Let's break down the gift of prophecy.

~~Watch the Video~~

Outline:

Introduction
Finding Your Purpose in Life Series
Review: Your Spiritual Gifts 1 & 2
Manifestation Gifts
The Gift of Prophecy
Sharing a Revelation From God
Prophetic Dreams

Scriptures:

1 Corinthians 14:1-3
Romans 12:6-8
1 Corinthians 12:7-12
Acts 11:28

Introduction

Desire Prophecy

1 Corinthians 14:1-3

1 Pursue love, yet earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification, exhortation, and consolation.

Love is the most important, but you should desire spiritual gifts
If you’re going to pray for a gift… Pray for prophecy.
Not tongues
For edification, exhortation, and consolation.

Paul tells people that he’d rather have them have the gift of prophecy than the gift of tongue in the context of a gathered body

The church is split on whether some spiritual gifts still exist

The Argument for Cessation

Those who believe the gift has ceased (Cessationists) typically rely on these points:

The "Perfect" Clause (1 Corinthians 13:8-10): This is the most debated verse. It says:
"But where there are prophecies, they will cease... but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away." Cessationists often argue that "the perfect" refers to the completed canon of the Bible. Once we had the full Word of God, the "partial" revelations (like prophecy) were no longer necessary.
The Foundation of the Apostles (Ephesians 2:20): This verse describes the church as being "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets." Cessationists argue that a foundation is laid only once; therefore, the roles of apostles and prophets ended after the early church was established.
Sufficiency of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17): If Scripture is "profitable for teaching... that the man of God may be complete," some argue that new prophetic words are unnecessary and could potentially distract from the finality of the Bible.

The Argument for Continuation

Those who believe the gift of prophecy is still active today often point to the following scriptures:

The Promise of Joel - last days (Acts 2:17-18): Peter quotes the prophet Joel, stating that "in the last days," God will pour out His Spirit and people will prophesy. Continuationists argue we are still in the "last days" (the era between Christ's first and second coming).
Paul’s Instructions (1 Corinthians 14:1, 39): Paul explicitly tells believers to "eagerly desire gifts, especially prophecy" and "do not forbid speaking in tongues." Proponents argue that since these instructions are in the Bible, they remain a mandate for the modern church.
Purpose of the Gift (1 Corinthians 14:3): The Bible defines the goal of prophecy as "edification, exhortation, and comfort." Since the church still needs encouragement and strength, many argue the tool for providing it hasn't been retracted.

I’m continuationist

But many of the charismatic churches have put it in a bad light

The continuationist movement has gone to extremes

You don’t correct bad teaching… With not teaching

You correct bad teaching… With sound teaching

Finding Your Purpose in Life Series

The two greatest days in your life are:

the day you were born
the day you figure out why you were born

– – Mark twain

Purpose is the fundamental reason that something exists

The Bible tells us that everything was created by God, the Designer, for a reason

If you want to find your purpose… You have to start with God

Your calling is the purpose that God created you for

It's the end goal of your assignment on earth
It is how you serve his purposes in the world

A Christian’s Callings

Christians have

General callings
A Unique calling

General Christian Callings

All Christians are called to:

To Love God
Love your neighbor
Make disciples

Unique Calling

Additionally, you were given unique

Gifts, talents
Personality
Desires and preferences
Life experiences

to serve others, and to glorify God

Your gifts and talents are owned by God… Not you

Success is Measured by Faithfulness, Not Impact

In this series we will discover:

What a purpose is and why it matters
What are your unique attributes as it relates to your calling
What life experiences have prepared you for your calling
What is your unique purpose
How to overcome the barriers preventing you from pursuing your purpose

Throughout this next year, I will walk alongside you and help guide you to finding your purpose

Review: Your Spiritual Gifts 1 & 2

Skills talents and gifts

3 qualities that make you unique

Natural ability
Acquired skills
Spiritual gifts

Natural Ability

Every person was born with a set of unique abilities

Sing well
Run fast
Smart

Natural talents are abilities or physical attributes you have possessed for as long as you can remember.

Acquired Skills

Acquired skills are the result of intentional effort, education, and repetition.

Examples

Speaking a second language
Carpentry
Time management

Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual gifts are special enablements given by the Holy Spirit

Examples

Prophecy
discernment of spirits
Speaking in tongues

God can give you skills and gifts when you need them based on your current assignment

Gifts, Ministries, Effects

(1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

Gifts

The raw spiritual "tool" or talent (e.g., the gift of teaching, prophecy, or healing).

