Read the Word:
Acts 5:33-42
Meditate on the Word:
Israel had been looking for the Messiah for centuries, yet when He came, they rejected Him. Gamaliel gives us an interesting perspective on the issue. He mentions Theudas and Judas the Galilean as those who had risen up, gathered a following, then were killed and came to nothing. Jewish historian Josephus confirms that false messiahs kept appearing and disappearing. Gamaliel’s assertion was simple: If this preaching was not from God, it would fail on its own without their help. But if it was from God, they would find themselves fighting the wrong enemy.
I have noticed that many preachers seem intent on finding fault in other preachers, particularly those who are well-known and pastor large churches. The temptation is there; some of these are very large targets. I am often asked which preachers I listen to. It is none that are notorious, just pastors who spend week in and week out studying and sharing the word.
I do not find it to be my job to listen to every notorious preacher for whatever they might say right or wrong. Instead, I find it my job to study and share the word week in and week out. As I share it with the congregation that God has assigned me to, they also develop the knowledge to recognize false teaching when they hear it.
Pray the Word:
Pray for wisdom before listening to any preacher to recognize if their message is genuine or not.
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