Recapturing the Prophetic in a Noisy World

From Luke 1:67–75, we can draw out themes that prove helpful for us as we seek to understand how the prophetic works, and how we are to approach it. 1. Holy Spirit Inspired The source of Zechariah’s prophecy, as with all prophecy is the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 tells us we have access to the gift of the prophetic because the Giver lives inside us. Because the prophetic is Holy Spirit inspired it means the most fundamental skill required for prophecy is openness to the Holy Spirit. The prophetic is a posture of listening before it is a platform to speak. As we listen, we ask; Revelation - what is God saying? Interpretation - what does it mean? Application - what should I do? 2. God Gloryfing “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel” (Luke 1:68). The prophetic will always lead to praise. When God's people gather, God will use others to speak to us, and this will lead to the people praising and glorifying God. 3. Intimacy Love unlocks the power of the prophetic. The prophetic is about giving people an encounter with the love and affection of God. This means the purpose of the prophetic is not to be wowed with accuracy but to be wooed into intimacy. 4. Redemption & Salvation Read Luke 19:1-10. As the prophetic releases love it redeems and restores identity. 5. Weighed (Historically Consistent) 1 Corinthians 14:29 - Prophecy should be received freely, but it should be weighed carefully. We ask; Does this word that I'm receiving align with scripture? Does it align with the character of Jesus? Do I trust the character of the prophetic voice? 6. Multi-Generational Prophecy works to pull us into God’s story and His redemptive plan, not just for our lives, but for the world.