The Supernatural Church - The Gifts of the Holy Spirit - Part 2 - The Prophetic Gift
Notes
Transcript
GREET EVERYONE-
If I have not had a chance to meet you; My name is Scott and I am a follower of Jesus and have the privilege of serving Him as the Lead Pastor among the people of Stonewater Fellowship.
Our Vision:
We Desire see every follower of Jesus well equipped and fully deployed on the mission of Jesus.
What mission? - This questions leads us to articulate His mission for His church in a simple way.
Our Mission:
Is to engage people into a multiplying relationship with Jesus!
WELCOME-
INVITATION
1- Welcome home lunch - Today after worship - There is an app
2 - New Members Classes Begin Next Sunday 11th. App for That
3 - Small Groups Leader Training Begins Thursday August 8th - App for that
4 - When Gods people pray -
LETS GRAB OUR BIBLES IF YOU HAVE ONE AND
Open it to The old testament prophet Joel Chapter 2 and verse 28 today as we continue our new preaching series “The Super Natural Church” as we take the next few weeks to understand the Supernatural gifts. or what some people refer to as the sign gifts.
PRAYER OVER SERIES
is and has been that as we Expose What God says in His word about these 7 interesting gifts of the Holy Spirit.
My prayer over this series is and has been that all of us would come to the scripture and stand on it alone, at face value and that one of two effects would happen on our intimate life and walk with Jesus.
1- Some of us find our selves boundaries by the scripture - in not only what we believe but also what we do when it comes to these supernatural gifts.
That our growth in understanding from the Scripture alone - and our use of the gifts of Boldness, Prophecy, Tongues the interpretation of Tongues, Healing Gifts and Miraculous gifts as well as the distinguishing gift would be changed.
Changed in what we believe about them and limited to what what we do with them. And those limitations would be right in line with what the bible says on its face value as written in english for us to understand.
2 - Is that others of us will be set free from teaching that is in error and not based on what the bible says at face value.
Set free from any presuppositions that limit your serving Jesus to advance His kingdom.
Set free from what adding to the scripture on face value can limit us experiencing the power of God.
Set free so that we can in many ways experience the presence and power of God way as described in this in the scriptures.
and do so in love and humility and unity that Jesus prayed for, Jesus preached for and Paul and Peter, James and the others wrote about.
PRAYER OVER THE MESSAGE
this morning is that we would come to a clear understanding about the profetic.
In other words the Gift of Prophecy.
Not only that we would have a clear understanding what the gift of prophecy is but that we woudl have extreme clarity in the difference in OT prophecy and NT prophecy.
and that we would not only desire this new testament gifts as the Scripture defines for us built that we would use in in the way the scripture defines for us.
ENGAGEMENT –
Let me ask this question -
Ever been in a critical environment?
Critical environments can be literally anywhere.
Work for example -
Ever worked with people who were always saying things that were negative about everyone and everything else?
I mean if the sun was shining its too bright and if its raining outside it is such an inconvenience.
Ya know the type.
Bosses where there is nothing that you can do right.
Seems like no mater what you do and how well you do it the first thing that come out in that performance evaluation is the things you did that they were critical about.
YA know that sometimes we can grow up with critical parents -
Dads who never say great job I am proud of you even though we knock it out of the park.
Ya know - Given enough time what can so easily happen too us is we take one of two paths - Usually.
ONE - We just become silent. Since encouragement is not modeled for us we just don't know how to encourage and so we don't.
TWO - We become critical. Of every one and everything.
TENSION
Here is the problem - When we take this silence or the critical spirit into our relationship with Jesus.
It can really have a bad effect on our life and how we can make disciples and advance the Gospel.
How many of us know the word “Church hurt”?
How many of us have experienced “Church Hurt”?
Listen - Loved ones Pastors are not about the fray here. Pastors get hurt all that time.
What I find interesting is that people use the word Church Hurt to say away from church of any kind.
But here is an interesting thing.
We never hear the term “Work Hurt” becasue you go back to work.
You never hear the word “School Hurt” because for the most part your gonna go back, face your fears, over come the challenges and finishes the 2nd grade and move on to the 3rd.
