Understanding Prophecy's Role in Today's Church

Devotional

Day 1: The Imperfection of Human Prophecy

The gift of prophecy is still valid today, but it is important to recognize that human communication of God's word is inherently imperfect. While God continues to speak through His Spirit, the perfection of communication belongs solely to God. Human vessels, though capable of conveying God's word, do so imperfectly. The completion of the New Testament marked the end of the gift of perfectly receiving and transmitting God's word with universal authority. This foundation, laid by the apostles and prophets, does not need to be relaid. Therefore, believers should approach prophecy with humility, understanding that it is a gift meant to edify the church, not to replace the authority of Scripture. [06:34]

1 Corinthians 13:9-10 (ESV): "For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away."

Reflection: In what ways can you humbly use your spiritual gifts to serve others, acknowledging their imperfections while relying on God's perfect guidance?

Day 2: The Dangers of Titles

Recognizing individuals as prophets today can lead to unhealthy dynamics within the church. It is more beneficial to exercise the gift of prophecy without bestowing formal titles, as this can create unnecessary hierarchies and spiritual authority. Titles can place individuals on a pedestal, leading to spiritual authority that is not warranted. Instead, the focus should be on the exercise of the gift itself, which is meant to serve and build up the church community. By avoiding formal titles, the church can prevent the development of unhealthy power dynamics and ensure that all spiritual gifts are used for the common good. [12:50]

Matthew 23:8-10 (ESV): "But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ."

Reflection: How can you contribute to a culture in your church that values service over titles and positions of authority?

Day 3: The Purpose of Prophecy

Prophecy in the New Testament is not solely about predicting the future. Its primary purpose is for edification, exhortation, and comfort. The New Testament church practiced discernment and judgment of prophetic words, distinguishing them from the authoritative words of the apostles. This discernment is crucial in maintaining the authority and sufficiency of Scripture while allowing for the exercise of spiritual gifts. Believers are encouraged to test all things and hold fast to what is good, ensuring that prophetic words align with the teachings of Scripture and contribute to the spiritual growth of the community. [18:23]

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (ESV): "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good."

Reflection: How can you practice discernment in your spiritual life, ensuring that the messages you receive align with Scripture and contribute to your growth and the growth of others?

Day 4: The Authority of Scripture

The authority and sufficiency of Scripture remain paramount. While God can speak through His Spirit, the Bible is the reliable and trustworthy source of God's word. Believers should prioritize Scripture in discerning God's voice, ensuring that any spiritual experiences or revelations are consistent with biblical teachings. The Bible provides the foundation for understanding God's will and serves as the ultimate guide for faith and practice. By grounding themselves in Scripture, believers can navigate the complexities of spiritual experiences and remain anchored in the truth of God's word. [24:23]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of Scripture and ensure it remains the primary guide in your spiritual journey?

Day 5: Engaging in Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual warfare involves standing firm in faith and utilizing the spiritual armor God provides. Prayer is a fundamental way to engage in spiritual warfare, allowing believers to resist the forces that oppose God's kingdom. By putting on the full armor of God, believers can stand against the schemes of the enemy and remain steadfast in their faith. This includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Through prayer and reliance on God's strength, believers can overcome spiritual challenges and advance God's kingdom. [44:07]

Ephesians 6:11-13 (ESV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."

Reflection: What specific piece of the spiritual armor do you need to focus on today, and how can you incorporate it into your daily prayer life?

Sermon Summary

In today's discussion, we explored the topic of prophecy and its relevance in the modern church. The question posed was whether the gift of prophecy is still valid today and if there are individuals who should be recognized as prophets. I affirmed that the gift of prophecy remains valid, emphasizing that while God continues to speak through His Spirit, the perfection of communication belongs solely to God. Human vessels, though capable of conveying God's word, do so imperfectly. The completion of the New Testament marked the end of the gift of perfectly receiving and transmitting God's word with universal authority. This foundation, laid by the apostles and prophets, does not need to be relaid.

I also addressed the issue of recognizing individuals as prophets today. While the gift of prophecy continues, I expressed concern about the potential harm in bestowing the title of "prophet" on individuals. Such titles can lead to unhealthy dynamics within the church, where individuals may be placed on a pedestal, leading to spiritual authority that is not warranted. Instead, I advocate for the exercise of the gift without the formal recognition of the title, as the latter often results in more harm than good.

