Church Camp 2016

Workshop – Prophecy and Prophesying

INTRODUCTION

• I want today to be practical.  This workshop is for those who want to know more about prophecy.  We’ll look at and aim to answer questions such as: -

• What is it?
• Why does it happen at RBC?
• When someone claims to “have a word from God”, how do we know that it’s genuine?  How do we “test” or “weigh” prophecy?  What are the safe-guards? Who may prophecy?
• Is everyone who prophesies, a prophet?
• There seems to be a difference between OT and NT prophecy.  What is it, and why?
• If I wanted to, could I prophesy? 
• To whom (and when, and how) should I prophesy?
• “Giving it a go” today!

• We are not going to cover the whole subject (nor all of the notes written below!) – it’s a huge topic and would take us a large number of sessions over many weeks (possibly even years!). 

• This is your seminar.  We’ll shift the content as needed, so that we cover what is of greatest value to you.

WHAT IS PROPHECY?

• Your thoughts and ideas? – Definitions?

• The Bible is not a modern text-book, so may not satisfy our minds over this! 
  • Greeks liked “black and white” things and sayings. 
  • Modern Science demands formulaic definitions and statements. 
  • But the Bible does not have a “Concise Definition” section!  Instead, it provides a whole history of activity and example, through which we must glean meanings.
  • We are called to relationship with God – and through that, God reveals.

• Some pointers, therefore:-
  • It originates with God, not with humans (II Peter 1: 21 – “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets (though human) spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
  • It bears witness to (and glorifies) Jesus.  (Rev 19: 10b – “. . . For it is the [Holy] Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”) 
  • By this, we can be certain that, if it is not in alignment with the revealed truth of Scripture, then it is not God-inspired prophecy! (I Cor. 12: 3 – “Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says, ‘Jesus is accursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit.”)
  • It must be exercised out of a deep love for others, not out of any selfish motive to “be heard or seen”, or “gain credibility or mana”  (I Cor. 14: 1, 4 – Pursue love and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy . . . the one who prophesies builds up the church”).  (Note:  If you want a gift to build up yourself, then speak in tongues – I Cor. 14: 4).
  • It is given as a gift to the church, to believers (I Cor. 12: select verses – “ 4Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit . . . 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  8For to one is given through the Spirit . . . 10prophecy . . . 11empowered by the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills.”)
  • It involves revelation to one or more people (I Cor. 14: 3 – “. . . the one who prophesies speaks to people . . .“)
  • It usually does not involve predicting the future (although it can refer to possible future events).  Rather it is God speaking directly either to His people, to unbelievers, to a nation or even to the whole world.  It is therefore forth-telling, more than it is fore-telling.
  • A very open-ended ‘definition’ (or working understanding) could therefore be:  “Prophesy is a God-given message, issued by God to one or more people, via a human intermediary”. 
    • It can bring conviction (I Cor. 14: 25) or comfort (I Cor. 14: 3), judgement (I Cor. 14: 25) or encouragement (I Cor. 14: 3).  It can expose us (I Cor. 14: 25) or strengthen us (I Cor. 14: 3). 
    • It will often involve a ‘call to action’ of some sort.
    • It will often need to be interpreted and usually not by the person giving the prophetic word (so that the “eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you’!” I Cor. 12:21).  Interpretation also includes a discernment of how it is to be applied (who/why/what/ where?)
    • It can come in a number of forms, including
      • “Impressions”
      • Hearing an audible voice
      • Dreams
      • Visions
      • ‘Trances’
      • Angels appearing

WHY DO WE ‘ALLOW’ (ENABLE) PROPHECY AT RBC?

• Because we believe it is a valid, Biblical expression of the moving of the Holy Spirit among us – and we see positive fruit when what is spoken genuinely comes from the Holy Spirit.

TESTING AND WEIGHING PROPHESY

• The requirement to weigh the words of a purported prophesy

• Prophesy should never be accepted “at face value” – it must always be weighed
• In the NT (and for us, living under the New Covenant), those who prophesy do not decide whether or not their words are genuinely God-inspired! – others do:  (I Cor. 14: 29 – “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said”).

