THEME: ANOINTED FOR SERVICE
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 61:1-11
1 Thess 5:16-24
John 1:19-28
Psalter Psalm 126:1-6
PREPARED BY: OSOFO YAW DODD
INTRODUCTION
In the Old Testament, the common layman had no anointing in or on him. The presence of God was kept shut up in the Holy of Holies in the Temple. God, however, anointed the kings, priests, and prophets to stand in their respective offices. The Spirit of God came upon them to enable them to fulfill what they were called to do.
ANOINTING IS THE POWER OF GOD IN ACTION THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT. It breaks york and heals. Anointing is done to make a specific human or thing SPECIAL. Anointing is to change you from the state of ordinary to the state of extraordinary. The Kings, Priests and Prophets of old were anointed and so as the believers of this day.
Anointing with oil was originally used to consecrate or set something aside for God. In the same way prophets, priests and kings were anointed with oil as they were set apart for God’s purposes. The anointing also symbolized their enabling or empowering for service through the Holy Spirit. And the anointing showed they were chosen by God for this particular work of service.
This all looked forward to Jesus, who is the true anointed one. JESUS IS THE ONE TRULY CHOSEN BY GOD. He is prophet, priest and king all rolled into one. And he is the MESSIAH, a word which actually means “the Anointed One.”
BODY
A. WHAT THE ANOINTING IS NOT
Is not:
▪Something limited especially to the leaders of the church
▪Something that we can obtain by human REASONING, CLEVERNESS, INTELLECT, or SERVING in the church
▪To be equated with natural human charisma
The anointing has nothing to do with being in control, natural capability or human achievement! It has everything to do with God’s enabling, our relationship to God and a humble spirit that desires to serve.
B. THE MEANING OF BEING ANOINTED
The ability through the Holy Spirit to live as God intended us to live and to do the works that God wants us to do – POWER TO LIVE AND POWER TO SERVE!
The example of Jesus: “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him” [Acts 10:32]
Every Christian is anointed – Everyone who is a Christian…born again…has received the Holy Spirit. [Romans 8:9 – “If you do not have the Spirit of Christ you are none of His.”] We all have an anointing [ 1 John 2:20, 27]
C. ANOINTED FOR SERVICE
a. God prepares you for works of service
God prepares you for works of service. Ephesians 2:10 says this: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” You are God’s workmanship, and you were created in Christ Jesus to do good works. God has been preparing you. God never allowed anything go to waste, and so your family background, your life circumstances, and your specific talents and gifts all have a purpose in God’s plan. God has been preparing you all along for works of service that he prepared in advance for you to do.
b.God calls you to works of service
God not only prepares you for works of service, God also calls you to works of service. We read in 1 Peter 4:10: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” God has given you gifts of service, and he calls each one of us to use those gifts to serve others. God calls you to be faithful in serving others with the gifts he has given you. EVERY CHRISTIAN IS CALLED AND ANOINTED TO SERVE.
c. We are not called to serve God in our own STRENGTH
We are not called to serve God in our own strength but rather in the power of the Holy Spirit. Zechariah 4:6 tells us: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the LORD Almighty. This is really the heart of our message. YOU CAN’T DO GOD’s WORK WITHOUT GOD’s SPIRIT. You need God’s anointing in order to be fruitful in your service to God. Don’t try to do anything for God without seeking God’s anointing first. We are not called to serve God in our own strength.
D. JESUS, THE ANOINTED MESSIAH
In Luke’s gospel, Jesus claims this passage is about Him. At that point in time, Jesus’ following is well established, and He is a respected teacher. It is almost a year after His baptism, and Jesus is welcome in synagogues as a teacher. Luke writes that Jesus returns to His boyhood home of Nazareth. And, as is His custom, He enters His home synagogue. People there know Jesus as Joseph’s son. Jesus receives the Isaiah scroll from the attendant, stands, opens the scroll, finds and reads Isaiah 61:1-3. After reading, He returns the scroll, sits down, and all eyes in the synagogue are looking at Him.
▪ Jesus is Anointed by the Lord God
In Isaiah 61:1, Jesus begins by telling us the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him. GOD’s HOLY SPIRIT IS ALWAYS PRESENT WHEN GOD IS AT WORK. The Spirit of the Lord is the person of the Trinity Who empowers people to do God’s work. He SPEAKS, LEADS, CONVICTS, TEACHES, REVEALS, GIVES LIFE, REGENERATES, SANCTIFIES, HELPS, INDWELLS, and much more. God’s Holy Spirit rests upon Jesus and gives Jesus strength, wisdom, and guidance for His ministry.
b. Essence Of The Anointing (Isaiah 61:1-11)
▪Preaching the good news to the poor
▪Setting the captives free
▪Healing the broken hearted
▪Restoring sight to the blind
▪Rendering services in the church- sweeping, ushering
E. HOW TO MAINTAIN THE ANOINTING (1 THESS 5:16FF)
By living a joyous life, praying without ceasing, being thankful, not quenching the Holy Spirit, not being discouraged, abstaining from sin, living in holiness, fellowship with other believers.
F. HOW TO LOSE THE ANOINTING
By grieving the Holy Spirit, being insensitive to the presence of God, not being committed, not fellowshipping with other believers. God needs clean vessels to empower for service in His kingdom. If we avail ourselves, we will be able to connect to the anointing of God.
CONCLUSION
Precious One! We have all been anointed as Christians, for service. Let’s avail ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to use us for the Kingdom Business. Enjoy the service. Stay BLESSED.
PREPARED BY
VERY REV DR. SAMUEL DUA DODD
CALVARY METHODIST CHURCH
ADABRAKA-ACCRA
