“When Jesus had finished this sermon,  the crowds were astonished at His teaching,  because He was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.”

Matthew 7:28‭-‬29

One of the best peeachers that I have ever heard NEVER PREACHES WITH A BIBLE! Oh, the Bible is present-he brings it with Him, and its well worn, but His Bible is unually just a prop. This man holds His Bible in hand, announces the passage he will preach from, sets the Bible down on the pulpit, and from memory recites ahis Scripture passage, as if reading it. Each insuing Scrpture reference, include chapter and verse are quoted, from memory as well. The last time I heard him speak, he referenced 27 passages of Scripture, FROM MEMORY, in addition to his main text! The first time I heard him preach, I thought, “this poor man cannot read”-then I noticed he had two earned doctoral degrees-he certainly COULD read. He has a command of the Bible like very few have!

Such was the case with Jesus! As Jesus finished his “Sermon of the Mount”, people began to talk. While few  agreed completely with Jesus and while many were puzzled by some of what He said, everyone agreed on this, Jesus taught with passion and authority! Jesus commanded the Scripture from which He taught and there was no disputing that He talked like someone Who was an authority of ALL the Scripture-the FULL COUNSEL OF GOD (Acts 20:27)! The listeners had never heard the Scriptures expounded in this way from their teachers. THEY WERE ASTONISHED!

Jesus Himself knew a couple of things the other teachers didn’t. First, He knew the Author of Scrpture well because He was the Author of Scripture! Second, He knew the heart of people-He created us! (John 1:1) Jesus ABSOLUTLY TAUGHT WITH AUTHORITY-HE WAS AND IS AUTHORITY!

The stunning beauty for us as believers is this: Jesus, through Holy Spirit LIVES IN US! He leads us into all Truth and reminds us of what the Scripture says! (John 14:26 & 16:13) Our part? STUDY THE BIBLE (2 Timothy 2:15) We should study God’s word with faithful diligence and we should ask Holy Spirit to teach us the Truth from what we’re studying. God wants to communicate with us. He’s been speaking for melluniums! LISTEN! Think about it!