• Who should test or weigh the words of a purported prophesy?

• The text is not clear about who should do the testing.  It may suggest that “others who prophesy should weigh . . . ”, or “other leaders should weigh . . . ”, or simply that “everyone should weigh what is said”. 
• However, in deciding who should weigh, take into account the following:  “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and can not understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.  The person with the Spirit makes judgements about all things . . . we have the mind of Christ” (I Cor. 2: 14, 15).

• Not by “methods” . . .

Many people try to judge prophesy by methods, rather than by fruit.  However:-

• I Cor. 2: 14-15 (above) itself states that only those “with the Spirit” who have “the mind of Christ” can weigh and judge spiritual matters – so, by definition, no fool-proof method can be applied!
• “The wind [of the Spirit] blows wherever it pleases” (John 3: 8).  i.e. it is ineffective to try to rely upon a discernible or systematic patterns;
• The words spoken are unreliable as a means of testing.  It is true that we can weigh a supposed ‘prophesy’ against the content and messages of Scripture –
  • And, if they do not agree with Scripture, we can be certain that the message given is not from God (e.g., “I hate you, my people . . . “!). 
  • However the converse is not true:  i.e. if they do agree with Scripture, that is no clear evidence that God Himself wanted to speak that particular message to those people at that time! 
• We therefore need a way of judging prophesy that continues to allow us to conform to God’s constant approach with mankind – i.e. “by faith” and “in relationship with Him” (again refer to I Cor. 2: 14-15 above).

• . . . But rather “by fruit” – both in the life of the one giving the prophecy and in the outcome from the words spoken

• Can you see a passion for Jesus at work in their life?
• Holy living
• Is it obvious that they uphold and honour the written Word?
• Even more so – do they have a real zeal for Scripture?
• Does their life express an “aroma” of Christ to those around them (II Cor. 2: 14-15)?
• Are they willing to submit to, and be accountable to, other leaders – both in respect to their lives in general, and in regard to the ‘prophesies’ they give?
• Do their ‘prophetic messages’ bring greater freedom in the Spirit and generate a greater depth of discipleship and relationship with God among the hearers (i.e. “bring life”), or do they constrict, confine, condemn (i.e. “bring death”)?

ARE WE ALLOWED TO MAKE MISTAKES IN OUR ‘PROPHESYING’?

• In the Old Testament – No: a “false prophet” was stoned!

• In the New Testament – Yes.  But those who prophesy must eagerly desire to serve the body of Christ in love (see above – I Cor. 14: 1, 4).

• The seriousness with which OT prophecy was viewed should also give us some understanding of how we are to exercise our NT liberty.  The grace of Christ should not cause us to be careless, slack or indifferent about how we exercise our prophetic gift.  (It’s not correct to think, “I’ll just do the speaking, others have to weigh it so I’m not accountable for what I say: that’s someone else’s department!”)

• ‘Wrong’ prophesy can create wrong and hurtful expectations in people (my story re “David”).

• Treat it seriously, therefore.  We are claiming to be the mouthpiece of God!  Bring rigour to your own practise (before others may bring rigour over it instead – which is more painful!)

• But also remember that NT grace does cover us (completely!) under the New Covenant – so there is freedom to make (genuine) mistakes.

• The biggest error in NT prophesy, therefore, is not ‘making a mistake’, but doing it to look good: doing it for our own glory.   NB: prophecy doesn't make us better than others or more right: only Jesus is the Righteous One! (I John 2:1)

• Respect your role in the activity, as a servant, walking by faith.  Walk closely with God.  At all costs, avoid, shun and run from(!) sexual sin – never prophesy if you are currently failing in this area.  Seek grace and, if necessary, help.  Be accountable to trusted others. 

IS EVERYONE WHO PROPHESIES, A PROPHET?

