Gift of Prophecy

Spiritual Gifts Session 3

Missionary Families of Christ

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Prophecy as a tool

• Builds up the Christian assembly gathered in prayer
• It is very important for us to hear the Lord and do what he commands. One way God speaks to us is through the gift of Prophecy
• Prophecy can most contribute to the good of the whole

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1 Corinthians 14:1

Set your hearts on spiritual gifts, above all the gift of prophecy.”

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It is important for us to understand it, yield to it, and respond to it.

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Questions asked

• What is it?
• How do I know when, what and how to prophesy?
• How do I judge and respond to it?
• How do we grow in the gift?

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What is PROPHECY?

Common Misconceptions and Proper Notions

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Common Misconception

• Prophecy is delivered in an ecstatic or trance-like state
• Prophecy is prediction of future events

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Proper Notions

• Prophecy is a gift by which God speaks a message through a person to a specific person or group of people.

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1 Corinthians 14:3

On the other hand, one who prophesies does speak to human beings, for their building up, encouragement, and solace.

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4 Distinct Purposes for which God gives the prophetic gift to His body

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1. Encouragement and Exhortation

It is intended to revive a person’s spirit, to strengthen him and give him hope.

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2. Conviction, Admonition, Correction

The Holy Spirit will reveal to us our sins, so that we can turn away from them and be freed from its tyranny and escape condemnation

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3. Inspiration

Inspirational prophecy is not so much concerned with communicating information as with evoking a response.

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4. Guidance

The guidance which we receive from God can apply to important directional matters as well as to specific individual needs.

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Receiving a Word from God

1. Receiving the words of the message.
2. Receiving the sense of a message.
3. Receiving the first words of the message.

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Delivery of the Message or Prophetic Utterance

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Style and Expression

• Prophetic Oracles
• Prophecy in Song
• Visions
• Prophecy in tongues with interpretation

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Manner and Timing

The words of the prophecy will be consistent with the way the person speaks and the language and style a person uses in a prophecy are under the person’s control.

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Manner and Timing

The person prophesying has a responsibility to speak the prophecy in words that people can understand. This also means delivering the prophecy in a simple, straightforward way, speaking loudly enough so everyone present can hear and avoiding unnecessary drama.

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Manner and Timing

Prophecies must also be delivered in the right place and at the right time. Prophesying is very appropriate during a prayer assembly but follows the order of the meeting on the proper timing.

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1 Corinthians 14:40

But everything must be done properly and in order.

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Commissioning or Anointing of a prophet

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• God gives you the message and authority to proclaim in His name: and when proclaimed, the Holy Spirit does things among the people: He unleashes His power.
• He stirs up a feeling or conviction in us to speak in His name.
• When we get anointing, we should simply speak out.

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Growing in the Gift

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As Hearers

• Pray that the Lord will speak to us directly, especially through the gift of prophecy.
• Expectantly wait for the word of the Lord to come.
• Respond in faith, obedience, and prudence.
• Listen and be familiar with the voice of the Lord through regular prayer. Meditate and reflect on the prophecies spoken.

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As Prophets

• Stir up the gift. Put yourself in readiness to receive a prophecy from God not by your own power. Put aside selfish ambition and take on an ambition to serve.
• Speak when you receive an anointing to prophesy.
• Be open to receive feedback and correction.
• Be submissive to God in the way you prophesy.
• Be submissive to the body of Christ. Be obedient to your elders.
• Be patient. Faithfully and peacefully keep at something over a long period of time.
• Be grateful to God.

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Prophecy

The gift of prophecy is not essential to salvation. Yet, to decide that we will do without prophecy just because it is possible to do without prophecy is to settle for less, just because we can settle for less.

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God desires to speak directly and clearly to His people, warning them, building them up, and giving them direction. Let us desire the gift of prophecy and respond to it that our effectiveness in serving God and our neighbor will increase.

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Gift of Prophecy

Spiritual Gifts Session 3

Missionary Families of Christ

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