Wild & Free (Part 2): Maturing Gifts (Prophecy, Wisdom, & Knowledge)

Wild & Free (Part 2): Prophecy, Wisdom, & Knowledge

June 23rd, 2024/Casey Middle School

Story: On vacation with friends and was introduced to a man that had the gift of prophecy. I was hanging out with him at a party and we struck up a conversation. He was so intentional with his questions and we talked about all aspects of life and faith. Towards the end of our conversation, I asked if he would be willing to pray for me and share anything that the Spirit might be saying to him. I ended up leaving the party, and did not get my prophetic word… until later.

The next morning, I received a voice memo from him where he was praying for me. It felt like every sentence was a page out of my present life. As he continued in his prayer, I felt like the windows of heaven opened up and I was filled with hope, comfort, strength, and encouragement. Things he could not have known about me came through this prayer. It was an on time word and it came with such grace and humility.

This is just one example of many I could share, where a follower of Jesus, with the gift of prophecy, was used to encourage me at a time I desperately needed it most.

Intro: Today we’re going to look at 3 of the 24 spiritual gifts that we’ll be studying over the next several weeks. These gifts are not given in any particular order, but we have done our best to categorize them in a way that we believe will be helpful and beneficial for understanding. The gifts we’re going to be studying today are a part of what’s often referred to as the “Revelatory Gifts”. Revelatory Gifts are spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit that involve the supernatural revelation of divine knowledge, insight, or information that could not be known by natural means.

Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 CSB

A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: 8 to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9 to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues, to another, interpretation of tongues. 11 One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.

Pray:

Background:

Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 12 to address misunderstandings and misuses of spiritual gifts among the Corinthians. The church in Corinth was experiencing issues related to comparison and competition over the more visible spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues and prophecy. Paul aimed to correct their attitude related to the gifts and provide a theological framework for understanding and using spiritual gifts appropriately.

Title: Prophecy, Wisdom, & Knowledge

Series Goal:

1. That you would lean in with open hands to what the Scripture teaches about the spiritual gifts and be learners
2. That you would listen to the Holy Spirit as it relates to your spiritual gift
3. That you would activate your spiritual gift through developing it deeper in community
4. That you would use your spiritual gift appropriately and for the purpose of building up the body of Christ and advancing God’s mission.

We care deeply about this series as a church because we can’t be the church God has made us to be unless we all discover and use our spiritual gifts. Because churches are meant to be started by apostles, built up by prophets, enlarged by evangelists, led by leaders, taught by teachers, healed by healers, and helped by helpers, organized by administrators, and so on and so forth including all the other gifts. This requires all of us to know our gifts and use them to serve one another in our everyday lives, crews, and our weekend gatherings.

Main Points:

1. Prophecy

   1. On the other hand, the person who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation. 4 The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 I wish all of you spoke in tongues, but even more that you prophesied.
   2. Definition: The Spirit given ability to foretell or forthtell a divine message from God to a person or group of people that reveals God’s priorities, unlocks mysteries and edifies disciples by strengthening, encouraging and comforting them. Prophecy also convicts unbelievers of sin and lays bare their hearts.

   3. PROPHECY IS A REVELATION FROM GOD THAT ALWAYS ALIGNS US WITH GOD’S TRUTH AND PRIORITIES

      1. Foretelling

         1. What it is…

            1. Foretelling refers to the prophetic act of predicting future events. This aspect of prophecy involves revealing God's plans or judgments that are yet to happen.

            2. Biblical Example: Agabus

               1. Acts 11:27-30 (CSB) - 27 In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius. 29 Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea. 30 They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.
               2. Acts 21:10-11 (CSB) - 10 After we had been there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 He came to us, took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him over to the Gentiles.’” 3. Definition: Foretelling in biblical prophecy is the divinely inspired declaration of events that will occur in the future. It is a way God reveals His sovereign plans and purposes to His people. 2. What it’s not…

            3. Writing or speaking new Scripture

            4. Predicting someone’s future for personal gain
            5. Guessing future events based on previous experience
            6. Forecasting something that is really just a personal desire 2. Forthtelling

         2. What it is…

            1. Forthtelling involves proclaiming God's truth and message to people in the present. This aspect of prophecy focuses on exhortation, encouragement, and edification.

