1 Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well.
The Gift of Prophecy Defined
The gift of prophecy is a special ability to speak forth the message of God.
A prophet is basically a spokesman for God.
He or she delivers the Word of God to people by means of direct revelation.
Prophetic utterances can deal with certain individuals, the church, or a larger context.
Prophesy does not always refer to the future.
Prophesy is used to proclaim the word of God rather than to predict the future.
WHAT IS PROPHESY.
Action lead by the holy spirit to release the mind of God.
The author is the holy spirit.
Rev 19: Testimony of Jesus
Prophesy speaks of Jesus and testifies about him.
Ephesians 4:11 And that same Christ gave these gifts to people: He made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to care for and teach God’s people.
Prophets Were Active from the Beginning
When the New Testament church was born on the Day of Pentecost the Apostle Peter let it be known that prophecy was going to be a reality for believers in this age. He quoted the prophet Joel as follows. Joel 2:28-32
Acts 2:16-17: 16 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
· From the beginning of the New Testament church, God gave His prophets to proclaim His truth.
Luke 2:36-38 Anna, a prophetess, was there at the Temple. She was from the family of Phanuel in the tribe of Asher. She was now very old. She had lived with her husband seven years 37 before he died and left her alone. She was now 84 years old. Anna was always at the Temple; she never left. She worshiped God by fasting and praying day and night.38 Anna was there when Joseph and Mary came to the Temple. She praised God and talked about Jesus to all those who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.
Acts 13:1 In the church at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers. They were Barnabas, Simeon (also called Niger), Lucius (from the city of Cyrene), Manaen (who had grown up with King Herod, and Saul.
There seem to be many who possessed this gift in the apostolic age. While not specifically stated, it is likely that all the apostles had the gift of prophecy.
Both Men and Women Exercised the Gift of Prophecy
Acts 21:8-9 Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
Luke 2:36-40 Anna, a prophetess, was there at the Temple. She was from the family of Phanuel in the tribe of Asher. She was now very old. She had lived with her husband seven years 37 before he died and left her alone. She was now 84 years old. Anna was always at the Temple; she never left. She worshiped God by fasting and praying day and night.38 Anna was there when Joseph and Mary came to the Temple. She praised God and talked about Jesus to all those who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.
Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.
Those who were given this gift were not necessarily in leadership in the church. In the Book of Acts, Judas and Silas were called prophets.
Role of prophesy.
Predicting the Future/warnings the church
Acts 11:28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.
Genesis 41:25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one. 27 The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine. 28 It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, 30 but after them there will arise seven years of famine,
Ninevites were warned through prophesy.
Nebuchadnezzar was warned through prophesy.
Prophesy keeps the church on its toes.
Prophesy gives the church substance to walk with God more carefully.
Instructing and Encouraging the church.
Prophesy does not only look into the future but opens the eyes to the present.
Prophesy serves to rebuke the church.
However, the basic ministry of the prophet was to instruct and encourage the people in the local congregation.
1 Corinthians 14:31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
Emboldens the church by confirming God’s presence.
Prophesies embolden the church and increases its faith.
Prophesy acts as a sign of God’s presence.
1 Samuel 10 Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the Lord anointed you ruler over his inheritance? 2 When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you set out to look for have been found. And now your father has stopped thinking about them and is worried about you. He is asking, “What shall I do about my son?”’ 3 “Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to worship God at Bethel will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. 4 They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them. 5 “After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, timbrels, pipes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying. 6 The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. 7 Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.
Prophesy melts people’s hearts and makes them humble.
Acts 5:1-11 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Acts 13:11-12 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
Prophesy Connects God’s people to him.
Ephesians 4 So, Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Builds us for works of service.
Unity in faith when we all attain spiritual maturity.
We will be firm in our faith in these tumultuous times.
Helps find out God cares.
God is on a mission to make e himself known.
God is empowering and equipping the church to be the power vessel.
PROPHESY IS A WEAPON OF WAR-
Tell the enemy what God has promised and he will flee from you.
1 Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,
1 Timothy 4:14-15 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
More about prophesy
Sin can blind you and make you deaf from the prophetic
1 Samuel 3 Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.
The bible is prophesy fulfilled and prophesy yet to be fulfilled.
There is and there will never be a contradiction in the prophesy.
Sin can blind you and make you deaf from the prophetic.
JESUS-
Jesus was heavens thought, words, principles, plans, and patterns of living made visually and verbally manifest on earth.
In the Old Testament the prophets had prophesied in part, often speaking words they themselves they did not understand.
