28/08/2024
Revelation 21:14-16 NKJV
Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.
There is a need for us to diligently learn from history and avoid whatever will deny us from building a solid generation. Emphasizing that no part of the gospel message should ever be hyped is essential.
Some preachers or teachers hyped a particular message of the gospel due to a lack of firsthand experience of its impact on a generation.
The gospel message is inherently complete and balanced, as exemplified in the teachings of the Apostles.
Understanding how our congregation perceives and processes our teachings is essential to realizing the risks of hyping a part of the gospel message.
An instance where holiness was hyped in a certain generation, though not termed hyper holiness, had a significant impact on the listeners during that period. While some managed to maintain a balance, likely due to their life exposure or accurate scriptural interpretation, others found their spiritual and earthly potentials severely restricted.
I can say my parents were a victim of that move because they cared about nothing else rather than pursuing the heaven they already have and neglecting every opportunity or ambition to be financially successful because they were told Jesus would soon come, so they made plans like Jesus would come the next day. Now they know very much better, but it would have been better if they knew earlier.
We didn't have a television set until I was twenty-one, not because my parents couldn't afford it but because it was the devil's box as preached to them.
I grew up hearing the same teachings to the point where I believed eating suya (the popular spicy meat) was a sin, not because the preachers said it directly on the pulpit that it was a sin, but because I began to process the teachings we heard according to my environment. I have loved God from a child, so I don't want to wrong Him in any way. Suya spots to me then looks worldly, and we have been taught to avoid worldly things.
A certain generation decided to hype the message of power and impartations, and they don't want to know anything else except power. It is no little wonder that those who were under such incomplete doctrine will do everything to get power, including reading and using the seven laws of Moses with every magic book and material they can find, claiming all power belongs to God.
There is a reason Apostle James warned that not everyone should be a teacher. James 3:1-2
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
Another sect hyped the prosperity message, and now we have a transactional kind of gospel everywhere with all kinds of ungodly ambitions.
Now our generation has decided to hype the grace message without learning from history to create the balance that will build a solid generation, and the effects are littered all over our community with Christians that could speak in tongues but lack the fragrance and the basic ethics of a believer.
It is more to how the people you are teaching are processing your teachings than it is to what you are teaching.
It is imperative that no aspect of the gospel message is hyped to maintain its integrity and authenticity. The Apostles in the Bible consistently refrained from hyping any particular part of the gospel message, establishing a precedent for upholding balance and integrity in teachings.
Teaching sound doctrines, maintaining a balanced approach, and effectively conveying your message while considering your listeners' comprehension is crucial.
