Motivational Gifts: Prophecy
Introduction
Each Christian has one of these seven gifts. Knowing or unknowingly, every Christian then views other Christians and circumstances through his or her gift. The one with prophecy is one who readily perceives, prays about, proclaims, and promotes the will of God.
IDENTIFICATION: SEVEN MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS
1. Prophet – One who clearly perceives the will of God. Proclaims truth and exposes sin.
2. Servant – One who loves to serve others; a doer; meets needs, frees others.
3. Teacher – One who loves to research and communicate truth. Researcher; clarifies truth, validates information.
4. Exhortation – One who loves to encourage others to live a victorious life. These are the extremely positive people; stimulates faith and promotes growth.
5. Giving – One who loves to give time, talent, energy, and means to benefit others and advance the gospel. A contributor; entrusts assets, maximizes results.
6. Ruling – Administrator; one who loves to organize, lead or direct. A facilitator or leader. Plans ahead and completes task.
7. Mercy – Compassionate person; one who shows compassion, love, and care to those in need. Removes distress and share burdens.
I. THEIR CHARACTERISTICS (Biblical Character: Peter)
1. The need to express thoughts and ideas verbally, especially regarding right and wrong.
Acts 2:14: “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.”
Acts 3:12: “So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "’Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?’”
2. The tendency to make quick judgements.
Matthew 15:15: “Then Peter answered and said to Him, "’Explain this parable to us.’"
Matthew 16:16: “Simon Peter answered and said, "’You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’"
a. Jesus came walking on the water.
Matthew 14:28: “And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."
3. An amazing ability to sense when someone or something is not what it appears to be and to react harshly to dishonesty.
a. Ananias and Sapphira (Peter)
Acts 5:3-10: “But Peter said, "’Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.’" Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, "’Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?’" She said, "’Yes, for so much.’" Then Peter said to her, "’How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.’" Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.”
b. John The Baptist
Matthew 3:7: “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "’Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?’”
4. A desire to reject those who offend so that justice will be done and others would be warned.
a. Peter was reluctant to forgive his offender.
Matthew 18:21: “Then Peter came to Him and said, "’Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’"
5. An openness about personal faults and failures and an honesty about himself as well as others.
Luke 5:8: “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "’Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’"
6. A tendency to be impulsive in actions and be whole heartedly involved in whatever is done.
a. Forbade Jesus to wash his feet.
John 13:6-10: “Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "’Lord, are You washing my feet?’" Jesus answered and said to him, "’What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.’" Peter said to Him, "’You shall never wash my feet!’" Jesus answered him, "’If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.’" Simon Peter said to Him, "’Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!’" Jesus said to him, "’He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.’"
7. A tendency to be painfully direct when correcting friends (why don’t you tell us what you really think?).
Mark 8:31-33: “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "’Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’"
8. A desire to give open evidences of loyalty and total commitment.
Matthew 26:33: “Peter answered and said to Him, "’Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.’"
9. A willingness to suffer for doing what’s right.
Acts 5:29-42: “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "’We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.’" When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: "’Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it — lest you even be found to fight against God.’" And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
10. An ability to be very persuasive in defining what is right and what is wrong.
Acts 2:23: “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;”
11. Sees everything as either black or white; no gray or indefinite areas. They make decisions easily. They form quick evaluations.
12. Believes the acceptance of difficulties will provide positive personal brokenness. They rejoice in negative events as being the greatest opportunities to work brokenness into their lives.
13. Has strict personal standards (opinions and convictions).
14. Strongly promotes the spiritual growth of groups and individuals.
15. Is eager to see his own blind spots and to help others see theirs too.
16. Feels the need to verbalize or dramatize what he “sees.”
II. THE MISUSE OF THIS GIFT
1. Correcting people who are not their responsibility (hard to hold back).
2. Jumping to conclusions about words, actions, and motives (tend to draw conclusions on a few known facts).
3. Reinforcing a condemning spirit (tends to look for confirming evidences).
4. Judging and exposing an offender rather than restoring the offender (prophets tend to point out the problems but not see the solutions to them).
5. Cutting off a person who has failed.
6. Dwelling on the negative rather than the positive (more sensitive to evil and deception; against more than they are for.)
7. Lacking cautiousness and tactfulness in expressing opinions (driven by the desire to be totally open and honest, prophets often share opinions which would have been better left unsaid).
8. Demanding a positive response to a harsh rebuke (expects immediate repentance; does not praise partial progress due to goal consciousness).
9. Condemning themselves when they fail (extremely self-critical and feels worthless).
10. Accusing others of deception if they do not fully reveal faults (if they sell a car, they tend to tell all the faults of it and expect the same of you.)
Walking In the Spirit Walking after the Flesh
1. Committed To Truth Deceptive
2. Obedience Willful, Have Their Way
3. Sincerity (real) Hypocrisy
4. Virtue (pure) Defilement, Sensuality
5. Boldness Fearfulness-Anxiety
6. Forgiving Rejection, Also Feel Rejection
7. Persuasive Domineering-Argumentative, Dictator
*Maximum Effective
*Minimum Weariness