Furthermore, we discussed the nature of prophecy in the New Testament, which is not limited to foretelling the future but includes edification, exhortation, and comfort. The New Testament church practiced discernment and judgment of prophetic words, distinguishing them from the authoritative words of the apostles. This discernment is crucial in maintaining the authority and sufficiency of Scripture while allowing for the exercise of spiritual gifts.

Key Takeaways

1. The gift of prophecy is still valid today, but it is important to recognize that human communication of God's word is inherently imperfect. The completion of the New Testament marked the end of the gift of perfectly receiving and transmitting God's word with universal authority. [06:34]
2. Recognizing individuals as prophets today can lead to unhealthy dynamics within the church. It is more beneficial to exercise the gift of prophecy without bestowing formal titles, as this can create unnecessary hierarchies and spiritual authority. [12:50]
3. Prophecy in the New Testament is not solely about predicting the future. Its primary purpose is for edification, exhortation, and comfort. The church is called to discern and judge prophetic words, ensuring they align with Scripture. [18:23]
4. The authority and sufficiency of Scripture remain paramount. While God can speak through His Spirit, the Bible is the reliable and trustworthy source of God's word. Believers should prioritize Scripture in discerning God's voice. [24:23]
5. Spiritual warfare involves standing firm in faith and utilizing the spiritual armor God provides. Prayer is a fundamental way to engage in spiritual warfare, allowing believers to resist the forces that oppose God's kingdom. [44:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Introduction and Lead Question
[01:32] - Clarifying Misunderstandings
[03:22] - The Gift of Prophecy Today
[05:24] - The Unique Role of Apostles and Prophets
[07:24] - The Foundation of the New Testament
[08:42] - Prophecy in the New Testament Church
[11:31] - Recognizing Prophets Today
[14:04] - The Harm of Titles
[15:40] - Persecution and Faith
[17:34] - Prophecy and the Future
[20:35] - Dreams and God's Communication
[22:08] - God Spoke to Me
[27:04] - Discernment and Prophetic Reliability
[30:22] - Speaking in Tongues and Spiritual Growth
[33:02] - Head Coverings and Authority
[36:12] - Restoration and Reputation
[39:40] - Restitution and Forgiveness
[41:34] - Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God
[44:39] - Using Talents for God's Glory
[46:08] - Differing Interpretations with Pastors
[48:09] - Testing the Lord
[49:00] - Encouraging Children to Read the Bible
[51:21] - Edifying Sermons and Teachers
[52:39] - Warnings and God's Use of Them
[53:10] - Evangelizing at Work
[54:43] - Homeschooling and Biblical Education
[56:11] - The War of Gog and Magog
[57:13] - Choosing the Lesser of Two Evils
[58:57] - Lust and Love
[59:11] - Pursuing Righteousness

Bible Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:20 - "Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."
1 Corinthians 14:29-33 - "Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people."
1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 - "Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good."

#### Observation Questions

According to the sermon, what marked the end of the gift of perfectly receiving and transmitting God's word with universal authority? [[06:34]]
How does the sermon describe the potential harm of recognizing individuals as prophets today? [[12:50]]
What are the primary purposes of prophecy in the New Testament as discussed in the sermon? [[18:23]]
How does the sermon emphasize the authority and sufficiency of Scripture in relation to prophecy? [[24:23]]

#### Interpretation Questions

How does the completion of the New Testament relate to the cessation of the gift of perfectly receiving and transmitting God's word? [[06:34]]
In what ways might bestowing the title of "prophet" on individuals create unhealthy dynamics within the church? [[12:50]]
How does the New Testament church's practice of discernment and judgment of prophetic words maintain the authority of Scripture? [[18:23]]
Why is it important for believers to prioritize Scripture when discerning God's voice, according to the sermon? [[24:23]]

#### Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt God was speaking to you. How did you discern whether it was truly from God, and how did you ensure it aligned with Scripture? [[24:23]]
Have you ever been in a situation where someone was recognized as a prophet? How did it affect the dynamics of the group or church? What lessons can you draw from that experience? [[12:50]]
How can you practice discernment in your own life when you hear someone claim to have a prophetic word? What steps can you take to ensure it aligns with biblical teaching? [[18:23]]
In what ways can you contribute to maintaining the authority and sufficiency of Scripture in your church community? [[24:23]]
Consider the role of prophecy for edification, exhortation, and comfort. How can you encourage these aspects in your interactions with others in your church? [[18:23]]
How can you engage in spiritual warfare through prayer in your daily life? Identify one specific area where you can stand firm in faith this week. [[44:07]]
Think of a person in your life who might benefit from the comfort and encouragement of a prophetic word. How can you be a vessel for God's message to them, ensuring it aligns with Scripture? [[18:23]]

