In preparation for public teaching, it is impossible to know for sure what audience you will be declaring the word of God
to.  In each audience there may be those present who have a pressing need to hear something that will get them into a right
relationship with God.  A responsible teacher, who cares about the souls of men and women, cannot simply ignore those in the
audience who have a need to hear something specifically.   He cannot just always preach his prepared message.  As each of us
have an opportunity to teach anyone, we must recall the need for urgency in declaring that which will save souls (Isaiah 30:20-
21, Isaiah 62:6-7, Ezekiel 3:17-21, Matthew 24:43-44, II Timothy 4:2 and Romans 10:14).

      When we read sermons directed in the New Testament to the lost, they were told what they must do to be saved (Acts 2:
36-41, Acts 3:14-19, Acts 8:4-13, Acts 8:26-39, Acts 9:1-20, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 16:13-15, Acts 16:25-34, Acts 18:8,
Acts 19:1-7, etc…).  When we see Christians being taught, we find this principle: “And how I kept back nothing that was
profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house…  Wherefore I take
you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the
counsel of God” (Acts 20:20; 26-27).  Whether it is the lost of this world, brethren in error, or even the faithful; there must be
an effort to teach the things needed to help the audience get to Heaven.

      What is the purpose of teaching anyone if we are not going to address those things which are needed?  Do we come to
study God’s word or hear the preaching of the Gospel just because it’s something to do?  Some prepare lessons that are so
generic that no one would be affected.  Some articles are written which have no point other than to have something printed.  
Have you ever noticed that publications that are printed by “brethren” for “brethren” often have first principle articles on
baptism, etc. which are directed to the lost?  Does that make any sense to you?  Sermons are preached on the fact that there is
one church (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4), but everyone in the audience already knows that and are members of that one body.  
Does that seem logical to you?  How about those Bible Classes directed on “what one must do to be saved” when the
audience is already saved?  What’s the point?  Folks, there is room to teach and preach on these matters, but such lessons
need to be directed to those who need to hear them or directed in a way to help those saved to teach others (II Timothy 2:2
and I Peter 3:15).  If you don’t know the famous “five steps of salvation” (of which there are really many sub-points), how did
you get up those figurative stairs?   Repetition is good (cf. I Timothy 4:6 and II Peter 3:1-2), but some things need set aside for
a while so we can move on to the needful things (Hebrews 6:1-2).


      Notice the point of our article proven through the pen of Jude: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of
the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the
faith which was once delivered unto the saints.  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old
ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only
Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude verses 3-4).  Folks, Jude was going to write about the common salvation.  
However, there was another need.  The need was to write and prepare the saints to defend the truth against those who would
creep in unawares and teach error.  Would Jude have accomplished any good by neglecting the need and addressing something
else?

      Let’s make a secular application to the point of teaching that which is needful.  Most of us, at some time for some reason,
have had to go to the doctor for an illness.  Let us say that you have a headache.  You go to the doctor and inform he or she of
your symptoms.  The doctor looks concerned and he or she says, “well, I’m glad you came here today.  This month is breast
cancer awareness month.  So, here is some information for you to read and consider”.  This doctor then sends in the nurse to
take a urine sample and blood from you.  You’re wondering what in the world this all has to do with your headache (especially
if you’re a man).  Two hours later, a lab technician comes in to take you for an x-ray on your ankle.  You are puzzled and you
ask, “why are you taking an x-ray of my ankle when I have a headache?”  That technician doesn’t know and is only following
the instructions to do what he does.  At the end of the day, you leave the doctor’s office with ice on your ankle, a new
prescription to help fight cancer, and the headache you came in with that is now worse.  Would you go back the next time you
have a headache?  



      To be a good teacher you need to be observant.  You have to understand things such as bad attendance being a symptom
of a lack of love and commitment to the Lord (Colossians 3:1-4).  You have to look at those struggling, find out why through
the symptoms you see, and teach what is necessary to treat the illness.  If we care about souls, we will learn to truly say those
things which are needful rather than saying something just for the sake of speaking (II Timothy 2:14).  In a context dealing with
marriage, Paul said: “And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is
comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction” (I Corinthians 7:35).   Will we also teach that which
profits the hearer?


      You have seen me change a sermon or a class many times to fit the audience.  This is for no other reason than to preach
the Gospel to save souls (Acts 11:13-14, Romans 1:16, and James 1:21).  While I spend much time in thought, study, and
preparation to teach an expected audience; I also prepare through regular study to teach every audience.  Furthermore, I will
continue to teach as much as I can in one sermon that I know is needed to profit the whole of those assembled that day.  Let us
focus on that which is needful (Luke 10:38-42).
Volume VIII    ~    Issue IX   ~   November 25th, 2007
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6).  Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16).  One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).  There is
more to cover than is here.  Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
We Must Teach What Is Needful
By: Brian A. Yeager
We Must Watch the Symptoms and Treat the Illnesses
It Was Needful…
Conclusion