![]() It does not seekto impress the hearers, but to expose the secrets oftheir hearts and to stir them to action.Those who respond to such a prophetic word willcorrect themselves. A prophecy however is a word from Godthat comes through a man’s heart. ![]() A sermon comes from a man’s headas a result of intellectual labour and can impresshis hearers. There is avast difference between a religious sermon and aprophetic word. They must speakas the spokesmen of God (1 Peter 4:11). This was a picture of howthose who preach God’s Word (prophesy) today shouldcarry God’s people in their hearts – just as a mothercarries a baby in her womb (See Philippians 1:7).Those gifted with the prophetic word should be thefirst to speak in the meetings of the church, bringingforth a word from God that is appropriate to theneed of that church at that time. Aaron carried12 stones (representing the 12 tribes of Israel) on abreastplate over his heart. A church does not need apostles, teachersand evangelists locally (these ministries can be itinerant),but it does need prophets and shepherds, if itis to grow to maturity.The prophets of old spoke of “the burden of theLord” that they carried in their hearts. But New Testament prophecyrefers to speaking forth God’s Word in such a wayas “to edify (build up), exhort (challenge), and comfort(encourage)” the church (See 1 Corinthians 14:3).Every church must have brothers who can exercisethis gift. Old Testament prophecyforetold the future. And those whoare called to be evangelists (especially to unreachedareas) should expect God to give them these abilities.But these do not have to take place in the meetingsof every local church.In the church-meeting the main gift to be exercisedis the gift of prophecy. We do not read there ofany miraculous gifts being exercised in the churchmeetings.There is a place in evangelistic ministry,even today, for the exercise of the gift of healing andfor the casting out of demons, as a confirmation ofthe gospel message (Mark 16:15–18). Many give up prayingtoo soon because they are self-confident – and thusfail these tests.The Meetings of the Local ChurchAmong the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in1 Corinthians 12, we find that the word-gifts aloneare exercised in the meetings of the local church –teaching, prophecy, tongues and interpretation (See1 Corinthians 14:26 - ff). He also waitsto see whether we feel really helpless and unable toserve Him, without His power. God tests us tosee whether we are really eager to receive His powerand whether we really value His gifts. The giftsof the Spirit did not bring any benefit to the LordHimself in His life.We must have a concern for others and a sense ofour own inability to help them, if we are to seek forthe gifts of the Spirit in the right way.The second thing that we learn from this parableis that we must keep on asking God for the powerof the Holy Spirit until we receive it. Practical DiscipleshipDiscipleship and Church Mattersmentioned here is for the benefit of others.
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