The Gift of Prophecy

Spiri

tual

Gift

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Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith

Romans 12:6

Bible Example of a Prophet is the Apostle Peter.

Peter was one of the 12 disciples mentioned in the Bible.

Peter was one of the three disciple in the Garden while Jesus Prayed

Peter was the disciple that walked on the water towards Jesus.

They need toRule Spiritual Needs

They are the“Watchdogs” of truth

Content whenSensing and Seeking

Struggling Spiritual needs

Their Needs

1. Gift of Tongues2. Gift of Interpreting Tongues3. Gift of Prophecy

Three Speaking Gifts

1. Gift of Tongues2. Gift of Interpreting Tongues3. Gift of Prophecy

Three Speaking Gifts

It is estimated that 8% of church members have the gift of Prophecy.

This is not an accurate count, but only an estimate.

David Bennett, Missionary, Silent Word Ministry, International

It is estimated that 8% of church members have the gift of Prophecy.

This is not an accurate count, but only an estimate.

David Bennett, Missionary, Silent Word Ministry, International

• 9 Characteristics of the Christian Who Walks in the Spirit with the Gift of Prophecy

• 16 Characteristics of the Christian Who Walks in the Flesh with the Gift of Prophecy

1. Prophets are Quick to Perceive Lies & Hypocrisy.A.Sin is not acceptable.B.Prophets are uncanny

in their ability to identify insincerity and deceitfulness.

C. Prophets react severely to all types of falsehood.

D.Prophets are usually quick to perceive half-truths & exaggeration.

1. Prophets are Quick to Perceive Lies & Hypocrisy.A.Sin is not acceptable.B.Prophets are uncanny

in their ability to identify insincerity and deceitfulness.

C. Prophets react severely to all types of falsehood.

D.Prophets are usually quick to perceive half-truths & exaggeration.

Peter PerceivedThe lies of

Ananias and SapphiraActs 5

2. Prophets Are Quick to Make Judgments of Other People.A. Prophets will often be among

the first to speak out on a subject.1) Prophets do not take long to

size up people and situations.

2) It does not take a prophet as long as others to sense a problem.

B. Prophets feel like others need to know their opinion now. Why wait? Later … may be too late.

Peter was quick to realize it was Jesus walking on the water. Matthew 14:24-29

Peter was quick to confess Jesus as the Christ. Matt. 16:15, 16; John 6:68

Peter was quick to comment on the transfiguration. Matthew 17:1-4

Peter was quick to rebuke the Lord!. Matthew 16:21-23

Peter was quick to declare their commitment to Jesus. Matthew 19:27

Peter was quick to resist & question Christ about the foot-washing.

Peter was quick to forgive 7 times.

3. Prophets are strong in their Demand for Justice and Right.A. Prophets are quick to want to

eliminate those whom they deem wrong & sinful.

B. Prophets believe that others need to be protected from evil… now!

C. Prophets will protect their own organizations and families actively.

D. Prophets believe that others need to be warned of other people or dangers…now.

Examples: Peter was strong in the question of

forgiveness… & justice. Matt. 18:21 Peter didn’t demand justice for

Ananias & Sapphira, but was not surprised nor hurt by it. Peter realized they deserved this divine justice. Acts 5:1-10

Peter prophesied strongly of coming judgment on the church. I Pet. 4:17, 18

Notice Peter’s strong language: II Peter 2:1-22 & II Peter 3:3-7, 10-12, 16-17

4. Prophets Are Undaunted (NOT discouraged) in Their Stand for Absolute TruthA. Prophets are more loyal to truth

than to family, friends, and organizations.

B. Prophets will cut relationships off quickly for the sake of truth and right.

Examples:• Peter was undaunted by

Ananias & Sapphira’s lies. Acts 5:1-10

• Peter was loyal to Christ even when many others rejected Christ. John 6:66-69

• Peter was willing to reject the meat in the sheet for the sake of the Law and his own ceremonial purity. Acts 10:14

• Peter was unwavering in his obedience to God. See Acts 4:19-20; & 5:29.

5. Prophets Are Prompt to Verbalize Their Perceptions and ViewpointsA. Prophets feel that they must

communicate what they perceive to be true or false.

B. Prophets tend to be vocal leaders in matters of right and wrong, black and white.

Examples:A. Biblically, Peter spoke up more often

than any other disciple.B. Peter had a strong opinion that

Judas “must be replaced.” Acts 1:15-22.

C. Peter took the podium first on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:14

D. Peter was the speaker when the lame man was healed. Acts 3:4, 6, 12

E. Peter was the unquestioned leader among the apostles. Acts 2:37, 38; 4:8; Acts 5:3; 5:29; Acts 11

F. Peter was quick to perceive that God was doing something special among the Gentiles. Acts 10:34-35

6. Prophets Are Very Persuasive in Defining and Defending TruthA. Prophets can go right to the

heart (main problem) of any matter.

B. Prophets are adept at articulating truth and its application.

Examples:A. Peter, on the day of Pentecost,

preached and great conviction came to thousands. He defended the Deity and work of Jesus Christ. See Acts 2:22-24.

