Understanding the Uniqueness of this Church (Part 1)
- Sermon By: Pst. Emmanuel Sobowale
- Categories: November Series
What are Prophecies?
Prophecy is the unveiling of God’s plan and purpose for a nation, a people or an individual, it is God unfolding or telling us things that will spring forth –Isah. 42:9/ I Kings 8:15/Deut. 18:21-22/ Ezk. 12:25
Prophecies are ordained to be fulfilled – Isa. 55:11 / Isa. 34:16
God speaks according to His unlimited resources, not our insufficiency – Hag. 2:8/ Psa. 50:9-11/ 24:1
God speaks according to His integrity, not our instability – Mat. 24:35/ Heb. 6:15-18/ Tit. 1:2/ Num. 23:19
Sources of Prophecies
Scripturally, there are 2 main sources of prophecy:
- First, from scriptures, which is said to be a more sure word of prophecy – 2 Pet. 1:19-21/ Psa. 89:34
- Secondly, from prophets sent our way – Luk. 4:25-27/ Mat. 10:41/ Deut. 18:21-22
- But we have a responsibility to know what it takes to experience fulfillment of prophecy, and this is what informs our teaching series for the month – Isa. 5:1-13
Characteristics of Prophecies or Prophetic Words?
- It can never be fulfilled in the energy of the flesh: No human hand can fulfill a divine agenda – Jer. 17:5-8/ 1 Cor. 15:10
- Only the hand of God can fulfill His word in our lives – 1 Kgs. 8:17-24/ Psa. 127:1-2
- It revolves around God’s authority and not on man’s inability: Remember God speaks according to His authority, not our inability – Mat. 8:8-13/ Mat. 26:31-35/69-75
When does a Prophetic Word Qualifies to be Fulfilled?
- But until a prophetic Word is received, it never gets fulfilled – 2 Pet. 1:19-21/ Luk. 8:11/15/ Mak. 4:30-32
- God’s word is like a seed and until the seed is planted in a good soil (a good heart) it does not germinate and bring forth good fruit.
- It is not enough to receive the word in our heart, we must mix it with faith Heb. 4:2/Luke 8:15/ John 1:12 (You receive and believe)
Proofs that A Prophetic Word is Received
Bold Declaration: Every prophetic word received provokes bold declarations – Mat. 10:27/ 2 Cor. 4:13
Daring in Response: Every prophetic word received makes one to be daring in response – Exo. 7:1/ Exo. 8-14
Hannah, an example of prophecy fulfilled through praise
- Hannah received the prophetic word from Eli, which stirred joy and rejoicing in her life, and in turn provoked God to fulfil that prophetic word – 1 Sam. 1:13-20
- To see prophecies fulfilled, we must rejoice like Hannah did – 1 Sam. 1:13-19
But until a prophetic Word is received, it never gets fulfilled – 2 Pet. 1:19-21/ Luk. 8:11/15/ Mak. 4:30-32
Every prophetic word received transforms our thinking pattern – Rom. 4:18-19/ Rom. 12:1-2
Every prophetic word received engenders peace within – Psa. 85:8/ Phi. 4:7
Jehoshaphat King of Judah, an example of prophecy fulfilled through praise
Judah was besieged by three kings, but in response to their cry unto God a prophetic word came forth – 2 Chr. 20:1-2/14-17
But this prophetic word was fulfilled through praise warfare – 2 Chr. 20:21-25
To see prophecies fulfilled, we must continue to bless the Lord at all times like David did – Psa. 34:1/ Psa. 119:164/ 1 Sam. 16:13/ 2 Sam. 5:4