Sermon Title: A family of contributors
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:22-33

*Some common definitions of “prophecy” from different sources.
*
Speaking what God spontaneously brings to mind.
“Why Christians can still prophesy” - Wayne Grudem

Prophecy as used by Paul in 1 Corinthians refers generally to speech that reports something that God spontaneously brings to mind or reveals to the speaker but which is spoken in merely human words, not words of God.”
ESV Study Bible

“It is a word from the Lord thru a member of his body inspired by the spirit and given to build up the rest of the body.”
Anglican theologian - Michael Green

Prophecy is not a sermon by 21st century standards. It is a spontaneous utterance prompted by the Spirit and based on a sudden uncontrived revelation from God.”
“Conflict and Community in Corinth” - Ben Witherington

Prophecy is a phenomenon that results directly from the access the Holy Spring has to our minds whereby he can create pictures in our imagination and supernatural dreams while we’re asleep. He can put words, ideas or scripture into our heads with such force that we know there is something that carries with it the responsibility to pass on and relay what the Spirit has communicated.”
Greg Haslam - Minister of Westminster Chapel

Some suggested guidelines to keep in mind as we lean into this gifting:

1. The prophecy Paul is talking about it is not the same as the Prophets in the OT.

2. The New Testament clearly teaches that we are to WEIGH the prophecy.

    Here are 3 questions to help you do that.
     Does it line up with Scripture?
     Does it confirm or correct what God is already doing in your life?
     Does it glorify God or the prophet?

3. We should not avoid what we do not know.

“Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.”
1 Thess 5:19 -21

Additional Notes:

1 Corinthians 14:22-33

22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”