You never or very rarely do you hear the term “family hurt” cuz we keep showing up for Thanksgiving.
You see when we take a critical spirit into our relationship with Jesus we can easily become a Pharisee becasue we know what the rules are we know how things are supposed to be.
And when that happens we loose the perspective that grace is messy!
Because we were and are a real mess and jesus grace saved us.
and being conformed into the image of Christ is messy!
And when we forget the messy parts and the critical pharisee comes out that really is in all of us.
WE can become VERY sensitive - And we can easily receive offence and we can be unintentional but direct source of offence.
In other words we can become a lighting rod for hurt in both recieving hurt and giving hurt.
This is why loved ones that NT prophecy is a gift of the Holy Spirit and the reason why we are to desire it in an ever increasing way.
BACKGROUND
IN our text his morning we are reading form the prophet Joel.
THE Prophet Joel is considered one of the 12 minor prophets of the Old testament and He was prophesying to the People of Israel All of the people of Israel.
This is about 900 years before Jesus shows up.
This Prophecy begins with “The Word of the LORD that came to Joel.
God gives Joel a picture of what will happen.
UNPACKING
VS 28
And it will come to pass afterward.
In other words there is a time after all these things that God told Joel is happening and will happen,
But god dies not tell Joel EXACTLY WHEN.
Here is what is amazing that will happen.
God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh.
Now there are indication in the rest of this chapter and the beginnings of chapter three that this very well could be when some very interesting things happen.
VS28
When the Spirit gets poured out. on all flesh-
Let us make sure we understand the term ALL flesh.
God does not mean all people everywhere.
Remember that God is speaking through Joel to Gods Chosen People.
So all people will be limited to all Gods people.
Here is what will happen.
Sons and Daughters will Prophesy -
Old men dream dreams -
Young men see visions.
VS29
This will happen even on the make and female servants of Gods people.
Skip down to verse 32
VS32
Another characteristic of those days that are coming according to the words of God spoken to and repeated verbatim by the prophet Joel -
Salvation will be available to everyone.
OLD TESTAMENT VS NEW TESTAMENT
Right here what we can clearly see if we look at the text is there is something that is going to change about this idea of the Prophetic.
Now before we take one step further we need to ask some clarifying questions.
Are there some things that God Cannot do?
YES - There are some things that God cannot Do.
So God cannot think- Here is why - He knows everything already.
God cannot ponder and wonder He cannot consider.
God cannot Lie.
Here is the other thing that God cannot do. God cannot let the guilty go unpunished.
Here is another thing that God cannot do - God cannot condemn the forgiven who are forgiven through the blood of Christ.
You see the reason that God cannot do that is because of another thing that God cannot do is God Cannot Change.
But it is important to understand what the scripture means when it says that He cannot change.
He cannot change in anyway the character and nature of who He is.
Can God Change the How he does things or how things work?
Can God change the Method he uses?
What we Must look and see the clear and unmistakable differences between the Prophecy in the Old Testament and the manifestation of the Spirit as a gift of the New Testament.
Both of them driven along by the Power of the holy Spirit. But they are different in function, form and purpose.
In order to begin to unpack this we must look at What Peter said in 2nd Peter about the Old Testament, and the work of the Spirit.
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.
So In the Old Testament - This idea of Prophecy had something in common with the new testament and that is was all done by the Holy Spirit.
However right here in the Book of Joel we can look and see and compare this to what happened at Pentecost and Beyond that there is a difference between Old testament Prophets and prophecies and new Testament prophets and prophesies.
There are some on the screen here for you.
Old Testament -
In general most of the time terms
1. Appointed Men to be the mouth of God and speak the words of God
2. General population of God people ignorant and
Prohibited from.
3. Spoke generally of three things—Sin, Wrath and future things.
4. Generally in authority or major influence over Israel and occupation was generally a death sentence and not considered a gift necessary.
5. Accurate and not to be questioned
6. Generally Spoke to Kings, Civil, Religious and military leaders and whole Issues warnings and consequences direct from God.
In the New Testament we are going to find some significant differences.
Although it is interesting to understand that Jesus is a prophet of Old and in some cases so were the Apostles who launched the church.
