New Covenant: Prophetic

God's Prophetic Gifting

In 1516, the year before he nailed his manifesto to the Cathedral door and (unknowingly) began the Christian Reformation, Martin Luther was teaching the book of Galatians at Wittenberg University in Germany. In his letter to the Galatians Paul reminds the people that only faith in Jesus will bring them into salvation, that none of their traditions or religious practices will help at all, indeed, they will get in the way of a saving faith. It seems that Martin Luther was convicted by what God showed him in Scripture and he then taught his students. He was at Wittenberg as a priest and a theology professor; "theology" is another way of saying "God" together with "study and understand", "engage with", "ponder".

At that time the Christian Church was worldly and corrupt and did not look to Jesus, its Head (Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18), instead it relied on Church tradition and its hierarchical leaders.

Most Christians had no idea of the content of the Bible. The entire leadership of the Church appeared to be deaf to God's Word in any form.

The book of Galatians and the whole Christian Gospel came alive to Martin Luther, it was revealed to him by God Himself, by His Holy Spirit. Martin then felt convicted to publicise his insight by nailing a manifesto containing 95 perceived problems with the Church, to the Cathedral door.

This was God's prophetic gift at work .. God using His people to share His thoughts with the world.

A similar "reformation" is happening among many of Jesus' people today, not just in one central figure. Scripture seems to be speaking with a fresh clarity. Christians are more alert to what Jesus is saying and doing .. the prophetic gifting is coming more alive in us (1 Corinthians 12:8,10).

It is so encouraging to see how the Church is hearing from God and growing .. this is not like a field of corn with every plant coming along and developing like all its neighbours. No, it is more like a vast forest or an ecosystem where some things are growing and multiplying really well while other plants or species, or all of another region, seem not to be growing or multiplying much at all, and may even be shrinking or dying off. (See Note 1).

The parts of the Church where I spend my time seem to be getting more "born again" and more "Spirit filled", which is what Jesus' Word tells us to expect when the going gets tough (John 16:33, Romans 5:3-5, 2 Thessalonians 1:4, Hebrews 12:1). 

Christian people seem to be assimilating more into their "born again-ness" (Galatians 5:22-23) and showing more fruit from being "filled with the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:1-11), particularly in their ability to hear what God is saying through Jesus and by His Holy Spirit (Matthew 10:20, Mark 13:11, John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:13); this can be called "hearing God's prophetic voice" and, Scripture tells us, is a normative part of the life Jesus wants for us.

Paul wrote "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially the gift of prophecy .. the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort .. the one who prophesies edifies the Church.  I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy" (1 Corinthians 14:1-4 abridged).

I am not suggesting that we will all be the Isaiahs and Haggais of our time, but rather that we will more clearly hear from our Father and from Jesus so that we can get on with doing our part to complete God's work on the Earth: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).

We are being made ready for Holy Spirit to empower us and encourage us to act for the Kingdom of God (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Hearing clearly from our Lord Jesus encourages and enables us to be more "totally available" for Jesus, and "radically obedient" to Him.

Jesus grows us, not just a little bit, but amazingly, even to being more and more Christ-like in our lives and in our abilities (Ephesians 4:11-13). People look at us and see something different, because what He has put inside us comes out (Luke 6:45, John 7:38).

Over the years I have heard many preachers say that "God has a plan for your life" and "you have a God-given destiny" and then going on to encourage us to seize the day, straighten up and get on with what it is that God is desiring. I see this now happening spontaneously in many of Jesus' people, (rather than  coming from the pulpit on Sundays).

In my different careers I have been blessed with some truly gifted managers. It is amazing how much difference a good manager makes; they seem to have some kind of X-factor where they see more clearly and their people respond better and more fully. The text books tell us this is to do with communications and authority. Jesus clearly is such a one, In the Bible His people became devoted followers with just a word (John 1:43). People gathered by the thousand to see and hear Him (Matthew 14:13-21, Matthew 25:38). 

Now He is the "manager" of the whole Cosmos, and particularly, of the Kingdom of God and the Church. He is also brilliant at communicating with and managing each one of us, at the micro level (John 4:5-29, John 8:1-11). I see devotion everywhere I look, devotion and a great willingness to join in with Jesus and what He is doing.

I vividly remember when Jesus first came to me and took my arm, (and have heard so many testimonies where people delight in telling about their first encounter with Jesus). At the time Jesus said no word; He simply gave me a gentle tug on my arm as if to say "come, I want you now". I did come, straight away, and have never since doubted that He loves me and is always my champion. It is easy for me to accept Jesus as my manager and my Lord.

"The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.  The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice" (John 10:2-4).

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:27-28).

So this growing ability to hear God's voice, this increasing prophetic gifting is wonderful for our world. The millions of small sparks of Jesus' light pouring into our increasingly dark world are making a difference, particularly to the people near to where the light is shining, and to where our prayers are focused, to the people, the families, to our leaders, and others' leaders, all around the world.

Instead of looking on these times with despair and thinking that things are hopeless, we are going forward with Jesus, making up ground ..

Thank you Jesus.

Favourite Scriptures

"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known" (Jeremiah 33:3).

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17).

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

Amen.

NOTE 1: Church Statistics Reflecting Today

Statistics tell us that Christianity world-wide is growing and is still by far the most followed faith or religion in the world. In some places the growth is rapid, though the West over-all is declining in numbers. Islam is growing, it is also a favourite of the media and is politically active.

Bless us all. Amen.

Permalink

https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2019/12/new-covenant-prophetic.html

Praise Jesus.