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Giving and Receiving the Prophetic Word
THE POINT: Understanding how to give and receive a prophetic word is a cornerstone of New Testament Christianity.
PROPHECY IS PROMOTED
1 Corinthians 14:39-40 (NIV)
Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV)
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
1 Corinthians 14:5 (NIV)
I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy.
THIS IS HOW IT WORKS
Acts 11:27-30 (NIV)
During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 13:1-3 (NIV)
In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
EVERYTHING YOU SAY SHOULD BE FROM GOD.
1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Matthew 12:36 (NKJV)
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment
PROPHETIC PRACTICE
1. God speaks to everyone in various ways.
2. You may walk through a “prophecy zone”.
3. You may regularly receive and deliver words for others.
4. The office of prophet is one of the 5-fold gifts.
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PROPHETIC PITFALLS
· Arrogance and lack of accountability
· Depression and feeling out of touch
· Prophesying your own opinions
Good mood or Bad mood
· Wishful thinking
· Prophesying your theology
· Trying to interpret / Saying more or less than you’re told
PROPHETIC PRACTICE
· Remember we all know in part and prophesy in part.
· Stay humble and teachable.
· Don’t say “Thus sayeth the Lord”, speak in King James English, or put on a dramatic act.
· Remember that your life and character can support or destroy your credibility.
· Don’t be weird just for the sake of being weird.
RECEIVING PROPHECY
Matthew 10:41 (NKJV)
He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
· Receive with grace toward the deliverer, knowing that we “know in part and prophesy in part”.
· Receive with discernment, testing the word with:
· The Bible
· The discernment of the leaders of your church family
· Your spirit
· Receive with faith, knowing that the fulfillment of the prophecy may depend on your actions.
· Receive with joy and thanksgiving, that God speaks to us and that someone was brave and obedient enough to share the word with you.
ONLY TWO OF THE PEOPLE WHO HEARD THIS PROPHECY RECEIVED IT WITH FAITH
Exodus 6:6-8 (NIV)
"Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.
I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.'"
WHAT THEN SHALL WE DO?
Expect God to speak to you and through you among our church family, and out in the world.
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