PROPHECY (PREACHING)

The divine enablement to proclaim the God’s truth with power and clarity in a timely and culturally sensitive fashion for correction, repentence, or edification.

Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10. It is not necessarily a revelatory gift. It is simply a communicative gift. The ability to publicly communicate God’s word in an inspired way that convinces believers and both challenges and comforts believers. The ability to persuasively declare God’s will. A Greek or Hebrew knew that prophet simply meant “to speak publicly.” Someone who is committed to God’s truth; not interested in their own “truth” or man’s “truth” but God’s truth.

DISTINCTIVES:

• To understand the cultural timing and know the appropriate moment to present God’s truth. They take the words spoken by Christ in Jerusalem and deliver them today in Yorba Linda.

• The messenger or prophet has purpose that will send believers seeking correction, repentance or edification.

• The medium for using this gift is not always from the pulpit, but can be one-on-one; a disciplining of another believer.

• Generally prophets are expressive types but at the same time are discerning; they are authoritative.

• These people need quiet time to listen to God’s direction.

CAUTIONS:

• Be careful that you don’t lack compassion. Your focus on the truth sometimes allows you to speak the truth without love; use your gift gently, with compassion, and most important, do it with love.

• Not too demanding or too pessimistic.