HOFC Sermon Archive: July 2025

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SERMON TIMELINE

1. Introduction

2. John the Baptist

3. The Baptism of Jesus

4. Temptation of Jesus

5. The Preaching Ministry of Jesus I

6. The Preaching Ministry of Jesus II

7. The First Disciples

8. A Teacher with Authority

9. At the Home of Simon and Andrew

10. Jesus Cleanses the Leper

11. Jesus Heals the Paralytic

12. Jesus and the Tax Collector

13. Jesus Questioned About Fasting

14. Of Wine and Wineskins

15. Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath & Resurrection Sunday 2025

16. Hard Hearts and Hard Thoughts

17. Three Responses to Jesus

18. Jesus Appoints the Apostles

19. The Family of Jesus

20. The Unforgivable Sin

21. The True Family of Jesus

22. Parable of the Four Soils

23. How Well Do You Listen

24. Parable of the Growing Seed

25. Parable of the Mustard Seed

26. Benefits of Private Teaching

Today is Sunday. July 20^th, 2025

INTRODUCTION

The Gospel of Mark has revealed to us so far the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, as well as His calling of disciples, and His growing following.

We learned through the scriptures that not everyone who followed Jesus was a follower of Jesus. Some were devoted, some were merely curious at what they considered to be a new movement, and some had unclean spirits.

We read about Jesus teaching in parables, such as the four soils, which represent the four types of listeners to the word of God, or seed, with their hearts being the soil for that seed. Of the four, only one allowed that seed to grow.

There are many “hearers” to the word of God in the world today. But not many who “listen.”

There is a big difference between hearing and listening.

Jesus tells us in Mark to listen intently to the word of God, whether you hear a preacher, listen or watch online or TV, or read for yourself.

James 1:22 “But become doers of the word, and not merely hearers who fool themselves.”

This verse is a warning that merely hearing God's word—without putting it into action—can lead to self-deception. It's about the importance of living out what the Word states, not just passively taking in the message. Intently listening (by acting) instead of passively hearing and deceiving yourself into thinking you’re obedient to the Word of God.

Don’t we tell our children, “Listen to what I said!” Do we mean for them to just hear? Or are we saying they need to obey?

Jesus was the Master Teacher. He preached in synagogues, taught large crowds publicly. He even taught the disciples privately. Especially regarding explaining the parables He taught in public.

And though Jesus was the perfect teacher, truly devoted listeners were far outnumbered by false converts, and those who rejected His teachings.

Which is why Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

We must examine ourselves and answer the question, are we intently listening to the word of God, living according to His word to seek out that narrow gate that leads to life that few will find?

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Mark 4:33-34 The Benefit of Private Teaching

“And with many such parables He was speaking the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34 and He was not speaking to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.”

The disciples of Jesus were blessed to have private instruction. While listening to the Word of God in a public setting is of great value, consider the benefits of private teaching!

I. WHAT IS PRIVATE TEACHING?

a. Simply Put

i. Teaching in a private (non-public) setting

1. Home, office, park bench

ii. Just the teacher, and the learner (or small group as we see in scripture with Jesus and the disciples – the truly devoted)

iii. The teaching is informal, usually a dialog rather than a formatted lecture

1. Like a small group study where scriptures are discussed

Private teaching involves a more intimate, personal environment for learning

b. Examples

i. Jesus and His disciples in our text today

ii. Jesus and Nicodemus

1. John 3:1-3 “Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these miracles that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

iii. Jesus and the Samaritan woman

1. John 4:5-26

iv. Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch

1. Acts 8:26-40

v. Peter and the household of Cornelius

1. Acts 10:24 “And on the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends.”

2. Acts 10:33 “So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been ordered by the Lord.”

vi. Aquila and Priscilla working with Apollos

1. Acts 18:24-26 “Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, a learned man, arrived at Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26 and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”

vii. Paul as he taught in homes, including his own

1. Acts 20:20 “how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house,”

2. Acts 28:30-31 “And he stayed two full years at his own expense in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, unhindered.”

The bible is filled with examples of private teaching. Jesus and His followers made much use of private teaching in addition to public instruction. Why?

II. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

a. Individual Attention

i. Public teaching is at best a “shotgun” approach

1. A large audience has many people with different needs, levels of understanding

2. No one lesson or subject will reach the interests of every person

ii. Private teaching to smaller groups or single individuals can address needs and interests more easily

1. The need may be basic, “What must I do to be saved?”

2. The interest may be academic “Who is the prophet speaking of in this verse?”

3. The desire may be to grow in understanding “Explain this parable to me.”

4. The listener may wish to act on the word they learned, “I want to be baptized!”

Public instruction cannot provide such individual attention. This is one of the reasons I loved doing adult bible studies in our home for so many years. Discussing scripture and discovering deeper meaning so that the listeners could grow spiritually.

b. Personal Questions

i. Public teaching does not open itself to asking questions

1. Some times are inappropriate, such as scripture teaches we should be intently listening during sermons, saving questions for afterwards.

2. Shy people with questions are often intimidated asking publicly.

3. Or, perhaps the question is personal, and not suitable for public discussions.

ii. Private teaching is perfectly suited for questions

1. Questions related to one’s interests or spiritual level of understanding

2. With no fear of ridicule or interruption

Private teaching allows for questions and follow-up questions

c. Superior Learning

i. Successful people have their mentors and advisors

1. Olympic athletes have personal coaches

2. Those into fitness have personal trainers

ii. The disciples who were truly devoted to Jesus benefited by their time with Jesus

1. Acts 4:13 “Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and comprehended that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.”

iii. Personal spiritual training is part of God’s plan

1. 2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

2. Don’t think you need a personal teacher? Then according to Hebrews 5:12 you need to be a teacher then!

Private teaching provides opportunity for accelerated and advanced learning

CONCLUSION

Willingness to listen to public preaching and teaching, such as Sunday Service in church, is commendable and rewarding.

According to the word of God, intently listening is a form of worshiping God!

And, being called not to forsake the gathering of God’s people, so is attending Sunday church service!

But if you want to really get serious about your salvation and spiritual growth, you need to find a spiritual fitness trainer for private teaching. Attend a home bible study, teach one, or host one!

Remember the two disciples who walked with Jesus that said to one another in Luke 24:32b “…Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was opening the Scriptures to us?”

Their experience in learning from private teaching is often shared by many people who are willing to go beyond just attending church, to become involved in the private teaching of the word of God.

NEXT WEEK: “Part 27: Jesus Calms the Storm”

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Saturday, July 26, 2025

Gospel of Mark Part 26: Benefits of Private Teaching