God wants to speak us and us.
What is Prophecy?
To discern and declare God’s and for others.
The of Prophecy
Numbers 11:25-29 NIV
And the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Then he gave the seventy elders the same Spirit that was upon Moses. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But this never happened again… 29 But Moses replied, “…I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them all!”
Joel 2:28-32 NLT
Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5 NIV
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
The of Prophecy
The goal of prophecy is to—
1. S the church.
1 Corinthians 14:3 NIV
The one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
“Prophecy does not mean ‘to predict,’ but rather to speak on behalf of another.” –Thomas Green, Weeds Among the Wheat
Prophecy isn’t about knowing the , it’s about showing God’s .
2. Deepen our with God.
John 10:27 NIV
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
3. Build .
1 Corinthians 14:29-33 NLT
Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said. 30 But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop. 31 In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged. 32 Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns.
“If we look at the advice… we see that they assumed that numerous people in the congregation were going to have some kind of communication from God which they would be sharing with others.” –Dallas Willard, Hearing God
4. Point to .
Revelation 19:10 NLT
For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.
The of Prophecy
1. it
ζηλόω zēloō: To set one’s heart on; to be deeply committed to something; to burn with zeal.
2.
Our imagination isn’t a to hearing God, it’s an important .
“I’d say [hearing God speak] feels like a thought entering your imagination from the outside, rather than from the inside. It’s a normal thought, like any other, but it originates somewhere slightly unfamiliar.” –Tyler Staton, The Familiar Stranger
Steps to Listen:
– Revelation
– Interpretation
– Application
3.
Possible next steps—
a. it
Matthew 6:9-10 NIV
This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
b. it
Habakkuk 2:2 NIV
Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.”
c. it
ABC(D)’s of Sharing a Word:
Affirming.
Biblical.
Christlike.
Do it in love.
d. it
4. Keep
“The gift of prophecy grows like a muscle with regular exercise. Those who work hard at developing their prophetic muscles will inevitably grow like Samuel in spiritual stature and strength [1 Sam 2.26]. We do this by walking closely with Jesus from day to day, acquainting ourselves with the sound of his voice through the quiet discipline of prayerful attentiveness toward his presence.” –Pete Greig, How to Hear God
5. it from others
– Does it align with ?
– Is it consistent with the character of ?
– Do I trust the of the person sharing?
– What do my , leaders, and confidants think about it?
– Does it resonate with my ?
Sometimes the best course of action is to .
Where do I start?
1. Ask
2. Start Encouraging
Answer Key: to, through; Promise; purpose; strengthen ; future, heart; intimacy; community; Jesus; practice; desire; listen; hinderance, ingredient; discern; write; share; shelve; practicing; receive; wait.