How to Have an Unshakeable Prophetic Ministry

In order to have an unshakeable prophetic ministry—one that is going to last the test of time and trials—we need to have strong, secure foundations. [1]

The Apostle Paul describes the church as being ‘built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.’ (Eph 2:20 NIV)

In ancient times, a cornerstone was the first foundation stone laid in a building. It was critical to the success of the construction. 

Every other stone, every building block, was lined up against the cornerstone.

This way, the whole building would be perfectly aligned throughout the building process, right through to completion. [2]

Our most important foundation in prophetic ministry is Jesus Christ Himself.

Jesus is our cornerstone; He is our source and primary reference point when it comes to our life, faith and ministry. And that includes our journey of growing in hearing God’s voice.

How to Have an Unshakeable Prophetic Ministry

So what does it look like, to have Jesus as the cornerstone of our prophetic ministry? Here are 4 important things you can pay attention to, as you grow in your journey of hearing from God and sharing with others what He is saying:

1. Make Jesus Your Primary Message

Jesus is the Christ. This truth is the beginning of our salvation (Acts 16:31) and is our cornerstone revelation. (Matt 16:16-18)

The author of Hebrews wrote: ‘In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.’ (Heb 1:1) 

As God’s message, Jesus perfectly represents the Father. He said, ‘Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.’ (John 14:9)

In prophetic ministry, our focus is always upon Jesus. What we are hearing will be in accordance with the truth of Who He is. Like Jesus, we will accurately represent the Father. Every prophetic insight we receive will both reveal Jesus, and point people to Jesus.

2. Check that Your Insights are Redemptive

As Jesus’ set out on His ministry, He made an announcement from the Prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19a)

This is the message of the Gospel:

• It is good news to the poor
• It proclaims and results in freedom
• It invites reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18-19)

This is the central message of the Gospel: ‘that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.’ ( 2 Cor 5:19)

In prophetic ministry, what you are hearing from God—revelation from the Holy Spirit—will always resonate with the message of the Gospel. It will be redemptive, reflecting God’s heart and purpose to redeem and restore.

3. Let Jesus be Your Greatest Role Model

Elijah is not our principle role model, neither is Elisha, nor any of the great Old Testament prophets. Of course we will learn from them. We also honor God’s gifts of mentors, leaders, spiritual parents and five-fold ministers today, who inspire and equip us and reveal more of Jesus to us.

However, our greatest desire in prophetic ministry should be to be like Jesus. There are many ways in which we can grow in Christ-likeness.

• We can grow in power and spiritual authority
• We can grow in reflecting the Father
• We can grow in generosity, wisdom and love

As we grow to be like Jesus, our communication style and language will be plain and easily understood by the culture we are ministering to. Mark says of Jesus, ‘And the common people heard Him gladly.’ (Mark 12:37 NKJV) or elsewhere translated, ‘the large crowd listened to Him with delight’ (NIV)

As you grow in hearing from God,  you can test weigh up your insights by asking, ‘Is this something Jesus would say—and is it the way He would say it? Am I being motivated by the love of the Father, and His generosity, as Jesus demonstrated? [3]

4. Let Intimacy with Jesus be Your Source

The cornerstone (along with the capstone) was the most important stone in ancient buildings. It was the stone by which every other building block was laid and aligned. However, these days a ‘cornerstone’ is often symbolic only; it may be a marble stone, placed externally for everyone to see, with an inscription and dedication on it. Its purpose is for display rather than function.

Sometimes our relationship with God can get like that. Other people can see that we are working hard for God; we may be operating in spiritual gifts, but in that deep, hidden place of our life, the cornerstone of our love relationship with Jesus is missing. (Rev 2:1-5)

Are you feeling dry? Today, Jesus invites you to come to Him. He is calling you to renew your relationship with Him and to be filled with His Spirit.

In that place of intimate communion with Him, you will hear His voice. Your ministry will be life-giving once more.

Notes:

[1] Additional foundations we teach (our core values of prophetic ministry) include Biblical integrity, operating in prophetic ministry out of a New Testament paradigm, godly character, teachability, accountability and honouring leadership, and gifts operating in the Biblical context of church life (1 Cor 12-14)

[2] Peter describes Jesus as being ‘the Living Stone’ and quotes the Prophet Isaiah: ‘So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”’ (1 Pet 2:4,6 NIV, Isaiah 28:16) See also Psalm 118:22.
For more on Cornerstone, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerstone ‘The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.’ Or for Bible dictionary references, http://www.bible-history.com/links.php?cat=39&sub=788&cat_name=Manners+%26+Customs&subcat_name=Cornerstone

[3] For more about weighing up insights, see the article, ‘How to Check Your Prophetic Insight is From God’

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching
Enliven Ministries
A part of the David McCracken Ministries family

Helen Calder

Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.