1 00:00:01,160 --> 00:00:05,080 We are one church. We love God, love people, love 2 00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:08,800 his mission and love his church. Welcome to the One Church 3 00:00:08,800 --> 00:00:17,240 Podcast. Hello and welcome to this week's 4 00:00:17,240 --> 00:00:20,880 One Church Podcast. Wherever you are and at whatever 5 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:24,080 time of day you are listening to this, thank you for joining us. 6 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:28,160 In Psalm 34 verse 10 we find this amazing promise. 7 00:00:28,740 --> 00:00:32,180 Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 8 00:00:33,260 --> 00:00:36,660 So if you feel like there is an area of need in your life, why 9 00:00:36,660 --> 00:00:40,940 not seek the Lord right now? Ask Him for whatever it is you 10 00:00:40,940 --> 00:00:43,540 need, and let's believe that over the next half an hour or so 11 00:00:44,020 --> 00:00:46,100 God will give you what you're asking for. 12 00:00:47,420 --> 00:00:50,220 Today's message is the final part of our series on Hearing 13 00:00:50,220 --> 00:00:54,060 God, and it was recorded on Sunday the 16th of July by 14 00:00:54,060 --> 00:00:58,260 Pastor Susan at One Church City. Be blessed as you listen. 15 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:05,280 What we've been talking about the last few weeks in church, 16 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:10,400 hearing gods, yes. And today we're finishing the 17 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:13,440 series, and we're talking about hearing God for others. 18 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:17,720 So we're turning it outwards. So lots of things can affect our 19 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:20,600 hearing. Yeah, for me as a child, my mom 20 00:01:20,600 --> 00:01:22,880 and dad used to say I had something called selective 21 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:24,720 hearing. Anybody else have that 22 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:27,400 affliction? Which means really, when you're 23 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:30,480 engrossed in a book or something you want to do, you know, the 24 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:32,040 call comes. Can you come and help with the 25 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:33,880 washing up? Or can you do this on the other 26 00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:37,720 and you don't hear? Or maybe you do but you don't 27 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:39,880 really. In a book I was reading 28 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:42,600 recently, the author talked about a train journey in the 29 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:46,920 rain, how the rain was making a noise on the carriage windows 30 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:50,040 and the passengers were all talking and it was really loud. 31 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:53,200 And he just wanted to listen to his podcast, which was a medical 32 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:55,120 podcast from Doctor Caroline Leaf. 33 00:01:55,960 --> 00:01:59,120 And it took an unexpected turn this podcast and started talking 34 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:03,600 about how menopausal women could check their own urine for 35 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:07,560 various nutrients. And as this man left the 36 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:10,560 carriage, he realized he's had a couple of looks from some of the 37 00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:12,440 people in the carriage. But he realized that his 38 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:15,720 headphones were not connected to his phone, and he'd been 39 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:18,560 treating all the people in the carriage to this rather 40 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:22,000 embarrassing lecture. And as he said, the person least 41 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:24,440 able to hear was, unfortunately, me. 42 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:28,840 I wonder how's your hearing in terms of God hearing God's 43 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:30,840 voice? Is it selective? 44 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:35,280 Are your ears connected to the source, as it were? 45 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:38,320 I really hope over the past three weeks that we've been able 46 00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:42,080 to unpack a little bit more of what is a really exciting topic 47 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:44,760 and can be a bit of a mysterious thing as well. 48 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:47,920 But we've emphasized that the Bible is key. 49 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:51,280 The Bible is where we start. It's God's revealed word. 50 00:02:51,840 --> 00:02:55,040 And then last week, it's about how relationship with God is 51 00:02:55,040 --> 00:03:00,080 where hearing God really starts. Do you know we are all God's 52 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:01,680 sons and daughters if we know Jesus? 53 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:05,040 If you don't yet know Jesus here, then the the possibility 54 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:08,040 is here for you right today to come and know that you are a 55 00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:10,080 daughter or a son of God for sure. 56 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:13,640 But if we belong to Jesus and we are God's sons and daughters and 57 00:03:13,640 --> 00:03:16,600 it's in our DNA therefore, to hear from God. 58 00:03:17,290 --> 00:03:18,730 I wonder, do we expect him to speak? 59 00:03:18,730 --> 00:03:23,010 Do we expect him even to break out of the normal or speak into 60 00:03:23,290 --> 00:03:26,610 the normal of our life? Because today I believe that God 61 00:03:26,610 --> 00:03:31,290 wants to use all of us to speak to somebody else and to really 62 00:03:31,290 --> 00:03:34,570 get that thought in our hearts, that we can be used to speak 63 00:03:34,570 --> 00:03:38,770 God's word into people's lives everywhere, everywhere we go. 64 00:03:38,770 --> 00:03:43,370 Do you know the New Testament uses two different Greek terms 65 00:03:43,370 --> 00:03:48,720 to talk about the word of God? As the Word Logos and the Word 66 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:53,920 Rama Logos refers to God's written Word, the Bible and 67 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:58,000 God's living Word in Jesus. Jesus is the Word of God also 68 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:04,360 and also the living active Word of God, the Rama Word, God's 69 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:08,200 spoken Word, living and active as well, but living and active 70 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:13,320 today in prophecy for specific people for specific situations. 