THE CROSSING WEEKLY
LOOKING AHEAD
SUNDAY APRIL 3RD
The Ministry of Helps will be reviewing ways to serve in our community. Join us in the Redemption Room after service, refreshments will be provided. Contact Laura Messina for more information at messinanc@gmail.com
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, APRIL 1ST-3RD
Women’s Encounter is coming up, register below.
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, APRIL 8TH-10TH
Men’s Encounter is coming up, register below.
JOIN US WEEKLY
EY (Emerging Youth) 6:30 PM, is a gathering of ages of 12 – 18. Contact Josiah Armstrong to get involved jarmstrong@lifealliance.org
Prayer Furnace 7 PM in the sanctuary, come pray and worship with us!
Young Adult Group 7 PM, contact Laura to get involved messinanc@gmail.com
Life Groups are at the core of our community expression and are the primary place for connecting with people in our community at a personal level. Find one near you!
Life Groups are at the core of our community expression and are the primary place for connecting with people in our community at a personal level. Find one near you!
First Principles classes are at 6:30 PM. The First Principles Series is a set of 13, six-session Bible study guides used to establish believers and churches in the Christian faith. New enrollment occurs in fall and spring. Learn more about First Principles!
Coffee and Conversation Women, join us every third Saturday morning of the month from 9 AM – 12 PM, contact Anna Benedict Anna.benedict@gmail.com
Worship Service 10 AM. Find our messages HERE.
Children’s Church drop off times are from 9:40 AM – 10:15 AM. Kingdom Kids (age 1-5) is across the street at the Daycare. Power Kids (ages 6-11) is in the main building’s hall. Learn more about Children’s Church.
Café Kerygma is our very own cafe which opens at 9 – 10 AM & 12 – 1 PM for coffee and fellowship.
Dreamers’ Ranch sells their products from 12-12:30, or directly after service. Come buy our beef, lamb, pork, and eggs as available.
THE PURPOSE OF PROPHECY
Josiah Armstrong on Prophetic Ministry - Part 2
By: Josiah Armstrong
Last week, Josiah answered the question “what is prophecy?” and explored various measures of this gift. Beyond that, it’s helpful to understand the purpose of prophecy. Josiah Armstrong shares his thoughts below.
The purpose of prophecy is to direct us in the knowledge of God as revealed in Christ; It reveals to us the will and plans of God, and helps establish us in the truth.
Prophecy moves through the spirit of revelation. Check out this progression we find in the apostolic prayer of Paul in Ephesians 1:17-23 – revelation to:
Know Him
Know the hope, purpose, and future God has called you to
Know God’s heart and inheritance in you and His people
Know the immeasurable greatness of His power working toward us who believe – the same power that raised Christ from the dead.
We encounter the energy and empowerment of the spirit through revelation and the spirit of prophecy. It causes us to stand in awe of God, feel connected and loved by Him, and inspired to love Him more with the Love He Has poured into us.
It glorifies Christ in the Church, awakens us to His supremacy and sovereign leadership, and quickens our understanding of what He’s accomplished through redemption. It causes us to experience His power and goodness flowing toward us who believe!
He speaks to our calling and potential. Prophecy is about bringing us upward and onward in the faith and into the conformity of His son. Therefore, it should bring us forward in the nature and purposes of God.
Prophesy creates faith and hope in us by declaring to us what we are, who we are, what we’re to do, and what will or potentially will happen in the future, and this strengthens us, encourages us and comforts us (1 Cor 14).
Here are some other perspectives on the purpose of prophecy by respected Prophets:
Graham Cooke – 9 Purposes of Prophecy:
Restore people’s dignity & self respect
Edify, encourage & comfort the church
Bring correction & warning
Provide direction & enhance vision
Open up the teaching of the word & confirm preaching
Release churches into new doctrine & practices not explored yet
Provide insight into counseling situations
Provide evangelistic breakthroughs
Provide an agenda for prayer
Denny Cramer – New Testament Prophecy
Is designed by God to get our spiritual attention
To direct us to keep our focus on God
To gain understanding of God’s wisdom & ways
To hear & receive God’s counsel & direction
To reveal God’s loving, just, and merciful heart – the heart of God to His beloved children
Prophecy should convey the message that God both likes and loves His kids
What do you do if you have received a prophetic word?
If you have received a prophetic word, consider two things: “Prophecy is a mixture of divine, infallible revelation and human reception, analysis, and understanding. The perfect word of God Can be imperfectly received, understood, interpreted or applied” (Streams Ministry, Advanced Prophetic Ministry).
“Allowing prophecy without testing it…leads to abuse within the ministry, a discrediting of the gift in general, a poor model for local believers to follow, and frustration of the purpose for which true prophecy is given” (Graham Cooke).
It’s important that we test prophesy and that we respond with appropriate boundaries when we receive a word. We have a biblical charge and responsibility to judge all things and to lovingly speak the truth to someone when they are off in the things they have said or done, when they have “missed it.” We must be honest in our feedback and assessment of the word delivered and the way it was delivered. This is how we help one another and keep integrity in revelatory/prophetic ministry!
Again, there is much to learn and grow in when it comes to the spirit. We have 101, 201, and 301 Prophetic Training courses with hours of instruction to help you mature and practice hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit. Reach out to Josiah Armstrong for more information or keep an eye out for the next Prophetic Training Day.
We’d love to know… Is God on the move in your life? If you have a testimony, click the button below to share in an upcoming edition of The Crossing Weekly!