Taught at Manskool on 3.15.09 by Heath Lambert
The Function of a Prophet
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’” (Deut 18:17-20; see also Exod 4:14-17; Num 12:6-8)
Jesus as the Prophet
“Long ago, at many times an in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” (Heb 1:1-13)
- In Christ we hear what God says
- In Christ we see who God is
The Husband/Father as a Prophet
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Eph 5:25-27)
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.’ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Eph 6:1-4)
The Importance of a Prophet
A Prophet is an instrument of God’s grace to teach truth to his people
The kingly and priestly roles are most clearly on display in the prophetic role
The Tasks of a Prophet
To be a prophet you must KNOW God’s Word.
“Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10)
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe . . .” (Eph 1:16-19).
- To be prophet you must study God’s Word
- To be a prophet you must seek God in prayer
Some resources for this . . .
- Weekly sermons
- Daily Bible-reading plan
- Discipleship resources recommended by Crossing . . .
- The Gospel for Real Life by Jerry Bridges
- On the Old Testament (a Book You’ll Actually Read) by Mark Driscoll
- On the New Testament (a Book You’ll Actually Read) by Mark Driscoll
- Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney
- Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem
To be a prophet you must SPEAK God’s Word
- You will be a prophet in your Exhortation (what you say) “And we urge you, brothers, rebuke the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” (1 Thess 5:14)
- Rebuke
- Encouragement
- “Checking in”
- You will be a prophet in your Example (what you do) “Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching.” (1 Tim 4:15)
- Some practical ways to be a prophet
- During dates
- During discipline
- During devotions
- During dinner
- During the day-to-day
To be a prophet you must always point to Christ
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)
Where to Go from Here . . .
- Get Accountability
- Get Right
- Get a Plan
- Get Started
Resources that may help you lead your family . . .
- Pathway Bible Guides and Interactive Bible Studies from Matthias Media (matthiasmedia.com)
- John MacArthur Study Guides
- A good study Bible (i.e., MacArthur, ESV, Reformation)
- A good one-volume commentary on the whole Bible (The New Bible Commentary by Wenham, Motyer, Carson, and France)
- Truth and Grace Memory Book: Books 1, 2, and 3. (ed. By Tom Ascol)
- The Big Picture Story Bible by John Helm
- The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Questions to ask . . . .
- What are some areas in your life where you have failed to be a prophet and so need to ask for forgiveness?
- What are some areas that you expect to be particularly challenging as you seek to become a better prophet to your family (or future family)?
- Who will hold you accountable as you seek to repent and make changes?
For more information about Manskool, the monthly gathering of Crossing’s Men’s Ministry, contact men[at]crossinglouisville[dot]com.
