THE ANOINTING (Part One)
Memory Verse
"Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month." Joel 2:23
BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 4:5-20
INTRODUCTION
What is anointing? What are the conditions for maintaining the flow of anointing? May the Comforter teach and bless us in Jesus' Name. Amen.
OUTLINES
1. WHAT IS ANOINTING?
2. CONDITIONS FOR MAINTAINING THE FLOW
WHAT IS ANOINTING?
Anointing is the outflow of the Holy Spirit through a sanctified vessel. It is a divine enabling grace -Acts 4:5-20. It is likened unto Rain -Zech.10:1; Joel 2:23, but it is neither the "WELL" of water springing up into everlasting life ... John 4:14, nor the flowing "RIVERS" of living water ... John 7:38 - for these are referring to the operations of the Holy Ghost at the new birth and at baptism of believers (not of water) respectively. This is the Rain of the POWER of God from above to increase the water levels of both the "WELL" and the "River" to bring about the overflow - Luke 4:18-19. The anointing determines the volume of water in the rivers, which in turn determines the functions to which they can be put.
Similarly, for example, the level of anointing in a man determines the number of people he can carry along or his productivity as a man of God e.g. compare - Acts 2:41 with Acts 4:8-32 when three thousand and multitudes of people received Christ respectively after baptism in the Holy Ghost. The Lord Jesus, as a perfect example, came under strong anointing and His fame went abroad - Acts 10:38. Anointing makes the Christian life active and full of results. As it were, it enthrones the believer - John 14:12; I Peter 2:9; Rev. 1:6. The anointing breaks every yoke of the devil and demolishes any mountain etc-Isaiah 10:27.
CONDITIONS FOR MAINTAINING THE FLOW
1. Love for righteousness, hatred for iniquity. The Lord Jesus never ran out of anointing because He loved righteousness and hated iniquity - Psalm 45:6-7; John 14:30; 2 Cor. 5:21, Psalm 51 :10. Sin places a limit on anointing. Paul, a successful Apostle, was no exception -I Thess. 2:10. God enjoins us to "DO" righteousness alsoIJohn3:7.
2. Walking in Love. If a believer is to constantly flow in anointing, love for God, himself, the ministry, the church and people in general must be paramount. A release of fresh anointing always followed the compassionate feelings of the Lord Jesus - John 11:35, 43-44, Mark 6:34-41.
3. Living a life of praise. A life of praise increases the flow of anointing.
Murmuring and complaints keep anointing far away so do not engage in' either e.g. the journey that would have taken the anointed Israel forty days lasted forty years because of murmuring
CONCLUSION
All true believers that want to succeed in the pilgrim’s way must equally desire ever-flowing anointing. The Kingdom of God is not in words but in the demonstration of the spirit and power. Samuel was a highly anointed man of God that did not allow any of his words to fall to the ground- I Samuel 3:19. Pray for your anointing now in Jesus ‘name. Amen.
CONCLUSION
We have just discovered some fundamental truths about the master key, especially the aspects of when and where to apply it. Let us, therefore, act now and present all our petitions to God in the name of Jesus Christ. It is certain that He will answer accordingly to His perfect will for us.
QUESTIONS
1. Define anointing.
2. Explain anointing as the rain of power.
3. What are the conditions for maintaining the flow of anointing?
BLESSED WEEK WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
MONDAY: I Samuel 12:3-4 - The anointing in the life of any true minister of God separates him into a divine position of integrity that no one can query.
TUESDAY: Exodus 29:36 - Not only is God interested in the sanctification of the altar of God but also the anointing as well.
WEDNESDAY: Exodus 30:26 - It is good that every sanctuary of God be anointed so that God can be there. ,
THURSDAY: Exodus 40:10 - anointing service sanctifies-vessels unto honour for the master's use.
FRIDAY: Lev. 8:11 - God is a respecter of procedure. He wants to anoint you too.
SATURDAY: Numbers 7:1 - Every vessel of honour must be anointed.
