Walking With Jesus X.
“Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
Introduction and Context
Welcome to Part X of our Walking With Jesus conversations. We will read two portions of scripture from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonian church. They are 1 Thess. 5:19-21 and 2 Thess. 1:1-11.
In the first reading, Paul admonishes the church not to despise prophecies while testing all things. This is excellent advice, considering that even Jesus warned that false prophets will arise in abundance. Don’t we see that today? Worse still, some of these false prophets look like the real deal. They wear a false cloak of humility and are intent on leading those who follow Jesus astray. It is essential to note this and everything else in that small set of words. Some Christians today have been taught that there are no more prophecies and that the Bible is the only prophecy book. While it is true that The scriptures, as contained in the Canon, is the only book of prophecy ordained by the Lord, He still uses individuals and groups of people in our New Testament Age to bring words of warning, comfort, and future events. One of the five gifts of Christ to the Church is that of the Prophet (Eph. 4:11-14.)
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
Ephesians 4:11-15 NKJV
In our second reading from 2 Thess 1:1-11, Paul thanks God for the believers in that city because they were going through persecution and remained steadfast in their faith. Moreover, they continued to grow in faith, as evidenced by their love for one another. As things get darker in our country and the forces of darkness single out churches and followers of Jesus, will you abandon your faith in Christ? Paul reassures them as he does you and me today (Vs. 9) that there is a day when God will visit the wicked with tribulation for disobedience to the gospel. I also think the church in Thessalonica was well prepared because Paul and the leading disciples there, who were led to Christ and influenced by his teaching, helped them stand fast in times of difficulty. I know this because Paul was the one who said:
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV
Guided Conversations
Scripture Text: Read 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5:19-22 and 2 Thessalonians 1:1-11 Discuss your findings using the questions in this sub-section:
- What came to mind as you were reading both sets of verses? Did any verse or sets of verses stick out to you? What do you feel the Holy Spirit pointing out to you?
- Why is prophecy as a ministry within the local church essential today for the believer? Please Read Acts 11:27-30, Acts 21:10-13,
- Have you ever experienced a direct prophecy or witnessed it in someone else’s testimony? Discuss
- Paul celebrated the Thessalonican’s commitment to Christ despite opposition from unbelievers. How can you/we grow in faith when going through a hard time or facing persecution? There are several things we can opine. Please discuss. Let us also pay attention to how Paul describes what the church members were doing that stood out. See 2 Thess 1:3 again.
Summary and Conclusion
The gift and office of the prophet are still valid in the church today, as we see in practice in the New Testament Church, of which we are an offshoot. Considering the darkness of our day, there should be more reading, preaching, and teaching of the word of God and a healthy mixing of prayer in our midst, consequent upon the outgrowth of the gifts of Christ to help us navigate the way through the increasing darkness. Hear what the Bible says about prophets:
By a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt,
Hosea 12:13 NKJV
And by a prophet he was preserved.
So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
Ezra 6:14 NKJV
If we do not despise prophecy and test what we hear by the fruit we see, our faith will grow, and we will stand in faith until the end. God is with us, for He promised never to leave or forsake us. He has given us His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth. Amen!
Prayer Time
- Are there any Praise Reports or Prayer Requests to share? Give thanks for praise reports.
- Pray for those who serve as leaders in Joy Fountain and other churches for strength, wisdom, and spiritual protection from the darts of the evil one. Pray for the congregation to grow spiritually.
- Pray for the Lord to give us grace through the gifts of the Holy Spirit so we can be edified and steadfast in our faith.
Announcements
- Prayer Summit April 5, 2025, from 12 to 2 pm.
- Next Small Group Meeting Wednesday April 9, 2025. We will continue our “Walking With Jesus XI” conversations in 2nd Thessalonians.