The Gift of Prophecy 1 Cor 12 7

The Gift of Prophecy 1 Cor 12: 7 -11 Text Questions to (805) 785 7587

What is prophecy? 2 Pt 1: 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Old Testament • A message from God and with God’s authority – Heb 1: 1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways – Ex 7 Moses speaks to Pharaoh in God’s authority • God’s communication of His mind , will and commands – Dt 18: 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. • Covenant mediation – Je 35: 15 Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, “Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your fathers. ” • Revelation of God’s future plans – – Amos 3: 7 Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. Text Questions to (805) 785 7587 2

What is prophecy? 2 Pt 1: 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. New Testament • Generally a message of edification, exhortation, and comfort. – 1 Cor 14: 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. • Operates as a momentary gift and according to a person’s faith – Ro 12: 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. – 1 Cor 12: 10 • Can be a ministry office that prepares Gods people for works of service – Eph 4: 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teacher • The gift of prophecy can be initiate with the laying on of hands in prayer – Acts 19: 1 -6 Twelve baptized men from John the Baptist speak in tongues and prophecy when Paul lays his hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit. Text Questions to (805) 785 7587 3

Why is prophecy important? • It gives spiritual vision. – Prov 29: 18 Where there is no word from God, people are uncontrolled • It edifies, exhorts, and comforts – 1 Cor 14: 3 • It brings revival and restoration. – Acts 2: 16 -20 • It give guidance and confirmation God’s directions. – Acts 13: 1 -3 Prophetic word for Paul and Barnabus to go on a missionary journey into Asia Minor • It brings life. – Ezek 37: 1 -4 speaks to the dry bones. Text Questions to (805) 785 7587 4

What does prophecy look like? • Oral or written words • Visions and/or dreams with interpretations • Parables and illustrations – – Is 20: 2 -4 – Isaiah went naked for 3 years Jer 19: 1, 10, 11 – Jeremiah buys a pot and breaks it Jer 27: 2, 3 – Jeremiah wears a yoke around his neck Ezek 4: 1 -3 – Ezekiel makes a model of Jerusalem’s destruction • Riddles – 2 Sam 12: 1 -10 Nathan’s rebuke of David – Ezek 17: 1 -10 • Specific actions that demonstrate God’s message – (Hosea taking marrying a prostitute to demonstrate how Israel’s unfaithfulness broke God’s heart • Poetry, prose, verse – Isa 5 • Music – 1 Sam 10: 5 Saul meets prophets that singing their messages. • Art Text Questions to (805) 785 7587 5

OT and NT similarities Old Testament Audible voice Vision with interpretation Visions and dreams Spontaneous when filled with the spirit Parables and illustrations Women New Testament 1 Sam 3 – calling of Samuel… Daniel 8: 15 -26 Daniel interprets Belshazzar’s vision after Gabriel told him what it meant. Num 12: 6 When a prophet of the LORD is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams. 1 Sam 10: 9 b-11 After Saul is anointed King, he is filled with the spirit and starts to prophesy. Luke 1: 10 -19 Gabriel visits Zachariah Act 10: 9 -48 Peter’s vision of the sheet with unclean animals opens the gospel to the gentiles. Act 16: 9 -10 Paul has a dream of a man calling Him to Macedonia resulting in spreading the gospel in Greece. Acts 19: 6 John the Baptist disciples baptized in the spirit speak in tongues and prophesy Ez 17: 2 -10 An eagle that takes a cedar branch and planted it in a city of traders. Ex 15: 20 Mariam Aaron’s sister Judg 4: 4 Deborah, Prophet & Judge 2 Ki 22: 14 Huldah Is 8: 3 Isaiah’s wife Joel 2: 28 Daughters will prophesy Act 21: 10 -11 Agabus binds Paul’s hands and tells of his imprisonment. Lu 1: 41 Elizabeth Lu 2: 36 Anna Act 21: 8 -9 Philip’s 4 daughters Act 2: 17, 18 Daughters will prophesy 1 Cor 11: 5 Women in church service Text Questions to (805) 785 7587 6

OT and NT differences Old Testament Prophetic De 18: 20 “But a prophet who office presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say… must be put to death. ” New Testament Mark 13: 22 -23 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. So be on your guard; Deut 18: 19 If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in 1 Thes 5: 19 -21 Do not put out my name, I myself will call him to the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat account prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. Act 3: 22 -23 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a 1 Cor 13: 9 For we know in part, prophet like me from among your own and we prophesy in part. people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not 1 Jn 4: 1 Test the spirit of the listen to him will be completely cut off prophets to see if they are from among his people God Text Questions to (805) 785 7587 7

Acts 21: 10 -11 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles. ’ • Was Agabus’ prophecy correct? • Did Paul respond the way Agabus would have expected? • Do you think Agabus’ prophecy original? Text Questions to (805) 785 7587 8

Testing a prophesy given to you • Does it result in bringing spiritual fruit • Gal 5: 22 -23 … love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness goodness • Does it glorify Christ? – 1 Co 12: 3 … no one can say, “Jesus is Lord, ” except by the Holy Spirit. – 1 Jn 4: 2. . . Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God • Does it agree with the Scriptures and Christian tradition? • 2 Pe 1: 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. • Does the speaker have a record of prophecies fulfilled? • Is the prophecy disjointed or confused? • Do the prophecies lead to liberty, grace and mercy or bondage or fear? – Ro 8: 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father. • Is there a “witness” with our spirit. • 1 Jn 2: 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth • Does it reveal kindness that leads to repentance? • Rom 2: 4 b God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? Text Questions to (805) 785 7587 9

How do you give a prophesy? • • Seek the gift (1 Co 14: 1 and 39 -40), prayer and laying on of hands God gives different cornels of prophetic inspiration depending on the person – Verbal: hear, see, remember, feel – Visual: day vision, photo flash, a mental image, a image you sense more than feel – Kinetic: feeling that is not yours, a certain sympathy or empathy, a sense to move or act in an unplanned direction, walking into a ministry opportunity – Spirit/Intuitive: A sense of a specific blessing to give, a conviction of truth, a knowing in your gut, a eminent and enduring thought, idea or concept • Ask God to reveal details to share with the person you will minister to (names, personal features, experiences, concerns, ministry point and purpose). – 1 Pt 1: 11 “ trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. • Find and seize an opportunity to give your word to the person. Is it the right time, can the person hear a word from God, is the setting appropriate for the persons likely response? – 1 Cor 14: 31 -33 Utterance is under the control of the person who should be sensitive and respectful of others who are speaking. • • Ask them for permission give them a prophetic word. Encourage the person to check out what you said. Give them enough space to personally accept or reject your word. Text Questions to (805) 785 7587 10

Prophecy Got Questions? Text Questions to (805) 785 7587 11