Preaching at the Cost of Earthly Praise

The Master’s Academy International is committed to teaching indigenous pastors and church leaders to rightly handle the Word of God. This commitment is the core of our doctrinal distinctives. If we could paint a picture of what that goal looks like, we’d make it a picture of Kenneth.

Kenneth is a student at Central Africa Preaching Academy (CAPA), TMAI’s member school in Malawi. He came to CAPA for training, having come from a church that proclaimed the prosperity gospel. His training at CAPA has changed his life and drastically transformed his teaching.

“He was ostracized for teaching the truth. But, even that was a blessing to Kenneth, as he immediately recognized his own pride. He realized that he still needed to overcome his desire for the applause of men, and he was humbled to find out that he still had much to learn.”

Recently, Kenneth was invited to preach at a conference. The theme of the conference claimed that Psalm 23:6—Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever—meant that God makes His followers healthy and wealthy. But Kenneth, employing the hermeneutics he learned at CAPA, bravely gave a sermon that taught Psalm 23:6 in its true context. He spoke of the historical setting, pointing out the suffering and trials David had faced in life. He also taught the verse in context of the whole psalm, noting that true spiritual blessings may not always be quite what we expect. Finally, he pointed out that earthly, temporal blessings are not the focus of the true gospel and should not be the main pursuit of the Christian.

Kenneth’s message was not well-received. Later in the conference, when all of the speakers were being honored, Kenneth was not even mentioned. He was ostracized for teaching the truth. But, even that was a blessing to Kenneth, as he immediately recognized his own pride. He realized that he still needed to overcome his desire for the applause of men, and he was humbled to find out that he still had much to learn.

Kenneth’s story illustrates the type of ministry taking place in TMAI training centers around the world. Students are learning to read, study, interpret, and teach the Word of God. It’s transforming their lives and equipping them to be faithful preachers of the gospel—even when that faithfulness costs them the praise and approval of men. By supporting TMAI, you’re helping men like Kenneth receive the teaching that the Lord uses to convict and sanctify them, preparing them to stand against heretical teaching and proclaim the transformative truth of God’s Word with accuracy and courage.

Join us in praising the Lord for the work He is doing in Kenneth’s life. Please keep Kenneth, the faculty and staff of CAPA, and all our training centers around the world in your prayers. May the true gospel continue to go forth as church leaders are trained to rightly handle the Word of God.

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