Teaching and preaching versus seeking prophecies and miracles

By Tope Banso
“He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked” (Isaiah 11:4b New King James Version).
When Jesus was on the earth, he placed so much emphasis on teaching and preaching. Acts 1:1 talks of the things Jesus began to do and to teach.
Jesus performed many miracles but He devoted more of His time to teaching and preaching the Kingdom message. Nicodemus told Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God” (John 3:2b New King James Version). Jesus went about teaching and preaching in the synagogues (Matthew 4:23, 9:35; Luke 13:10; Mark 1:39; Luke 4:44).
The Bible says that His listeners commented that He taught as one having authority (Matthew 7:29; Mark 1:22). Jesus told the crowd that came to arrest Him, “I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me” (Matthew 26:55 New King James Version).
Jesus also taught His disciples privately. He commanded them to teach and preach His Word (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15). His disciples emulated Him. In Mark 6:30, the Bible says the apostles returned from their ministry tour and told Him all they had done and taught. The early disciples also taught and preached the Word (Acts 5:42, 8:4. 15:35, 28:30-31).
Many people, today, despise the teaching and preaching of the Word of God. Instead, they go everywhere looking for prophecies (predictions), not minding whether they’re genuine or fake.
There is power in the Word of God. Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63b New King James Version). Hebrews 1:3b says God upholds all things by the word of His power. Fake positive prophecies will only excite the hearers; they will never come to pass!
However, the Word of God can create what does not exist, and restore to life what is dying or has died. All scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). The Word is a weapon of warfare. The Bible calls it the Sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:17).
The church must continue to give priority to teaching and preaching the Word. It matures believers. It is also a miracle-agent. The Bible says as Jesus was teaching the people, the power of God was present to heal them (Luke 5:17). Isaiah, prophesying about Jesus, said, “He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked” (Isaiah 11:4b New King James Version).That’s victory by His Word.
Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword. God’s Word, coming out of the believers’ mouths is the Sword of the Spirit at work.
Believers should value the Word of God being taught or preached, listen to it, meditate on it and obey it. They should study the Word personally, meditate on it, confess it, pray it and obey it. “People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God” (Matthew 4:4 New Living Translation).
Let the Word of God grow in you mightily (Acts 19:20).
PRAYER POINT: Father, let Your Word grow in me mightily.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing. Please share.
(For more inspiring messages, visit: www.cedarministry.org).
▪ Banso, an Abuja-based minister can be reached at cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, cedarministryng@gmail.com
Tel No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
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