The Importance of Biblical Instruction
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | February 9, 2025
Open your Bibles to the Gospel of John, chapter 12, verses 44 through 50. Today’s message, entitled "The Importance of Biblical Instruction," is a call to pay attention to the timeless truths of Scripture. I hope you’ll join me for these few moments as we explore what God’s Word reveals to us.
In John 12:44-50, we read: "Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."
Let’s pray: Father, we’re thankful for this day of worship and for everyone with us—our dear friends, returning guests, and any first-time visitors. We’re grateful for our great teaching staff and the privilege to honor them for their life of service. Lord, we praise You for the wonderful singing, the great classes we’ve experienced, and the Bible opened before us now. Help me in these moments to lay this message upon every heart, and may You get the glory. For those who haven’t trusted Christ, who can’t recall a time they turned their heart to You, I pray they make this hour that moment and find boldness to confess You as Savior. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Help me preach. Amen.
A Day to Honor Our Teachers
It’s always a great honor to experience our annual Sunday School Day service and to show appreciation to our teachers—the faithful servants of God at Mission Baptist Church (MBC). I don’t just honor them in word—God knows my heart, and I honor them deeply. Their job is demanding; with few exceptions, they’re expected to be at their post Sunday after Sunday, month after month, year after year. There they stand or sit in their classrooms, so faithful and skilled at what they do. The Bible instructs us in Romans 13 to give honor to whom honor is due, and tribute to whom tribute is due. I’ve selected this text because it expresses the importance of their job—biblical instruction—and, by extension, the importance of the instructors themselves.
Outside our church, some acknowledge God, know something of Jesus, and recognize the Bible’s value. But did you know that, according to 1 Timothy 3:15, God has made the church the pillar and ground of truth? It’s the only organization in the world that exists for the express purpose of instructing others in the Word and will of God. From this passage, I see three guiding thoughts: biblical instruction teaches us about the presence of God in our world, reveals that the power of God is available to us, and prepares us for Judgment Day.
The Presence of God in Our World
Jesus said in verse 44, “He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me,” and in verse 45, “He that seeth me seeth him that sent me.” When you believe in Jesus, you believe in God; when you see Jesus, you see God Himself. This teaches us about the presence of God in the world—a doctrine emphasized in our churches. From the smallest child in the nursery to every age group, our teachers instill that there is a God.
Have you ever considered how foolish the doctrine of evolution is? How can anyone look at creation—the beauty of a flower like a daisy, a child reaching up to a parent—and say there’s no God? The intricacies of creation scream of an intelligent design. Imagine if I said a gust of wind blew this church building together—2x4s, bricks, and all—just by chance. You’d call that idiocy. Yet, many in public schools teach that the complexity of life just happened. Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning, God,” and John 1:1-3 adds, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… all things were made by him.” The Bible affirms there’s a God, and our teachers instill this truth weekly.
Moreover, God didn’t create the world and step aside. Colossians 1:16-17 tells us that all things were created by Him and consist—hold together—by Him. If God withdrew His sustaining presence for a moment, our hearts would stop, our lungs would fail, the stars would cease shining, and the universe would go dark. Romans 1:28 explains why some reject this: they didn’t like to retain God in their knowledge, so He gave them over to a reprobate mind. But we’re not rudderless ships on the sea of life—we can know why we’re here, who put us here, and where we’re going, all because God’s presence is real, and all things are created for His pleasure.
The Power of God Available to Us
In verse 46, Jesus says, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” I love that word “whosoever”—it includes me, you, everyone. Years ago, when an old preacher put his arm around me as a teenager and told me I needed Jesus, I was glad my name was in “whosoever.” Light is amazing—flip a switch in a pitch-black room, and darkness flees. Jesus, the Light, delivers us from spiritual darkness—sin, the fall, and life’s horrors. Colossians 1:13 confirms He’s delivered us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son.
The power of God is available to all who believe. In my senior years, I see more people feeling hopeless—little boys and girls, too, surrounded by despair. But I’m thankful for Sunday school teachers who hug a toddler, give them candy, call their name, and show them love, telling them about Jesus. Life doesn’t have to be hopeless—there’s a God who gives power for salvation, to become His child (John 1:12), and to know it’ll be alright, no matter the hell life throws at you. God sees a willing heart and grants the power to become His own.
I recall a story from an old preacher, over 50 years ago, about a beautiful teenage girl. She’d been saved as a child, but without guidance, she strayed. One night, after drinking and dancing, she was in a car accident and died. The devil claimed her, but Jesus stepped in, pointing to a blood-stained mark on her soul from when she trusted Him years before. Her messed-up life didn’t undo that—she was His, and He took her to glory. Biblical instruction offers power to save, keep saved, and give victory (1 John 4:4; 5:4-5). Kids, you don’t have to fall into the world—there’s a teacher, a pastor, a Bible to guide you.
Preparation for Judgment Day
Finally, verse 48 says, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” Biblical instruction prepares us to meet God. Receiving God’s Word is necessary for salvation—you must be born again, believing you can’t earn righteousness but can trust Christ’s for everlasting life. Rejecting the Word consigns you to eternity without God; receiving it places you in His safe hands.
Go to God in prayer with a sincere heart. Admit you’re a sinner, ask forgiveness, and plead for salvation and heaven. Romans 10:13 promises, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Pillow your head on that rock of Scripture. If you haven’t done this, I pray you will today. I’d love to share the Gospel with you and help in any way. You must believe, turn your heart to God, and be serious. Let’s stand.