71 00:04:14,050 --> 00:04:17,089 There's a key verse that we can all think about today, which is 72 00:04:17,089 --> 00:04:19,810 1 Corinthians 14, and we're going to really unpack quite a 73 00:04:19,810 --> 00:04:23,410 lot of scriptures from One Corinthians chapter 14 because 74 00:04:23,410 --> 00:04:26,650 it's a brilliant passage all about the gifts of the Spirit 75 00:04:26,650 --> 00:04:29,130 and particularly has a lot to say about prophecy. 76 00:04:29,850 --> 00:04:33,570 It says this follow the way of love and eagerly desire 77 00:04:33,570 --> 00:04:37,250 spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 78 00:04:38,700 --> 00:04:42,220 You know, not all of us would be called a prophet, although I 79 00:04:42,220 --> 00:04:45,580 believe some of us in the room are or have the potential to be. 80 00:04:46,220 --> 00:04:49,460 But if we know Jesus, then all of us can prophecy. 81 00:04:49,900 --> 00:04:52,940 All of us can speak the word of God out to somebody else. 82 00:04:53,580 --> 00:04:55,300 And I'm going to use the word prophecy today. 83 00:04:55,300 --> 00:04:58,260 I'm not going to shy away from that, even though maybe some 84 00:04:58,260 --> 00:05:02,180 people in the room here might be a bit cynical about prophecy, or 85 00:05:02,180 --> 00:05:04,460 some of you might be a bit wary about something that's 86 00:05:04,460 --> 00:05:07,180 unfamiliar could possibly seem a bit risky. 87 00:05:08,100 --> 00:05:10,700 Some of you in the room may feel that this is just for the Super 88 00:05:10,700 --> 00:05:14,460 spiritual people, for the people who are specially gifted and not 89 00:05:14,460 --> 00:05:17,660 for you. And some of us here, I hope, are 90 00:05:17,660 --> 00:05:21,580 just simply open for more and ready to learn, ready to grow. 91 00:05:21,740 --> 00:05:24,580 Anybody like that. Yeah, Okay, we're ready for an 92 00:05:24,580 --> 00:05:25,940 adventure today. That's great. 93 00:05:26,820 --> 00:05:29,780 So it's very important that we don't give up on this amazing 94 00:05:29,780 --> 00:05:32,500 gift that God has given us, Amazing gift of the Holy Spirit 95 00:05:32,500 --> 00:05:34,460 of prophecy. So we're just going to teach a 96 00:05:34,460 --> 00:05:37,700 bit into that this morning, unpack a few scriptures. 97 00:05:38,100 --> 00:05:40,820 And then we're going to have a go at speaking out God's word, 98 00:05:40,820 --> 00:05:43,660 hearing from him and speaking out his word to others. 99 00:05:44,420 --> 00:05:46,420 OK, so firstly, what is prophecy? 100 00:05:46,860 --> 00:05:51,300 Well, prophecy is a supernatural enabling by the spirit of God to 101 00:05:51,300 --> 00:05:56,060 hear him and then to deliver what we hear or what we see to 102 00:05:56,060 --> 00:05:59,860 others. 1 Crinthines 14 verse three says the reason for that 103 00:05:59,940 --> 00:06:04,260 is for our strengthening, for our encouragement, and for our 104 00:06:04,260 --> 00:06:07,300 comfort. And prophecy also wakes people 105 00:06:07,380 --> 00:06:10,640 up. It can be for a person, it can 106 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:14,160 be wider, it can be for the church, for a city even beyond 107 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:18,040 even affect the world. Just thinking about looking at 108 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:22,360 those pictures of of the one center being completed soon, 109 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:25,080 it's amazing. You know a few years ago a 110 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:28,600 visiting prophet came to our city and this is what she said 111 00:06:29,080 --> 00:06:31,640 and this is just to show some of the power of of the word in 112 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:35,360 prophecy for a wider thing than just one person. 113 00:06:36,100 --> 00:06:37,780 She said this. She said The Lord says I will 114 00:06:37,780 --> 00:06:41,260 make provision of accommodation in this city and buildings and 115 00:06:41,260 --> 00:06:44,420 land to host my glory. And the spirit of the Lord says 116 00:06:44,420 --> 00:06:47,460 to you personally, I will even fund the refurb that this 117 00:06:47,460 --> 00:06:49,940 building needs. This is for the old or nation's 118 00:06:49,940 --> 00:06:53,180 church, for the Lord says, I will give you facilities that 119 00:06:53,180 --> 00:06:56,060 facilitate rather than facilities that reflect the old 120 00:06:56,060 --> 00:06:57,740 wine. And when you upgrade your 121 00:06:57,740 --> 00:07:00,540 building, you will also upgrade the level of the presence of God 122 00:07:00,540 --> 00:07:03,060 in this place. God is linking your interior 123 00:07:03,060 --> 00:07:06,220 decor to His presence. Now you know, I think that's 124 00:07:06,220 --> 00:07:10,300 quite amazing that God spoke through that person quite a few 125 00:07:10,300 --> 00:07:13,180 years ago now and this is happening and we can all be 126 00:07:13,180 --> 00:07:16,820 excited about the next months. Because if this is right, then 127 00:07:16,820 --> 00:07:19,340 God is going to come in His glory. 128 00:07:19,460 --> 00:07:21,620 And this is not just going to be in one place, but across the 129 00:07:21,620 --> 00:07:25,260 whole of 1 church and through one church into our city. 130 00:07:26,440 --> 00:07:29,080 So hearing God for others. So in the Old Testament we see 131 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:32,640 God the Holy Spirit coming upon particular people in particular 132 00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:35,960 places for particular reasons, and those people were called 133 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:37,920 prophets. And we read some of those 134 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:40,680 prophecies in the Bible, always layers of meaning. 135 00:07:40,880 --> 00:07:44,520 And now we live in this new era called the last Days, the days 136 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:47,800 between the birth of the church on the day of Pentecost and the 137 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:52,220 return of Jesus. And now it says in the Bible 138 00:07:52,220 --> 00:07:55,940 that the Holy Spirit has been poured out on all flesh, on all 139 00:07:55,940 --> 00:07:59,220 the church, on all who have the Holy Spirit, that is every 140 00:07:59,220 --> 00:08:01,780 believer. There is a gift of prophecy. 