But in the new testament church - more and more we see that Prophecy was a gift not a title.
and I want to remind us all that all of it has to be done in ...
1. LOVE, UNITY AND HUMILITY
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
In the Old testament - Prophets had authority and Leaders went looking for them and Kings searched them out for their influence.
Samuel was known as a Prophet of God.
New Testament - Jesus is the prophet who spoke the words of God - New things from God -
and for a time, until they died - The Apostles Spoke of things to Come especially John. As He was given the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
And in Romans - Paul writes the church and speaks of Love and Unity and Humility and then says Us the Gifts, including prophecy,
according to WHAT
According to our Faith.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
SO it is By faith that we use the gift of Prophecy.
Ya know it is interesting that In the New Testament there is not ONE mention of God saying to an Individual “You will be my prophet”
SO, Some one now a days that carries the Name or title or position of Prophet.
Maybe not so much!
2 THE CHURCH IS NOT TO BE IGNORANT
Back in the Old Testament - Only A select few were appointed by God to be a Prophet, it was a life style and an occupation and everyone else was clueless about that.
IN the New Testament -
Paul in Romans not only encourages us to use them but watch what He says to the Corinthian church
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.
Loved ones, God has preserved for us His message to encourage us NOT to be ignorant about the Spiritual Gifts.
That is what they word “Uninformed’ means it means Not knowing, Ignorant, no Information.
Paul Spends three chapters navigating the subject of spiritual gifts so that the Church in Corinth and Stonewater Fellowship and Every other church that calls itself a new testament Bible believing Church would not be ignorant about the gifts BUT at the same time would be boundried by scripture as well.
Just like Joel Prophesied and it was not an Appointment by God of specific men.
3- ACCURACY IS A OLD TESTAMENT THING
So in the Old Testament - The Prophet would say - Thus Say The Lord - YHWY
and in the Old testament there was the over hanging that if you were impersonating a prophet saying that God said when He didn't say.
Or You were an Appointed prophet and You used your appointment to manipulate by saying Something that God said and really God did not say - The consequence was that God would take you out.
SO in the Old Testament the Prophets were accurate and what they said from God came true. And People didn’t question them.
In the New Testament what we read is that ANY Prophecy that is recieved is to be tested.
Look what Paul says in 1 Cor 14:29
29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.
He Is talking about in a worship gathering of the Church - No More that Two or three people can speak using the Gift and “Others weigh what was said”
Paul said it a little more clearly in 1st Thess 5:20-25
20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Loved ones - After Jesus himself and the Apostles - there are no recorded Predictions of future things that have come to pass that are 100% accurate in the New testament.
Some of you may say - What about Agabus?
See acts 21 for Agabus.
He did predict the Famine - Kinda was already going on.
And He did predict that Paul would be arrested - But there were some detail of the arrest and His death that Agabus was inaccurate on.
SO this then Brings the Question.
If its not an appointment -
If its not an office of leadership
and it is a gift -
4 - How does it work and what is it for?
Great question I am glad you asked.
You see loved ones - Old Testament Prophets that were appointed by God and heard directly from God concerning the Words of God that God wanted declared to God;s people.
That Prophecy was to Relay the New revelation of God to the leaders of Gods people and Gods people as a whole.
To Warn them of their sin, Call them to repent and tell them of future events Some really bad and some really good.
And these words of God that God wanted Spoken to the Leaders of God people and to the people as a whole were to be written Down and recorded for future generations of God people to know God and to learn of Him and to hear and understand the Gospel.
What what is New Testament Prophecy?
Paul gives the Only Clear definition of what new Testament Prophecy is and what it does.
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.
Three words that we need to grab onto in their meaning in the original language of the New Testament.
Up building - Means to Increase the potential of someone or something with focus upon the process evolved - Strengthening them, to make more able, to build up.
Encouragement - is a pretty interesting word - Complicated! it means to Encourage! But here is what is also interesting. It comes form the same word that is used to describe the Holy Spirit. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Helper.
Same Word group.
Lastly - Consolation
Means to comfort - In this way to come along side someone and to comfort them. In the midst of difficulty and grief step in not step away.
This is really so important as things get going and you grow in what is seen as your priesthood and in serving Jesus.