SUNDAY: Leviticus 8:30 - Priests must be anointed.
THE ANOINTING (Part Two)
Memory Verse
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Acts10:38
BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 10:1-19
INTRODUCTION
Last week, we examined in this series the fact that anointing is the divine enabling grace, otherwise referred to as RAIN-POWER. This Rain Power comes about after repeated in-filling with the Holy Spirit whose continuous flow is dependent on certain conditions including love of righteousness, hatred for iniquity, walking in love and living a life of praise. May the Comforter Himself teach us and bless us more as we continue with the series in Jesus' Name. Amen.
OUTLINES
1. THE GATEWAY TO ANOINTING
2. QUALIFICATIONS FOR AND THE EFFECTS OF ANOINTING.
THE GATEWAY TO ANOINTING
Thirst is the gateway to anointing. King David, for example, craved for it - Psalm 42:1. This craving should be a continuous one to keep the seeker constantly in the flow - Isaiah 55:1. Other great men of God such as Moses and Paul also had similar craving, which God satisfied - Exodus 33:12-14; Philippians 3:10. After great achievements, God enjoins the Spirit-filled believer to stand - Ephesians 6:13 - as this opens doors to· greater heights in the pilgrim's journey - Philippians 3:13-14. .
Additionally, a constant realisation of one’s emptiness/nakedness before his/her Maker triggers one into increased anointing e.g. the Lord Jesus Christ, who despite His baptism with the Holy Spirit after His water baptism at Jordan river, still craved for the fulfilment of prophecy over Him - Luke. 4:14·21.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR AND THE EFFECTS OF ANOINTING
Those who qualify for anointing include the unworthy e.g. king Saul- I Samuel 10:11-12, foolish (by worldly standard) I Cor. 1:26-28, humble (self-abased) I Peter 5:6; James 4:6 and the just - e.g. Moses - Exodus 3:11-12, 4:10-12.
Talking about the effects, the anointing transforms the believer. He becomes "another person" as it were, e.g. King Saul-I Samuel 1 0:6. When backed up with biblical fasting, it speeds up the spirit of man Isaiah 58:1-8 - thus increasing the flow of anointing and making difficult cases a walkover - Matthew 17:21. Consider the fasting lives of great men such as Paul and Moses - 2 Corinth. 11:27; Exodus 24:18; Exodus 34:29-35.
CONCLUSION
Brethren, do not rest when you should be doing exploit for God. As the Lord satisfied the thirst for anointing of David, He can do likewise for you. Do not write off yourself but come before God as you are and be sure He will satisfy you in Jesus' name. Amen.
QUESTIONS
1. What essentially is the gateway to anointing?
2. Who qualifies for anointing?
3. What are the effects of anointing?
BLESSED WEEK WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
MONDAY: Psalm 38:9 - God will satisfy a sincere groaning and desire for anointing.
TUESDAY: Psalm 27:4 - It takes an anointed vessel to desire nothing but the presence of the Lord all the time, therefore, desire anointing.
WEDNESDAY: Luke 6:21 - Lord, satisfy me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually today, in Jesus' name.
THURSDAY: Psalm 63:1 - Satisfy me today, oh Lord, as I seek you early.
FRIDAY: Psalm 63:5 - As you satisfy me today with your abundance of grace my mouth shall be full of laughter and r will praise you.
SATURDAY: Psalm 107:9 - Your word is truth; I shall certainly be a partaker of your good news today.
SUNDAY: Psalm 23:5 - My cup shall overflow.
THE ANOINTING (Part Three)
Memory Verse
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Luke 10:19
BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 8:35-39
INTRODUCTION
Last week's study emphasised the gateway to anointing, who qualifies for it and the effects on the recipients. Hopefully, we must be flowing in anointing by now, rich enough to prepare us for battles and assure us of victories. May the Comforter continue to enrich our spirit man in Jesus' name. Amen.