141 00:08:01,780 --> 00:08:04,100 If you like. We we can prophesy. 142 00:08:04,820 --> 00:08:07,420 The scripture says as well there is grace given by the Holy 143 00:08:07,420 --> 00:08:10,500 Spirit as he wills. 1 Corinthians 12, verse 11. 144 00:08:11,140 --> 00:08:15,020 That means that for some people it comes naturally and it seems 145 00:08:15,020 --> 00:08:17,900 quite easy. For others we have to work at 146 00:08:17,900 --> 00:08:19,340 it. And I wonder. 147 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:23,720 If you if anybody here feels already, you have a level of 148 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:27,520 gifting in the area of prophecy. But we can all prophesy. 149 00:08:27,520 --> 00:08:30,120 So I just want you to get that. Maybe turn to the person that's 150 00:08:30,120 --> 00:08:32,840 you and say I can prophesy, I can prophesy. 151 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:37,640 So let's make it clear as well, because as I say, we can have a 152 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:42,200 few qualms about prophecy. But prophecy is good, Prophecy 153 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:45,520 is good. Prophecy is good for people who 154 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,530 believe. The one who prophesies, read it 155 00:08:48,530 --> 00:08:50,810 again, speaks to people for their strengthening, 156 00:08:50,810 --> 00:08:54,050 encouraging, and comfort. Anyone who speaks in the tongue 157 00:08:54,050 --> 00:08:56,530 edifies themselves. So let's all speak in tongues. 158 00:08:57,010 --> 00:09:00,010 We don't already Let's speak in tongues because. 159 00:09:00,130 --> 00:09:02,850 And let's receive that gift because if we do that, we edify 160 00:09:02,850 --> 00:09:04,330 ourselves. We build ourselves up. 161 00:09:04,610 --> 00:09:07,330 But the one who prophecies edifies the church. 162 00:09:07,490 --> 00:09:10,290 What does edify mean? It means instruct, train, guide, 163 00:09:10,290 --> 00:09:12,850 uplift. What a great thing to do, to be 164 00:09:12,850 --> 00:09:16,760 able to do that for others, yes. So why should we not desire this 165 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:18,240 gift? What should we say? 166 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:20,600 Brothers and sisters, when you come together, each of you has a 167 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:23,080 hymn, a word of instruction, A revelation, a tongue, or an 168 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:25,760 interpretation. Everything must be done so that 169 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:29,680 the church may be built up. So for believers, prophecy is 170 00:09:29,680 --> 00:09:32,600 great because it's building the church up. 171 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:36,640 What an amazing thing. Let me tell you a little story. 172 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:41,120 Ken Helsa, A hippie musician, sat in a yoga position smoking a 173 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:44,430 joint in 1970. And he decided to read the 174 00:09:44,430 --> 00:09:47,590 Bible, and he read the words hear God and live. 175 00:09:48,230 --> 00:09:51,390 And then he went on a quest to see if God really speaks today 176 00:09:52,110 --> 00:09:54,390 and if he could hear him. And he found a Baptist pastor 177 00:09:54,390 --> 00:09:58,790 who said that he heard from God. And and it was evident in his 178 00:09:58,790 --> 00:10:01,830 life that he did. And Ken said, teach me. 179 00:10:02,230 --> 00:10:05,270 And this pastor said, no, I won't, not yet. 180 00:10:05,270 --> 00:10:06,670 Because you're bowing to an idol. 181 00:10:06,670 --> 00:10:08,150 You're bowing to the idol of music. 182 00:10:08,470 --> 00:10:10,950 And if you want to hear God, you need to make Jesus Lord. 183 00:10:11,890 --> 00:10:13,770 So Ken did that. He made Jesus Lord. 184 00:10:13,770 --> 00:10:16,210 He quit his band. He quit drugs. 185 00:10:16,210 --> 00:10:18,610 He committed to be faithful to his wife and daughters. 186 00:10:19,010 --> 00:10:22,610 And he says that I found then that in everything God has a 187 00:10:22,610 --> 00:10:25,970 voice. Now a few years later, a retired 188 00:10:25,970 --> 00:10:28,970 teacher, and I kid you not, he was called Kermit. 189 00:10:29,770 --> 00:10:32,730 So this is the prophet Kermit. Thus spake the prophet Kermit. 190 00:10:34,530 --> 00:10:37,450 Kermit came to see Ken and he said this. 191 00:10:37,450 --> 00:10:40,290 He said he'd met with God on a sports field and God had said to 192 00:10:40,290 --> 00:10:42,680 him. Tell my servant Ken Helser that 193 00:10:42,680 --> 00:10:45,400 I've healed his seed. He's going to have a son who is 194 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:47,120 who will be called Jonathan David. 195 00:10:47,520 --> 00:10:49,600 He'll play the harp and sing like an Angel. 196 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:52,520 He'll write prophetic songs for his generation and his music 197 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:56,560 will go out all over the earth. Now, what Kermit didn't know was 198 00:10:56,560 --> 00:11:00,880 that Ken's wife Linda had cancer of the uterus in two weeks. 199 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:03,480 She was due to have a hysterectomy, which would make 200 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:07,680 having another child impossible. He also didn't know that Ken 201 00:11:07,680 --> 00:11:10,590 harbored a secret fear. That all his years of hard drug 202 00:11:10,590 --> 00:11:12,470 use had actually damaged his seed. 203 00:11:13,510 --> 00:11:16,390 But the Long story short, Ken S faith was ignited by this 204 00:11:16,390 --> 00:11:18,870 prophecy. He ran home, he prayed for 205 00:11:18,870 --> 00:11:21,630 Linda, and then they went to the gynecologist together and asked 206 00:11:21,630 --> 00:11:25,950 him to do one more test before the operation, when they heard 207 00:11:25,950 --> 00:11:29,190 the gynecologist coming down the corridor actually whistling, Ken 208 00:11:29,190 --> 00:11:31,510 says. I thought it must be good news 209 00:11:32,630 --> 00:11:35,710 and the gynecologist said, I just think I ve witnessed my 210 00:11:35,710 --> 00:11:38,950 first miracle. You are 200% okay. 211 00:11:39,550 --> 00:11:41,470 You're healed and you're pregnant. 212 00:11:42,590 --> 00:11:45,110 Jonathan David Helser was born the following year. 213 00:11:46,030 --> 00:11:49,070 He wasn't interested in music, just sport as he grew up, but 214 00:11:49,070 --> 00:11:52,590 wisely, his parents prayed over the prophecy and kept quiet. 