2020 1213 Prophetic Words

1 Samuel 10:6 (NIV2011) 6  The Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.

the Spirit brings a power that this world does not know

you will be a different person

let us embrace this transformation

allow the Spirit to come powerfully upon you

Acts 2:17 (NIV2011) 17  “ ‘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.

the promise is clear from the prophet Joel

the Spirit of God, of Jesus himself, will be poured out on ALL people

prophesy is promised, visions and dreams will happen

supernatural things will be the normal

Prophecy

this is an important question - what is prophecy?

firstly prophecy in the bible is the story of Jesus Christ and his saving work as revealed by God Himself

second, there was a calling back of sinning people to the one true God and their worship of him

third, there was an element of divine help and guidance at critical times in Israel’s history

another more important question - what is prophecy for us in 2020?

Numbers 11:28-29 (NIV2011) 28  Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” 29  But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!”

Moses spoke prophetically - wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets

this is the one of the key reasons for the giving of the Spirit

empower people to bear witness to Jesus

what better than to use the very words and intent of God, as expressed by jesus and given to us by the Spirit

2 Peter 1:20-21 (NIV2011) 20  Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21  For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

we must speak the very words of God

I think that we need to be determined and deliberate to speak divinely

we must allow the Holy Spirit to initiate and inspire us to speak godly intent

1 Corinthians 14:31 (NIV2011) 31  For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

prophecy in the fellowship has strict guidelines through which the Spirit operates

the message is for everyone - for instruction and for encouragement

it is more than simply teaching

teaching is the systematic study and telling of spiritual truths as revealed in Scripture

prophesy relies on a foundation of Scripture it is true

it builds on God;s Word yet operates directly from God

it is not man;s thoughts or interpretation but divine inspiration from God

1 Corinthians 14:32..

32  The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.

prophecy done wrong can have devastating effect on a person or the fellowship

there are safeguards - the prophetic word is discerned, judged, assessed by the prophets and elders of the fellowship

prophecy is compared with God’s written word and measured against the spiritual maturity of the church’s members

the devil will try to deceive even the elect

the prophetic word has to be assessed - claims that it is from God and thus must be obeyed is often a warnin

1 Corinthians 14:33..

33  For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

the prophetic word is given in a place of peace and order

it is not uncontrollable and emotive rambling

it is calm and measured (sometimes expressed passionately I might add)

there is no element of pride or human importance