A TRUE PROPHET

1. Introduction

a) Some have called themselves prophets. Some have printed cards stated that they are prophets. Some have broadcast to their congregation that they are prophets. Some have been so-called ordained as prophets. Some have performed some signs and wonders and declared that they are prophets. It is all about themselves, self-centred and they expect the people to accept whatever that have been declared!

2. What is the understanding of a prophet?

a) For simple understanding, a prophet is someone who preaches the Word of God and moves in the prophetic gifting.

b) The assignment of a 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) to the body of Christ.

c) The people around him will recognize and declare that he is prophet.

i) Example 1 (Widow of Zeraphath)

17Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. 18She said to Elijah, "What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?" 19"Give me your son," Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. 20Then he cried out to the Lord, "Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?" 21Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, "Lord my God, let this boy's life return to him!" 22The Lord heard Elijah's cry, and the boy's life returned to him, and he lived. 23Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, "Look, your son is alive!" 24Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth." (1 Kings 17:17-24 NIV)

ii) Example 2 (Samaritan Woman)

7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." 11"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?" 13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 15The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." 16He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back." 17"I have no husband," she replied.

Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. 18The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true." 19"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. (John 4:7-19 NIV)

d) Why?

i) Because the people recognize and acknowledge whatever the prophet says is accurate and comes to pass. This is a very important key to identify God's true prophet.

3. Prayer focus

a) Pray for prophetic gifting as the Holy Spirit wills.