reveals God's presence, rather than obscuring it with technicalities. The danger lies in disillusionment caused by misguided teachings that can spoil the joy of new believers. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a Christo-centric approach to faith.
Text
The newborn Christian finds himself alive with a sweet, enjoyable kind of life that he accepts naively, almost unconsciously. To him everything is simple and immediate. He knows no intermediary. Christ is to him on an infinitely higher level what its mother is to a baby--warmth, nourishment, protection, rest and an object of satisfying affection.
Right here is where the wrong kind of Bible teacher can do his damage. The first thing he does is to destroy the new Christian's simplicity. He introduces something between the Christian and Christ. He makes him Biblo-centric instead of Christo-centric. (And there is a difference, let no one deceive you.) The Spirit-anointed Bible teacher will so teach the Word as to keep it transparent, so as to allow it to be what it always should be, a kind of burning bush which God indwells and out of which He shines in awesome splendor. The beholder sees the bush, it is true, but the object of his interest is the Presence, not the bush. The wrong kind of teacher gets so technical about the bush that the fire dims down and the light ceases to fall on the Christian's face.
That is what the gentle cynic meant when he said "before he has met too many Bible teachers."
As for "too many church members" spoiling the new Christian's happiness, it is the result of disillusionment pure and simple.
Sermon Outline
- The New Christian's Simplicity
- The Wrong Kind of Teachers
- The Right Kind of Teaching
- The Consequences of Wrong Teaching
- Technicality overshadowing the fire of God
- Disillusionment and loss of happiness
Key Quotes
“Christ is to him on an infinitely higher level what its mother is to a baby--warmth, nourishment, protection, rest and an object of satisfying affection.” — A.W. Tozer
“The Spirit-anointed Bible teacher will so teach the Word as to keep it transparent, so as to allow it to be what it always should be, a kind of burning bush which God indwells and out of which He shines in awesome splendor.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Be careful not to introduce intermediaries between yourself and Christ.
- Focus on the Presence of God in your teaching and worship.
- Avoid technicality and keep the Word of God transparent.