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Steve Kelly
Ephesians 4:10-14 (NIV)
10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe. 11 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.
One of Satan’s best strategies ever is to get people out of the local church.
It will keep you:
Unequipped.
Not serving but swerving.
Keep the body weak and pathetic.
Divided.
Immature.
Infant.
The New Testament ascension gifted prophets are part of the some.
Not everyone or anyone.
Christ-given gifts. (some to be)
The manifestation gift of prophesy is given to every man to profit everyone.
1 Corinthians 12:7,11 (NIV)
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
1. Is the one who operates the gift of prophesying a prophet?
Not necessarily. Just because someone prophesies doesn’t mean they’re a prophet.
Prophesy can be operated by any church believer.
2 . What is the purpose of the gift of prophesy?
It’s how God speaks to his church.
Prediction, while a genuine part of prophesy, is only a small part.
The purpose of prophesy is not necessarily fore-telling but forth-telling.
It’s to speak for another.
The Greek word is ‘prophetia’ simply means to speak for another.
It’s given to comfort, exhort, and edify.
1 Corinthians 14:3 (NKJV)
3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
It’s given so others can learn.
1 Corinthians 14:31 (NIV)
31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
i.e.: listening to prophesy.
Push through the pain barrier.
Is prophesy intended for guidance?
Prophesy must NOT BE the sole basis for guidance.
It may help confirm what God is already speaking to you about, but it is not the basis upon which you act.
2 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)
This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
If a prophesy doesn’t confirm what God has spoken to you about hold it in abeyance (put it on the shelf) until it’s confirmed or comes to pass.
Our main source of guidance must come from the inner witness of the spirit and from the word of God. Not from prophesies.
Romans 8:14 (NIV)
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Is the gift of prophesy infallible? NO.
Prophesy must be judged.
1 Corinthians 14:29 (NIV)
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (NIV)
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good,
Should it be exercised in private? No.
The gift of prophecy is to be used in the Church or a fellowship of mature believers.
1 Corinthians 14:4,12,23,26,28-29 (NIV)
4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
The reason why the gift of prophecy is to be exercised in the church is so that others can be present to judge it (1 Corinthians 14:29)
How do we judge prophesy?
1. The end purpose of all true prophecy is to build up, to admonish, and to encourage the people of God. Anything that is not directed to that end is not true prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:3)
2. All true prophecy agrees with the letter and the spirit of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16)
3. All true prophecy centers in Jesus Christ and exalts and glorifies him (John 16:13)
4. True prophecy produces fruit in character and conduct that agrees with the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
5. If a prophetic revelation contains predictions concerning the future, are these predictions fulfilled? If not, the revelation is not from God (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)
6. The fact that a person makes a prediction concerning the future which is fulfilled does not necessarily prove that person is a true prophet. If such a person, by his ministry, turns others away from obedience to the one true God, then that person is a false prophet, even if he makes correct predictions concerning the future (Deuteronomy 13:1-5)
7. True prophecy, given by the Holy Spirit, produces liberty and not bondage (2 Corinthians 3:6)
8. True prophecy, given by the Holy Spirit, is attested by the Holy Spirit within each believer who hears it (1 John 2:27)
9. You must be a student of the word to discern.
It should be obvious in that order for one to judge fairly and correctly the prophecies he hears, he must be knowledgeable about the scriptures. The only real safety for the Christian lies in knowing and applying God’s word.
When a person gives a prophesy is he or she forced to speak when the Holy Spirit moves on him or her? No. The Bible teaches clearly the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet.
1 Corinthians 14:30,32 (NIV)
30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.
32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
This means the one speaking is in complete control, it is up to them to speak or not. Decently and in order as Paul puts it.
Can women prophesy?
Acts 2:17-18 (NIV)
“‘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. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
Joel prophesied sons and daughters shall prophesy.
Acts 21:8-9 (NIV)
8 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.
Phillips’s daughters prophesied.
New Testament requirement.
1 Corinthians 11:5 (NIV)
5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.
It is a vulnerable thing for a woman who isn’t under covering to be deceived by the enemy. (Adam didn’t cover Eve)
Prophesy may come from one of three sources:
1. A true gift of prophesy is a gift of God.
1 Corinthians 12:10-11 (NIV)
10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
2. False prophesy may come from Satan.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5 (NIV)
If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn you from the way the Lord your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.
3. It can come simply through a human spirit.
Ezekiel 13:2-3 (NIV)
2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word of the Lord! 3 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!
Don’ts of prophesy:
1. Don’t despise it.
1 Thessalonians 5:20 (NIV)
20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt.
2. Don’t monopolize the gifts of the spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:26 (NIV)
26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
3. Don’t interrupt someone else speaking.
1 Corinthians 14:30-31 (NIV)
30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
4. Don’t neglect the gift.
1 Timothy 4:14 (NKJV)
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the leadership.
If you’ve made a decision click the link below to get a copy of Pastor Steve’s book “The Christian Walk” I’ve Made a Decision
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