talk NOTES

 Prophecy, Part 1

Adam and Sarah Clewer

Sunday October 26th, 2025

Theme: We can all hear from God and speak what we have heard when He tells us to.

Consider:

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Every word God speaks is true.  The Bible is God’s word.  Some believe that the Bible contains all God will ever say.  God speaks in many ways to those who will hear.  Prophecy is one of the ways.

God does speak

Consider:

Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV We do not live by bread alone but on every word that is constantly flowing from the mouth of God. 

Another translation says, ...it takes more than bread to keep you alive. You actually live on every word that comes out of God's mouth! Matthew 4:4 (NTE)

Followers of Jesus can expect to hear from him. 

‘My sheep hear my voice.’   You can hear directly from him.  We don’t need a ‘go-between’

We all learn differently because we are unique. 

Each of us have different learning styles, and since God created us and knows us so well, he knows how we will receive best what he has to say to us.

 Prophecy

Prophecy is spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit

 It is a living word from a living God to a living people.  He is alive and He walks and talks to us.

Consider:

 1 Corinthians 14:1-4 NIV; Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

It is a joy to hear from the Lord. However, we don’t seek ‘the prophetic’or to know things, we seek Him.

The words come from the mouth, the mouth is on the face and the face is Him.’  -- Eric Gilmour.  We seek Him.  Not the topics.  We don’t seek healing, we seek the Healer.  The ‘things’ point to the Person. 

 Things to note:

1.Without love prophecy is worthless. 

Love needs to be the motivation for every spiritual gift that we use.

2. What is it for? Strengthening, encouragement, comfort

But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.  1 Corinthians 14:3 NIV

It is not for calling out the sins of others.  New Testament prophecy is different to Old Testament prophecy.  Jesus changed everything. 

3. Why is it important?

-We want to know God and follow Him.

-Bible teaches that prophecy is a priority among spiritual gifts

-God chooses to use us to speak. 

-It is a powerful weapon against the enemy

4.   Who can do it? Everyone

‘My sheep know my voice.’  Says the Jesus the Shepherd

-Giving and receiving words can and should be a normal part of our culture as a church family.

Let’s get practical:

How to receive a word:

1.   Revelation:

What is God saying?

Audio record the word on your phone if the person is giving it verbally.  Listen to the recording and type it with date and name of person who gave the word.  Keep words chronologically in one place, such as a folder or a binder, so that you are able to review them regularly.

‘Weigh’ the word to decide whether it is from God.  Talk with someone you trust.  Words from God will never contradict scripture.  Words will point to Jesus.  Revelation 19:10 says, ‘The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’ If a word does not do this, it should be discarded.  Prophecy should never be fear or condemnation-inducing or accusatory. 

2.   Interpretation

What does this word mean for my life?

Once we decide a word is from the Lord and we receive it, we don’t then ‘put it on a shelf.’  It then becomes our responsibility to steward it, like anything else God gives.  Stewardship is a principle of God’s kingdom.

3.   Application

How do I walk toward this? 

An idea for how we can teach our children and/or those we mentor/lead to do this:  Creating binders with plastic pages.  Begin with include the meaning of their names, along with words they have received over the years.  Encourage them to review these regularly.  Talk with them about how to weigh words in language that makes sense to them.

A book that may be helpful for parents/guardians: He Still Speaks to Kids by Wayne Drain.

When we give a word to an individual

1.   Write it down with the date and your name

2.   Sometimes the word is not for now, and we wait until it’s fully formed, and the time is right.  Sometimes it is for now.  It can take some time to get to know God’s voice and what to do about timing.

3.   Give it with love.

4.   Try.  Let’s stay childlike and open in this.  Failing is okay, we will fail from time to time because we are human.  Think of an artwork:  If an artist never puts paint brush to canvas, they won’t ever make anything. 

5.   Be open to correction.  This is how we learn. 

6.   Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit about timing

7.   God speaks in different ways.  If you are a visual person: share the picture and then explain in a clear way what you feel God is saying through the picture you saw, considering visual may not be the language of the other person.

8.   If you have a word for a person of the opposite gender, pull someone else of that gender into the conversation.

9.   If you have a word for a child or a teenager, go and get their parent or guardian so that they can be present and involved.

10.It’s okay to ask later for feedback, i.e. ‘Did that resonate with you?’

 Knowing Scripture

It is so important to read and study the Bible daily so we know what scripture says.

Practice

We want this church family to be a place where you can practice.  Be open to guidance and correction.  Ask questions.  Try.  Discuss. 

Start by asking God to give you one small thing per week for someone you see.  Start in church on a Sunday.  Then watch it grow.