2017-1-22 - A Prophetic Message
The purpose of prophecy is to edify (build up, strengthen), exhort (encourage or urge to do something) and console (comfort, to lessen grief, sorrow or disappointment). It often provides warning or direction. Then a prayerful response of action needs to occur … which is the act of faith.
Acts 11:27-28 occurred in 43 AD
Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. The famine occurred in 46-47 AD.
Acts 21:10-15 probably occurred in February of 58 AD
As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, "The will of the Lord be done!" After these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem. Paul was arrested in the summer of 58 AD and arrived in Rome in 61 AD.
*Play Loren Sanford Prophetic Message
What are we doing about this?
1. The new generation of people are here … they are our grandchildren.
a. However, they need a biblical foundation, and
b. Maturity over time.
2. We will begin teaching on the Gifts of the Spirit within a few weeks Those who have been born again are able to receive spiritual gifts.
3. The end of the age is fast approaching and the parable of the wheat and tares is coming to pass right before our eyes. The separation is within the church itself … for judgment always begins at the house of God first. It is becoming obvious which people truly want to follow God and seek for holiness and those who are just occupying a seat in the building.
4. We are learning to love our enemies but phoniness within the body of Christ will not be accepted. (For example: last Sunday at lunch)
5. We are to prepare the bride for Christ and keep her safe.
6. It is no longer what we want in a Church but what Jesus wants the church to become. We are to follow Him!
7. We are currently publishing and delivering teaching materials to pastors of churches to prepare their people by changes to the heart through what Jesus commanded them to do … Follow Him! We are currently teaching it here.
8. Worship is not in the song … it is in the heart of God's people. It is not necessarily singing … it is giving one's self in devotion to Him. Yet there is a new type of music coming as well and I was shown this back in 1991. I bought John Romero a recorder in case God began giving him new songs. Also, someone needs to write the music for the new song which is most likely the song of the Lamb in Revelation 15:3.[1]
9. God has given us:
· His Vision of what we are to become … like His son, Jesus.
· The Mission we are to accomplish … to make disciples.
· The Strategy we are to use …
o Stay until we are empowered by the Holy Spirit
o Go into all the world.
o Preach the message of forgiveness of sins in Jesus name
o Baptize those who have believed the message.
o Teach them to observe everything that Jesus commanded to do.
· And the Ministry we are to perform … reconciling people to God.
In order to do this work He has also given us:
· His Authority … to accomplish the mission and ministry.
· His Power … the Holy Spirit.
· His Tools … the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
· His Glory … the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
· His Equippers … apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
[1] And they sang the song of Moses (Ex 15:1-18), the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED.”