26-0607p - Detailed Summary

Steve opens the sermon titled "Prophecy" by noting that the message will focus on prophecy and its connection to the Holy Spirit. He references the morning Bible class discussion from Romans 8 about the Holy Spirit’s role in developing Christians and helping them walk in faith as righteous individuals. Steve mentions a thought about righteousness that he did not cover in the morning class and feels compelled to address it now. He explores the meaning of declaring "I am a Christian," explaining that it implies being a righteous, God-fearing individual who follows Jesus as a disciple. This involves concern for God’s teachings and implementing them in daily life.

Steve illustrates the concept with the example of a "Christian mechanic," implying that such a person would apply Christian principles honestly—never lying or overcharging for unnecessary work. Labeling someone a Christian suggests they live by righteous applications of God’s principles and desire to be recognized as followers of God. Steve acknowledges that at this point, the connection to prophecy is not yet clear, but he proceeds to the main topic. He explains that when most people think of prophecy, they recall Pentecostal-style claims of receiving direct messages from God to proclaim. However, prophecy encompasses much more and serves to establish God’s existence because only God can fulfill true prophecies—humans cannot.

Steve provides examples of biblical prophecy. To Abraham, God prophesied that his descendants would live as strangers in a foreign land, become slaves in Egypt, and later be delivered by divine power after approximately 400 or 500 years—events impossible for humans to fulfill on their own. Similarly, Daniel lived under the prophecy of 70 years of Babylonian captivity. When the time approached its end, Daniel prayed, and God intervened. Such prophecies demonstrate God’s reality, as they specify exact times and details that come to pass through divine action. Steve contrasts this with modern fortune-tellers, such as those reading seals, tea leaves, or palms, who cannot deliver true prophecy in the biblical sense.

Steve emphasizes that the Bible is now complete, with no new revelations concerning God’s will for mankind. He turns to 2 Peter chapter 1, where Peter states they did not follow cleverly devised tales but were eyewitnesses of Christ’s majesty. Peter recounts the divine declaration at the Transfiguration: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." The prophetic word is made more sure, like a lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawns. Importantly, no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private interpretation; men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Thus, the Holy Spirit made God’s will known, inspiring the Bible’s authors with motivation and prophetic words to record for believers. The sermon will examine the Holy Spirit’s particular role in prophecy.

Steve stresses that sermons and preaching are products of prophecy. Those who preach declare the word of God, which was prophesied to them, making their proclamation itself prophecy. The Holy Spirit plays a role in interpretation and developing sermons; Steve expresses hope that the Spirit is working with him in the present message. He notes the Holy Spirit as a gift received at baptism, referencing Acts 2. There, Peter instructs the crowd convicted by the realization of crucifying the Christ to repent—changing their attitude about Jesus as the Messiah—and be baptized for the remission of sins, after which they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Steve clarifies misconceptions, explaining that this gift is not primarily miraculous abilities like tongues but the Holy Spirit himself, who then imparts various gifts.

Steve directs attention to 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul discusses spiritual gifts. No one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are varieties of gifts, ministries, and effects, all from the same Spirit, Lord, and God. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. Gifts include the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, effecting of miracles, prophecy, distinguishing of spirits, various kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues—all distributed by the one Holy Spirit as he wills. While certain miraculous gifts like apostolic healing have ceased, divine providence and intervention continue. Steve encourages the exercise of remaining gifts for the benefit of the church body.

Drawing from the body analogy in 1 Corinthians 12, Steve explains that just as the human body is one yet has many parts, so is Christ. By one Spirit, all—whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—were baptized into one body and made to drink of one Spirit. Different parts cannot dismiss their role or claim independence; God has arranged each part as he desired. Weaker or less honorable parts receive greater honor so there may be no division, with all parts caring equally for one another. If one suffers, all suffer; if one is honored, all rejoice. God has appointed in the church apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healings, helps, administrations, and tongues—not all possess the same gifts. Believers should earnestly desire greater gifts, yet Paul points to a still better way.

