– by Jerry Olson olsonjd@netscape.com

Last week I read an article written by Andrew Strom entitled “Miracles are a Must”.  I was particularly interested in the article and it caused me to think about why we see limited anointing on messages (preaching) and healings in the body of Christ Jesus today.

I would like to attempt, at least in part, to begin the process of answering this question.

I believe that all anointing comes from God.  The scriptures clearly talk about individuals that are given gifts by God in order to help members of the body of Christ. I Cor 12:28 says, “And God has appointed these in the Church….miracles, gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”  In addition to individuals that are being called by God and are not yet members of the body, they can likewise benefit from these special anointings.

Jesus has all these leadership qualities, and God’s called out servants will possess these as well.  The Word of God clearly addresses what a Godly leader is, or should be.  Jesus is our example.  He was first a servant.  Speaking of Jesus, Paul writes, “He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men” (Phil 2:7).  Jesus also called Himself a shepherd.  John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd.  The shepherd gives His life for the sheep. :12 But he who is a hireling and not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.”

Eph 4:11 “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, :12 for the equipping of saints for the work of ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ, :13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

If you want to work for Jesus, you must first have love.  For God is Love (I John 4:8).  I Cor 13:2 “And though I have the gift of prophesy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”  Without love, I feel your ministry would yield nothing as well.

Faith is another extremely important prerequisite in our walk and service with the Lord Jesus.  Heb 11:6  “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  Gal 3:5   “Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? :6  just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Mat 21:21  So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to the mountain, ‘Be removed and cast into the sea,’ it will be done. :22 “And all things, whatsoever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” All anointed servants shall be bold in their work for God.  Faith and boldness work together in all those that know and trust in our Lord.  Prov. 28:1 “The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.”  Heb 4:14 “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. :15  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. :16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,  that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Unfortunately, many church body leaders are more interested in church income, congregation numbers and how to please men, than doing the will of God, and thereby receiving from Jesus, a preaching and healing anointing.  Does it not stand to reason that if Jesus is not pleased with your ways, that He would hold back an anointing until you got it right?  Gal 1:9 “As I have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. :10 For do I now persuade men, or God?  Or do I seek to please men?  For if I still please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

In addition, some leaders have various titles, diplomas and certificates but without the Holy Spirit, and the anointing from Jesus, very little work for God can be achieved.  All profitable servants for our Lord Jesus will know what the Word of God teaches and will only follow sound scriptural doctrine.  I Tim 4:16  “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

A servant of the Most High God will also live life according to the following scriptures. Micah 6: 8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

All chosen and called-out servants for God will be givers, often giving anything and everything to benefit others.  Dedicated and devoted Christians giving their lives in service to others and to the gospel of Christ Jesus our Lord.  II Cor 9:6 “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. :7  So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. :8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have an abundance for every good work.”

Jesus called those He was about to send out.  Mk 10:42 “Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. :43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.

I John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin,

                                                We deceive ourselves,

                                                And the truth is not in us.

I John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. 

                                                If anyone loves the world,

                                                The love of the Father is not in him.

Authority is another major consideration when it comes to accomplishing anything of God.  Where does authority come from?  God the Father is supreme authority throughout the entire universe.  However, God the Father has now put all authority with Jesus the Son.  John 5:26 “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, :27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.” Mat 7:29  “For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”  Luke 9:1 “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. :2  He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

Prov 29:2 “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

Jn 7:16 “Jesus answered them and said, ‘My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. :17  If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. :18“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.’”  I Tim 2:1 “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men :2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

I Peter 5:5 “God resists the proud,

                        But gives grace to the humble.”

Anointed power, why is it critical to this subject?  Where does this power come from?  God the Father again is supreme in power as well as authority.  Power from God, flowing through a Christian, is how miracles are accomplished.

Luke 4:36 “So they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, ‘What a word this is!  For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.’”  Act 3:11  “Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. :12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: ‘Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this?  Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?’”

Act 6:8 “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”  God the Father has power beyond our understanding.  However, with faith we can know and experience this power here on earth and in our Christian lives.

Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world

                                                His invisible attributes are clearly seen,

                                                Being understood by the things that are

                                                Made, even His eternal power and Godhead,

                                                So that we are without excuse.

In conclusion:

Gifts of the Spirit !!!

II Peter 1:1-11

                                                Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained like precious faith with

us by the righteousness of our God and Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge

Of God and of Jesus our Lord,

As His divine power has given to us all things

That pertain to life and godliness, through the

Knowledge of Him who called us by glory

And virtue,

By which have been given to us exceedingly

Great and precious promises, that through these you

may be partakers of the divine nature, having

escaped the corruption that is in the world

through lust.

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue, to virtue, knowledge,

To knowledge, self-control, to self-control perseverance,

To perseverance godliness,

To godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly

kindness love.

For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of

Our Lord Jesus Christ.

For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has old sins.

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your

Calling and election sure, for if you do these things

You will never stumble;

For so an entrance will be supplied to you

Abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our

Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Is this not Jesus living in His brothers and sisters?

These scriptures written in II Peter 1:11 clearly convey the righteousness, and even virtue, that is possible living in servants of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. Christian servants having faith in Jesus, demonstrating God’s love, teaching the Word of God, and healing the sick.  These are Christian leaders that allow the light of Jesus to shine brightly in their lives, even in a world that has become much darker today.  Their good works shall be seen and provide a testimony of the authority, power and love of God for His children.

Please feel free to reproduce, reprint and/or forward as desired.   Altering or editing is strictly prohibited.

To be added to our email subscription list, send a request to info@sharingtheway.com or visit our website at www.sharingtheway.com.

To be removed from this mailing list, please reply and type “Unsubscribe” in the subject line.

 

Comments are closed.

Set your Twitter account name in your settings to use the TwitterBar Section.