3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

1 Corinthians 14:3,4NKJV 

        11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,                                  Ephesians 4:11

He gave the offices and ministries  as  gifts to the church or the the body of Christ. 

 Let me illustrate.

There are genetic markers in everyone born into this world physically. The DNA that determines your physical attributes and  characteristics have codes that we in the understanding of the common populace call genes. ( I'm sure you  scientists can be more accurate) . You have no control over what you get at conception. So, in a sense they are a gifts from your mother or father. These  little "markers" have genetic codes in them that determine what will be your physical,and mental  abilities. The same is  true with the body of Christ.  Everyone that is born from above is given a measure of grace ( a gift or gifts) to serve the body of Christ.

Ever walk on your hands? I used to walk on my hands a lot when I was much younger. I got pretty good at it too. I could walk quite a distance on my hands. Most of the time what got to me was not the fatigue in my arms but my hands and wrists began to ache. Why, because your hands and wrists are not designed naturally to support your weight like that. You can train them so they can perform in that way.  But your hands and wrists for the most of us won't support the full weight of our bodies like our feet and ankles do.They are doing a job that they weren't designed to do when you walk on them. It takes hours of training. It is like that in the body of Christ.

 Jesus has a physical body right now on earth. It's us! We if we are born again we are literally His body right now on earth. People pray and want to hear God speak to them plainly. They want hear the Almighty say, "now hear this! " Guess what, He does speak to all. He does that through His body in the here and now in what  we call the church, the "called out assembly". And in that church He has gifted the prophets.

Jesus when he ascended on high gave gifts to men when they are born again. So He could continue to minister to us  we the members of His body. There is not enough space to deal with all of the gifts at this time. We're going to look at prophets and prophesying.

To often when we talk of the prophet we think of the Hollywood version, We are shown on the big screen a wild eyed and shouting fanatic saying, "repent repent, repent" While he carries  a sign that says "the end is near."Or we think they're some kind of sanctified fortune teller speaking mysteries of the future like Nostradamus.  That kind of definition is Satan's distraction. It's meant to give his deceivers credibility and cause confusion. Satan's prophets, if you listen to them will cause endless arguments and questions. Arguments that are divisive  and never come to conclusion that do not build up the body of Christ.

Here briefly let us look at the gift and the role of the New Testament prophet.

There is a difference in the the administrative gift or the office of a prophet and a gift of prophesy. Getting back to the 3rd verse of chapter 14. There are three distinct ministries ofa prophet.:

The purpose of edification  "But he who prophesies speaks edification"

The purpose of exhortation  "and exhortation"

The comfort to men "and comfort to men"

Look at the verse again. Paul makes it quite clear what our motive should be when ministering any of the gifts and that includes the prophet.The ESV says this way;        3On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their up-building and encouragement and consolation 1Corinthians 14.3 ESV

 
The word edification or building up means simply that, to build up:

 oikodomḗ – properly, a building (edifice) serving as a home; (figuratively) constructive criticism and instruction that builds a person up to be the suitable dwelling place of God, i.e. where the Lord is "at home."  Strong's Greek 3619

The prophet speaks to the circumstance and the need of the individual and the assembly. He or she speaks from revelation of the Holy Spirit as if Jesus Himself is speaking.     "25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you". God the Father knows what is really the issue with you and reveals that to someone who has the gift of prophesy. They the speak to that group or individual about what ever issue it may be. Maybe it's an answer to a prayer. Maybe it's a fault or sin that that needs to be dealt with. Maybe it's a specific word of encouragement. But the motive should always be to build up the church.

That brings me to the second ministry  "and exhortation" In the Greek; 3874 /paráklēsis ("holy urging") is used of the Lord directly motivating and inspiring believers to carry out His plan, delivering a specific message to the body. 
The best way to describe this is that the prophet is like a cheerleader that is shouting out the promises of God. Reminding us of what He has done for us and who we are in Jesus. "Be not weary in well doing," the prophet proclaims ".Look to Jesus the author and the Finisher of our faith " The prophet reminds us of the promise and the grace of God. He speaks the the mind of Christ and reminds us that this world is not our home .Our dwelling here is only temporary. He or she under the control of the Holy Spirit reminds us that we are the sons and daughters of God and nothing can separate us from the love of God.. The prophet reminds us that realizing these truths the prophet says " be strong and of good courage" this is the ministry of the prophet> In you darkest time the prophet speaks "look to
Jesus He is there with you He will be there no matter what the trial.  In Him there is no defeat! This is the ministry of encouragement. This is the calling of the prophet.

Last but  not least: "and comfort to men" Have you since you became a christian ever felt so strong that you needed to just speak an encouraging word. Someone who was suffering and struggling with life's crisis. And maybe you had some word that the Lord gave you that was something that would help them specifically  You ever felt like God wanted you to let them know that you cared and Jesus cares . That is what a Prophet does God reveals a word of comfort to the church if they are going through hard times. The prophet speaks those words of encouragement.  Much of the book of Revelation  has promises of comfort.  paramythía (a feminine noun) – "primarily 'a speaking closely to anyone'  Intimately and personal


Strong's Greek 3889  The prophet speaks To the church words of comfort reminding them of the mercies of our Father. "13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" 1Corintians 10:13 NKJV What does it say "But God is faithful". When we don't have the strength "God is faithful" When the doctor says,"There is nothing more we can do." But know this "God is faithful". When we fail, He who never fails is faithful. The ministry of a prophet is one to comfort those who have lost hope. Giving them a word from the Lord.

So, the ministry of a prophet is more that telling of some future event. The prophet takes the word of the Lord and gives it to the people of God. The Head of the body speaks through the prophet to the body of Christ. Read Revelation chapters 2 and 3. They are examples of the ministry of a prophet.

We are to speak the truth in love. Read chapter 13, 1Corithians again. Love Jesus love His body, His Bride. I can't always love like He commands  in that chapter. But, because He the loves us with a complete unfailing love and He lives in me. I just say, "Okay, Lord I can't love that way but I will obey your love in me and I will walk in your love. I will let your love have total control.Love this person  through my mind heart and body." Then I find I can love.

The prophet should always speak the truth in love  Ephesians 4:15  "15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ."

Always remember the exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 5: 20,21 "

20 Do not despise prophecies.

21 Test all things; hold fast what is good," and let every thing be done in order. There are many other gifts. WE have to remember we all play apart in God's design.