Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 5:19-20
Fri, 15 July 2022

The Word of God: Listen

Observation:

What do Paul’s instructions, “Do not quench the Spirit” (v.19) and “Do not despise prophecies” (v.20), mean?

Deeper Reflection
PAUL’S INSTRUCTIONS, “DO NOT QUENCH THE SPIRIT” (V.19) and “Do not despise prophecies” (v.20), are both interrelated. They are to be observed in the public worship of a community of God’s people.We need to understand “prophet” and “prophecy” biblically in their primary and secondary sense. In the primary sense, the Old Testament prophets and the apostles are “the foundation” of the church, the new covenant Israel (Eph 2:20), in salvation history; they were “organs of direct revelation” from God, and “infallible teachers”32 who were also writers of God-breathed Scripture (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:19-21). In the secondary sense, all God’s people in the post-Pentecost era receive the Holy Spirit and can “prophesy” (Acts 2:16-18).The common but flawed understanding of “prophet” and “prophecy” is defined by the English dictionary, namely, in terms of predicting the future. But biblically, to “prophesy” is to proclaim what God has spoken (Am 3:8). The “primary function” of the Old Testament prophets was not predictors of the future, but “to speak for God to their own contemporaries”33. “Prophesy” in the post-Pentecost era is “know and speak God’s mind and will”34, for edification, exhortation and instruction for learning in the church (1 Cor 14:4, 19, 31). It “may include various kinds of God-given, revelatory speech, including applied pastoral preaching”35.“Do not despise prophecy” means to treat with respect, to listen to any utterance or message which claims to come from God through the “sovereignty and freedom of the Holy Spirit”36, and not to reject it outright, nor accept it outright.37 Hence, to “despise prophecies” may be tantamount to “quench the Spirit”.
32 John R. W. Stott, The Message of Thessalonians, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 1991), 127 33 Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, Fourth Edition (Zondervan, 1981, 1993, 2003, 2014), 188 34 John R. W. Stott, 127 35 Anthony C. Thiselton, 1 Corinthians: A Shorter Exegetical & Pastoral Commentary (Eerdmans, 2006), 237 36 John R. W. Stott, 131 37 John R. W. Stott, 127, 128
Application:

What should be my posture in listening to the teaching and preaching of the Word of God?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for SGI leaders: To grow in sensitivity to God speaking in their hearts
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

Download this Building Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for East QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for WDL QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
John 20:19-21; Luke 4:14-21
Mon, 2 October 2023

Sent by the Lord

Observation:

What is the analogy that Jesus used in sending forth His disciples (v.21)?

Deeper Reflection
As we enter the month of October with our upcoming two Missions Sundays, let us focus our attention and prayers on Covenant EFC’s third Faith Exploit, “Disciple the Nations”. In today’s Scripture, verse 21 is a very significant statement that Jesus said to His disciples after His resurrection. And it applies equally to all those who are Jesus’ disciples today. There are three key observations we can make.First, the analogy that Jesus used – His having been sent by the Father – points us to Jesus’ foundational teachings that He came to accomplish the very will and works of the Father (Jn 4:34; 5:30, 36; cf. Lk 4:14-21). Second, the idea of Jesus’ disciples being “sent” reminds us that world missions is not a result of human initiative, but is God-initiated and God-directed. It is God’s mission in the world. Third, verse 21 reminds us that Jesus is not merely calling us to join God in His mission, but to relate to Him as our heavenly Father – in love, obedience and dependence.1Therefore, the more fundamental question is not “Are we being sent?” or “What must we do?”. Rather, it is “To what extent do we understand and treasure our sonship in relation to God our Father (Jn 20:17)?” So that, as beloved children of God, we will respond rightly to our heavenly Father who created us in His image, redeemed us in Jesus Christ, and called us to join Him in His mission. Out of gratitude and love towards God, we joyfully walk in the Lord’s will for us, and fully rely on His resources as we faithfully serve Him.
1 This is consistent with John’s emphasis in his writings on the Father-Son relationship that anchored and motivated Jesus in all that He did in submission and obedience to the Father’s will.
Application:

How do the purposes for which Jesus sends forth His disciples impact the
way I plan and live out the years of my life?

Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, what manner of love You have bestowed on me that I should be called Your child! Every opportunity given to me to carry out Your will is a privilege for me to participate in Your glorious purposes. Help me to clearly discern the things that You want me to accomplish and to faithfully work at them with a heart that loves and depends on You and always seeks Your glory. Amen.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

Download this New Life Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for BPJ QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.