This is the internal enablement from the Holy Spirit

Ministries / Functions

The specific office,role or sphere of service where you use your gift.

Example:

Pastor
Choir director
School teacher

Gift vs Ministry

You might have the gift of teaching, but that gift can be expressed in many different ways.

Example: Gift of teaching

Pastor
Jail ministry
Classroom

Effects

The supernatural impact or outcome of the gift being used.

The Difference: You might teach a lesson, but only God can make that lesson "click" in someone's heart to change their life (the effect)

Example

You can “feel the anointing” when someone is singing

Manifestations vs. Permanent Gifts

Manifestations

The Holy Spirit can give any gift to any believer at a specific moment to meet a specific need.

Referred to as:

"manifestation of the Spirit"
“Spirit coming upon you”
“ Being filled with the Holy Spirit”

In the bible things that happened when people were filled with the Holy Spirit include:

speaking in tongues
having boldness in evangelism and
prophesying
being filled with joy, thankfulness or submission,
giving musical praise.

Permanent Gifts

“Having the gift" typically implies a consistent, recurring enablement given by the Spirit for regular service.

What people call "having the gift" is a consistent history of God choosing to work through someone, rather than an on-demand supernatural talent.

3 Lists of Gifts

In this series, we are going to discuss three different classifications of gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Bible

Motivational gifts (last lesson)
Manifestation gifts
Ministries/function/offices

Motivational Gifts

Gifts of the Father

These are often called "redemptive" or "motivational" gifts. They are viewed as part of your basic temperament or "spiritual DNA" given by God the Father. They describe what motivates you to serve.

Romans 12:6-8

6 However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if prophecy, in proportion to one’s faith; 7 if service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching; 8 or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

The List:

Serving
Teaching
Exhortation (encouragement)
Giving
Leadership
Mercy
Prophecy

Nature:

These are usually permanent. If you have the "gift of mercy," you have it for a season or for your entire life.

These are not momentary gifts that you will only manifest once
You can generally choose to exercise them whenever an opportunity arises (at will)

These were covered in the last lesson.

Manifestation Gifts

Gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:7-12

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

Word of Wisdom
Word of Knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miracles
Prophecy
Discerning of Spirits
Tongues
Interpreting tongues

Some argue that these are often viewed as spontaneous "bursts" of power given by the Spirit for a specific moment.

Manifestation vs permanent gift

Not all Christians “have these” gifts

the Spirit distributes them "as He wills" (v. 11)
The spirit can manifest any of these gifts on any Christians at any given time

The Gift of Wisdom

AKA the “word of wisdom” or “utterance of wisdom.”

It is the ability to receive insight into how given knowledge may best be applied to specific needs

A solution to a problem

The Word of Knowledge

The unique ability to receive knowledge which could only be revealed supernaturally

Information

Faith

The gift of faith is the unique ability to trust God against all circumstances.

Having a supernatural peace or assurance about some situation

Supernatural certainty
Unshakable faith during persecution or suffering

Healing

The ability to initiate supernatural intervention of God that cures a physical ailment, disease, or injury without the aid of natural medical means.

Working of Miracles

This describes when the Holy Spirit chooses to "over-ride" the laws of nature, working in or through an available person.

Examples:

Raising the dead
Turning water to wine

The Gift of Prophecy

The ability to deliver a message from God to a group or individual

Sometimes this is foretelling the future

The gift versus the office

We’ll start off talking about the gift, and then discuss the office or title

Story: House church in Pleasanton

The prophetic (NAR)

Language
Music
Church Culture
Passion Bible

Specific and accurate
Teaching everyone to prophesy
prophetic conferences
Then taught series “prosperity”

Related series

Prosperity
Favor
Faith

Biblical Example

Acts 11:28

One of them, named Agabus, stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there would definitely be a severe famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.

Sharing a Revelation From God

Revelation

What did God speak or show?

AKA “a word” from God

Sources of revelation

Dream
Vision
Hunch
Impression
Prompting
An audible word
Bible

Interpretation

What does it mean?

The greatest space for the margin of error is interpretation

We can make assumptions and take actions without interpreting correctly

when the word is for yourself… It is on you to go to God for the interpretation

When it is the word for someone else

Sometimes God didn’t require you to interpret it but just to communicate it

Example: throw the horseshoe

sometimes people want to feel like they’re making a contribution… So they add things to the word

you shouldn’t speak beyond the clarity that God gave you

Don’t try to interpret for someone else

When I’m listening for a thing as I think it is, I can miss what is being explained to me.

