Here are the songs we sang this Sunday. This shows the song name, the artist who performed the song, and the cd that contains the song. The Word of God Has Spoken Travis Cottrell When the Stars Burn Down Jesus Loves Me Chris Tomlin Love Ran Red More Love, More Power Michael W. Smith - Worship Holy Spirit (W/Gabriel s Oboe) Keith & Kristyn Getty Hymns For the Christian Life (Deluxe)
1 Thess. 1:1-10 1 Thess. 2:1-12, 19-20 1 Thess. 2:13-3:13 The gospel is powerfully transforming & boldly proclaimed When it comes to ministry, the depth of your character is more important than the delivery of your words Like the Survivor Tree, be steadfast amidst opposition and difficulties
1 Thess. 4:1-8 1 Thess. 4:13-5:11 1 Thess. 4:9-12 1 Thess. 5:12-18 Please God through sexual purity Christ s Return: Live this day in light of that day! Ask God How can I encourage someone today? Respect leaders, respond wisely, rejoice always
How the Message of Jesus Transforms the Lives of His People- (part 8) 1 Thessalonians 5:19-28
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
Negative Commands (vv.19-20) 5:19 General The Spirit do not quench 5:20 Specific prophecies do not despise but Positive Commands (vv.21-22) 5:21a General All (of them) test 5:21b Specific the good- hold on to 5:22 Specific every form of evil- reject
Why did Paul instruct this?
Why did Paul instruct this? 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter asserting that the day of the Lord has already come
Why did Paul instruct this? Application for today
What is NT prophecy? Difference between OT & NT prophecy
What is NT prophecy? Difference between OT & NT prophecy OT prophets & prophecy Only a select few Emphasis: obey! (e.g.- Jer. 1:1-19ff)
What is NT prophecy? Difference between OT & NT prophecy OT prophets & prophecy Only a select few Emphasis: obey! (e.g.- Jer. 1:1-19ff) NT apostles Only a select few Emphasis: obey! (e.g.-gal. 1:1-12ff)
What is NT prophecy? Difference between OT & NT prophecy Acts 2:14-18 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
What is NT prophecy? Difference between OT & NT prophecy Acts 2:14-18 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
What is NT prophecy? Difference between OT & NT prophecy Acts 2:14-18 17 In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
What is NT prophecy? Difference between OT & NT prophecy Acts 2:14-18 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
What is NT prophecy? Difference between OT & NT prophecy OT prophets Only a select few & prophecy NT apostles Only a select few Emphasis: obey! (e.g.- Jer. 1:1-19ff) Emphasis: obey! (e.g.-gal. 1:1-12ff) NT prophecy All can potentially Emphasis: Test prophecy (Acts everything! (1 2:17-18) Thess. 5:19-22)
What is NT prophecy? Definition (from Wayne Grudem) Telling something that God has spontaneously brought to mind
Cautions & Suggestions: Prophecy, like any tool of God, can be used or abused
Cautions & Suggestions: Don t communicate prophecy as having more authority than it does
Cautions & Suggestions: Some will be more gifted in this area than others, but we can all hear God speak to us and speak through us
Cautions & Suggestions: Some will be more gifted in this area than others, but we can all hear God speak to us and speak through us 1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
How are we to test prophecy? 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
How are we to test prophecy? Does it conform to the Word of God? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
How are we to test prophecy? Does it build up the body? 1 Corinthians 14:3 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort
How are we to test prophecy? Consider the person s character & conduct Matthew 7:15-20 15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
How are we to test prophecy? Consider the person s character & conduct Matthew 7:15-20 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
How are we to test prophecy? Consider the person s character & conduct Matthew 7:15-20 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
How are we to test prophecy? Pray and ask God for His wisdom
How are we to test prophecy? Principle: The greater the risk, the greater the need for confirmation
How to grow in hearing God for yourself and for others Spend time with the Lord
How to grow in hearing God for yourself and for others Spend time with the Lord Spend time reading His Word
How to grow in hearing God for yourself and for others Spend time with the Lord Spend time reading His Word Spend time being still before God
How to grow in hearing God for yourself and for others Spend time with the Lord Spend time reading His Word Spend time being still before God When ministering to someone, ask God for a Scripture verse
How to grow in hearing God for yourself and for others Suggested reading on hearing God s voice: Beginning: The Power of a Whisper (Bill Hybels) Biblical overview: Surprised by the Power of the Spirit & Surprised by the Voice of God (Jack Deere)
How to grow in hearing God for yourself and for others Suggested reading on hearing God s voice: Theological overview: Chapter 53 of Systematic Theology (Wayne Grudem) Practical tips in the Church: Empowered Evangelicals (Rich Nathan & Ken Wilson)
How to grow in hearing God for yourself and for others Suggested reading on hearing God s voice: Philosophical view: Hearing God (Dallas Willard) Exegetical commentary on 1 Corinthians 12-14: The First Epistle to the Corinthians- NICNT series (Gordon D. Fee)
How to grow in hearing God for yourself and for others Suggested reading on hearing God s voice: In-depth theological study: The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament Today (Wayne Grudem)
Questions?
Follow God s Word & Spirit!