Gifts of the Spirit 11
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Part 2
Part 2
We mentioned last week that the gifts of the Spirit are broken into 3 distinct categories: Heteros - the member of a series distinct from those which proceed but carry the series forward
and Allos creates what might be considered a chain between the mentioned creating relationship
Gifts of man’s intellect empowered by the Holy Spirit - Knowledge & Wisdom
Gifts that require man & Spirit in action; Faith, Healing, Miracles, Prophecy, discerning of Spirits
Gifts that operates totally in the Spirit, Tongues and the Interpretation of tongues
Lets look at Prophecy:
propheteia - making a public declaration, making known, found in the root of predict, prediction, carries the sense of fourth or fore as in foretell
The ability to deliver representative declarations of the mind, will or knowledge of God
It wasn’t until the 5th century that it took on the mystic form of “to tell the future” in the sense that we think about it
The focus wasn’t originally on the telling of the future but rather disclosing the current will and direction of God for growth, correction and warning
While the OT prophets dealt clearly in future revelation, the NT believer had direct link to God through the Holy Spirit for clear direction and understanding of his or her life
That is not to say that God does not speak about future events to His prophets but it is n’t the main focus of the prophetic
Prophetes clearly belongs to the religious sphere, where it denotes one who speaks in the name of a god declaring the divine will and counsel of god..
In the NT we find the word used 144 times - 37 in Matt Lk 30 Acts 14
We see a special knowledge of the future by: Agabus
Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.
many have a word about the past
Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”
Profetis - woman
Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.
Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
We need to remember that when it comes to these practices we currently do not have full understanding because of our sin nature
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
Paul encouraged the believer to exercise their gift
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
Do not despise prophecies.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
Paul encouraged Timothy to stir up the gift
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 eldership.
Just as it is in faith the prophet speaks, the hearer is charged to discern as well!
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise prophecies.
Test all things; hold fast what is good.
Of course there are psudo prophets - those who claim to be prophets without any truth!
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
It seems then to indicate that NT prophets are inspired speakers through whom God’s plan for the believer, community and world are made known. The prophet has knowledge of divine mysteries of whichhe or she makes known
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
The prophet not only proclaims what God intends to do; he also proclaims what has done and will do for man
The prophet admonishes the indolent and weary and consoles and encourages those under assault. Through his preaching he brings to light the secret wickedness of men and with God-give authority, give authoritative instruction, though he is not above criticism
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.