• In the OT, Yes (almost!).  God set certain people aside calling them to be His Prophets – i.e. to exercise the office (or ministry) of a Prophet (either for a short time, e.g. Jonah – or lifelong, e.g. Isaiah).  The calling was powerful.  It was also often lonely, sometimes disturbing (see Ezra!), and required massive accountability to God Himself, to speak His Word alone and unadulterated.  The words they spoke (and that were recorded in Scripture) are deemed to be the inerrant Word of God.  They were therefore to be obeyed and acted upon, not judged or weighed by others.
• Those deemed to have been “called” by God to the role of Prophet include not only those whose words have been included among the books of the OT Bible, but also Gad (I Sam. 22: 5 and 24: 11), Nathan (I Kings 1: 32), Elijah (e.g. I Kings 17:1; II Chron. 21: 12 + many others), Elisha (e.g. II Kings 2: 15-16) various “groups/schools/companies/processions” of prophets (whose role is nowhere defined clearly in the Bible – e.g. I Sam. 10: 10; I Sam. 19:20; II Kings 2: 5 + others).
• Exceptions do exist, but are few and far between.
  • They either happen in the presence of a ‘called’ Prophet (where the Spirit of the Lord seems to “flow over” from the Prophet to others), e.g.:-
    • “Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him [Moses], and He took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders.  When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied – but did not do so again.  However two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp.  They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the tent.  Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp.” (Num. 11: 25-26)
    • “When he [Saul] and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him and he joined in their prophesying.” (I Sam. 10: 10)
    • “So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah.  But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth.  He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence.  He lay naked all that day and all that night.  That is why people say, ‘Is Saul also among the prophets’?” (I Sam. 19: 23-24)
  • There was also incidence of Prophecy by “non-Prophets” (i.e. it wasn’t their vocation, given to them by God) among a few individuals who had very close relationships with God in other ways (often related to the exercise of praise), e.g.:-
    • I Chron. 25: 1 “David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals.  Here is a list of the men who performed this service . . .” (a list of 24 names follows).

• In the NT, No.   There is a clear difference between “those who exercise a prophetic gift” (as described in I Cor. chapters 12 to 14) and “those called to the NT office of prophet” (as in Eph. 4: 11-12 – “So Christ himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”).  The former are a fulfilment of the prophesy recorded in Joel 2: 28-29.  The latter take up their ‘mantle’ or office from the OT Prophets – their gift can become recognised by Christian leaders as a “permanent” ministry, a “calling” – almost a “way of life”.

• • Exercising the prophetic gift (“Inspirational or exhortational prophecy”) –
  • I Cor. 14: 3 – “But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their
    • strengthening,
    • encouraging and
    • comfort”
  • Anyone in the body of Christ can (if they desire it) prophesy (I Cor. 14: 31 – “For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged”; and Acts 2: 17 – “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophecy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.  Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days and they will prophesy.”)
  • This includes new Christians (Acts 19: 5,6 – “On hearing this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.  When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.”)

• • The NT Office of Prophet –
  • e.g. Matt. 10:41 – “Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward”
  • Luke 2: 36 – “There was also a prophet, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher . . . “
  • 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 Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles”.
  • I Cor. 14: 37 – “If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.”
  • Their role is more than the simple insprirational prophetic gift.  They appear to –
    • Be one of the “main 5 ministries” required to build up the church of Christ (Eph 4: 11-12)
    • Give direction
    • Bring correction
    • Open up new revelations to a particular church or wider group (e.g. bringing to them an understanding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, or ‘signs and wonders’).
    • Can speak at a national level
    • Share deeper secrets and revelations from God
    • Can become known, respected and endorsed by leaders in the wider church in a nation, as people who bring deep revelations and “secrets from the throne room of God”
    • Often operate in gifts of power and revelation
    • Their character is evident to all the Fruit of the Spirit shows demonstrably in their lives (out of the limelight as well as in it).
    • They have a passion for Jesus and the written Word.
    • They exercise great wisdom and an understanding of God’s corporate (large-scale) purpose.
    • They are submitted to authority

COMPARISON – OT WITH NT

WHEN, HOW AND TO WHOM SHOULD I PROPHESY?

• To build up the church:
  • I Cor. 14: 1, 4 – Pursue love and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy . . . the one who prophesies builds up the church”
  • I Cor. 14: 3 – “But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort”

• Don’t “pick out the vulnerable” as targets!  In this context, it can be a good principle that you prophesy to people of the same gender (e.g. women who find a persistent man prophesying to them can find it very uncomfortable – and vice versa!).