215 00:11:53,310 --> 00:11:56,950 Jonathan came to Nuneaton just near here, when he was age 19, 216 00:11:56,950 --> 00:11:59,190 to train with Wiwam youth with omission. 217 00:11:59,710 --> 00:12:02,510 And just before coming, he did ask his dad to teach him a few 218 00:12:02,510 --> 00:12:05,670 chords on the guitar, and he started writing songs there. 219 00:12:06,890 --> 00:12:09,210 And now you may have heard his name because with his wife 220 00:12:09,210 --> 00:12:11,690 Melissa, his music really has gone around the earth. 221 00:12:12,290 --> 00:12:15,770 He's written many albums, many songs, many songs We sing the 222 00:12:15,770 --> 00:12:18,530 goodness of God. I'll raise a Hallelujah, I am 223 00:12:18,530 --> 00:12:21,330 your beloved. And one very poignant song. 224 00:12:21,530 --> 00:12:25,570 If you think about his history, which contains these lyrics from 225 00:12:25,570 --> 00:12:27,610 my mother's womb, you've chosen me. 226 00:12:28,050 --> 00:12:31,450 Lovers Call My Name. I'm no longer a slave to fear. 227 00:12:31,810 --> 00:12:35,570 I am a child of God. So prophecy is good for 228 00:12:35,570 --> 00:12:37,860 believers. It may not always be that 229 00:12:37,860 --> 00:12:42,940 spectacular, but it can be life changing and it can be world 230 00:12:42,980 --> 00:12:46,460 impacting. Prophecy is also good for not 231 00:12:46,460 --> 00:12:49,060 yet believers because this is what Paul says in one 232 00:12:49,060 --> 00:12:51,580 Corinthians 14. He says if an unbeliever or an 233 00:12:51,580 --> 00:12:54,620 Enquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are 234 00:12:54,620 --> 00:12:57,780 convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all as the 235 00:12:57,780 --> 00:13:01,580 secrets of their hearts are laid bare so they will fall down and 236 00:13:01,580 --> 00:13:04,300 worship God. Exclaiming God is really a 237 00:13:04,300 --> 00:13:06,720 monkey. I think this puts a different 238 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:09,760 take on our thought of maybe having services that are very 239 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:11,960 open to people who are not yet saved. 240 00:13:12,280 --> 00:13:14,880 We shouldn't hold back from operating in the gifts of the 241 00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:18,560 Spirit because that can often mean that people will come in 242 00:13:18,560 --> 00:13:22,120 and they will be convicted of God being real amongst us. 243 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:25,640 I remember a few years ago Claire Prestwich and I went to a 244 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:29,080 Holy Spirit day at Holy Trinity Church just down the road and we 245 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:32,490 were learning about hearing God. A young man called James was 246 00:13:32,490 --> 00:13:36,410 leading one of the seminars and he said to he told us a story of 247 00:13:36,410 --> 00:13:38,890 a meeting in his church down in London. 248 00:13:39,530 --> 00:13:43,850 He said how a word in the church service was given and it went 249 00:13:43,850 --> 00:13:46,130 like this. Someone here is thinking of 250 00:13:46,130 --> 00:13:48,770 taking your life tomorrow. You have a plan. 251 00:13:48,850 --> 00:13:51,890 God says don't do it. He has plans for your life and 252 00:13:51,890 --> 00:13:55,570 he has plans for your future. And this man received prayer. 253 00:13:55,570 --> 00:13:58,370 He surrendered to Jesus and he changed his mind. 254 00:13:59,870 --> 00:14:02,110 And James, who was leading the seminar, looked at us and he 255 00:14:02,110 --> 00:14:05,390 said, and I know that's true because that man was me. 256 00:14:06,590 --> 00:14:09,830 So do keep on speaking because you never know who you're 257 00:14:09,830 --> 00:14:12,790 speaking to. Prophecy is also good for 258 00:14:12,790 --> 00:14:15,070 change. Amos 3 verse seven. 259 00:14:15,070 --> 00:14:18,030 It says Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without 260 00:14:18,030 --> 00:14:20,950 revealing his plan to his servants, the prophets. 261 00:14:21,910 --> 00:14:25,310 You know, as we grow in hearing God for others, he will trust 262 00:14:25,310 --> 00:14:28,070 us, some of us, particularly with bigger assignments. 263 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:31,160 With revelations, especially if we're developing in a gift of 264 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:34,160 prophecy, and this is often linked to intercession and it 265 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:37,280 can affect our prayers or and other people's prayers and even 266 00:14:37,280 --> 00:14:41,160 the course of world events. So what should be our attitude 267 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:42,920 to prophecy then? If it's so good? 268 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:45,680 If it's so good, what should our attitude be? 269 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:49,120 Well, it says this in the Bible. It says 1 Corinthians 12, verse 270 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:52,120 31. Now eagerly desire the greater 271 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:55,520 gifts, especially prophecy, follow the way of love. 272 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:58,240 Eagerly desire the greater gifts, the gift of the spirit, 273 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:02,360 especially prophecy. When Clinton is 14, do we want 274 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:06,440 people to be encouraged? Do we want them to be built up? 275 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:07,840 Do we want them to be strengthened? 276 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:12,040 Do we want God to reach into people's lives and to be real to 277 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:15,160 them? If we do, then we will earnestly 278 00:15:15,160 --> 00:15:20,120 desire prophecy to prophesy. The word here used is zalu, 279 00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:23,440 which is where you get the word zealous or even jealous. 