Don’t Be Guilty Of Parroting

I. Introduction: In using the word “parroting” in this sermon, I am meaning this: “One who imitates the words or actions of another, especially without understanding them” (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition). People often learn conclusions instead of learning how those conclusions were reached from the Scriptures. As a result, they can repeat biblical terminology while being unable to explain or defend it and, they frequently misapply verses because they never understood the original context.

Don't be satisfied because you know what is true. Be determined to know why it is true. Be able to open your Bible, explain the context, and show how you reached your conclusion. That is the kind of student God desires. That is why we have long, open Bible discussions here locally in El Paso.

A. There is a difference between memorization, repetition, and understanding (Matthew 9:9-13).

1. The Pharisees had a ton of confidence that they were the standard to follow (John 7:45-49).
2. The Pharisees thought they possessed superior knowledge of the Law of Moses. Yet Jesus demonstrated that they misunderstood the very Scriptures they claimed to know (Mark 2:23-28).

1. Think about the inspired words Paul spoke concerning speaking in unknown tongues and understanding (I Corinthians 14:14-19).
2. When you have understanding it shows in your actions, not just how you quote Scriptures (Psalms 119:104).

1. For a person to be a teacher, he must be capable of explaining what he is teaching (Nehemiah 8:8).
2. Like a person cheating on a math test cannot show the work, a person without understanding cannot explain how the conclusion came about. If under persecution could you explain the hope you have in Christ (I Peter 3:14-16)? This requires Christians to give an answer, not merely state a conclusion.
3. You are not just supposed to have the word of God dwelling in you. You are to have the word of God dwelling in you in all wisdom which then shows up in actions pleasing to the Lord (Colossians 3:16-17).

1. Sincerity and confidence do not make one right (Romans 10:1-3).
2. Confidence often discourages further learning because the person assumes he already knows. He has become nearly impossible to teach (Proverbs 26:12).

1. There are those that have a desire to teach, but do not have the understanding to do so (I Timothy 6:3-5 and II Peter 2:12).
2. Those who confidently press forward in ignorance will never understand the truth (II Timothy 3:1-9).

1. Many people have quoted or paraphrased Matthew 18:20 without having a clue what the immediate context is about (Matthew 18:15-20).
2. I recently read: “The saints of the first-century churches were commanded to partake of the Lord’s supper, a holy communion with the Lord to honor his Son, Jesus Christ, and his death and resurrection. (Acts 20:4-7)”.

1. Acts 20:4-7 is an example, not a command.
2. “Communion” is not about the resurrection (I Corinthians 11:26).
3. The author of that statement clearly is ignorant of the truth on a very basic, first principle (cf. Hebrews 5:12).

3. How many people cite I Corinthians 10:13 and say, "God won't give you more than you can handle." That is not at all what the verse or context (I Corinthians 10:1-13) is about. The passage concerns temptation to sin and teaches that no temptation is inescapable. James likewise reminds us that God is not the source of temptation unto evil (James 1:12-13).
4. How many people proclaim to know the church, the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23), is the people (I Corinthians 12:27), but refer to buildings as churches?