I had a shocking dream that communicated a critical message of prophetic realignment for the church.

Watch or listen to this message: A Prophetic Culture In a day where churches are not even prophetically influenced, much less prophetically led, we’re experiencing a radical misalignment. Most of us have grown up in a pastor led church model, and the idea of apostolic/prophetic leadership is quite foreign to us. Many are afraid of prophecy, while others embrace it, but only if it’s personally encouraging. Follow along with the notes below, and feel the heart of God in this special message. I will share a dream that absolutely freaked me out, and share about the piercing prophetic alarm that’s sounding over the cities of the Earth. A Prophetic Culture I. A prophetic culture a. We have to be concerned that most churches are not prophetically led. i. The entire culture of the church has to change so the church moves from a simple teaching center to a missional organization. ii. The church has such a phenomenal opportunity to radically change—if we respond to the prophetic instructions. b. The restoration of the prophetic ministry is essential for the vitality of the church. Whereas the gift of prophecy can be given to any believer as the Spirit wills, the ministry of the prophet is a calling on a person’s life. The church urgently needs this ministry. i. the role of the Prophet is : 1. to Speak for God 2. to exhort and direct the body of Christ. c. The prophet will provide vision for the church and keep it on the right track. He will ensure that there is an emphasis on holiness. A prophet is really an elder, who challenges church members with besetting sins and specializes in getting vision for the church. i. This means the city church! d. People absolutely love it when they receive prophecy that foretells what’s to come. i. They love simple encouragement. They love exhortation. ii. However, most shrink back when instructional prophecy is delivered. iii. It takes humility to know the difference between prophecy and exhortation. Exhortation is not prophecy (Mario Murillo- Prophecy). iv. The prophetic alarms that are sounding now are going to require extreme and swift response by everybody. v. God requires men with a vision. To do a great work only requires one man with a vision who is prepared to burn himself out for it. God takes a man and burns a vision onto his heart. To be a disciple means that God has to take everything that person has. If a vision is to be fulfilled we must give everything for it (Clark Taylor on Prov 29:18). vi. In a day when people are trying to avoid burn out, I believe God is calling us to be willing to burn out…the call is that severe. e. Isaiah 58:1-3 (ESV) ¹ “Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. ² Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God. ³ ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure… i. It’s a prophet’s job to analyze the current situation in the church via the revelation of the Holy Spirit and then to call the people to respond. ii. This is a rare manifestation of the prophetic office, but we must embrace it again if we are to experience God’s plans for our region. iii. Definition: A prophet is a spokesperson for God. The prophet admonishes, warns, directs, encourages, intercedes, teaches and counsels. He brings the word of God to the people of God and calls the people to respond. iv. Definition: The seer is one who has understanding of the times. This person has the ability to perceive and discern the spiritual significance of a situation and can give the Lord’s perspective on a given situation. This person’s strengths are giftings of illumination and discernment, though they may or may not communicate what they see in any one set or particular manner. This kind of prophet is extremely valuable as a watchman and intercessor in the midst of the Church. v. As a prophetic center for the region, this is one of our key mandates. We serve through sharing critical analysis of the situation and offering solutions. vi. Quote: Some prophets are watchmen or men of vision who stand on the walls of the city of God to see what God is doing. They look into the distance to see what is coming. They often see a long way ahead. f. One place where the modern church often stumbles is in the understanding of revelation. i. Many believe that God will speak directly to them when something is to be done. ii. They don’t understand that at times God will be silent to them, but will speak clearly to a prophet, or to their leader, regarding what is to be done. iii. You can have spiritual gifting and insight, but that does not mean God has set you in a position of governing authority. God gives gifts to men by His Spirit, but the governing offices are established by the Lord Jesus. We get into trouble when we mistake gifts for offices (John Bevere Thus Saith the Lord p.131). g. Amos 3:6-8 (ESV) ⁶ Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it? ⁷ “For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. ⁸ The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?” i. Share my dream of the apocalyptic city when the air raid siren sounded. 1. I wasn’t moved. I was casual. I went to the bathroom (it seemed necessary, but really wasn’t). I represented the state of the church. 2. Where’s the response?! a. I’m so radically concerned about the hope for revival in Detroit. 3. Quote: The church will always be the prophet’s main concern. 4. The true church could not have become the “institution” it has, if the watchmen had not been rendered impotent (John Martin). a. Meaning, the removal of prophets has resulted in a sterile church without vision and forward advance.