Can I Be Taught?

Text: Phil. 2:5-"Let this mind be....."

Introduction:
Do you remember the old television program, "The Untouchables?" I want to preach and teach on the "Unteachable." When I was a child I believe I head this as much as any thing--"I can't tell, or teach you anything. You think you already know everything." I suppose that was so.
When we are born again, we learned quickly, or should, that this is a way of learning until we get home. Not all learn from this great truth.
1. We have passed from death unto life. We must learn to live.
2. We have passed from darkness unto light. Learn to walk in light.
3. We have been given a Divine nature. Learn to walk in love.
The great example for all the redeemed is our Lord Jesus. He said, "Take my yoke upon me and learn of me." The question is, "Am I teachable?"
Remember, only a few in the Old Testament. And only one in the New Testament asked to be taught anything.
As Israel, we are traveling toward the Land of Promise. We have never been this way before. Let us learn well the ways of the people of that great land. We learn from Israel (Rom. 15:4).
1. Some thought they knew the way. Here is the flesh.
2. Others are afraid of the way. Here is fear.
3. Others will refuse instruction. Here is fatality.
4. Others ask to know the way (Ps.25:4). Here is faith.
Notice four different groups of "unteachables."

I. The Pharisees (Jn.9:34).
1.Incensed and infuriated they chide the one with opened eyes (Jn.9:34).
They answered and said unto Him, "Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast Him out."
2.Impossible for one less instructed to teach them.

II. The Proud Nation
Three times they are accused of having "dull" ears.
1. Prophet Isaiah (Isa.6:10)
2. Person of Christ Himself (Matt.13:15).
3. Paul at the close of his ministry (Acts 28:27).
He said this was the "sin root" of Israel.

III. The Pompous Athenians (Acts 17:32)
"And when they had heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, "We will hear thee again of this matter."
Here we see the response to the Gospel:
1. Some mocked
2. Some put it off
3. Some believed.

IV. The Priests of Israel (Acts 7)
1. Their record reviewed from captivity to the cross.
2. Their reaction and rebellion (v.54-60)
3. They had refused the Father-Son-now the Spirit.

Now, we must remember the old man is to be "put off." See Col. 3:8. We must be taught of the Spirit the things of Christ (Col.3:8-9, 10-12). All of those last Scriptures deal with the "old man."

I. The Liberal
The Corinthian church was puffed up. That is carnality.

II. The Legal (The Galatian church).
Here we see calloused hearts (Gal.3:1). That verse says, "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?"

III. The Learner (Apollos) (Acts 18:24-25).
Although he was eloquent, he was teachable. "And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John."

IV. The Leavers (Luke 24:47)
"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."
They readily admitted, "And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures'?"

V. The Leader (Peter with a conquered heart).
1. His weakness (Gal. 2:11)--He compromised
2. His greatness (2 Pet.3:15)--His conquest

Conclusion:
I trust we have seen the absolute pitfall for the unteachable in the things of Christianity. Can we pray with the Psalmist, "Lord, teach me thy ways?"