Kingdom's Keys Fellowship
Where God's Kingdom Meets Man's Heart.
Epiphany 15 Prophecy
Epiphany 15 Prophecy
Romans 12:
“6We 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. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Vs.6 establishes that a ‘Giver’ has given a gift, that it was the nature and desire of the Person giving the gift to share His nature and give, that it is personally given and that it creates an atmosphere, a spiritual atmosphere, in which a person uses the gift and shares it for the benefit of another. This means a triple blessing is involved. The receiver is blessed, the giver is blessed and the One who started it all, the Lord, is blessed. Starting with this spiritual perspective it is immediately understood that the Holy Spirit is the ever-present power and stimulator, Jesus’ personal gift to us to enable us to see our lives as significant, meaningful and full of purpose each and every day. Not a moment passes by that is not an opportunity to study, develop and practice the gifts He has given us.
As a personal aside it was the awareness that a gift of teaching was given me in order to help people I know expand their understanding of Scripture. As the Scripture says it is “according to the grace given us.” Paul says in 12:6, “For by the grace given to me” meaning that God’s grace was apportioned to him “according to his faith” in such a way as to lead, pastor, and teach (three of the gifts) what the Lord wanted in a believer. And this with the proviso that it comes from a faith bathed in love and humility.
Prophecy is the spiritual ability to bring God’s Word to bear in three ways, on the nation as a whole, on individuals in leadership and on individuals in the nation. The Prophets in the Old Testament exemplify this threefold approach. Israel was to collectively witness to the existence and presence of the One God. Its leadership was to point to God’s Law and govern the people of Israel with the Spirit of the Law in mind. Each citizen was to be a worshipper of God and live by faith and obedience to the Law and the rulers. Prophets were course correctors who challenged the nation, the leadership and the people when they compromised with the world around them.
In the Body of Christ prophecy can be experienced as the spiritual ability given a believer to sense God’s direction for the local Body, the awareness of the spirit’s direction for Body leadership and for individuals in the Body who need a spiritual stimulus to action or correction of behavior. Prophecy can find its outlet in worship, in groups or in the individual who senses God’s will in a specific situation. Probably the most common experience of prophecy is in preaching where the preacher opens up Scripture, dwells on the person and character of Jesus and brings a theme to the surface that reveals God’s intent for transformation and growth.
But God’s wisdom is for there to be a balance in the Body. So for those in the Body who are not preachers but have the gift of prophecy, the Holy Spirit moves them to step forward so that there is more than one person bringing God’s will, direction and motivation. It is the prophetic gift that energizes, challenges and moves leadership and other gift bearers to be alert to the Spirit’s activity in the Body.
When exercised it, like any gift, must be open to a gift of discernment to make sure a prophecy is from God. In small groups or in worship confirmation is necessary. If responses like ‘amen’ or in some sense its impact is felt within saying ’that was for me’ then it was real.
Three things are necessary for prophecy to work. First, it has to be taught and encouraged. Second, it has to be received and expected as a normal work of the Spirit in the Body. Third, it has to be risked by those who believe they are receiving a word from the Lord. The preacher and the layperson also need to be able to receive a challenge as to their accuracy and in some cases to have people pray for them before they share since its effect touches hearts. It is given, remember, according to the faith and measure of grace given the gift bearer that it be of God and not from self.
There are too many supporting references in Scripture to record here. However, search the prophets and the teachings of Jesus and Paul to see the extent and occasion of prophetic activity and you will see the tremendous value of this gift. Scripture itself is the prophetic manual for each heart.
More on gifts…stay tuned……..
Romans 12:
“6We 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. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Vs.6 establishes that a ‘Giver’ has given a gift, that it was the nature and desire of the Person giving the gift to share His nature and give, that it is personally given and that it creates an atmosphere, a spiritual atmosphere, in which a person uses the gift and shares it for the benefit of another. This means a triple blessing is involved. The receiver is blessed, the giver is blessed and the One who started it all, the Lord, is blessed. Starting with this spiritual perspective it is immediately understood that the Holy Spirit is the ever-present power and stimulator, Jesus’ personal gift to us to enable us to see our lives as significant, meaningful and full of purpose each and every day. Not a moment passes by that is not an opportunity to study, develop and practice the gifts He has given us.
As a personal aside it was the awareness that a gift of teaching was given me in order to help people I know expand their understanding of Scripture. As the Scripture says it is “according to the grace given us.” Paul says in 12:6, “For by the grace given to me” meaning that God’s grace was apportioned to him “according to his faith” in such a way as to lead, pastor, and teach (three of the gifts) what the Lord wanted in a believer. And this with the proviso that it comes from a faith bathed in love and humility.
Prophecy is the spiritual ability to bring God’s Word to bear in three ways, on the nation as a whole, on individuals in leadership and on individuals in the nation. The Prophets in the Old Testament exemplify this threefold approach. Israel was to collectively witness to the existence and presence of the One God. Its leadership was to point to God’s Law and govern the people of Israel with the Spirit of the Law in mind. Each citizen was to be a worshipper of God and live by faith and obedience to the Law and the rulers. Prophets were course correctors who challenged the nation, the leadership and the people when they compromised with the world around them.
In the Body of Christ prophecy can be experienced as the spiritual ability given a believer to sense God’s direction for the local Body, the awareness of the spirit’s direction for Body leadership and for individuals in the Body who need a spiritual stimulus to action or correction of behavior. Prophecy can find its outlet in worship, in groups or in the individual who senses God’s will in a specific situation. Probably the most common experience of prophecy is in preaching where the preacher opens up Scripture, dwells on the person and character of Jesus and brings a theme to the surface that reveals God’s intent for transformation and growth.
But God’s wisdom is for there to be a balance in the Body. So for those in the Body who are not preachers but have the gift of prophecy, the Holy Spirit moves them to step forward so that there is more than one person bringing God’s will, direction and motivation. It is the prophetic gift that energizes, challenges and moves leadership and other gift bearers to be alert to the Spirit’s activity in the Body.
When exercised it, like any gift, must be open to a gift of discernment to make sure a prophecy is from God. In small groups or in worship confirmation is necessary. If responses like ‘amen’ or in some sense its impact is felt within saying ’that was for me’ then it was real.
Three things are necessary for prophecy to work. First, it has to be taught and encouraged. Second, it has to be received and expected as a normal work of the Spirit in the Body. Third, it has to be risked by those who believe they are receiving a word from the Lord. The preacher and the layperson also need to be able to receive a challenge as to their accuracy and in some cases to have people pray for them before they share since its effect touches hearts. It is given, remember, according to the faith and measure of grace given the gift bearer that it be of God and not from self.
There are too many supporting references in Scripture to record here. However, search the prophets and the teachings of Jesus and Paul to see the extent and occasion of prophetic activity and you will see the tremendous value of this gift. Scripture itself is the prophetic manual for each heart.
More on gifts…stay tuned……..
Views: 6
Comment
About
© 2024 Created by HKHaugan.
Powered by
You need to be a member of Kingdom's Keys Fellowship to add comments!
Join Kingdom's Keys Fellowship