            2. Biblical Examples:

               1. 1 Corinthians 14:3: "But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort."
               2. Acts 15:32: "Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers." 3. Definition: Forthtelling in biblical prophecy is the divinely inspired declaration of God's will, truth, and commands to address the current needs and situations of His people. It involves exhortation, correction, and encouragement, aiming to build up the faith community. 2. What it’s not…

            3. Sharing negative or critical feedback that leaves an individual discouraged.

            4. Assuming that every random thought you have is prophetic
            5. Sharing your personal thoughts on a situation or consequence 3. Prophecy, when done biblically, can be a tremendous blessing to the church. However, it requires maturity and discernment to avoid the pitfalls of personal agendas and inaccuracies. 4. Foundational principles for someone that is going to prophesy

         3. Must be done in humility and faith

         4. For the benefit and building up of others
         5. And be spoken only of what the Holy Spirit has prompted to say, no more, and no less.
            4. Reasons For Controversy:

      2. The spiritual gift of prophecy is considered the most controversial by some of the most prominent advocates of the third wave movement. Some of these reasons include…

      3. Misuse and Abuse: Instances where prophecy has been used to manipulate or control others have led to distrust and skepticism.
      4. Fallibility: Unlike the inerrant Scripture, personal prophecies can be inaccurate, leading to confusion and doubt.
      5. Testing and Discernment: The challenge of discerning true prophetic messages from false ones can cause division within the church.

      6. Doctrinal Differences: Different theological perspectives on the continuation or cessation of spiritual gifts, particularly prophecy, contribute to controversy.

         5. Application For Today:

      7. Read and know God’s Word

      8. Prophesy only of what the Holy Spirit has prompted to say, no more, and no less.
      9. Prophesy with great humility and faith
      10. Prophesy for the benefit and building up of others
      11. Prophecy should be carefully evaluated through the lens of God’s Word, God’s character, and wise counsel.
          6. Story: being at the next gen event and not wanting to be there, then praying for the gift of prophecy.

2. Wisdom (Instruction)

   1. "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." - James 3:17
   2. Also known as “Word of wisdom” (1 Corinthians 12:8). James 3:17 describes the wisdom every believer should show; the gift is a message of wisdom given by the Spirit.
   3. Definition: The gift of the word of wisdom is the God-given ability to discern and communicate profound spiritual insights and practical applications of biblical truths, offering wise counsel and guidance that helps others navigate life's challenges and make godly decisions.
   4. Purpose: To provide godly solutions and guidance in complex situations.
   5. Wisdom is the ability to see life from God's perspective and to know the best course of action to take.
   6. Personal Story:
   7. Example of how I understand this gift: Solomon using wisdom from God with the mother and her baby.

   8. Practical Application:

      1. “Wait, don’t do this…”
      2. Not that you are simply a wise person or accumulated wisdom, but that you have been given a word of wisdom from the Holy Spirit.

      3. Knowledge (Information)

         1. "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." - Colossians 2:2-3
         2. Also known as “Word of knowledge” (1 Corinthians 12:8). Colossians 2:2-3 is not about this gift; it tells us all the treasures of knowledge are found in Christ.
         3. Definition: The gift of the word of knowledge is the God-given ability to receive and communicate specific, factual information revealed by the Holy Spirit, which is not obtained through natural means, to provide insight, encouragement, or direction to individuals or the church.
         4. Purpose: To provide specific insight, encouragement, or direction.
         5. A word of knowledge is a piece of information given by the Holy Spirit that could not have been known otherwise.
         6. Personal Story:
         7. Example: Jesus and the woman at the well. (John 4) Zacchaeus in the tree. (Luke 19)
         8. Practical Application:

      4. “Show me something I have no way of knowing”

      5. Healing the sick. Someone who is in emotional pain.

Closing:

“Humble people put their confidence in the Holy Spirit’s ability to speak, not in their ability to hear.” - Ps Ron Johnson

Acts 2:17 "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." The Apostle Peter was quoting from Joel 2:28 where God promised that in the days between the coming of Messiah Jesus and his return, everyone who follows and obeys the teachings of Jesus will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will prophesy and sometimes receive visions and dreams from God.

Invitation:

If you want to make a decision to follow Jesus. Then join me and everyone else in the building as we pray out loud together. It’s not the prayer that saves you, but your faith, making Jesus Lord of your life. We don’t let anyone go on the journey alone. If you have faith in Jesus, then let’s join together as we pray…

Prayer of Salvation:

Jesus, I acknowledge that I need you

I confess that I have sinned against you

I believe that God raised you from the dead

And right now, by faith, I say “Jesus is Lord”

Thank you for forgiving me

By your grace I am saved

And by your power I am set free

Conclusion:

If you prayed that prayer for the first time then Scripture says “anyone who acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge them before my Father”. I’m going to ask that if you prayed that prayer for the first time would you lift your hand and let me know so that I can celebrate with you.

1. God is so proud of you.

2. The angels are rejoicing.

3. And we believe God has a purpose for your life.

Would you let us know that you made a decision so that we can follow up with you and help you on your next steps?