The prophetic "now word"!
Is the written word of God the complete story of God? Yes! Is it all that we need, or is it all that God has provided for us to live the Christian life? Ummmmmmm...that's my challenge this morning. Don't worry, i'm not getting liberal...What i'm not thinking about is the issue of whether or not a Christian needs, or should use secular psychology or modern medicine to help live out the Christian life. But, what i am thinking about is the role of the prophetic gifting in the life of the church to help the Body live out the Christian life. Did God use this gifting and these people in the New Testament to provide guidance, direction, vision and understanding (from God's heart) to help edify and build up the Body of Christ? And, if so, do we not need them today also?
Well, we know that God did give direction and guidance to the first church through the role of the prophet, as Acts 13 is a prime example. But, we also read that the role of the prophetic gifting is one of the ways in which God has prescribed for His Body to be build up and edified...
Ephesians 4:10 says that "God has given to the church Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers to equip the Body to do the work of the ministry!"
So, part of the way in which the church is to be strengthened to do the work of the ministry (or simple grow into effective ministers), is through the ministry of the prophet. And, without getting into the role of the other gifts right now, it would seem that a major way in which the prophet was used by the Lord to build up the Body was through his/her ability to speak the "now words" of God!
What was God thinking now? What was God's "next step" for the church? What did God want to do next, and who would it include? Enter the prophet! And, that is exactly what we find happening here in Acts 13. A group of prophets and teachers get together to seek the Lord, and the result is the "now word" of God saying, "Separate Paul and Barnabas for a new work to which i have called them!" How did God speak? Was it an audible voice? Was it writing on the wall? We aren't told, but i think that it's inferred in the list of guests attending the prayer meeting...prophets were there! Prophets, through whom God speaks messages to the church! How awesome is that? Equal with Scripture? NO! Rather messages from God concerning His thoughts, His will, and His plans for His church!
Do you think that the church today could use some "now words" from God? Do you think that the church today has these valued people among them? I say "Yes!". And, i think that we need to encourage them to use their gifts! Is it dangerous? Sure. That's probably why many of us are skeptical in the first place. But, in the context of a small group, there can be accountability, guidance, oversight and development. If we would all agree that we need pastors and teachers today, then i would submit that we also need prophets, as well.
God, please raise up a generation of prophets who would help equip your church to do the work of the ministry! Help us leaders to identify and encourage these valuable people among us! And, help them to step out in faith, seeking to use their gifts to serve and edify the Body! We need Your "now words" today!
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