OUTLINES
1. ANOINTING FOR WARFARE
2. ANOINTING FOR VICTORY
ANOINTING FOR WARFARE
All genuinely born again Christians, by our calling are daily involved in spiritual warfare - Eph. 6:10-12. In every spiritual battle, however there is always a Lord mighty in battle to confront it on behalf of the Christian warrior Psalm 24:8. His might can be engaged in any battle through the following: (a) the knowledge of the word of God: - The Holy Spirit, resting on the word of God inside a believer, brings the enemy under his feet - Daniel 11:32; John 8:32. The word spoken creates a way of escape for the believer - Heb. 2:3. These words are sharp and quick - Mt. 28:20; 1 John 4:4; Pro. 24:5. the believers of old, as well as the contemporary ones with the true and accurate knowledge of their God, never lose any battle. For example,
(b) David defeated Goliath -I Samuel 17:36-37. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego defied Nebuchadnezzar - Dan. 3:16-18. Daniel survived the lions' den - Dan. 6:21-22 and Paul and Silas in prison - Acts 16:25-29.
(c) Confidence - Psalm 125:1-3. Man easily becomes a victim of what he fears - Job 3:25 - but confidence triggers anointing in battle. It is built on: (i) Righteousness - II Cor. 5:21. The righteous is as bold as a lion. Who will stand if God marks iniquity? - Psalm 130:3. (ii) Ever-abiding presence of God - Matt. 28:2. (iii) The Name of Jesus. The anointed Name of Jesus, which means Saviour from all harassment of the enemy - Phil. 2:9-11. (iv) The voice of the Lord - Psalm 29:5, which can never be withstood by any obstacle, no matter how strong.
ANOINTING FOR VICTORY
The anointing backing up the believer constantly grants resounding victories. e.g. Samson conquered each time the Spirit of the Lord came upon him - Judges 14:19. David, the man after God's heart, right from the day he was anointed fought battles but never lost any because of the anointing - I Sam. 16: 3. The Lord Jesus Christ is also a perfect example of resounding victories. His mission was to destroy the works of Satan - I John 3:8. He conquered the hosts of hell- Mark 1:24, and the seas - Matt. 8:27, death Luke 7:14; John 11:43 and physical assailants (obviously possessed by the demons of accusation and murder) - John 18:3-6. It was the anointing that typified the tribe of Judah as the conquering tribe - Genesis 49:8-12.
The Lord Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah and every born again child of God automatically belongs to the conquering tribe with the conquering anointing -Rev. 5:5; Eph. 5:8; 2 Cor. 2:14. This ever-conquering anointing, manifests in fearlessness as a weapon of conquest. It also uses absolute obedience to divine instructions as weapon of conquest - 2 Tim. 1: 7; John 8:28.
CONCLUSION
Assurance of victory in any battle of life is the promise of the everconquering Lord Jesus to every truly born-again Christian. Engage His MIGHT now in whatever battle that is confronting you and obtain your victory.
QUESTIONS
1. What is the confronting anointing in warfare?
2. How do you engage this might of the Lord in battle?
3. Prove from the Bible that the Lord Jesus Christ and truly born-again Christians are rightful possessors of ever
conquering comforting anointing.
BLESSED WEEK WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
MONDAY: John 16:33 – By the Comforter, we have peace, joy and victory.
TUESDAY: Revelations 3:21 – We shall overcome and reign.
WEDNESDAY: Judges 1:1-2 – Whoever the Lord commissions by His power always become an overcomer.
THURSDAY: Hebrews 13:5 – My Commander in Chief, my Chief Commissioner, will never leave me nor forsake me.
FRIDAY: Matthew 28:20 – As I willingly obey my Lord, He will give me power to attain to the end.
SATURDAY: I John 4:4 –I am persuaded because Jesus in me is greater than any circumstance.
SUNDAY: Revelations 3:5 – The anointed victor is not a loser after all. He shall have a new name in Heaven.
