A PROPHET'S WORD (1)

1. Introduction

a) 40“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:40-42 NKJV)

@1. Highlights:

i) This is the scripture passage that Jesus himself said. From here, we know that God uses man for his kingdom purpose. He uses men and women to speak about him in this world and to prophesy the very word he has for an individual, a group, a community, a nation and the world. The man of God called the seer or prophet in the Old Testament would carry the message of God to the king of Israel or Judah regarding the state of affairs for the nation. Likewise, a good king would always seek for the seer or prophet to enlighten him about what God thought in his battle with the enemies.

ii) So, there is no doubt that God uses men and women in this dispensation of grace.

2. What is a prophet?

a) There are 2 prophetic gifting:

i) When a person is in the midst of a gathering and the anointing of God is so strong, the person and everyone around them has the ability to prophesy (to utter inspired word).

@1. 9As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. 10When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. 11When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, "What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?" 12A man who lived there answered, "And who is their father?" So it became a saying: "Is Saul also among the prophets?" 13After Saul stopped prophesying, he went to the high place. (1 Samuel 10:9-13 NIV)

#1) This was the expression of surprise concerning worldly Saul becoming religious: "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

#2) 1Earlier Samuel has just anointed Saul to be king of Israel in 1 Samuel 10:1.

#3) 1Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, "Has not the Lord anointed you ruler over his inheritance? (1 Samuel 10:1 NIV)

@2.16The Lord said to Moses: "Bring me seventy of Israel's elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone. (Numbers 11:16, 17 NIV)

@3. 25Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again. 26However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp. 27A young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." 28Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' aide since youth, spoke up and said, "Moses, my lord, stop them!" 29But Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!" (Numbers 11:25-29 NIV)

@4. 28"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. (Joel 2:28, 29 NIV)

ii) The other is the station (office) of a prophet described as part of the five-fold ministry.

#1) 11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV)

#2) 28And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:28-31 NIV)

@1. Highlights:

a) This person has been chosen or called out by God and has been consecrated to carry the heart of God to the body of Christ.b) God is so incredibly loving allows someone to share and assist him in pouring out his sweeping love, direction, and word,of encouragement. He establishes a person to come and minister word from him to us.

c) The assignment of the prophet is edification (to build up - to instruct or improve morally or spiritually), exhortation (to urge earnestly by advice or warning, etc - to do what is proper or required), and comfort (to encourage - to make feel less sad or disappointed).

3. Why should we believe the Prophet's word?

a) Because we shall be successful (prosper)

i) 1It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles 20:1 NKJV)

ii) 15And he (Jahaziel the prophet) said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. (2 Chronicles 20:15 NKJV)

iii) 20So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” (2 Chronicles 20:20 NKJV)

4. Why should we receive the Prophet's word?

a) Because we shall receive the Prophet's reward

i) 41He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. (Matthew 10:41 NKJV)

5. What is a Prophet's reward?

a) One-to-one encounter with God.

b) Explanation about what is happening in the past, present and future.

c) Secrets from God. 7Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7 NKJV)

d) Dream.

e) Revelation.

f) Divine visitation.

g) Visitation of angels.

h) Extreme times of joy.

i) Word of knowledge.

j) Word of wisdom.

k) Peace.

l) Direction.

m) Understanding God's plan as the Holy Spirit speaks it or shows it. God's prophets will express what is to experience the heart of God and to share that with the receiver.