Early and I mean early in the journey of Stonewater Fellowship we would do direct mail invitations to people and invite them to come to BBQ dinners here at the building.
In July of 2017 as we were gathering people to be a part of a new church we sent out 1500 mailers. Knowing that July was vacation season.
WE planned for 50 for lunch.
6 people showed up.
Man O Man was I discouraged!
One of our early team members placed her hand on my shoulder and said: Be encouraged, 6 people showed up, this is great, God brought exactly who He wanted today and His word says: don't despise small things.
Some times On Sunday mornings we Experience New Testament Prophecy when I get one of these prayer cards that doesn't have a prayer requests but has words that Build up, Encourage, and Comfort that is supported by Scripture speaking to the heart.
READ A JIM Card.
5 - WHEN USED PROPERLY, WITH THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL, REPENTANCE UNTO SALVATION HAPPENS
Watch what the scripture says to the apostle Paul in chapter 14 verse 5 and 24-25
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.
24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
There is no doubt, If you read the New Testament, The Apostle Paul's heartbeat was to make disciples and plant new gospel proclaiming, missional driven churches throughout the world becasue His hear was aligned with the heart of God that All men would hear the Gospel, Repents and be saved.
Look what Paul says can happens.
If Everybody was speaking words to each other that were Up building,
Words that were Encouraging
Words that were comforting
Especially supported by the frameworks of Scripture.
And an Unbeliever was here in the worship gathering.
Here is what Paul says the Holy Spirit would do through the administration of that Gift as the Gospel is proclaimed.
The Effect would be - He or she would be convicted. Because of the Gift of the Spirit that we were all using.
This conviction would then move to “to account” meaning that they would know that God ultimately knows their rebellion heart.
The Secrets of His heart are disclosed - meaning their hearts would be open towards God and agree they are truly needing Salvation.
Fall on their face - Which is a word picture of being humbled before God and Watch what begins to happen .
They WORSHIP and they will declare that God is really among you.
Meaning they will be experiencing the very person and presence of God in real and tangible loving ways.
Remember loved ones it is the love and kindness of God will bring men to repentance.
THE GOSPEL CONNECTION - WORSHIP TEAM INTO COMMUNION
This is what the Gospel does to EVERYONE WHO HEARS AND RESPONDS.
It changes, Transforms, brings us from death to life - transfers people from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His wonderful light.
You see it is sin that brings a silent or critical spirit.
Loved ones salvation comes
1. When we realize that we are hopeless and helpless in our natural state becasue we are unrighteous and unholy
2. and we look to God and see His Holiness and His righteousness and His perfection all of which is on beautiful display in the person of Jesus.
3. And we look to Jesus and God opens our eyes to see our great need to be reconciled in our relationship to God, saved from the very wrath of God because of our rebellion against a Holy God.
4. And we then realize that the blood of Jesus on the cross of Calvary is complete to satisfy the Justice of God, Appease the wrath of God that was against us, forgive us from all our rebellion, reconcile and repair our broken relationship to God. And we cast our lives and the hope of our eternity on the person and work of Jesus in an act called repentance.
5. WE are made new by the power of the Spirit. and the silent and critical person that once was there becomes a proclaimer of the goodness, promises and peace of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
APPLICATION OR IMAGINE
Imagine what our gatherings would look Like if we all spoke words to each other that built up- Encouraged and comforted each other.
And when new people who maybe experiencing church for the first time or the first time in a long time and the spirit moved and brought conviction.
Saying to them selves. Man these people have and live out the goodness of God.
And they are giving account.
I don't live this way I don't have this mind set and I wish I was different like they were.
And the secrets of His heart revealed and He begins to agree with God - That is what confession of Sin looks like.
and We suddenly see people falling on their face and worshiping like they have never done before and they experiences God among Gods’s people like never before -
And they become believers.
This is what the New Testament gift of Prophecy does - This is the power of the Gospel to change.
This morning My hope is that as we understand this gift, very possibly in new ways - That we would all pray that God would give us this gift in deeper more powerful ways so that we may live out the Gospel being the salt and light of the world that Jesus said we would be
COMMUNION