The Basics Series - The Spirit Part 4 (Aug 18, 2013)

The Spirit – Part 4 “Prophecy”

1 Cor 12:10, 1 Cor 14
(CLICK to listen online)

Last week:

1.         Faith - The unique supernatural ability to trust God in all circumstances,

2.         Healings - the ability to call on God to heal through supernatural means,

3.         Miracles - an event when the Holy Spirit chooses to over-ride the laws of nature

4.    This week, the word of prophecy...

to another prophecy, 1 Cor 12:10

4.         The ability to speak forth a message from God by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13

…for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 1:21

Natural Parallel:  

5.         Prediction.  There are people whose job is to predict the future, they do this in many different area’s of society:

a.    Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke , Warren Buffet (Oracle from Omaha), marketing, technology trends, societal trends,

b.    Even Las Vegas betting parlors, people who read the tea leaves so to speak.

6.         There are people like Nostradamus (1500's): Some of his predictions are viewed today as coming to pass:  

a.    The A bomb, WWII, even 9-11 and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

b.    In other words there are those who, with some level of success, predicted future events.

7.         The gift of Prophecy is different:  According to Thayer’s commentary:

a.    "Discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving, admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; especially by foretelling future events.”

b.    The Gift:  Given by the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, and will be 100% accurate (more later)

8.         The Greek word is prophéteuó properly means:

a.    To speak forth or declare the divine will,

b.    To interpret the purposes of God,

c.    To make known in any way the truth of God

9.         The appearance of this gift in the New Testament church was itself prophesied:

"Yes, even on My servants and handmaids I will pour out a portion of My Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy." —Acts 2:18; Joel 3:1

a.    So we could say that the role of this gift is to bring revelations of temporary significance,

b.    Proclaiming what an individual or the church needs to know or do in a general or specific circumstance.

Misuse

10.     This is another gift that has been misused often in the church, the result being that some Christians don’t want anything to do with the gift.

a.    Many saints have been stumbled or even shipwrecked when a false word didn't come to pass when it was supposed to;

i.      a mate or ministry, or money didn't materialize when it had been prophesied.

b.    Some will use a supposed prophecy to win a debate or a divisive issue.

i.      It’s been said: “No dates, mates or debates” in prophecy (not a scriptural point, but a good proverb nonetheless!)

c.    Some have used it for control or personal gain, if a pastor or leader gets up and says, “God told me we are supposed to do this!” – how do you argue with that?

11.     But just because something is misused isn’t a reason for us to disregard the gift, and not take the time to understand it through the word of God.

Misconceptions

12.     Among those who believe the miraculous gifts have been removed from the church, this gift is often described as “preaching.”  

a.    This is common but inaccurate.  There is a specific Greek word for preaching (kérussó), and a different Greek word for divinely inspired speech (prophéteuó).  

b.    Paul is using the word for divinely inspired speech, not preaching.  

c.    While it is true that anointed preaching will often include the spontaneous gift of prophecy, it is inaccurate to define prophecy as “good preaching.”

13.     Some misunderstand the gift of prophecy to be limited to the ability to predict the future (that's not prophecy, that's a fortune teller).

a.    When a prophecy is given, it could have an aspect of revealing the future, but it would be more descriptive to say that prophecy is bringing a message from God to an individual, a group, or the church.

Old testament Prophecy

14.     OT is full of prophecy, as much of the OT was written by prophets (Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel…)

15.     Prophets in the OT fulfilled several roles: for instance the role of a spiritual guide.

a.    Samuel was such a prophet, as the Lord led Israel through him until the people demanded a king (1 Samuel 8)

b.    Other prophets reformed (Elijah 1 Kings 18), rebuilt (see Haggai and Zechariah), and even healed (Elisha 2 Kings).

c.    They anointed and empowered leaders (1 & 2 Kings ) and brought about victory in warfare (2 Chr 20:14).

d.    As well as gave specific messages from God, and foretold the future.