280 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:27,380 It's a very forceful word. So I just want to throw 281 00:15:27,380 --> 00:15:30,420 something out to you that if we ever take it or leave it, well, 282 00:15:30,420 --> 00:15:33,180 God will give me this gift if he wants to or if he chooses to 283 00:15:33,180 --> 00:15:37,580 sort of attitude to prophecy. Then if we consider that we are 284 00:15:37,580 --> 00:15:41,660 both unbelievable because the Bible says earnestly desire to 285 00:15:41,660 --> 00:15:46,340 prophesy and unloving because we're denying people what they 286 00:15:46,340 --> 00:15:50,460 might hear through our mouth, that sounds a bit strong, but I 287 00:15:50,460 --> 00:15:53,500 really believe that. So how do we go about it then? 288 00:15:54,210 --> 00:15:58,170 If we earnestly desire to be used in prophecy, how do we go 289 00:15:58,170 --> 00:16:00,610 about it? What are the principles of 290 00:16:00,610 --> 00:16:02,130 prophecy? Well, let's just read a few 291 00:16:02,130 --> 00:16:05,570 verses from 1 Corinthians 14. Some of them are repeats because 292 00:16:05,570 --> 00:16:08,490 I think it's worth repeating. Because, you know, repetition is 293 00:16:08,490 --> 00:16:10,130 very good if we're going to learn, isn't it? 294 00:16:10,730 --> 00:16:12,930 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their 295 00:16:12,930 --> 00:16:15,130 strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 296 00:16:16,170 --> 00:16:18,130 What, then, should we say? Brothers and sisters, when you 297 00:16:18,130 --> 00:16:20,850 come together, you each have a hymn, a word of instruction, A 298 00:16:20,850 --> 00:16:23,010 revelation, a tongue or interpretation. 299 00:16:23,250 --> 00:16:25,810 Everything must be done so the Church may be built up. 300 00:16:26,050 --> 00:16:29,170 For you can all prophesy in turn, so that everyone may be 301 00:16:29,170 --> 00:16:31,930 instructed and encouraged. Everything should be done in a 302 00:16:31,930 --> 00:16:35,690 fitting and orderly way. So what principles do we see 303 00:16:35,690 --> 00:16:37,930 here? Well, we see what prophecies for 304 00:16:38,010 --> 00:16:41,330 strengthening, encouraging comfort so the Church may be 305 00:16:41,330 --> 00:16:44,490 built up. Be instructed, Encouraged. 306 00:16:45,330 --> 00:16:47,620 Okay. We see also it's normal and 307 00:16:47,620 --> 00:16:50,260 expected. Paul says here when you come 308 00:16:50,260 --> 00:16:51,900 together, this is what's going to happen. 309 00:16:53,180 --> 00:16:56,300 Also there should be order, prophesy in turn, in a fitting 310 00:16:56,300 --> 00:16:59,500 and orderly way. The spirits of the prophets, it 311 00:16:59,500 --> 00:17:03,060 says in this chapter, are under control of the prophet. 312 00:17:03,060 --> 00:17:05,140 In other words, we're not out of control. 313 00:17:05,579 --> 00:17:08,579 We can all decide when we speak and when we don't speak, so 314 00:17:08,579 --> 00:17:12,579 people can speak in turn, for example, other principles. 315 00:17:12,579 --> 00:17:14,180 The word is near you in your mouth. 316 00:17:14,180 --> 00:17:18,170 Romans 10, verse 8. Rhino Bunkie, the famous 317 00:17:18,849 --> 00:17:22,930 Evangelist, used to say his word in your mouth is as powerful as 318 00:17:22,930 --> 00:17:27,329 his word in his mouth, he said. The power is in the word, not in 319 00:17:27,329 --> 00:17:29,410 the mouth. I have to remind myself of that 320 00:17:29,610 --> 00:17:32,010 many, many times. And if you feel inadequate 321 00:17:32,010 --> 00:17:35,050 today, remember the power is in the word, it's not in your 322 00:17:35,050 --> 00:17:38,730 mouth. And also we need to practice. 323 00:17:38,730 --> 00:17:41,490 You know, when I started learning on a rowing machine 324 00:17:41,490 --> 00:17:44,010 because I love rowing, That's my main form of exercise. 325 00:17:44,520 --> 00:17:47,400 Get in that garage and off I go, pretending I'm on a lake 326 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:50,400 somewhere, just rowing away. But I had to learn. 327 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:53,120 I had to learn technique. I had to learn and practice. 328 00:17:53,120 --> 00:17:55,400 I had to test myself. I had to challenge myself. 329 00:17:55,400 --> 00:18:01,040 I had to check myself against my podcast mentors and so on. 330 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:04,560 And as in the natural, so in the spiritual, the gift of prophecy, 331 00:18:04,560 --> 00:18:06,480 the gift of speaking out, God's word to others. 332 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:09,640 It has to be practiced, it has to be exercised, and it will 333 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:14,280 strengthen as you do it more. So a few tips here as we listen 334 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:18,200 for words for other people. Prophecy in the church. 335 00:18:18,360 --> 00:18:22,280 How to give a word? So it says Romans 12. 336 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:24,520 We have different gifts. If your gift is prophesying, 337 00:18:24,520 --> 00:18:27,360 then prophesy in accordance with your faith. 338 00:18:28,120 --> 00:18:30,440 Prophesy in accordance with your faith. 339 00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:33,480 In other words, start small and build it up. 340 00:18:34,340 --> 00:18:36,700 Start safe. Start with a safe sort of word. 341 00:18:36,860 --> 00:18:38,580 You know you can't go far wrong if you're going to say, well, I 342 00:18:38,580 --> 00:18:41,700 feel God's saying to you how much she loves you and you share 343 00:18:41,700 --> 00:18:44,900 a Bible verse, you know you're going to go far wrong with that. 344 00:18:45,460 --> 00:18:49,100 But then build it up some do's and don'ts. 345 00:18:49,860 --> 00:18:52,220 You know, it's really important that we hear and speak from the 346 00:18:52,220 --> 00:18:56,620 foundation that God is good if we believe that this is what the 347 00:18:56,620 --> 00:19:00,100 Bible says in the New Testament prophecy on the whole, it's 348 00:19:00,100 --> 00:19:02,740 strengthening, encouraging and comforting and building up. 349 00:19:03,580 --> 00:19:06,260 So we're going to speak over people, not judgment. 350 00:19:07,020 --> 00:19:09,300 We're going to speak out of a heart of wanting the best for 351 00:19:09,300 --> 00:19:12,220 them and knowing that God wants the best for them and God is 352 00:19:12,220 --> 00:19:16,020 good. We'd be hungry for Him. 353 00:19:16,180 --> 00:19:18,820 Again, relationship is key. Do you want to know him? 354 00:19:19,580 --> 00:19:23,300 Do you not want to know him? Not just to seek experiences or 355 00:19:23,300 --> 00:19:27,220 just to look good? Keep your mind clear, Keep your 356 00:19:27,220 --> 00:19:29,380 mind clean. Because he, the Holy Spirit, 357 00:19:29,380 --> 00:19:31,460 will mostly speak through our thoughts. 358 00:19:32,820 --> 00:19:36,300 So see, Romans 12/2, don't be conformed with this world, but 359 00:19:36,300 --> 00:19:38,820 be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 360 00:19:38,820 --> 00:19:41,220 Keep your mind fresh, Keep your mind pure. 361 00:19:42,140 --> 00:19:44,660 And also, Jesus says out of the heart, the mouth speaks. 362 00:19:45,700 --> 00:19:48,740 So what's your heart? It's not just what you say, but 363 00:19:48,740 --> 00:19:51,420 it's also the atmosphere you release when you speak out. 364 00:19:52,060 --> 00:19:55,620 So what's your heart in it? Know and read the Bible. 