Part 2 Trusting the Prophetic

Isaiah 46:9b,10 And do not forget the things I have done throughout history. For I am God--I alone! I am God, and there is no one else like me. Only I can tell you what is going to happen even before it happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.

Theme Prophecy is God’s powerful motivation to draw near to Him and live His ways.

Introduction People radically influenced by God’s prophetic word What do we get out of prophecy? Requires examples. They came to understand what prophecy is all about. Today we look at the impact of prophecy over the years.

Definition A prophecy is a future event stated as a fact. Prophecy can appear as a prediction, a pledge or a promise. God revealing the future in present time. God describing an event before it occurs. God enabling rather than paralyzing us about the future. If we study it with God’s purpose in mind, the more we know about prophecy the more confident we are about what happens next.

1. God’s Prophecies Are Certain (Inevitable) Isaiah 46:9,10 And do not forget the things I have done throughout history. For I am God--I alone! I am God, and there is no one else like me. Only I can tell you what is going to happen even before it happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.

A. Prophecies cannot be avoided Ahab predicted Ahab’s blood would be eaten by dogs, 1 Kings 21 Micaiah predicted Ahab’s death at Ramoth-Gilead in I Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 18 Ahab tried to avoid his death but he was shot by an arrow that found its mark anyway! “But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” 1 Kings 22:34

B. Promises WILL Come To Pass Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

C. Predictions are Well-founded 300+ predictions about the Messiah Birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord

2. God’s Prophecies Are Motivational (Inspirational) They are more practical than they seem They are more personal than we might imagine They are more encouraging than we might first think

A. David’s Confidence In Prophecy produced COURAGE David was anointed as King by Samuel Took on Goliath knowing that he was not yet king so there was zero chance he would die. He was called to take on Goliath and he just did it. God was vindicated, not just David.

B. Simeon’s Confidence in Prophecy meant hope and joy Simeon waited in the temple for the Messiah. Assured he would not die before his eyes fell on the Anointed one (Luke 2)

C. Noah’s Confidence in Prophecy produced Endurance It took more than 100 years to build the ark. Knowing God’s sure prophetic word gave him enormous endurance.

3a. God’s Prophecies Are Educational (Insightful) a. Jonah’s prophecy reveals God’s mercy Jonah absolutely believed God about the message Jonah did not see the prophecy as God’s act of love toward Nineveh. It tells us about God –Justice: “40 days and Nineveh will be overturned (Jonah 3)” –Compassion: You relent! –About God’s priorities It tells us about man –Man is willful and stubborn –Man is selfish and self-centered –Man is callous and without pity

3b. God’s Prophecies Are Educational (Insightful) b. The Sodom and Gomorrah prophecy reveals God’s justice What is acceptable and what is not God’s patience and justice God’s pattern for believers

Our Challenge… Learn his prophecies, predictions and promises and you will have deeper, stronger faith than you can imagine.