1 Corinthians 14:1-5
Introduction:
• Briefly address the background of the prophetic and its purpose in Christianity
o The Old Testament contains both major and minor prophets. Figures like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, as well as Jonah, Amos, Habakkuk, etc.
o The New Testament also contains numerous instances of prophetic actions involving individuals such as Agabus, Judas, and Silas.
? These prophets played crucial roles in the early church and were involved in significant events, such as predicting famines and confirming missionary decisions.
o The presence of prophecy extends beyond the New Testament, with references found in the Didache, a second-century church manual, and in the works of Christian apologists like Justin and Irenaeus of Lyons.
o Since the third century, prophecy has mainly resurfaced during movements of renewal, accompanied by other charismatic gifts such as healing and miracles.
o Throughout history, prophecy and other charismatic gifts have flourished in environments of expectant faith.
? Although false prophets have led to skepticism, Christians should embrace and pray for prophecy, trusting in God's ability to protect and guide its use.
• Briefly address the stigma associated with the prophetic
• Share a Prophetic Experience
I. The Origin of Prophecy
A. Divine source: God is the originator of prophecy.
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
1. Prophets as God's mouthpiece to convey His message (Jeremiah 1:9)
2. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to prophesy.
Acts 2:17-18 AMP
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy [telling forth the divine counsels] and your young men shall see visions (divinely granted appearances), and your old men shall dream [divinely suggested] dreams.
18 Yes, and on My menservants also and on My maidservants in those days I will pour out of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy [telling forth the divine counsels and predicting future events pertaining especially to God's kingdom].
B. Prophecy in the Old Testament
1. Prophets as mediators between God and His people (Deuteronomy 18:15-19)
2. Prophets calling for repentance and announcing judgment (Jonah 3:4-10)
C. Prophecy in the New Testament
1. The role of prophecy in the early church.
Acts 11:27-30 AMP (Warning of the coming famine and resolve to assist)
27 And during these days prophets (inspired teachers and interpreters of the divine will and purpose) came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and prophesied through the [Holy] Spirit that a great and severe famine would come upon the whole world. And this did occur during the reign of Claudius.
29 So the disciples resolved to send relief, each according to his individual ability [in proportion as he had prospered], to the brethren who lived in Judea.
30 And so they did, sending [their contributions] to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 21:10-14 – The Prophet Agabus uses a belt and binds the Apostle Paul’s feet while prophesying of his bondage by the Jews in Jerusalem.
2. Prophecy as a spiritual gift for the edification of the church (1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:1-5)
II. Prophetic Uses in Modern Day
Share a Prophetic Experience
A. Encouraging the prophetic ministry today
1. Pursuing the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1)
2. Recognizing the value and importance of prophecy in the modern church (Ephesians 4:11-13)
a. The perfecting of the saints (spiritual maturity)
b. The work of the ministry (ministry training)
c. Edification of the Body of Christ (Spiritual encouragement)
B. Modes of communication
1. Direct verbal communication (Isaiah 6:8-10)
2. Dreams and visions (Daniel 7:1-2; Acts 2:17)
3. Symbolic actions (Jeremiah 13:1-11)
C. Importance of discernment and testing of prophecies.
1 John 4:1-3
1 BELOVED, DO not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.
2 By this you may know (perceive and recognize) the Spirit of God: every spirit which acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [actually] has become man and has come in the flesh is of God [has God for its source];
3 And every spirit which does not acknowledge and confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh [but would annul, destroy, sever, disunite Him] is not of God [does not proceed from Him]. This [nonconfession] is the [spirit] of the antichrist, [of] which you heard that it was coming, and now it is already in the world.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
19 Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit;
20 Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning].
21 But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.
22 Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.
1. Aligning with Scripture and God's character
2. Bearing witness with the Holy Spirit within believers (Romans 8:16)
III. Abuses of the Prophetic
A. False Curses
Proverbs 26:2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
1. The danger of claims about curses by those involved in witchcraft or New Age
2. The truth about curses and their impact on Christians
3. The importance of repentance and walking in purity with God
B. Judgment Declarations
1. The misuse of prophecy to declare judgment over cities, industries, and individuals.
2. The gospel of Jesus as a message of love and redemption
3. The role of relationship and leadership in addressing sin, not judgment prophecies
C. Exaggeration and Comparison
1. The problem of exaggeration in prophetic words
2. The importance of using down-to-earth language in prophecy
3. The negative impact of comparison in prophetic ministry
D. Cold Reading
1. Starting out with generalities and watching for a trigger
2. Honing in on the trigger with more defined generalities
3. Speaking redefined truth and declaring supernatural deliverance based on the “cold read” in the name of the Lord.
Read and Expound – 2 Peter 1:16-21
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”
18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,
20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.
21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
Share final Prophetic Experience
• Recap of the origin, oration, and operation of prophecy.
• Reinforcing the importance of the prophetic ministry in the life of the church.
• Erasing the stigma associated with the prophetic by embracing it spiritually.
Closing Prayer:
• Lead the congregation in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to activate the gift of prophecy in their lives.
• Pray for discernment and wisdom in handling prophecies.
• Encourage believers to be open and receptive to the prophetic ministry for the growth and edification of the church.