Sermon Clips

The completion of the New Testament marked the end of the gift of perfectly receiving and transmitting God's word with universal authority. I think that's a gift no longer given that was a gift that was filled in the completion of the New Testament. I think it's just sort of apparent logically that when God inspired the authors of the scriptures, now I'll be speaking of specifically the New Testament here, but the same principle would apply to the human authors of the Old Testament. [00:05:46]

When God inspired the authors of the New Testament, he was working in them in a powerful and unique way that not only did God communicate to them perfectly, but they were able to receive it and express it perfectly. Now on God's end, everything he does is perfect, but on man's end, I don't believe that God any longer gives the gift of being able to perfectly receive and transmit what God may communicate to us by our spirit, by his spirit. [00:06:13]

The gift of Prophecy was exercised in the New Testament Church apart from perfect authoritative declarations that were intended for all God's people in all times. So for example, when Believers spoke through the gift of Prophecy in Corinth, which they clearly did, 1 Corinthians 14:5, 1 Corinthians 14:29-31, when Believers spoke through the gift of Prophecy in Rome, which is indicated in Romans 12:6, when Philip's four daughters prophesied, that's something referred to in Acts 21:9. [00:08:36]

When believers spoke through the prophetic word in the New Testament Church, it was to be carefully judged. We see that in 1 Corinthians chapter 14:29-33, we see it in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verses 20 and 21, and that was not in the same way a practice followed for the authoritative words of the Apostles. Could you imagine the Corinthian Christians, as sometimes troubled and carnal as they were, sitting with folded arms in Judgment of the Apostle Paul and his words to them? [00:10:03]

I believe that God speaks by the holy spirit in a prophetic sense through people today. All right, that's the first question. Here's the second question: are there people who should be recognized as prophets today? Jennifer, let me come right down to this question, and I'm going to state this just as plainly as I can. I can't see any good that comes from recognizing people as prophets today, even if it were to be understood that those people function in a completely lesser sense, not equal to the scriptures at all. [00:11:31]

I'm here to tell you that real harm comes from recognizing people as prophets today. Either the person who's called a prophet gets weird, or other people get weird towards them. How would it be there you are in a church setting, and you're introduced to prophet so and so? Doesn't that instantly put you on a different level than them, and that gives them some sort of supposed Spiritual Authority over you that you're supposed to recognize and submit to? Friends, such things must not be the case. [00:12:44]

The main purpose of the gift of Prophecy among Believers, and Paul states this, I'm pretty sure it's in 1 Corinthians chapter 14, that the purpose of the gift of Prophecy is for comfort and edification and exhortation. That's the main purpose, and so we should not expect that if something is prophetic that it needs to be predicting the future, not necessarily at all. It could simply be a genuine word of encouragement or upbuilding. [00:18:23]

I believe that God speaks to every one of his children, that God has spoken to the whole world in and through his word. I say it to people all the time: if you want a word from God, open up your Bible. And I say that as someone who does believe that God can and does communicate to people, both Believers and sometimes to unbelievers, outside of his word. But this is the true, the reliable, the certain, the trustworthy way that we can know God is speaking to us. [00:24:23]

Spiritual warfare is a way to describe the struggle that we experience against what is evil and sinful in the world and our efforts to live Godly and to proclaim a Godly standard in the midst of all of that. We live in a wicked world, a world that wants to form us into its image. Spiritual warfare describes our struggle against the wickedness that wants to shape us and mold us into its image all around us. [00:41:34]

The armor of God, as described in the book of Ephesians, what is that, Ephesians chapter 6, that describes aspects of equipment, spiritually speaking, that God has given. So God's given us righteousness, that's like a breastplate. God's given us his word, which is like a mighty sword. God's given us Faith, which is like a shield. God has given us salvation, which is like a helmet. [00:42:56]

The fundamental way that we fight spiritual warfare is through prayer. All right, hope that's helpful for you. Another question comes from Bonnie who asks what if you feel like you haven't used the talents the most high has given you? Should you fear that you'll end up in hell like the man who buried his talents when you die? Bonnie, here's the thing: the day to use your talents is today. [00:44:39]

I think God would be very merciful to the believer who spent 10 years or 20 years wasting their talents, who woke up one day and said, whatever time I have left, I'm going to dedicate it to God and use whatever talents he's given me. So if you sinned by not using your talents in the past, today is the day to come before the Lord and say, I'm going to use whatever I have, whatever I can, to honor God, to glorify him, and to extend his kingdom in some regard. [00:45:07]

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