16.     OT Prophecy wasn't always limited to “prophets,” King Saul manifested the gift of prophecy when he was filled with the Spirit of God (1 Samuel 19)

a.    King David understood that he had the gift of prophecy, the last psalm he penned:

"The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was in my tongue" 2 Sam. 23:2

17.     Prophecy in the Old Testament was often associated with warnings of impending judgment, due to Israel’s disobedience and turning from God.

a.    A warning to repent, and return to The Lord preceded each disastrous event that God initiated against the people of Israel. He warned them through the prophets!

b.    Some were heeded:  Jonah was sent to Nineveh, the people repented, and the Lord spared the city.

c.    Most were not heeded.  Jeremiah noted:

"Whenever I speak, I must cry out, violence and outrage is my message" Jer 20:8

d.    As he warned Israel to repent or face destruction and exile at the hands of the Babylonians

e.    They scoffed at Jeremiah, tossed him in prison, and consequently Nebuchadnezzar marched on Jerusalem, destroyed the city, and carried the people into exile.

18.     The prophet Zechariah gave a prophecy that after their exile, God would rebuild the city and temple through Zarubbabel (Nehemiah)

19.     The OT is full of prophecies foretelling the coming of Christ - more than 400!

a.    Last prophet Malachi, wrote the ending book of the OT, foretold of the coming Messiah and the the “Great Day of the Lord”

b.    After Malachi, the Lord did not speak to His people through a prophet again until the time preceding the birth of Christ - 400 years of silence!

New Testament Prophecy

20.     John the Baptist prophesied that the Messiah had arrived,

a.    In Luke 2 a man named Simeon received a prophecy by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before he died, and he came across the family as they were bringing Jesus into the temple to fulfil the offering of the firstborn.

b.    Jesus gave many prophecies during his ministry, most notable that He would be crucified, and raised up on the third day.

c.    In Acts 11 a man named Agabus received a prophecy that a famine would strike the land.

And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Acts 11:27-30

An Important Gift

21.     Prophecy is a unique and important gift in that it is the one gift that scripture encourages us to seek:

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Cor 14:1

a.    Paul is specifically instructing us to seek this gift. WHY? Several reasons:

#1 Prophecy is part of the foundation of the Church

…having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, Eph 2:20

#2 Prophesy builds up and strengthens the Church

But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. – 1 Cor 14:3-5

#3 We're told not to despise the gift:

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. (1 Thess 5:19-20)

#4 Prophecy is God’s method for revealing what He is going to do:

Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7

He will tell you things to come. John 16:13

The Greater Gift

22.     Matter of fact, In 1 Cor. 14 Paul indicates that prophecy is the greater gift:

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues... 1 Cor 14:1, 3-5

What it looks like

23.     We've determined that Prophecy is simply a message, so

a.    It could be a warning, (Acts 11)

b.    It could be for the purpose of exposing sin or hypocrisy (Ananias in Acts 5)

c.    It could be a direction to take for life or your calling (Acts 13)

d.    It could be a vision of something God is going to do (John 16)

24.     Regardless of the message, we are given parameters regarding the use of this gift.  (1 Cor 14)

#1 It will glorify God, not the individual

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. (v24-25)

#2 It should be done in order:

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. (vs 29-31)

#3 It should be controlled:

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. (vs 32-33)

#4 It should be confirmed:

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. (vs29)

a.    A prophecy will always line up with the Word of God, the character of God, and the nature of God.

b.    Paul even says we should judge his words

If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord, (v37)

#5 It will bring edification (strengthen), exhortation (strong encouragement) and comfort

But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 1 Cor 14:3

#6 It will come to pass - This is the reason of many being skeptical of the gift, as some that call themselves prophets, and speak "prophecy, the things they say fall to the ground.

c.    The word of God is very clear:

“If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him”  Deut. 18:22

But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the Lord only if his prediction comes true” Jer. 28:9

“When all this comes true - and it surely will - then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” Ezek. 33:33

So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord. 1 Samuel 3:19-10

d.    In other words, if it's not 100%, it's not from God!

e.    Pretty high standard, as it should be, as no one should utter a word "from God" unless it is, from God!

#7 No "new revelation"

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things... Hebrews 1:1-2

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts…1 Peter 1:19

f.      No prophecy will add to, or take away, or change, what God has spoken through His word - the Holy Scriptures.

Receiving a Prophecy

25.     How do you know when you’re receiving a word of prophecy? (Writing in sky?...

26.     First, you need to be ready to receive a message from God

a.    Do you want to hear from God?

b.    Filled with and walking in the Spirit?

c.    Submitted and obedient?

d.    Do you believe?

e.    In other words, are you a willing and open vessel?

f.      ... My example ... Never thought God would speak, never listened

27.     Second, position yourself to hear from God.

a.    A prophetic word can come at any time, but often it will come when you are in a time of prayer and worshiping the Lord:

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:1-2

b.    “…as they ministered to the Lord” is an old testament term that simply carries the idea of going into the Holy Place:  

c.    Praying to God, singing to God, and worshiping God for what He has done and who He is.

d.    During that time, the Spirit spoke.

