Wednesday, May 21, 2008

". . . and the prophets" (Hebrews 11:32b).

IDEA: Sometimes Christians are called on to exercise a prophetic ministry.

PURPOSE: While we are not prophets, there are times when we must speak out against the injustices of our day.

Do you know people personally who are prophets?

Would you accept the fact that they are prophets simply because they tell you they are?

What do you think would be a job description of an Old Testament prophet?

I. A prophet had to speak out when the religious establishment was corrupt or ineffective.

In Israel the priesthood that was assigned the task of teaching the Word or bringing the people to God had become corrupt.

Their families lacked discipline and they were in it for what they could get out of it. 

Why does that happen? Not only were the priests corrupt, but also some prophets were corrupt.

II. The prophets that spoke for God had to speak to the kings, to the priests, to the people about their disobedience, Ezekiel 22.

Prophets at the time they spoke were often rejected.

The prophet had to determine to speak truth even though it could mean persecution, imprisonment, even the threat of death. 

In New Testament times people looked back on the prophets with great admiration. During the time they lived they were despised.

Why is it that we often admire people as we look back on them and despise them while they are performing their ministry? 

The prophet’s ministry is to the time in which he lives and he speaks to the conditions of his time. 

III. Do you think that Christians today can have a prophetic ministry to the times in which they live?

Is that the same thing as taking a political position?

Does it mean that you always speak to national issues? Or are there times in which a Christian has to speak out about local issues?

Would you want to be a prophet?