Dr. Chalice C Rhodes

Application

What should I do with this word/information?

What is the wisest way for me to deliver this word to this person?

What is the wisest way to put this into practice?

When
Where
How
In what way

sometimes God exposes and reveals things in layers

Was the revelation for:

preparation

May not be something you need to understand fully now.
Something you will walk into Later

confirmation.

Present
Future – déjà vu.
everything else lines up

intercession

You might need to just pray on it

7 things to check before declaring the word

Motive
Source
Scripture
Community
Timing
Tone
Completeness

The motive check: why am I saying this?

If the motive is off, the message might be too

Am I saying to be helpful or to be heard?

Is this my insecurity

Is this my ego or offence?

Or is this coming from a place of love?

Am I trying to impress, control, or feel significant?

The spirit check: what is the source of this?

Sit with it in prayer before you speak it. God isn’t in a hurry.

Is this

Divine revelation
Personal observation
emotional projection

If it’s emotional projection don’t say anything at all

If it’s a personal observation don’t put God‘s name on it

“This came to me… “
“This hit my mind…“

Am I discerning something or assuming something?

The scripture check: does this align with the word?

The Holy Spirit never contradicts the word he inspired

Is this consistent with God's nature and character?

Scripture is not going to contradict itself

The community check: who can I run this by?

this check is for one God gives you a word for yourself

if you don’t have someone in your friendship circle that you could run a word of God by… You have a deficit in your friendship circle

your pastor shouldn’t be The only spiritually mature person you have a relationship with

this is definitely a check to use when you feel like God has given you a word for yourself

The timing check: is this the right time?

Should this be said

Now
Later
Never

You need a prompt on when to release.

You may need to pray to determine the timing of releasing the word

Even true words can cause damage if released at the wrong time. In God’s kingdom, accuracy without alignment is immaturity

Words that are of a personal nature should be said in a private setting.

Story: check to Lea

Right before Covid hit

The tone check: how should I say this?

You need prudence on how to release it.

We don’t just prophesy truth – we prophesy in love

Am I using a tone that reflects God‘s heart?

You don’t have to be

condescending
dehumanizing
condemning

Should be shared as a

Question
Statement
Suggestion

Completeness check

Are you adding to it or taking away from it

Prophetic integrity is also the obedience to say everything that you were supposed to say

Fear
Comfort
Image maintenance.
Approval, addiction
Spiritual imposter syndrome.

Who am I to say this?

When you withhold a word from God… It’s disobedience

Prophetic Dreams

God used dreams to:

Warn of negative future/current events
Some you can and some you can not impact
Revelation of His will that you will be a part of
Impart you with gifts/identity
Reveal Mysteries
To Change Your Character/Behavior
To accomplish His plan
Position people in positions of influence

Prophetic words can be for:

Confirmation
Correction
Clarity
Comfort

Joseph interpreting Pharaoh's dream

Genesis 41:14-48^

7 fat cow; 7 skinny cows
Famine for 7 years

A dream of a future event

It was a word of:

Clarifying
Warning of negative future events that could be avoided

16Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “[j]It has nothing to do with me; God will [k]give Pharaoh an answer for his own good.”

32Now as for the repeating of the dream to Pharaoh twice, it means that the matter is confirmed by God, and God will quickly bring it about.

Lessons

Just because the dream doesn’t give peace doesn’t mean that it’s not from God
God can give you confirmation (Gen 41:32)

If so, he will bring it about quickly

Ministry application

Give God the credit

All dreams are not from God.

For example you can watch a scary movie about clowns and dream about a clown chasing you.

Your dreams can be influenced by what you experience in your waking life. You can dream about what you focus on. The devil can influence dreams by influencing your life and therefore it will influence your dreams.

There are no examples of the devil/demons directly giving/influencing dreams in the Bible.

Not saying it’s impossible, but there aren’t examples in the Bible.
There are frightening/unsettling dreams from God in the Bible to warn people or to change their behavior. God can be warning you of demonic activity happening in your woken life.

Instructor: Michael Leadon

References

Previous Unchained Disciples lessons

Unchained Disciples dreams lessons.

Do what you do

Darius Daniels

Win from within | “purpose” Wednesday night Bible study

Darius Daniels TV

Extra

Proverbs 18:16

A person’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great people.

Pages

Friday, February 13, 2026

Your Spiritual Gifts - Part 3: The Gift of Prophecy