• Ask for permission before you do so.  No one likes someone “launching into the attack” unbidden!

• Do not expect to be received as giving someone “the inerrant word of God”! – you must be under authority, or else your prophesying will tend to lead you to deception.

• Don’t prophesy if your life is out of kilter with God.  In particular, always avoid (rigorously) any form of sexual sin – never prophesy if you are currently failing in this area.  Seek grace and, if necessary, help.  Be accountable to trusted others.

• “Practise” in safe environments.

• Church services should not be a forum for people to “take over the service”.  Be aware that every time you ask for the microphone in a church service, you actually interrupt the flow of what is happening and draw attention to yourself – so you’d better be sure that your interruption of events is not an interruption of the work of the Holy Spirit (but rather an addition to it)!

• Best to start in small groups where you can open yourself up safely to people whom you respect in God, and to whom you can be accountable.

• Expect to receive a lot of words that you never need to give.  This will grow over time.  Sometimes, the secrets and insights of God are for you to pray about, not to make public.  Grow in character, learn to discern the word of God through “trial and error”.  When you do feel a deep “pressure” that you must speak of “bust”, be faithful.  Don’t grieve the Spirit.  If an opportunity passes you by (or if you just aren’t sure), share what you have/had with a trusted individual who operates a prophetic gift (or with another trusted leader) and ask them to weigh it before you give it.

• You’ll make errors (we all do!) – As we’ve seen, in the NT that’s OK!  Get started.  Give it a go!

PERSONAL RISKS IN OPERATING IN THE GIFT OR PROPHECY

• Pride, pride, pride!  (Beware!)

• Believing that we’re “different” from the rest of the church.  Remember – we’re as much a part of the body (and subject to authority and correction) as is anyone else!

• ‘Getting it wrong’ in a situation that brings hurt, disappointment, disillusionment to others (requires repentance and discipline – sometimes the discipline of God and leaders, as well as self-discipline) (story of my error with an expecting couple).

• Deception (usually goes with failing to be under authority).  When the person prophesying believes that their ‘messages’ are “right, but no one else will listen” – beware! (my ‘fish story’).  If we reamin under Godly, Spirit-filled authority, we will mature and improve our gift.

• Believing that “when I speak, it’s all God”.  No, it’s not!  Probably 40% – 80% of an inspired word can still be ‘us’, not God!  It takes practise listening, humility to be corrected, refining speaking skills, and a desire to prophesy better and more completely, to help us to be ‘more of Him and less of me’.

• Testing – both by God Himself, and by satan (as allowed by God).  (I Peter 5: 8 – “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour”).  Be watchful, and bath your operations in prayer and getting to know he Bible well.

• The good news: – Never forget that “The eyes of the Lord roam to and fro throughout the whole earth, so that He may strongly support those whose hearts are completely His” (II Chron. 16: 9).  He’s on your side – grace extends to you!

HOW TO DELIVER A PROPHETIC WORD

• Say all that you believe is from God, but be as concise as you can. 

• Don’t give the background to why you are speaking – no one really cares why you thought these thoughts, or where you first heard them, or with whom, or what you doing or drinking/eating at the time!  All of this is needless attention-grabbing stuff (even if you don’t mean it to be) – but it intrudes on the flow of a meeting, and it draws attention away from God’s message to you as the messenger.

• Don’t put on religious voices or “tones” to your voice.  Don’t “pump it up” with pompous words that claim to give weight to you as a person.

• If you’re going to sing, make sure that your singing doesn’t dominate the message.  Ask God why you are to sing it.  After all, we don’t normally sing to each other when we have something to say!

• Remember, overall, that this is not about you (at all!) – it’s all about Jesus and the Kingdom that He won at Calvary.  (You are a ‘relatively meaningless delivery person’!)

• Know when to stop.  This is one of the most important things to know.  Often I believe we hear people “start in the Spirit” and then go past their message, so that they “end with their own thoughts and rounding up”. 

GIVING IT A GO TODAY:

Let’s practise in this safe setting!