365 00:19:55,620 --> 00:19:59,110 There's no substitute. We have to know the Bible to be 366 00:19:59,110 --> 00:20:02,550 able to check the words or check our feelings against the truth. 367 00:20:03,590 --> 00:20:06,030 I wonder how do I read the word? You might want to ask yourself 368 00:20:06,030 --> 00:20:07,790 that question. How do I read the Bible? 369 00:20:08,310 --> 00:20:10,230 Not do I read it, but how do I read it? 370 00:20:10,230 --> 00:20:12,990 I hope if we're Christians here, we all read the Bible every day. 371 00:20:12,990 --> 00:20:17,150 But how do we read it? Do I read it with my ears open? 372 00:20:18,150 --> 00:20:21,710 When did God last speak to me? I hope we can all say, well, He 373 00:20:21,710 --> 00:20:23,750 last spoke to me this morning or last night. 374 00:20:25,860 --> 00:20:27,380 And God doesn't contradict his words. 375 00:20:27,380 --> 00:20:31,660 So just saying, God told me this or God said this can't be 376 00:20:31,660 --> 00:20:35,900 enough. 1000 only as five says. Do not treat prophecy with 377 00:20:35,900 --> 00:20:37,340 contempt. There's a good balance here. 378 00:20:37,620 --> 00:20:39,380 Don't treat prophecy with contempt. 379 00:20:39,420 --> 00:20:43,500 In other words, value prophecy, but test them all. 380 00:20:43,500 --> 00:20:46,420 Test every word. Hold on to what is good. 381 00:20:46,540 --> 00:20:50,100 Reject what is evil. So in this way we make it safe 382 00:20:50,100 --> 00:20:53,100 for people and listen in our life. 383 00:20:53,100 --> 00:20:55,950 This is a good thing to do. To learn to listen to the voice 384 00:20:55,950 --> 00:20:59,550 of God for others in a busy, noisy world, we need to be 385 00:20:59,550 --> 00:21:02,390 intentional about listening in our normal life. 386 00:21:03,110 --> 00:21:05,230 Pete Gregg, in his book Hearing God, says this. 387 00:21:05,230 --> 00:21:08,830 He says most of the time we miss the voice of God, not because 388 00:21:08,830 --> 00:21:10,990 it's too strange, but because it's too familiar. 389 00:21:11,510 --> 00:21:14,470 He sounds like a song on the radio, a fleeting thought. 390 00:21:14,470 --> 00:21:17,230 The old man next door. He speaks with a familiar 391 00:21:17,230 --> 00:21:19,350 accent. He impregnates the natural with 392 00:21:19,350 --> 00:21:22,750 the supernatural, and he makes the mundane holy. 393 00:21:23,380 --> 00:21:27,220 Again and again He comes to us disguised as our own life. 394 00:21:27,820 --> 00:21:29,660 Have you ever thought that God is speaking to you? 395 00:21:29,660 --> 00:21:32,540 All the time. Just ask Him to open your ears, 396 00:21:32,540 --> 00:21:35,380 to hear what He is saying. Listen to creation, Listen to 397 00:21:35,380 --> 00:21:37,500 people. Listen to ordinary things. 398 00:21:38,100 --> 00:21:41,020 Be filled with the spirit. Especially use and practice the 399 00:21:41,020 --> 00:21:43,260 gift of tongues. You know, I speak in tongues a 400 00:21:43,260 --> 00:21:47,620 lot when I go on my dog, walk in the morning on the golf course 401 00:21:47,620 --> 00:21:50,100 before anybody else is on the golf course. 402 00:21:50,820 --> 00:21:54,820 I I always speak in tongues and I've learned recently to do that 403 00:21:54,820 --> 00:21:57,660 with intention, to try and think about a particular situation or 404 00:21:57,660 --> 00:22:01,300 a particular person and pray in tongues over that and see what 405 00:22:01,300 --> 00:22:04,100 God says. It's a gateway gift, the gift of 406 00:22:04,100 --> 00:22:06,180 tongues. It opens up our spirit to other 407 00:22:06,180 --> 00:22:09,580 gifts of the spirit. If you don't speak in tongues 408 00:22:09,580 --> 00:22:13,020 yet, then ask for that gift even today, ask for some prayer to 409 00:22:13,020 --> 00:22:14,780 receive the gift of tongues today. 410 00:22:15,590 --> 00:22:18,430 Ask the Holy Spirit questions. This is a very powerful, very 411 00:22:18,430 --> 00:22:22,670 practical way to hear God. Ask him things like what are you 412 00:22:22,670 --> 00:22:25,390 saying? And wait and listen. 413 00:22:26,470 --> 00:22:30,390 Ask him what are you doing? What are you doing in me? 414 00:22:30,390 --> 00:22:31,830 What are you doing in this situation? 415 00:22:31,830 --> 00:22:33,470 What are you doing in this person's life? 416 00:22:34,430 --> 00:22:36,790 Ask him what do you want to give this person? 417 00:22:37,950 --> 00:22:39,470 Have you got a gift for them today? 418 00:22:40,310 --> 00:22:44,870 See what he says and if you if you dare then maybe follow it up 419 00:22:44,870 --> 00:22:46,910 with. Look, can you give me a few more 420 00:22:46,910 --> 00:22:49,790 details about that and God will speak. 421 00:22:49,790 --> 00:22:52,750 You'll be amazed. Pray to be able to hear. 422 00:22:52,750 --> 00:22:55,150 Maybe there's different ways you're going to hear. 423 00:22:55,270 --> 00:22:57,470 Maybe a verse jumps out from God's word that you've got to 424 00:22:57,470 --> 00:23:00,550 share with somebody and maybe you have a dream about 425 00:23:00,550 --> 00:23:02,910 something. It may be a surprising word just 426 00:23:02,910 --> 00:23:04,990 comes out of your mouth and you think, well, where did that come 427 00:23:04,990 --> 00:23:06,750 from? It maybe you just know 428 00:23:06,750 --> 00:23:08,870 something. It might be your imagination. 429 00:23:08,870 --> 00:23:11,870 It might be you see a person and you see a part of their. 430 00:23:12,860 --> 00:23:15,580 Even of their body that is not working well or something like 431 00:23:15,580 --> 00:23:17,180 that. Or you have your own senses 432 00:23:17,180 --> 00:23:19,220 heightened. You might have a pain in your 433 00:23:19,220 --> 00:23:22,420 body that isn't yours, but you know it's actually somebody else 434 00:23:22,700 --> 00:23:25,380 who's suffering something and you give that word out. 435 00:23:27,860 --> 00:23:30,460 Can I just say a few provisos as well? 436 00:23:31,500 --> 00:23:33,660 Don't prophesy, hatch, match and dispatch. 437 00:23:34,100 --> 00:23:37,860 What I mean by that is don't prophesy about people having 438 00:23:37,860 --> 00:23:43,110 babies, getting married, dying. And all other sort of very 439 00:23:43,110 --> 00:23:45,670 direct things like major financial decisions they've got 440 00:23:45,670 --> 00:23:48,830 to make and so on. Unless you are absolutely 441 00:23:49,310 --> 00:23:54,630 positive and if even if you are, then say in that situation, just 442 00:23:54,630 --> 00:23:57,390 test this or just test this out. Because I feel maybe the Lord is 443 00:23:57,390 --> 00:24:01,310 saying this, leave that proviso because we're not about 444 00:24:01,310 --> 00:24:03,910 controlling people's lives and these things can be very 445 00:24:03,910 --> 00:24:06,750 sensitive. It's all about love. 446 00:24:07,390 --> 00:24:11,100 That's another principle. 