I Corinthians 14:1-3 – “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
We are in the decade of declaration. Our words are important. God has given His church a prophetic voice. As the body of Christ, we are to infuse the world around us with salt and light. Matthew 5:13 says, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”
We believe in the fivefold ministry. Ephesians 4:11-13 says, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, or the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” I believe God raises up apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers today. Over the last few decades, the Lord has been restoring these offices to His church.
Here is some good news. Every believer can hear the voice of the Lord. Hebrews 3:7 – “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice.’” You do not have to be a prophet to prophesy. You do not have to stand in one of the five ministry offices to be used in the gifts of the Spirit. God has given His church a prophetic voice.
What does this prophetic voice look and sound like?
· It will be anchored in the Word of God. It is a word from the Word.
· It will penetrate the darkness in the hearts of men and call them to a place of repentance.
· The prophetic voice will speak into the different mountains of society or spheres of influence.
Old Testament Prophets spoke to kings and those in authority. They would go to the city gates and deliver the word of the Lord. We are called to speak with a prophetic voice calling people to experience the greatest miracle of all miracles, salvation. Titus 3:5 says, “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
When we speak with a prophetic voice, we bring hope and we speak edification, exhortation, and comfort to a world without hope.
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