Sam's Message. Same Message.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:41)

In yesterday's blog we started reflection on a few aspects of prophetic ministry:

• God reveals what is hidden;
• God reinforces what He has already said;
• God encourages the obedient.

Today, let's consider the second aspect: reinforcement of what God has already said.

Reinforcement. Pastor Sam shared a point that is critical for us to embrace: Genuine prophecy is always consistent with the word of God. Therefore, we must be people who are fully immersed in the word of God, so that we are not deceived by false prophets.

In the story of Elizabeth, we see that her prophetic word was understood and received by Mary without question, because Mary had already heard the same message of God from the angel Gabriel. In other words, it was not new news: it was old news. But the reinforcement of this news, from the mouth of a person who was not present at the event, intensified the truth and inevitability of the message.

Last month after a service, I shared something with Pastor Sam that I will re-state here in print. If I should happen to drop into hell, it will not be the fault of our pastor. Bronx Bethany is a prophetic community: that is, the word of God is preached from the pulpit and reinforced through care groups, music and worship arts, and educational classes. There is no lack of exposure to what God is saying. If a member of our church, knowing the truth of Scripture, willfully walks apart from the word of God, then we must earnestly pray that he or she repents. Otherwise, they are bound to perish. There is no way they can claim they didn't know what God said.

One of the challenges we face is that, though we are a Nazarene community, there are many attendees who are at best nominal in their faith. That is not a criticism: that is a reality. Pastor Sam alluded to this reality during the sermon. There are those who believe that their healing and financial well-being is a sign that God does not mind if their lives are lived in opposition to His commandments. But the Scripture tells us that God, through His mercy, is continually seeking to save the lost.
 

Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. (Romans 2:4-5)

 

So the reinforcement of what God has already said is a rich gift which encourages us to persevere in our walk with Christ. It is why we are exhorted to remain in community, to repent, to grow in grace and in knowledge of God's word, to deeply love God, and to humbly obey Him. By doing so, we embrace His mercy and escape His wrath. We position ourselves for receipt of this glorious gift of prophecy.

 

Further, though we are not in a position to choose which spiritual gifts God gives to us, Scripture nonetheless encourages us to seek after this particular gift.

 

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. (First Corinthians 14:1-3)

 

God loves you! He desires to have all of you, and He desires that you have all of Him. I pray you will submit yourself to Him, completely.

This is not new news; it is reinforcement of old news... the Good News. Read it for yourself.