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"All may be encouraged."

Text: 1 Corinthians 14:31

THE PURPOSE OF PROPHECY

The purpose of all spiritual gifts was to encourage and strengthen the Church. This is certainly true with reference to the gift of prophecy.

“But if anything is revealed to another who sits by,
let the first keep silent.
For you can all prophesy one by one,
that all may learn and all may be encouraged.”
1 Corinthians 14:30-31

1. The Worship Service must be borne in mind as we study this text

a) The person (perhaps the pastor in charge) who has planned the worship program has listed a number of people who will share a prophecy.

b) Each prophet will have his turn to speak.

2. “But if anything is revealed to another who sits by”

a) The gift of prophecy involves God revealing a word to His servant the prophet.

b) This was recognised by the Apostle Paul.

c) But there may be one who is sitting by but he is not slated to share.

d) However, he may be allowed to bring a word too, if indeed God had given him an urgent message that needs to be communicated to the church.

3. “Let the first keep silent”

a) The person who was slated to speak first must give way to the person who has an urgent revelation from the Lord.

b) The true prophet will recognise that there are different types of prophecies.

i) Some may not be urgent.

ii) Others might be urgent and thus the word must be communicated immediately.

4. “For you can all prophesy one by one”

a) Provided, of course, that the gift of prophecy had been given.

b) The word “all” is not a reference to everyone in the congregation.

c) It is a reference to “all” who are proven to be prophets.

d) All true prophets may have a chance to address the church.

e) But each must take his turn.

5. “That all may learn and all may be encouraged”

a) Once again, there is a reminder of how gifts must be applied.

b) The Church must keep learning.

Encouragement of the church must be foremost in mind!