1 Corinthians 13 is sandwiched in 447 00:24:11,100 --> 00:24:13,980 between 1 Corinthians 12, which is all about spiritual gifts, 448 00:24:14,260 --> 00:24:17,420 and 1 Corinthians 14, which is all about spiritual gifts. 449 00:24:17,940 --> 00:24:21,500 It's there for a reason in between the two, because when we 450 00:24:21,500 --> 00:24:26,420 practice in listening and sharing what God is saying to a 451 00:24:26,420 --> 00:24:29,940 person, we do all out of love. I heard somebody say that in 452 00:24:29,940 --> 00:24:31,580 their church. They just say we're all love 453 00:24:31,580 --> 00:24:34,380 monsters, we're all going to be love monsters, and we're going 454 00:24:34,380 --> 00:24:36,140 to do everything out of God's love. 455 00:24:37,620 --> 00:24:39,620 But let's be bold. Let's not hold back because 456 00:24:39,620 --> 00:24:42,300 we're worried we might say the wrong thing or make a mistake 457 00:24:42,300 --> 00:24:45,540 because the price of not speaking is more than the price 458 00:24:45,540 --> 00:24:49,980 of looking silly. We might be wrong, yes, but what 459 00:24:49,980 --> 00:24:53,660 an impact it can have as we learn to recognize God's 460 00:24:53,660 --> 00:24:56,260 prompting and we develop in that in our lives. 461 00:24:56,260 --> 00:24:58,940 What an amazing impact. Breakthrough moments of 462 00:24:58,940 --> 00:25:01,860 awkwardness in a church in our small group. 463 00:25:01,860 --> 00:25:03,620 Just keep expecting. Be bold. 464 00:25:04,470 --> 00:25:07,350 And even outside of church in our daily lives, let's be 465 00:25:07,350 --> 00:25:10,110 listening for God. Because surely if prophecy is 466 00:25:10,110 --> 00:25:12,790 for encouraging people, for strengthening them, it's to open 467 00:25:12,790 --> 00:25:16,470 people's eyes and people are going to like, just say, oh, God 468 00:25:16,470 --> 00:25:19,390 is among you or they're going to see God in a new way, then 469 00:25:19,390 --> 00:25:22,150 surely we want to hear from God in our everyday life. 470 00:25:23,870 --> 00:25:26,110 Just to give you an example where it went wrong for me, I 471 00:25:26,110 --> 00:25:29,110 remember going into a bakery and I was just thinking, Lord, I 472 00:25:29,110 --> 00:25:31,670 want you to teach me to listen for for people. 473 00:25:32,350 --> 00:25:34,870 I felt the Lord say to me that the person who was serving me, 474 00:25:34,870 --> 00:25:38,230 their name was Khadija and just to say you know, something about 475 00:25:38,230 --> 00:25:42,910 them and their name and I was too, honestly, I just bottled 476 00:25:42,910 --> 00:25:44,830 out. I thought, no, what if it's what 477 00:25:44,830 --> 00:25:47,830 if I'm wrong? I just looked stupid so I didn't 478 00:25:47,830 --> 00:25:49,710 say anything. But what I did say is, oh, by 479 00:25:49,710 --> 00:25:51,910 the way, as I left, I said by the way, what's your name? 480 00:25:52,310 --> 00:25:54,510 And of course she said Khadija. And I was like, oh. 481 00:25:55,310 --> 00:25:57,030 Well, that that would have been a really powerful story. 482 00:25:57,030 --> 00:25:59,750 I could have told you today, wouldn't it, about how God broke 483 00:25:59,750 --> 00:26:02,070 into that woman's life. But I'm just saying, be brave in 484 00:26:02,070 --> 00:26:04,390 our everyday life. And you could always say, well, 485 00:26:04,390 --> 00:26:06,910 I might be wrong, but I feel this, I feel God might be saying 486 00:26:06,910 --> 00:26:09,670 this to you. And don't be weird, just be 487 00:26:09,670 --> 00:26:13,150 normal. Don't multiply words you don't 488 00:26:13,150 --> 00:26:15,750 have to say, thus saith the Lord and and all that. 489 00:26:16,070 --> 00:26:19,750 You just just use your normal language when you're talking to 490 00:26:19,750 --> 00:26:22,790 people and expect that things will change. 491 00:26:24,030 --> 00:26:26,190 And what about if you're on the receiving end of a word? 492 00:26:26,190 --> 00:26:28,070 Because we don't often talk about this, do we? 493 00:26:28,470 --> 00:26:31,630 You know, if somebody comes and gives you a word or they say, I 494 00:26:31,630 --> 00:26:33,790 feel like God's saying this to you today. 495 00:26:34,710 --> 00:26:37,150 Well, we if you're on the receiving end, you have the 496 00:26:37,150 --> 00:26:39,070 choice to accept that word or not. 497 00:26:40,270 --> 00:26:42,750 Just because somebody's delivered a word to you, you 498 00:26:42,750 --> 00:26:45,070 don't have to take it all on board. 499 00:26:45,070 --> 00:26:47,070 You, you, you do what it says in the Bible. 500 00:26:47,070 --> 00:26:51,110 It says hold on to what's good and reject every kind of evil. 501 00:26:52,190 --> 00:26:55,790 A bit like the old lady in my granny's old people's home many 502 00:26:55,790 --> 00:26:58,430 years ago, who on Christmas Day received what she thought was 503 00:26:58,430 --> 00:27:00,790 sweets. And she sucked out the nice 504 00:27:00,790 --> 00:27:04,030 juicy middle and left all the outside shelves on the edge of 505 00:27:04,030 --> 00:27:07,430 her nice teacup. And she said they did taste a 506 00:27:07,430 --> 00:27:10,030 bit strange. And then we realized that 507 00:27:10,030 --> 00:27:13,350 actually she'd been sucking on bath bombs that have been, you 508 00:27:13,350 --> 00:27:14,710 know, those ones that look like jellies. 509 00:27:15,190 --> 00:27:19,710 Yeah, but you suck out the good bits and you leave the bits that 510 00:27:19,710 --> 00:27:21,670 you think, Well, I'm not sure about that, OK? 511 00:27:24,420 --> 00:27:27,620 There might be a mix of God and the person who's speaking it to 512 00:27:27,620 --> 00:27:28,900 you. It might be a bit of wishful 513 00:27:28,900 --> 00:27:31,260 thinking on their part or a bit of their flesh. 514 00:27:32,100 --> 00:27:35,340 Just weigh up the word that comes to you but receive the 515 00:27:35,340 --> 00:27:38,380 good parts. And if you trouble by a word 516 00:27:38,380 --> 00:27:40,620 that somebody gives you, then ask somebody you trust and just 517 00:27:40,620 --> 00:27:42,700 say what do you think of this and pray it through? 518 00:27:43,980 --> 00:27:46,980 So you weigh the word, You wait on the word, so there's 3 W's. 519 00:27:46,980 --> 00:27:48,700 Weigh it, wait on it and walk in it. 520 00:27:48,700 --> 00:27:50,860 So weigh it. Wait on it. 521 00:27:51,060 --> 00:27:53,540 A prophetic word is an invitation for a conversation. 522 00:27:54,140 --> 00:27:57,500 So keep talking to God about that word that's come to you. 523 00:27:58,100 --> 00:27:59,620 Maybe it's for years down the track. 