Steve recalls Paul’s concerns in 1 Corinthians about the church’s mistreatment of the Lord’s Supper, where divisions, favoritism toward the rich, and neglect of the poor led to disorder, with some getting drunk while others went hungry. Similar issues of partiality between Jewish and Gentile believers appear in Romans. Such behavior causes division, drives members away, leads to sickness and death, and results in people leaving the church. Steve urges consideration for the entire assembly, recognizing varying levels of biblical knowledge and comprehension. Members must prioritize the common good, encouraging one another as parts of the body with diverse talents and abilities developed through different life experiences. He shares a personal anecdote from a union meeting at International Harvester, where the leader asked if anyone had anything for the good of the union, applying the same principle to the church: everything done in assembly should benefit the body as a whole.

Steve directs the congregation back to the scripture reading from Ephesians chapter 4, beginning at verse 1 for context. He reads how Paul, the prisoner of the Lord, urges believers to walk worthy of their calling with humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love. They are to be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. When he ascended on high, he led captives captive and gave gifts to people. This ascension implies he first descended into the lower parts of the earth, and the one who descended also ascended far above all heavens to fill all things.

Steve explains that Christ gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers. These gifts apply to the assembly of the body of Christ today, just as in the past. Apostles no longer exist because we now have the completed word. The purpose remains the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry and the building up of the body of Christ until all attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, becoming a mature man to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. As a result, believers should no longer be children tossed by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people or craftiness in deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, they are to grow up in all aspects into Christ, who is the head. The whole body, fitted and held together by every joint, causes growth through the proper working of each part, building itself up in love. These gifts are to be used for the benefit of the church and the body.

Steve observes that through his experiences, some people become envious of others' gifts and may dismiss their own role in the body, much like the foot saying it is not a hand or someone claiming they have nothing to contribute because they cannot lead singing or wait on the table. This wrong attitude must be overcome. Paul addresses the proper decorum and use of gifts in 1 Corinthians chapter 14, particularly regarding tongues and the ability to prophesy or preach and teach. Prophecy means proclaiming God’s word, which is what occurs in sermons and Bible classes. When a teacher stands to teach, he is prophesying by giving forth God’s word using his intelligence. Paul frequently prayed for congregations to receive understanding and insight because the Holy Spirit, who inspired the original authors, enables believers to understand and apply the message. Steve prays for such understanding when teaching Romans and even in the current sermon, encouraging others to ask God for wisdom as promised in Scripture.

Steve turns to 1 Corinthians 14 to examine the proper use of spiritual gifts. Believers should pursue love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. The one who speaks in a tongue speaks to God, not people, uttering mysteries in the spirit, while the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification, exhortation, and consolation. Tongues edify the speaker, but prophecy edifies the church. Paul prefers prophecy over tongues unless the tongues are interpreted for the church’s benefit. Without intelligible speech, communication is like an indistinct trumpet sound or speaking to the air. Every language has meaning to those who understand it, but unknown tongues leave others unedified. In the assembly, Paul would rather speak five understandable words to instruct others than ten thousand in a tongue. He thanks God for speaking in tongues more than others but prioritizes edification in church.

Steve notes that tongues serve as a sign for unbelievers, while prophecy is for believers. Bible assemblies primarily edify the body, and visitors or outsiders may not fully understand without prior study. However, when all prophesy and an unbeliever enters, he can be convicted, called to account, and led to worship God. In assemblies, each one may have a psalm, teaching, revelation, tongue, or interpretation, but all things must be done for edification. Steve shares insights possibly inspired by the Holy Spirit from his Toastmasters experience, where he learned about public speaking and won local competitions. He discusses interference in communication: distractions, family situations, or listeners "chasing rabbits" by pursuing related thoughts or scriptures, causing them to miss parts of the message. Speakers must recognize this reality.

Paul instructs that if someone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at most three, in turn, with interpretation; otherwise, they should remain silent and speak to God privately. Two or three prophets should speak, with others passing judgment. If a revelation comes to another seated listener, the first speaker should yield so all may prophesy one by one, allowing everyone to learn and be exhorted. The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets, for God is not a God of confusion but of peace. Steve applies this by noting he is not the only one with understanding; if Scott or Jim has insights stirred by the Spirit while listening, he should give them opportunity to share. As teachers and prophets in the body, they must yield for the common good so the audience hears what may be the needed message from God through the Holy Spirit. This reflects the spirit of prophecy at work.

Steve concludes that prophecy comes from God, and the ability to speak and expound the word is a gift from the Holy Spirit, given to anyone willing to use it. All are members of the body of Christ. He extends an invitation for anyone needing the prayers of the congregation to come forward. The service concludes by standing together to sing the song of invitation.