GIFT-OLOGY: The Gift(s) He Gave You Is What He Expects from You (2)- Pursuing {the Manifest Power of the Spirit

Romans 12:6 ESV

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

Romans 12:7 ESV

if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;

Romans 12:8 ESV

the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

THE GIFT OF PROPHECY

WHEN I COME TO PREACH I ASK THE LORD FILL ME SO THAT I CAN SPEAK TI YOUR PEOPLE

EVER FELT LIKE SOMEONE WAS IN YOUR HEAD , HEART BY WHAT THEY SAID?

DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PROPHECY IN THE OLD AND NET TESTAMENT

OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS WROTE AND SPOKE THE WORD OF GOD - “THUS SAYS THE LORD”

NEW TESTAMENT: APOSTLES (NT PROPHETS)

HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO WRITE THE WORD OF GOD

NO APOSTLES:

Acts 1:21–22 ESV

So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”

Ephesians 2:19–20 ESV

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

PROPHET IN THE NT TOOK ON A DIFFERENT MEANING

PROPHECY IN THE NT IS NOT:

1. predicting the future

2. a direct word from the Lord

3. Preaching or teaching

Acts 13:1 ESV

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

THE GIFT OF PROPHECY IN THE NT IS THIS:

TELLING SOMEONE SOMETHING THAT THE LORD HAS SPONTANEOUSLY BROUGHT TO YOUR MIND WITH A CORRESPONDING SENSE OF URGENCY AND PERSISTENCE

NT PROPHETS DID NOT SPEAK WITH ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY BUT REPORTED SOMETHING THE LORD LAID OR IMPRESSED ON THEIR HEARTS

On the contrary, he is relating to things that are presently occurring. The one who is prophesying is speaking to the people for the purpose of “their upbuidling and encouragement and consolation” not telling them what will happen.

the express purpose of “reproving and admonishing the wicked” but also “comforting the afflicted”

1 Corinthians 14:22 ESV

Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 (ESV)

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 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.

ILLUSTRATION

AT A CONFERENCE WITH A FRIEND

MAN SAID YOU BELIEVE THE LORD HAS CALLED YOU TO PREACH BUT HE HAS NOT. I SENSE THAT THE LORD WANTS YOU TO BE IN SALES INDUSTRY

SCARY - AT A PREACHER’S CONFERENCE

HE WAS IN ENGINEERING - SO HE ASSUMED IT WAS WRONG

NOT VERY SUCCESSFUL IN REAL ESTATE

ALL PROPHECIES MUST BE TESTED

Acts 21:10–11 ESV

While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”

PREDICTION ALMOST RIGHT

PAUL WAS BOUND BY THE ROMANS NOT THE JEWS AND THE JEWS TRIED TO KILL HIM NOT DELIVER HIM

WE MUST TEST EVERY WORD OF PROPHECY

1 Corinthians 14:29–30 ESV

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.

1 Thessalonians 5:20–21 ESV

Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.

WE TEST BY THE WORD

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

THREE WAYS TO EVALUATE A PROPHETIC WORD:

1. It must conform the Spirit of the teaching of the New Testament

2. It must move a person to a deeper trust and dependance on the Lord.

3. It must promote biblical Holiness: a more Christ-like way of thinking and behaving

PAUL TEACHES US ABOUT THE PRIORITY OF THIS GIFT

1 Corinthians 14:1 ESV

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:3 ESV

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

1 Corinthians 14:4 ESV

The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

1 Corinthians 14:5 ESV

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.

HOW YOU CAN USE THIS GIFT?

If you believe the Lord is putting something on your heart, say so and express it

REASONS TO GIVE SPACE FOR THE GIFT OF PROPHECY

1. IT BUILDS UP AND OR REPROVES THE SAINTS WITH THE MANIFEST PRESENCE OF GOD IN SHOWING THEIR HEARTS

1 Corinthians 12:7 ESV

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1 Corinthians 14:3 ESV

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

FRIEND AT WORK - PSALM 46-

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 ESV

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 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.

GOD IS SEEN A BEING MANIFESTLY AMONG THEM AND AT WORK IN THEIR CHURCH

2. IT PROVIDES THE SPACE FOR ALL TO BE INCLUDED

1 Corinthians 14:5 ESV

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.

1 Corinthians 14:31 ESV

For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,

THE INACTIVE - SPECTATOR ASPECT OF THE CHURCH IS CURED

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE THIS GIFT

1. YOU HAVE CONSISTENT EVIDENCE OF HAVING BE USED BY THE LORD IN THIS WAY IN THE PAST

2. YOU HAVE A BURDEN TO BUILD UP OTHERS IN THEIR FAITH

3. YOU ARE ABIDING IN THE WORD AND BEING SHAPED BY IT

Isaiah 66:2 ESV

All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

HOW DO YOU PURSUE THIS GIFT?

_HEART POSTURE

1. Humility In Not Seeking the Gift Over the Giver

2. Pray for the Purifying of Your Character with the Gift

3. Practice Consistent Confession

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CHURCH EXPLODES WITH THIS GIFT?