THUS SAITH THE LORD | PROPHECY THE VOICE OF GOD

Series: “Thus Saith The Lord” Sermon: “Listening To The Spirit”

The good news is not Jesus and it is not that you get to go to heaven. 
The good news (GOSPEL) is that God became a man to establish His kingdom on earth.

John 8:47 (AMP) “Whoever is of God listens to God. [Those who belong to God hear the words of God.]”

The greatest qualification for the next season may not be talent, knowledge, or influence—but the ability to hear.
God governs His kingdom through revelation knowledge. 
Heaven's agenda reaches earth through hearers who SPEAK.

1 Timothy 1:18 “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,…”

Prophecy (prophēteuō):— to speak forth by divine inspiration.
Prophecy is simply heaven revealing itself through human vessels.
It is God's thoughts becoming audible in the earth.

Genesis 1:26 (AMP) “...let them have complete authority ...over all of the earth,…” 

Matthew 6:9-10 “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.”

Psalm 115:16 “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.”

Psalm 8:6 “You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,...”

1 Corinthians 14:1, 39 “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”
“Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.” 

1 Corinthians 14:3 (NLT) "But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.”

2 Peter 1:21 "For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 

Is there a difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant?
Is the a difference between the OT priesthood and the NT priesthood?
Is there a difference between the OT king and the NT king?
Is there a difference between the OT prophet and the NT prophet?

Exodus 20:19 “Then they said to Moses, ‘You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.’”
God wanted to speak directly to his people. The people wanted a mediator.

Matthew 11:13 “For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.”
Old Testament prophecy pointed forward to the mystery. John the Baptist said, “Here He is!”

Matthew 11:11 (NLT) “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!”

Example Of NT Prophets:
Acts 15:32 “Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.”

Acts 11:28 “Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.”

OT Prophets were God’s voice to the people.
NT Every believer has the innate ability to hear God’s voice. Prophecy acts as a witness.
Operating in the wrong model often expresses unhealthy sense of importance.

OT Prophets were often lone rangers.
NT Prophets are a servant ministry in the body of Christ. TEAM
We need each other for clarity.
Operating in the wrong model causes isolation and pride … “I have a hotline.”

Dueteronomy 18:20 “But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.”
No room for error.

OT Prophets had to be exact.
NT Prophets submit there words for the others to judge. Prophesy in part.
1 Corinthians 14:29 “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.”
Operating in the wrong model breads deception and disappointment.

OT Prophets operated in period of law and judgement.
NT Prophecy is consistent with the revelation of Jesus, nature of Father.
It’s goal is rooted in redemption.
Operating in the wrong model is rooted in condemnation and judgement.

Matthew 16:15-19 (MSG) “He pressed them, ‘And how about you? Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter said, ‘You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus came back, ‘God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. 
My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock (Petros). This is the rock (Petra) on which will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.  And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, (keys of NKJV) keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven.”

Aligning yourself with the revelation of Jesus as King puts you in a place of privilege, trust, and authority and provides keys to ignite, lock, and loose, resulting in the manifestation of His Kingdom.

1. Authority -- Keys are for authorized people. 
Not waiting outside for the blessing to be opened.  
Keys are only useful if you know what they correspond to!!!

2. Access -- Keys Of The Kingdom
Enjoy all the benefits of the Fathers house. Fridge privileges! 
Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

3. Ownership --  It’s mine!!!  
I never beg for what I own. 
Luke 12:32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom." 

4 basic types of NT prophecy:
1. Spirit of Prophecy — an atmosphere of prophetic revelation.
2. Gift of Prophecy — a gift of the Spirit (not reward) functioning through a believer.
3. Office of a Prophet — a gift of a person given to the church to serve and to edify.
4. Company Of Prophets — Kingdom Life.

1. The Spirit of Prophecy
The Atmosphere of Revelation
In the manifest presence of Jesus People suddenly see:
Who God really is — Who they really are — What God is doing
A realm where heaven becomes discernible.

2. The Gift of Prophecy
"To another prophecy..." 1 Corinthians 12:10
It is a manifestation of the Spirit not a reward for maturity. Source — Holy Spirit
A new believer or a mature believer may prophesy.
Paul teaches that the gift of prophecy brings: strength encouragement and comfort

The gift of prophecy turns ordinary conversations into divine encounters:  
In schools. In businesses. In homes. In grocery stores.
The Kingdom advances whenever heaven finds a voice.
Prophecy is heaven interrupting earth with encouragement.

3. The Office of the Prophet
An Ascension Gift (Person) Given to the Church.
"He gave some to be apostles, some prophets..." Ephesians 4:11
A prophet carries: vision / direction / alignment equipping
Not merely revelation, but formation. They create a hunger for the voice of God.

Prophets help align the church with heaven's agenda.
A prophet is not God's favourite child; a prophet is God's servant to His people.
True prophets do not gather followers around themselves; they gather people around Jesus.

4. The Company of Prophets
The entire Church becomes a prophetic community.
"Would that all the Lord's people were prophets." (Numbers 11:29)
What Moses desired, Pentecost accomplished.

This is the Company of Prophets functioning:
A father speaks life over his children.
A wife speaks hope over her husband.
A business owner declares Kingdom purpose over employees.
A believer prays over a neighbourhood.
A church speaks God's destiny over a city.
A people whose mouths agree with heaven.

The Church is not called merely to observe history.
The Church is called to announce heaven into history. We speak:
Life over death / Hope over despair / Blessing over curse / Christ over chaos 
Reconciliation over division

God’s promise is looking for a believing voice.
The Church is God's prophetic embassy in the earth.
We do not speak in order to make God act; we speak because God has acted in Christ.
The Kingdom is not coming into force—it is already in force. 
Prophecy is the announcement of its victory.