“Earnestly Desire The Gift Of Prophecy”

Text: 1 Cor 14

Paul answers, “it's speaking a message from God to people.”

a) Prophecy - prophēteia - inspired utterance (spoken word)

- A prophecy offers God’s perspective on the past, present or future

- A Prophecy is spirit-inspired speech

- A Prophecy is God’s perfect message entrusted to imperfect people

To claim to speak for God should be something we carry with a HIGH level of honor and humility

b) Prophet - prophētēs - one who proclaims inspired utterances on behalf of God

- The Old Testament Prophet

* A messenger from God who spoke to people on God’s behalf

* "The Prophets" are the prophetic books in the Old Testament

- New Testament Prophet

* Ministry Gift of Jesus to His church (Eph 4:11)

* Equips the saints for the work of ministry

* Entrusted with a position of clear authority, responsibility, and influence

examples:


Agabus (Acts 11:27; 21:9)

Antioch Prophets (Acts 13:1-3)

c) The Gift of Prophecy - charisma + prophēteia - the spirit enabled ability to prophesy

* Is a gift/manifestation of the spirit in a believer's life (1 Cor 12:10)

* Empowered by the spirit (1 Cor 12:6,11)

* Primarily for the corporate body (1 Cor 14:1-5)

Pauls answers, “prophecy builds, fills and heals.”

a) It Builds - Edification

b) It Fills - Encouragement

c) It Heals - Consolation

Where the OT believer had to search out the prophet to get a word from the Lord, we need only search out the Spirit!

Pauls answers, “weigh it”

* Does It Pass the Lordship Test? (1 Cor 12:1-4)

* Does It Pass the Word Test? (2 Pet 3:16)

* Does It Pass the Authority Test? (1 Cor 14:29)

* Does It Pass the Inner Witness Test? (Act 15:28)

Pauls answers, “we can all prophesy”

* All Can Prophesy

* All Can Learn

* All Can be Encouraged

Ask - Who has God given me influence with

Pray - For them by name

- Is there a place they need to be built up?

- Is there a place they need to be filled up?

- Is there a place they need to be healed up?

Write down any verse or thought you hear God speak

Share - Find a meaningful way to share that with them in honor and humility

* the church, his church, the local church is the means through which Christ chose to advance the Gospel through the great commission (Mark 16:15-18; Matt 28:18-20)

* The church is the expression of the fullness of Christ upon the earth (Eph 1:22-23)

* The Spirit builds and fills the church (Eph 2:22)

* We should not forsake the assembly of the church (Heb 10:25)

* The gathering of the church in homes and in the synagogue or temple was the pattern of the early church (Acts 2:42, 44, 46)

* Clear that the gifts of the spirit are practiced, taught, judged, and multiplied in the gathering of the church for the building of the church (1 Cor 12 & 14; 1 Thess 5:19-20)

* The church is Christ’s bride, to seek to exist outside is to be cut off from his body (Eph 5:25-26, 1 Cor 12:12-27)

* Paul’s calls for the church and ministers to be honored and for the body to live at peace with one another ,1 Thess 5:12-13

* Tithing is a foundational principle in scripture (Malachi 3:8-18)

* A minister who is not tithing is robbing God and under a curse (Mal 3:8-18)

* Jesus considered tithing to be the minimum (Matthew 23:23-24, Luke 11:32)

* The law of sowing and reaping applies to every believer and ministers should lead the way (Gal 6:7, 2 Cor 9:6)

* Jesus gave the ministry gifts to his church for the building of the body. These gifts need one another as much as the church needs these gifts (Eph 4:11-16)

* We are all part of the same body, but have different functions, we serve one another in love and humility according to the grace (gift) God has given (Rom 12:3-8)

* All authority is from God. God holds those in leadership accountable for how they use that authority and holds those under authority accountable for who they honor that authority (Rom 13:1-7) This is a key principle. Every one of us is a person under authority. No matter how great the authority, there is still someone to whom we are accountable.

* God calls Pastors to oversee the flock, to care for them, feed them, correct, but most importantly serve, not lording over (1 Pet 5:2-3; Acts 20:28; 2 Tim 4:2)

* Perhaps best expressed, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you” (Heb 13:17). That applies to each of us! We all need a pastor in our life!!!

* Any minister in authority must be a student of the word who knows how to rightly study, teach and set the example (Titus 1:9;1 Tim 3:2; 2 Tim 2:2)

* A minister must be faithful to their spouse and well respected by them. Likewise their spouse should also be well respected and live a holy life (1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-16)

* A minister with children must be respected by their children and their children should not be unruly, undisciplined, or living in blatant sin (Titus 1:6; 1 Tim 3:4, 6; 1 Tim 3:12)

* Your family is your first ministry if your home is falling apart, you have no business teaching or ministering outside the home. Your family deserves your undivided attention!

* You can not minister a holy word if you are living an unholy life (1 Tim 3:2-3; Titus 1:7; Gal 5:22-23)

* Scripture instructs us to know those who labor amongst us. All ministers, including prophets should be well known, respected and have a good reputation even among those outside the church (1 Tim 3:7,1 Tim 3:13,Titus 1:7)

And yes... this list would apply to ANYONE in ministry. There are no big “I"s or little “you”s in the kingdom of God... and that includes the ministry offices.

A “no” to any of these is a cause for pause and should give a 🚩

Also, if you don’t know the answer to these questions for those you affirm as a prophet (beware)