28.     Third, listen.  The art of Spiritual Listening.

a.    Have you ever been talking to someone, and you realized that they were hearing you talk, but they weren’t listening to what you were saying?

b.    Maybe they were texting, or looking at something, or thinking of something else.

c.    We can do the same with spiritual listening – not really focused on the Lord.

29.     How will it come?

a.    It may be a word that comes to your mind, may come as a thought, or an idea, or a scripture.  It could be a picture that you see in your mind.  

b.    There will be a sense of knowing in your spirit that it is from The Lord.

c.    Confirm it: scripture, others, leaders,

d.    Act - step out in faith, or

e.    Wait - does it come to pass?

Prophecy Today

30.     Question, has anyone here ever received, been given, or been in the presence of a prophecy?

31.     As I said, for many years I never heard from God. I didn't think God would speak to me

a.    But even when He did begin to speak, some of the first prophecies that I experienced, I didn't give much regard to...

b.    Till I saw them come to pass! (Ex: Where to live)

32.     There have been many prophecies given, even right here in this church.

a.    Some were not confirmed by leaders, and have fell to the ground, others have come to pass

b.    The Lord has given a word of prophecy to several people that this church will grow to “thousands”.

c.    It could be next year, 10 years from now, could be the next generation.

d.    But my role is not to go out and try and make it happen.

e.    Our role is to receive, believe, and be faithful in what God has called us to TODAY.

33.     I received a word from the Lord while we were on sabbatical:  That there would be significant changes in our staff here.

a.    I didn't know what that would look like, nor did I come back and fire everyone; I didn't come back and declare, “the Lord told me!!!!” (that's just grandstanding)

b.    I received it, believed it, God did the work – it came to pass, and it was spirit led, and orderly. And it's really exciting!

Do you have this gift?

34.     Some indications that you may have this gift:

a.    A strong desire to be close to the Lord, to walk with Him, to hear from Him.

b.    A strong desire for holiness, to be in obedience to Him.

c.    Faith that God can and will speak to them.

d.    An strong aversion to sin and compromise

e.    A strong desire to express themselves

f.      A strong desire to see God glorified

g.    A willingness to suffer or be ostracized for bringing an unpopular message.

35.     Confirmation would be that the Lord gives you a message, and it is in line with the parameters that we mentioned earlier.

Walking in the gift...

36.     Exercised in FAITH — The gift of prophecy should be exercised in proportion to your faith (Rm 12:6). You have to believe to receive!

37.     Exercised in OBEDIENCE — in the Old Testament, prophets obeyed or died, or were swallowed by a fish!

a.    Thankfully, we live in the age of grace,

b.    But obedience to speak or act on the prophecy is no less diminished.

38.     Exercised with BOLDNESS — Prophets are called to a public witness, sometimes in the midst of hostility.

a.    Not easy, people may not like the message, and often the messenger is blamed (Jeremiah - look up verse "you never tell me good things...)

b.    They might be called to do strange things at the worst times (Isaiah was told to walk around naked, Ezekiel was told to go out to the city wall, lie on his right side for 390 days, then on his left side for 40 days, and eat bread cooked over human waste)

c.    (OK, no one wants this gift now!)

39.     Exercised in HUMILITY- recognizing that the message is from God, and the gift is given by the will of the Holy Spirit.  

a.    In other word, you aren't special because you may have the gift.

b.    You're not more holy or spiritual because you may have this gift.

c.    God will humble a prophet just as quickly as anyone else, sometimes more so (prophet sent to Jeroboam, eaten by lion)

40.     Exercised in LOVE — Prophets are to proclaim the message in love

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (1 Cor 13:2)

41.     Prophecy often works along with: Discerning of spirits, which we’ll cover next week.

42.     Awakening. If you have a desire to seek the Lord, and see what spiritual gifts He has given you (remember, to EACH ONE), an opportunity to do that is our Awakening service.

a.    We don't force the gifts, nothing weird happens, but it is a time of “ministering to the Lord” as described in Acts 13.

b.    Going into the Holy Place, praying to God, singing to God, and worshiping God for what He has done and who He is.

c.    Perhaps during that time, the Spirit will speak to you.

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