It's all about Jesus, it's not about us

It’s all about Jesus, it’s not about us.

As we each look to the Lord and focus on Him, as we deny ourselves and follow Him, He can do mighty and wonderful things. I think the Lord is simply waiting for us to start believing Him, and get about the business of building the Kingdom of God. It’s not about us or our opinions; it’s about Jesus Christ and what He is doing in the earth today. Is 55 tells us that His ways are higher than our ways. The following are a few scriptures that illustrate what can happen as we focus together on Jesus.

Blessings to you all,

Jay

After experiencing the mighty work of the Holy Spirit in their lives those in the first church focused together on minister and reaching the world for Christ. They were together, they prayed, praised, and communed together - and the Lord moved in and through them.

Acts 2:40-47

40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

When God’s people dwell in unity this is an anointing and a blessing.

Ps 133

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the LORD commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.

We are fellow citizens of the household of God, built together in Christ – and becoming His dwelling place together.

Eph 2:19-22

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

We are His boding growing together in love,

Eph 4:15-16

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

More on Prophets

There are many who say that a true prophet will only speak the truth and will not be in error, and they use this to try to press the point that there are no “modern day” prophets. Well, we know that all of us are human and are subject to mistakes, in fact Paul tells us in 1 Cor 13 that we prophesy in part – no one of us knows the whole message.

Absolutely, you need to "test" and validate prophetic words or messages, and especially we need to test and confirm a prophet. Those who are prophets (and Eph 4:11 ministry gifts or positions) need to be mature and proven and not novices. As I said previously, just because a person says they are a prophet does not mean they are. That is why I talked about being in relationship and in accountability - being in a local church and also being involved in ministry in the general or universal church (we are told we need to know those who minister among us, we need to make sure ministry is done in integrity and with maturity). Of course, the Word is a test and a validation to what is prophesied, God will not violate or contradict His word.

It is right to test the prophetic works, even Paul tells us that people prophesy and others judge. This is not about bondage or control, it is about ministering God’s love and grace and His Word.

Yes, prophets can have messages for those outside the church (as per the example of Jonah going to Nineveh). Practically speaking this is the minority of the time because those who are not believers are not going to easily receive a message from a prophet as God’s word to them.

There are a growing number of churches and believers who accept the ministry of the prophet and prophetic words. However, I do not have these statistics (although the Barna Group probably does have this information). I do know more and more denominational people and other main line Christian believers are becoming open to the things of the Holy Spirit, the manifestation of the gifts of the spirit, the operation of prophecy, and also the acceptance of prophets - but many still do not.

As for dreams and visions etc, there are people all over who are involved and participating in these. More and more people are into dreams and visions and interpretation. There are conferences and schools and books etc all about this. There are all sorts of "Spirit filled" people who participate in all of this. You can search on line and look many places. I know many really get into this; some are fantastic and awesome in what they see and how they share about it. Although there are others who sometimes don’t hit the mark as well as others – yet, the fact is that God’s prophet word and inspiration is alive and active in the Body of Christ today.

Prophets?

I am one who believes in the gift of prophecy and in the role of a prophet. However, just because one moves in prophecy and demonstrates the gift of prophecy, that does not mean the person is a prophet.

God wants people to move freely in the spiritual gifts and to prophesy (1 Cor 14:1; Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.)

Prophesying is a lot more common than people realize. It can be as simple as moving with revelation and sharing fresh insight. 1 Co 14:3 defines prophesy as, speaking edification and exhortation and comfort.

The role of the prophet is different; it is one of the five ministry gifts outlined in Eph 4:11. Granted, there are many who do not accept the office of the prophet and the apostle, but they are real, just as teachers, pastors, and evangelists are real.

There is much written on the role and the office of a prophet. How would you know one? Well, you would know one as a mature and proven ministry. It has to be one who functions in a local church and in the greater, or universal church with a consistently accurate word of prophesy. It must be a person who is accountable and in relationship with others, not one who does their own thing and calls themselves a prophet. This is similar to asking how do we know who a pastor is - just because one can lead and shepherd does not mean one is a pastor - the call will be proven and recognized, and not just because that one person says so.

The role of the prophet, along with the apostle is to help build the church and to help bring the body of Christ to maturity - as with the other ministry gifts mentioned in Eph 4 - make sure to read verses 11 through 16 for the purpose of the ministry roles.

One might say, this verse could mean that there could be all sorts of prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. And yes, that would be the case - there is not only room for many prophets, but the need for many too.