The Gift of Prophecy - Part Two

(NOTE: This teaching FOLLOWS the earlier teaching on "The Gift of Teaching" - Scroll down and you find it, or click on the link to the right)

INTRODUCTION:

• 1 Corinthians 14:1 – The importance of DESIRE

Greek Word for DESIRE: zeloo {dzay-lo'-o}

from 2205; TDNT - 2:882,297; v

AV - zealously affect 2, move with envy 2, envy 1, be zealous 1,
affect 1, desire 1, covet 1, covet earnestly 1, misc 2; 12

1) to burn with zeal
1a) to be heated or to boil with envy, hatred, anger
1a1) in a good sense, to be zealous in the pursuit of good
1b) to desire earnestly, pursue
1b1) to desire one earnestly, to strive after, busy one's self
about him
1b2) to exert one's self for one (that he may not be
torn from me)
1b3) to be the object of the zeal of others, to be zealously
sought after
1c) to envy


ESPECIALLY – the gift of prophecy!

WHY DESIRE PROPHECY?

• 1 Corinthians 14:2-5 (esp. 3)

WHAT DOES PROPHECY ACCOMPLISH?

1. Edification – building up
See Ephesians 4:29

2. Encouragement – “a calling near”
See Hebrews 3:13

3. Comfort – bringing a message that calms
See 2 Corinthians 1:3-5


FIRST STEPS TOWARDS A PROPHETIC MINISTRY

“How can we give a pure word of prophecy that glorifies the Lord, has no mixture from our hearts and has no influence of the enemy attached? What we need almost as a guarantee that we will not dishonor the Lord Jesus, discredit the ministry or disrupt the Body of Christ is a large dose of humility.” Graham Cooke Developing Your Prophetic Gifting p. 45 Chosen Books ©2003

• James 3:13


PREPARATION FOR PROPHETIC MINISTRY

1. Prayer & listening
2. Asking for revelation
3. Develop a lifestyle of thanksgiving
4. Meditate on scripture
5. Wait on God – intentionally and purposefully
6. Develop your prayer language
7. Earnestly desire to prophesy
8. Live in expectation
9. Allow the Holy Spirit to give you a burden/concern
10. Stir up the gift by moving out in faith with the right motive

CONCLUSION:

Prophecy is desperately needed in the Body of Christ today. Paul says that we are to earnestly desire to prophesy. In humility and with the aim of glorifying God, seek to stir up the gift of God in your life bringing words that edify, encourage and comfort those around you.