The Gift of Teaching

White Stone Church

The Gift of Teaching

Sermon Audio

September 15, 2024 • Cody Zimmerman • Romans 12:1–8, Matthew 7:28–29, Luke 2:41–52, Ephesians 4:7–12, 2 Timothy 3:14—4:2

Give

Think about your favorite teacher you had when you were growing up. What was it that made that teacher your favorite? Odds are, they impacted you more than the rest because they did something to make the subject relatable to you. Maybe they took a particular interest in you and you. Maybe they did something to make the class fun. Whatever the reason was, odds are that your favorite teacher did not become your favorite just because they were smart. You probably don’t have lifelong memories of this person and how their teaching impacted you because of their knowledge of the subject matter.

That seems like an obvious observation, but when we talk about the spiritual gift of teaching, many of us view it that way. We think that you have to have a comprehensive knowledge of the Bible or a seminary degree to have the gift of teaching. Because of that, many of us dismiss the gift of teaching, without seriously considering if we actually have it.

In this message, Cody looks at 3 traits that the Bible shows us come with the gift of teaching. Maybe you are gifted to teach, but you’ve never felt called to step out into your giftedness. It’s our hope that this message could be a small step to change that.

The Living Stone, the Living Word, the Great High Priest

December 22, 2024 • Brock Tharpe • Acts 19:35–40, 1 Peter 2:1–7, Hebrews 4:14–16

As we round out the season of Advent, Brock turns our attention to three lesser-known names for Jesus. First, we encounter Jesus as the 'Living Stone.’ Imagery from 1 Peter 2 reminds us that our faith is built on a living, dynamic foundation - not a cold, lifeless idol. Next, we're introduced to Jesus as the 'Living Word,' drawing parallels between the Bible as our 'letter from home' and Jesus as the embodiment of God's message to us. This perspective encourages us to seek nourishment and strength in both Scripture and in Christ's presence. Finally, we're shown Jesus as our 'Great High Priest,' using the analogy of free postage for soldiers' letters home. This powerful metaphor, rooted in Hebrews 4, illustrates how Christ's sacrifice has opened direct communication between us and God. As we reflect on these names, we're challenged to deepen our personal relationship with Jesus, moving beyond talking about God to actually talking with Him.

The Resurrection and the Life

December 15, 2024 • Colby Dorcely • John 11:25–27, Ecclesiastes 9:1–6, 1 Corinthians 15:52–55, Ephesians 2:1–5

In John 11:25-27 Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life." This radical statement, made in the context of Lazarus' death, reveals Jesus' ultimate power over death itself. In this Advent message, Colby leads us on a deep exploration of this text and what it means to us— reminding us that while we believe in a future resurrection, we remain deeply vulnerable to the pain and mystery of death. However, Jesus offers us more than just hope for the future— He gives us eternal life now. As believers, we're already spiritually resurrected, living a new life in Christ. This truth should transform how we live, encouraging us to embrace our identity as God's children and live righteously. The message challenges us to confront our fears about death and find comfort in the promise of eternal life, urging us to live as resurrected people in the present.

Christ is Lord

December 8, 2024 • Cody Zimmerman • 2 Samuel 7:12–14, Isaiah 9:6–7, Matthew 16:13–23, Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 61:1–2

In this powerful exploration of Jesus as the Christ, we delve into the profound meaning behind this title. The sermon takes us on a journey through Scripture, from Peter's bold declaration in Matthew 16 to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. We're challenged to consider: what does it truly mean to proclaim Jesus as the Christ? It's not just a name, but a declaration of His identity as the long-awaited Messiah, the Anointed One, and the eternal King. This message invites us to move beyond intellectual understanding to a heart-level encounter with Jesus. Just as Peter's faith evolved, we too are called to grow in our understanding and surrender to Christ. The sermon reminds us that believing Jesus is the Christ isn't a one-time event, but a lifelong journey of discovery and deepening faith.