Introduction
I love listening to music. I love to listen to performances of Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony. Within the structure of the sonata allegro form, he composed a thrilling horn fanfare then contrasted it with a beautiful string, woodwind, tympani accompaniment.
I also love to listen to jazz, especially the music of vibraphones and xylophones. Those musicians introduce the tune of a song then spontaneously play their instruments within the structure of that tune.
By contrast, I meet with a home gathering of believers and we have a time of singing praise and worship to our King. The song leader’s style is so spontaneous and heartfelt, I can find no structure to follow. He repeats phrases over and over (which bores me). People have called this prophetic singing. I disagree. He is not acting prophetically within the structure of God’s purposes.
Structure in Prophecy and Scripture
From listening to Tim Mackie of the Bible Project, I have learned that there is an overall narrative told by the Bible. Everything points to Jesus of Nazareth becoming God in a human body, teaching and demonstrating how the Creator wants people to live and reign on the Earth. Having paid the penalty for the rebellion of all Humanity, He rose from the dead, went to sit as a man on the throne of Heaven, and sent His followers throughout the world to bring Humanity back under the rule of the Creator.
Tim has shown over and over how the various stories and poems and wisdom of the ancient Writings follow patterns laid down in the first few chapters of Genesis. The poetry writers of the Psalms and Prophets described strange, heavenly visions. They quoted the words of the Creator/ King to His people, calling them back to obedience. The prophets recorded His promises to care for and protect them. And they did this within the structures of the biblical narrative, providing “hyperlinks” back to previous Writings.
Jesus Walked in the Spirit within God’s Law
It is an article of theology that during His time as a man on the Earth, Jesus – a Jew – faithfully obeyed the whole Law of Moses. He went to the various religious feasts. He underwent circumcision and water burial, though He had no sins to wash away. Jesus did not kill, swear falsely, give in to sexual temptation, or desire what other people owned.
Yet, He said He did only what the Father showed Him (John 5:19). He spoke only what the Father told Him to say. Jesus lived, acted, and spoke prophetically within the structure of living under the Law.
My Calling as Teacher and Herald
The Creator has called and anointed me (Isaiah 61:1) to declare His Kingdom on Earth today and to teach people how to reign in life through His Anointed One (Romans 5:17). I’d like to think the King has called me to “uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:10) as well as to build up. Certainly desire to tell denominational believers about the errors of their doctrines. I want to teach them the new structure the Carpenter is using to build His ecclesia (Matthew 16:18).
It would certainly be more diplomatic – more honoring – to show them better ways of following the voice of His Spirit, even within the structures of their church. I can see I should learn from Jamie Winship how to listen to the Master’s voice and act and speak just as He did.
Questions
Can you hear the Master’s voice trying to lead you in the midst of your church doctrine?
Can you speak and act prophetically within the structure of your composition?