524 00:27:59,620 --> 00:28:03,140 Maybe it's for now. Ask him and walk in it. 525 00:28:03,140 --> 00:28:06,340 It's like a holy dance. He speaks, you obey, you obey 526 00:28:06,340 --> 00:28:10,220 more, he speaks more, and so on. And also maybe ask yourself, 527 00:28:10,220 --> 00:28:13,100 have I been faithful to what God asked me to do last? 528 00:28:13,780 --> 00:28:16,220 Because often then he'll bring the same word to you in lots of 529 00:28:16,220 --> 00:28:17,940 different ways until you've actually done it. 530 00:28:17,940 --> 00:28:19,900 And then. He'll speak to you about 531 00:28:19,900 --> 00:28:23,220 something else. Put the word to work in our 532 00:28:23,220 --> 00:28:27,580 lives, just to encourage you to be bold in your everyday life. 533 00:28:27,580 --> 00:28:30,700 I read this verse the other day at 18-9 to 10. 534 00:28:30,700 --> 00:28:33,540 I am the Lord your God who brought your part of Egypt. 535 00:28:33,620 --> 00:28:35,860 Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it. 536 00:28:36,620 --> 00:28:38,380 And I just took that to mean for me. 537 00:28:38,940 --> 00:28:41,300 Open your mouth for all the good things I want to give you, but 538 00:28:41,300 --> 00:28:44,340 also open your mouth for all the words that I want to put in your 539 00:28:44,340 --> 00:28:47,420 mouth to speak out in praise, but to speak out to other 540 00:28:47,420 --> 00:28:49,630 people. As well, keep on speaking and 541 00:28:49,630 --> 00:28:52,230 don't be silent, the Lord said to Paul. 542 00:28:52,550 --> 00:28:55,710 Because I've got many people in this city, So keep on speaking, 543 00:28:55,710 --> 00:28:59,870 keep on listening, and be prayerful and humble. 544 00:29:00,870 --> 00:29:03,430 And as we develop, like I've said, we we may learn to 545 00:29:03,430 --> 00:29:06,870 prophesy wider and deeper and further. 546 00:29:06,910 --> 00:29:11,150 Some of us are called to a prophetic ministry, and very 547 00:29:11,150 --> 00:29:14,350 often that's linked to prayer, to intercession, when some 548 00:29:14,350 --> 00:29:17,070 specific ladies and I get together to pray. 549 00:29:17,930 --> 00:29:20,690 And on nights like our prayer and fasting days and so on, 550 00:29:21,010 --> 00:29:23,170 prophecy and vision is always a part of that. 551 00:29:24,090 --> 00:29:26,810 And it feels entirely different as we just pray back to God, the 552 00:29:26,810 --> 00:29:30,850 word that he's said to us. It feels so it is so powerful 553 00:29:32,490 --> 00:29:36,450 and develop your gift. So if you feel you have a 554 00:29:36,450 --> 00:29:39,930 prophetic gifting, we do want to gather some people in the life 555 00:29:39,930 --> 00:29:43,130 of our church as we go forward and we're going to be looking 556 00:29:43,130 --> 00:29:46,090 out for people that we see have a have a germ of a gift even. 557 00:29:46,570 --> 00:29:49,650 Just to keep developing and training people in the listening 558 00:29:49,650 --> 00:29:52,570 to God and going further with the gift of prophecy. 559 00:29:53,450 --> 00:29:55,930 You know, it's good to say Holy Spirit, I believe in the faith 560 00:29:55,930 --> 00:29:59,410 that I can hear you. Would you teach me how to do 561 00:29:59,410 --> 00:30:00,610 this? Will you start to give me 562 00:30:00,610 --> 00:30:02,530 pictures? Will you start to give me more 563 00:30:02,530 --> 00:30:04,490 words? Will you start to give me 564 00:30:04,490 --> 00:30:06,090 scriptures for the people around me? 565 00:30:06,090 --> 00:30:07,650 Will you start to develop this gift? 566 00:30:07,850 --> 00:30:09,930 Ask him. It's a conversation. 567 00:30:11,930 --> 00:30:13,650 So Lord, I want to thank you because. 568 00:30:14,040 --> 00:30:15,920 This gift of prophecy, it is from you. 569 00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:22,040 And you say to earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that 570 00:30:22,040 --> 00:30:25,400 we might prophesy. We're to earnestly desire. 571 00:30:25,400 --> 00:30:28,560 And Lord, we want to say to you right now We earnestly desire 572 00:30:29,400 --> 00:30:35,240 that we hear you, and that you use us to speak out your word to 573 00:30:35,240 --> 00:30:37,160 others. Thank you. 574 00:30:40,640 --> 00:30:43,000 Thank you, Pastor Susan, for that great message. 575 00:30:43,860 --> 00:30:45,860 Although it's the end of the Hearing God series, let's 576 00:30:45,860 --> 00:30:49,340 believe it's just the beginning of what God is growing in each 577 00:30:49,340 --> 00:30:51,900 one of us. As we step out in this area, 578 00:30:52,500 --> 00:30:56,620 let's continue to be bold and take risks, and let's see what 579 00:30:56,620 --> 00:30:59,580 God wants to say to and through us. 580 00:31:00,340 --> 00:31:02,980 If you would value prayer or support in any area of your 581 00:31:02,980 --> 00:31:05,420 life, then get in touch with us today. 582 00:31:06,020 --> 00:31:09,140 Remember that we are here for you and that we would love to 583 00:31:09,140 --> 00:31:12,700 stand with you. Now it's time to hear a little 584 00:31:12,700 --> 00:31:15,300 bit about what's coming up in the life of 1 Church. 585 00:31:15,660 --> 00:31:22,340 Here is your family news for Firstly, this week marks the 586 00:31:22,340 --> 00:31:26,180 start of the summer holidays. We pray for teachers, those who 587 00:31:26,180 --> 00:31:30,260 work in education, children and families that this would be a 588 00:31:30,260 --> 00:31:33,900 time of great peace, great joy and great rest. 589 00:31:34,420 --> 00:31:37,900 And whatever you do, remember that God is with you and keep 590 00:31:37,900 --> 00:31:40,220 him at the center of everything you do this summer. 591 00:31:41,340 --> 00:31:44,660 Secondly, our next encounter night is on Sunday the 30th of 592 00:31:44,660 --> 00:31:47,660 July at 7:00 PM at 12 Frog Island. 593 00:31:48,420 --> 00:31:51,220 Come and join us for a powerful time in his presence. 594 00:31:52,180 --> 00:31:55,660 Thirdly, beginning on the 11th of September, we have called to 595 00:31:55,660 --> 00:31:58,540 influence. This is a seven week course open 596 00:31:58,540 --> 00:32:01,820 to anybody with the aim of helping us reach our potential 597 00:32:01,820 --> 00:32:05,020 in the area of making a difference where we are. 598 00:32:05,700 --> 00:32:08,940 Get in touch today if you would like to register your interest. 599 00:32:10,440 --> 00:32:14,120 And finally, there is still time to sign up for Run Lester in aid 600 00:32:14,120 --> 00:32:16,120 of Open Hands. So if you would like the 601 00:32:16,120 --> 00:32:19,680 challenge of running 10K or even half a marathon whilst also 602 00:32:19,680 --> 00:32:24,320 raising money for a great cause, and this is for you, head to the 603 00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:28,440 Open Hands website to find out more details and that is your 604 00:32:28,440 --> 00:32:34,640 family news for. The Lord bless you and keep you. 605 00:32:34,760 --> 00:32:38,440 The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. 606 00:32:38,840 --> 00:32:42,320 The Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.