SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETIC—

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETIC—

Stephen A. Hanson

 

Week Seven— Coming Unto Maturity in the Prophetic

1 Tim 4:14-15

14. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

15. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. (NIV)

 

1.      What type of word is it?

We also need to know and distinguish between what may well be for ourselves and not for the body of Christ at large. Also, is this a word for a particular church, a particular group of people, or is it universal in theme. Is there something in the content and essence of this word that would speak and build-up the body of Christ universal? When a gun is shot, and if that gun is a shot gun, then the spray of that ammunition can go in a wide area. We need to know how to properly handle this ammunition which He has placed within our care. On the other hand, we need not "quench the Spirit," and quickly throw-out something which may be for our benefit.

19. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20. do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21. Test everything. Hold on to the good. I Thess. 5

Also, is this word simply a word of comfort or edification, or is it a directional or confrontive word? I believe that great carefulness is needed when delivering either a directional, correctional, or even one which is illuminating. We all know about the simple word of prophecy, but I am talking about something else here.

 

2. Learning to Wait: 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40

 

3. Listen to Advice:  20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Prov. 19

 18 Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance. Prov. 20

 

4. Responsibility of the prophetic community:

What is the responsibility we have to the body of Christ when it comes to the "prophetic community"? I'll simply say, that we must preserve the true word of the Lord, and not to presume to speak anything, unless it comes from His Spirit. Will there be a mixture? Perhaps some....However, we need to keep the water untainted and free from anything which might cause a mixture, and pollute the stream. Yes, I do believe, that it is time to come unto maturity, and maturity means to "grow-up in these things of the Lord." He has been training, and refining, and directing. Part of this process I believe, is to bring about a greater discernment in the body as to what is pure and what is not. We can't just accept everything which comes to us in the form of a supposed word from the Lord. It will convict, it will discern between the soul and Spirit, and yes, it will build-up and give hope, even when judgment may be pronounced. There are words, and then, there are words. We need to be quite careful in how we administer them. We need to develop our faculties of Spirit to the point which we know that we know that we know, that this indeed is something from the throneroom.

 

5. Who is the Word For?

One needs to be sensitive to what He is speaking and sharing with you at the time. Is it something personal which concerns only you, or is it something which would benefit the body of Christ? These are important considerations to make, and ones which perhaps, are learned over time, through trial and error. Also, is this word specifically for that particular church, or is this something for the body of Christ at large? Obviously, there may well be something in every word which has application to the body of Christ at large, but is the real "meat" and content for someone or some church only? Also, and perhaps, finally, how does one then conduct themselves in giving personal words from the Lord to those in their midst at a church? Here again, I believe, wisdom is key, and important. Obviously, if someone is praying for you, and suddenly has a word from the Lord, and then speaks it out, this is something which needs to be weighed carefully. There may be other times when He speaks to you in the midst of a service concerning someone there in your midst. I usually then ask Him when would be a good time to share this with the person, and He will let me know. (These then, are just simply some good rules of conduct for those involved in the prophetic, and hopefully, helpful guidelines to follow. Remember that He is a God of order and not disorder, but that there is also freedom where the Spirit is, and He is also a creative God, and doesn't always do things the same way. He wants us to grow in our ability to trust Him, and not lean unto our own understanding.)

 

 

6. Receiving Discipline From the Lord:

4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;
5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;
6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.
11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
12 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.
(Hebrews 12:4-13).

Activation:

 

Prophesying From the Spirit of Prophecy

 

God speaks to individuals as well as corporately. This week we will again have the opportunity to share and speak to the group.

During this time as you listen to the Holy Spirit as He speaks to you, remember the words in 1 Cor. 14:3, that God speaks to us for our strengthening, edification and comfort. Remember again that this is not the time to give harsh or judgmental words.

This is a time to stretch yourself as before you gave simple words of knowledge for the group, and each time, you are strengthened as you grow in your ability to trust and speak what the Lord is giving to you for the benefit of the body.

During this week you will move into the spirit of prophecy. Remember 1 Cor. 14:31: "For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged". Allow this scripture to speak to you in regards to allowing the Lord to speak to you for the body of Christ.

You will be looking for a prophetic word that will speak to the group corporately. Take turns as each of you can have the opportunity to speak what the Lord is saying to you.

Imagine that you are in your church or a local gathering, and you are speaking to the assembly there. Relax and let the spirit of the Lord guide and direct you. He may just give you a portion of the word that you are to deliver. Trust him for the rest as you step out in faith.