Theological Commentary: Click Here
Discipleship Focus: Prophet
- Prophet: A prophet is one of the fivefold ministry categories that is used throughout the Bible and especially lifted up in Ephesians 4:11. The prophet is primarily concerned with whether or not the people are hearing the voice of God. The prophet is also concerned about whether or not the people are responding to God’s voice.
This is clearly a passage about the prophet. But let’s remember something. Being a prophet isn’t about predicting the
future. Being a prophet isn’t about
telling other people what is going to happen in their life. Being a prophet is about bring God and God’s
Word into the life of another person.
Being a prophet might be about showing a person how their actions aren’t
lining up with God’s Word and how that might not give the best result in the
future. Or it might be encouraging a
person that their actions are absolutely in line with God’s Word and reminding
them to continue in their obedience!
In any case, Paul tells us again and again that prophets are
needed in the church. We should be about
telling one another God’s Word and reminding one another about His ways. This should be the primary function of our
churches. This should be something that
leeches from the church into the homes of those who are following God. Our time with one another in the church, in
the home, or even in the community should revolve around how God is at work,
where we can join with Him, and the areas that we might be able to improve in
our obedience to the Lord.
In short, this is a communal thing. Prophets should be raised up who can speak
into the lives of the people around them.
In fact, all of us should have elements of the prophetic from time to
time. If we are all following God and
God calls us to go out and make disciples, then shouldn’t we all speak God’s
truth into the lives of other people from time to time? Yes, the prophetic voice is needed in our
communities today.
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