Jesus came and was more than a prophet, he fully understood and expressed his heavenly father, speaking the whole counsel of God.
Jesus was the brightest display of God’s glory and greatest expression of God’s personality ever to occur in all eternity.
JESUS MANIFESTS THROUGH THE PROPHETIC.
Christ promised the Holy spirit and in the same statement pronounced the New Testament prophesy just as prophet Joel had prophesied.
The New Testament prophesy stands as a voice of revelation and illumination that will reveal the mind of Christ to the human race.
Please note the prophetic ministry comes to illuminate not add anything to the word
He uses the prophetic to give instructions according to his will.
Personal prophesy brings confirmation and witness-it is the Holy spirit whispering the thoughts of Christ in your heart.
Prepare for the increase in the work of the prophetic ministry.
Prepare for an increase in the working of the prophetic ministry in the church.
This is one ministry that can declare great blessings or great destruction [Elija and Ahab, Elisha and the boys]
The prophetic anointing is central in God’s plan in ministry: The prophets prophesied the coming of Christ and he sent a special prophet to baptize and prepare the saints. [He reveals his secrets through his servants the prophets.
The New Testament church will fall short in the plan of God if it fails to embrace the prophetic.
HONOR THE PROPHET IN THE CHURCH
The prophet was the seer of Israel; he couldn’t do anything to make him shut his eyes/corrupt.
There are churches that cannot walk in the prophetic because they are too formal for the prophetic.
There are brothers and sisters who cannot walk in the prophetic anointing because they are too rational to walk in the Holy Spirit prophetic anointing.
Do my prophets no harm
Psalm 105:15 “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.”
Receive a prophets
Matthew 10:41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
Have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.
2 Chronicles 20:20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”
Summary Importance of prophesy in the church
Prophesy is part of Christian life and does not replace the word, prayer, fasting.
1 Corinthians 14:1-3 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
Edify: build, fortify, protect, strengthen,
Exalt: empower, keep your moving.
Comfort: it will bring peace, right in your pain,
Builds the church.
Every believer who is activated in the power of the holy spirit is a soldier who has enrolled in the army of God.
The man who was told what he was talking with his wife on the car on the way to the church.
Evaluate prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
Prophesy must be according to the word of God.
God can never contradict himself.
There is nothing new under the son/If you carefully evaluate current prophesy, it will confirm what God has done before. A warning he has given before, a blessing he has given before.
Prophesy activates the existing word of God and applies it in your situation.
Prophesy must demonstrate the love of God; it must connect people to God.
Deuteronomy 18:22 "When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follows not, nor come to pass, that the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him".
Intimacy to God should be the driving force. Any other way would be sorcery.
Integrity in prophesy
1 Samuel 12 Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you. 2 Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. 3 Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.”
The prophet was the seer of Israel, he couldn’t do anything to make him shut his eyes/corrupt.
How many prophets gets compromised by pride?
How many get compromised by politicians?
Prophesy may fail
1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is [d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
Prophesy spoken by God may not come to pass if you do not walk according to the will of God.
1samuel 2:30 “Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained. 31 The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your priestly house, so that no one in it will reach old age, 32 and you will see distress in my dwelling. Although good will be done to Israel, no one in your family line will ever reach old age. 33 Every one of you that I do not cut off from serving at my altar I will spare only to destroy your sight and sap your strength, and all your descendants will die in the prime of life.
False prophesy-to please people
Jeremiah 28:1-5 The False Prophet Hananiah
28 In the fifth month of that same year, the fourth year, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, who was from Gibeon, said to me in the house of the Lord in the presence of the priests and all the people: 2 “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. 3 Within two years I will bring back to this place all the articles of the Lord’s house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon removed from here and took to Babylon. 4 I will also bring back to this place Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and all the other exiles from Judah who went to Babylon,’ declares the Lord, ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’”
False prophesy for self-gain
Acts 8:18-40 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” 24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” 25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
PROPHESY TO intentionally MISDIRECT
Nehemiah 6:10-14 One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.”11 But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” 12 I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me
Prophets of deception:
They want fame.
They want material wealth.
They want power and control.
They want to fill their tummies-career prophets-sons of Eli.
Prophets in the Old Testament
The prophet was the seer of Israel; he couldn’t do anything to make him shut his eyes/corrupt.
How many prophets gets compromised by pride?
How many get compromised by politicians?
Finally think about this.
1 Corinthians 14:1-3 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy
Rom 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.
John 10:27 NIV "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
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