GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Psalm 1:1-6; 1Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-46

Introduction

Have you ever been packaged a wrong/false product only to realise it after getting home? Have been given an inferior product posing as the original? If care is not taken falsehood will take you to hellfire instead of Heaven.

This reminds me of the warning the Word of God gives us about false teachers.  We are currently faced with many preachers online, radio and televisions with false teachings. Paul said, "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and is turning to a different gospel — which is really no gospel at all. Galatians 1:6-7 (NIV).

Teachings are what bring understanding to what we do and enhance our ability to do them perfectly. From teachings, we build on our faith or our fears. Our lives as Christians seriously hinge on the kind of teachings we have and the kind of impact it has on us.

Christian Teachings is what the PCG hangs on to basically nurture its members to the fullest. The quality of NURTURE determines the quality of WORSHIP and EVANGELISM.

What you feed your mind determines your output in life. That is, your current relationship with Christ is a result of the level of your faith which comes through hearing - the things you have learned about Christ Jesus.

That is the power of teachings. If human understanding comes out of the teachings available to us, then the product of the teachings available to us is our: actions, behaviour, attitude, deed, talks, gesture, growth, maturity, development, etc.

Quality teachings beget victorious Christian living, false teachings beget worldly living.

BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHINGS.

Matthew 22:34-40, They came to trap Jesus. Jesus never engaged in arguments with false teachers. When the Sadducees were silenced, the Pharisees came.

Christian leaders must be careful of these false teachers of today. They sit on media to challenge tithing, polygamy, speaking of tongues, etc. 

False teachers always seek to throw out there what would trend. 

WHAT HAS TRAPPED MANY INTO BELIEVING FALSE TEACHINGS.

1. They get their desired results. 

In Deuteronomy, we see what happened to Moses after striking the rock instead of pointing to it. - there were results though but was false before God. (Numbers 20)

Moses was shown all the lands yet was not allowed to cross over to the promised land. (Deut. 34:4)

Paul and the slave girl in Acts 16. This girl was giving results to her masters but was with a false spirit. Paul rebuked it. Jesus even mentioned this to us. Matt. 7:22-23. This means the desired result may be seen but may not be from God.

Selfish desired results will trap you to false prophets.

2. They put so much value on the person saying it than the teachings.

We have been cultured into this attitude; - if someone comes from the river and tells you the crocodile is dead, you don't argue or disbelieve. Your grandmother is telling you something, you don't confirm it from your mother.

(Acts 17:11) They never place truth to the speaker, not even on Paul but on the very true source (Scripture).

We have marred our relationships because of what people told us, or gossiped to us without verification.

Beware of false teachings.

Conclusion

You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed —God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. 1 Thessalonians 2:5-8 (NIV)

“Na sɛdeɛ monim no, Onyankopɔn ne yɛn danseni, yɛnkaa adɛfɛdɛfɛsɛm da, nso yɛmfaa asɛm biara nyɛɛ anibereɛ nkatasoɔ,” ‭‭1 Tesalonikafoɔ‬ ‭2:5‬ ‭ASWDC‬‬

WHO ARE THE FALSE TEACHERS AROUND YOU, BEWARE.