B. Prophets are not afraid or embarrassed to point an accusing finger.

7. Prophets, Once Persuaded of the Worthiness of a Cause, Are Committed to Truth and Willing to Participate Fully in ItA. Prophets are quick to speak

up, and quick to act when they are convinced that it is the right thing to do. They can make quick decisions and commitments. Once the decision is made, they are quick to get involved.

Example:A. Peter threw himself onto the

stormy waves as soon as he was convinced of Jesus’ presence. Matthew 14:27-29

B. Peter, though not in order, was quick to decide they needed to make three tabernacles on the Mount of Transfiguration. Matthew 17:3

C. Peter, once convinced that it was Jesus speaking to them from shore, promptly threw himself into the water to go to Jesus. John 21:7

8. Prophets Are Very Willing to Suffer for Truth and RightA. Prophets are readily willing

to suffer for Christ, as well as take a stand for truth and for doing what is right. In fact, joy and rejoicing are a focus of the prophet during any conversation about persecution.

Example:A. Peter was willing to stand

and fight for Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

B. Peter, after the Lord’s last Passover, boldly, though unwisely, proclaimed his willingness to even die for Jesus’ sake. John 13:37

C. Peter, and the other apostles, rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ. See Acts 5:29, 40-42.

Example:D. Peter, convinced of the

absolute truth of the Law, was even willing to disobey the direct order of God, and suffer the consequences. Acts 10:14

E. Peter could say that the trial of faith is more precious than gold. I Peter 1:7

F. Peter exhorted his readers to live and suffer for righteousness, as did Christ. I Peter 2:20-21.

Example:G. Peter taught that to suffer for

righteousness’ sake is a blessing. I Peter 3:14, 17.

H. Peter challenged the brethren much as to their attitudes under persecution. I Peter 4:1-19

I. Peter commanded the saints to resist the devil himself and to remember that others are suffering for their stand as well. I Peter 5:8, 9.

J. Peter considered suffering as a Christian in this world as normal. I Peter 5:10

9. Prophets Are Transparent (Open and Honest) About Their Own FaultsA. Prophets can be quick to

recognize their own faults.Example:

1. Peter, seeing the draught of fishes they suddenly took at Jesus’ word, fell down at Jesus’ knees and publicly stated Luke 5:8

• 9 Characteristics of the Christian Who Walks in the Spirit with the Gift of Prophecy

• 16 Characteristics of the Christian Who Walks in the Flesh with the Gift of Prophecy

1. Prophets, in the eyes of others, tend to over-react to the sin and wrong doing in others. They can easily do what is considered to be ”an overkill.”

1. Prophets, in the eyes of others, tend to over-react to the sin and wrong doing in others. They can easily do what is considered to be ”an overkill.”

1. Prophets, in the eyes of others, tend to over-react to the sin and wrong doing in others. They can easily do what is considered to be ”an overkill.”

2. Prophets expect quick repentance of others even if their rebuke was not given in love or was not totally correct and appropriate.

If repentance does not come quickly, the prophet will blame the guilty party rather than blame himself for having been too rash, too harsh, and too much in the flesh.

3. Prophets tend to jump to conclusions without getting all the facts.

4. Prophets tend to evaluate the reactions of others to their rebukes in order to verify their quick judgment of the guilt of the accused person. Prophets may take words out of context even in order to prove a point. In other words, the prophet, in the flesh, will certainly justify himself and leave no one with any chance of explanation and integrity.

“I’m not a really bad person”

“I’m a really bad person”

5. Prophets do not even want to hear the “excuses” of others. They also tend to reject any justification as being just a lame excuse.

Blah, blah blah,Blah, blah, blah,Blah, blah, blah.

6. Prophets tend not to want to forgive.

7. Prophets tend to cut off the sinner just as fast as he judges the sin itself. They tend NOT to distinguish between the sinner and his sin, thus they throw out the proverbial “baby with the bath water.”

8. Prophets are often considered to be angry individuals because they treat sin and sinners so harshly.

9. Prophets know that the first step towards spiritual restoration is to expose sin. However, they tend to only expose the sin rather than restore the sinner. Often, there is no follow-up to show love and concern for the one who is guilty. Therefore, prophets tend to be avoided by others.

10.Prophets tend to categorize everything into only two categories: black and white. This makes it difficult for them to accept the opinions of others who disagree with them.

11.Prophets tend to dwell on the negative.

12.Prophets tend to be very blunt and often lack tactfulness in rebuking a brother.

You are a horrible pastor

13.Prophets tend to be impulsive, due to their ability and custom, to make quick decisions.

14.Prophets tend to get into trouble with their mouths and actions.

Peter stated that he would never be offended for the sake of Christ. He also said he was willing to die for Christ. Matthew 26:33,

15. Prophets tend to be very sensitive in regards to their “integrity.”A. They are abhorred just to think

that anyone might question their integrity. To question the “integrity” of a prophet is to question his very character and commitment to truth and right. This is totally unthinkable to a prophet.

B. Prophets tend to consider themselves to be above reproach and rebuke.

C. Prophets can become blatantly proud of their “integrity.”

16.Prophets tend to be very harsh with themselves when they fail. They cannot accept the fact that they, of all people, failed the Lord, or failed anyone at all. Matthew 26:75