Practical Prophecy | Messy Church, Part 21

Practical Prophecy | Messy Church, Part 21

It’s the end of the world…

May 21, 1988

September 6, 1994

May 21, 2011

October 21, 2011

1 Corinthians 14:1

“…earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.”

1. What is the gift of prophecy?

1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

Prophecy is NOT predicting the future

Prophecy is also NOT an irrefutable word of God

Prophecy is sharing something that God brings to mind to help another believer.

“The word prophecy refers generally to speech that reports something that God spontaneously brings to mind or “reveals” to the speaker but which is spoken in merely human words, not words of God.” (From the ESV Study Bible)

Prophecy is NOT on the same level of Scripture.

Prophecy needs to be tested against Scripture.

Example from Scripture:

Acts 2 – “your sons and your daughters shall prophesy”

Acts 8 – Philip to the Ethiopian Eunuch

Acts 9 – Ananias to Saul

Acts 10 – Peter to Cornelius

Acts 2:28

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”

1 Corinthians 14:1

“earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.”

Tongues is speaking mysteries to God that are not understood by others (unless interpreted). Prophecy is understandable and directly helps the Body of Christ.

2. What is the purpose of Prophecy?

1 Corinthians 14:3

On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

3. What does prophecy look like in practice?

One-on-one

Small group

Church as a whole

“God told me to tell you…”

“I was praying for you and God brought you to mind…”

What do you do when you receive a prophesy?

Test it against Scripture

Discern through prayer

Seek the counsel of others

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Application:

1. Recognize if you have the gift of prophecy

2. Look for opportunities to use your gift

3. Take what you are thinking of saying and test it against Scripture