Please - Don't Put Prophet or Apostle on Flyers — Shane Idleman

New Testament Prophecy and Scriptural Authority

And New Testament prophets, did you know this, did not speak with authority equal to the words of Scripture. In Acts 2, 21, 4, we read, they told Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Did they not? Agapists, and they, Paul, don't go to Jerusalem.

He disobeyed, he went to Jerusalem. Because see, it was a warning to him of what's going to happen, but not to be put above Scripture that he should not go. Therefore, prophecy has less authority than teaching.

Did you catch that? Prophecy has less authority than teaching. And all those guys out there with profit on their business card are not gonna like that statement. So if you're listening, take profit off your business card.

Rejecting Ministry Titles and Self-Exaltation

Take apostle off your business card. Just be Jack Smith, and just be who God, let people call you a prophet. Let people say he's apostolic in his ministry. Let people, don't put these big titles on your business card.

And every time I get email, I'm prophet such and such, I'd love to speak to your church, delete. Sorry, I'm just, that's, I'm not being too nice, I know. But they've got these big flyers, right? Prophet such and such, delivering a healing service, I'm apostle such and such, and I'm gonna have a healing service, and it's all about this apostle, prophet, big flyer.

That's not right. That's arrogance, that's self-exaltation. You need to come in low and humble. If you really want God to, sure, say hey, we're gonna have a service tonight, we're gonna pray for healing.

We're believing that God's gonna heal. Come tonight, we're gonna do worship, we're praying for that. God, please heal your people. We're coming as lowly servants, and he might use somebody else. He might use somebody else.

Humble Servanthood and Spiritual Gifts

Don't look at pastors up on a pedestal like Superman. The only gifting I have is to proclaim God's word. I don't have a gift of healings. I don't have a lot of these other gifts. All I've got is the Holy Spirit has given me, and I will do it to the glory of God.

But all other people have, there's people here, I'll have you pray with them if you need healing. I'll pray with you. But let me have you pray, let me have this person pray with you for healing, because there's a consistent pattern of success in that area that God has identified.

Teachers and Leadership in the Early Church

So where were we? Here we go. Contrary to some views, it was primarily teachers. Okay, hold on for this one. Contrary to some views, it was primarily teachers, not prophets, who gave leadership and direction to the early church.

If you don't believe that, just read the New Testament through. Actually, not even the New Testament, read the Pauline epistles. That's leadership. Paul actually didn't act as a prophet much. Maybe in the office of prophet, you can get some things there, because he spoke prophetically, different things.

The Church Built on Christ and the Authority of Scripture

But the church was primarily built on the teaching of God's word. And that's what sustains the church, is the teaching of God's word. That's why Jesus said, Peter, on this confession of faith that I am the Messiah, I'm going to build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail.

Is it built on prophetic words? Is it built on words of wisdom? It is built on the profession of faith that Jesus Christ is Lord, and on the authority of his word. That is what the church is built on.

Testing Subjective Impressions Against God's Word

And guys, we have to be careful because we put too much emphasis. Here's what, here's what, maybe I'm being too transparent this morning. Here's what concerns me about prophecy. Oh, I trust me. I mean, I trust God, but not me.

I trust you, but I don't know. You might just be having good thoughts. Shane, I believe you're supposed to do this. That might just be an encouragement. How do I know it's God? But we do have the lasting word of God that is not changing, that's grounded and faithful in everything.

So inner feelings and promptings are by their very nature subjective. Are they not? If you get an inner sense or an inner feeling or an inner prompting, by their very nature, they are subjective. How do you know it's truly God?

Old Testament Tests for Prophetic Claims

The Old Testament had a pretty hard test. You know what the test was? If what you said comes to pass, you're a prophet, if not, we're gonna kill you. Hoo-hoo, that'd make you shut your mouth a lot quicker, right?

That's why you'd see a lot of the prophets in the Old Testament primarily saying the burden of the Lord, the burden of the Lord. Isaiah, Jeremiah, the burden of the Lord, and the Lord puts his burden on you.

They would speak forth God's word. And they were lining up with scripture. They were lining up with his character. Then you see the false prophets come on the scene, and what are they telling people? Hey, Jeremiah said you're a backsliding people, you're sacrificing your children, you're going after other gods.

That guy, he's hardcore. He's too mean. They would say, peace, peace, God loves you. Judah, Israel, God loves you. Guys, come on. I know you just sacrificed your child to Molech yesterday, but that's old news.

No, that's a sign of a false prophet declaring peace, peace. When God says there's no peace, there's judgment. You can always tell a true spokesman for God is because what they say lines up with the heart of God.

Mercy and love and grace and judgment, holiness, the whole counsel of God's word. So one who exercises this gift must be careful. And we must repent if we miss it. Do you hear that? If you ever say something that didn't happen, it's okay to say, hey, I missed that.

I believe God can work through that even more so.