[0:00] My opening scripture that I had, although I'm not going to stay in that scripture, but I'm saying that because of how James just shared with us, I am glorified in them.
[0:12] My opening scripture that I have in my notes is Isaiah 49 and verse 3. He said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
[0:24] So I trust that God has something on his heart for us tonight that he wants to be glorified in us. Can you say amen? And even though my initial thoughts are going to not be totally focused on that, that's again where I was planning to end up at.
[0:46] So why don't we just stand once again and pray. Lord, we just ask in Jesus' name that that would be a further aspect in our lives, that we would live for your glory.
[1:01] And Lord, that supernaturally, sovereignly, through the work of the Holy Spirit, you would glorify yourself in us beyond what we would have ever imagined or what we would have ever expected.
[1:18] I pray that you would purify our motives, purify our hearts, sanctify our motives, that everything we do could be for the honor and glory of your name. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.
[1:30] You can be seated. Again, this is now getting off of my notes, but since James has mentioned that verse and goes along with my theme, I'm going to just focus maybe a little bit on that aspect that I may be glorified in them.
[1:52] I do have this one in my notes, and it's really been something that I've tried to mold my life after, and that is towards the end of Jesus' life.
[2:05] He was praying and he said, I have glorified thee on the earth. I have finished the work that you gave me to do. And to me, there's probably no greater peace, joy, fulfillment that any of us could have at the end of our life other than to say, I have glorified thee on the earth.
[2:29] That's what my ultimate life was about. And I've said this before already, but when I pondered on that verse, and it was some years after I came to the Lord that the Lord really began to take me through the scriptures and see these elements.
[2:50] But what I envisioned is when individuals pass away, some of them, I don't know how many of them say what they want on their gravestone.
[3:04] Sometimes maybe it just goes on, but if something goes on your gravestone, it's kind of a statement that summarizes what the person's life was about.
[3:14] And that's what I envisioned. If there would have been anything on Jesus' gravestone, it would have been that. I have glorified thee on the earth. I've finished the work that you gave me to do. And so I went through, it wasn't just in a week's time, but I went through the scriptures and it just seemed like various elements and the one that really stuck with me in that aspect of a man that seems like came to the place where that's what he lived for, was for the glory of God.
[3:45] When you can see how he was put to the test and how he responded, and it was Moses when he was leading the children of Israel and they were all giving him a hard time, all murmuring and complaining.
[4:00] And, you know, you can imagine the frustration that he felt. And then one day God himself got angry. God got angry and told Moses to step to the side.
[4:11] God was going to destroy these people and make a great nation out of Moses. Now, when you think about that, the fleshly way to respond at that would have been that that's what I've been waiting for, that you destroy these people and make a great nation out of me.
[4:28] You know, that's not the way Moses responded. And why did he not respond that way? If you study the scriptures, you see it was because in his heart and what he said to God is, that would not be good for the honor of your name.
[4:41] And like, it's an amazing revelation for a man to be put in that situation where God himself got angry with the people that were giving Moses a hard time.
[4:54] And God said, I'm going to destroy these people. I'm going to make a great nation out of you. And basically, Moses pushed back on God and God was humble enough to take Moses' advice.
[5:07] And Moses really said to God, God, that's not a good idea. And God changed his mind. God repented of the evil that he was going to do. So when you look at the scriptures, you know, I've concluded that if the church, if the body of Christ would come more and more to the place that that's what we are living for, that's what we are praying for, even when we pray for healing or we pray for our relatives to have their eyes open, that our foundation would be more and more so that your name could be glorified.
[5:39] I think that our prayers would increase in being answered. And again, the joy that we would have at the end of our journey is to know, God, I've lived for your glory.
[5:54] I have finished the work that you gave me to do. So I hope that the Lord does a further work in us. And again, thank you, Brother James, for being sensitive to the Lord to share that scripture with us.
[6:11] So when we look at Christ's mission, which we're going to look in Isaiah 61, and we're going to look at three points in Isaiah 61.
[6:23] And in these verses, we're going to look at his mission because this is prophetically speaking about Jesus Christ. I think we're all aware of that. And you'll know the verses where he says, the spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me.
[6:39] So, and then we're going to look at those verses and we're going to see his mission, the mission of Christ, and what we can expect as we look to him. And then also, I want it to be applied that if that was his mission and that was his statement, then surely that's for us too, because he now lives in us.
[7:00] Amen. So what his mission was is now our mission and the church's calling and us as individuals. So we're going to see in this how the Lord anoints a person.
[7:17] And ultimately in these verses, it was anointing Jesus. But again, he's living in us and we have decided to follow him. I have decided to follow Jesus.
[7:28] So we should be expecting that what we can see, what we saw in the life of Jesus should also be taking place in our lives. So that's going to be one point, how the Lord, the anointing on a person.
[7:42] And then the second point, the effects of that anointing and how the effects bring glorious benefits that come to humanity, right?
[7:54] The effects of when a man is anointed, what are the effects of that? And then the third point is what is supposed to be the outcome of that?
[8:05] And that is that he would be glorified. Okay. So we started out with the last point, but we're actually going to come back to it again because we're going to see that in these verses. I actually have three points, but I don't expect that it's going to take, you know, I may try to keep it in 30 more minutes because I know we're going to think, have some fellowship together and things.
[8:25] So I'll not take a whole lot of time, but Isaiah 61 in verse one, the spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek.
[8:39] He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, the opening of the prison, to those who are bound, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourn, to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called the trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
[9:18] Can you say amen? That he might be glorified. And again, that's my last point, is this is supposed to be the ultimate outcome, that he might be glorified.
[9:29] The first point again is what? The spirit of the Lord God is upon me and he hath anointed me. I wonder how much that's happening in our lives in this church.
[9:43] How much are we desiring? You know, this is what our life has been about, James, is to believe in the anointing, to believe in the baptism of the Holy Ghost and for us to continue to be effective for the Lord or not just to become a structured organization, right?
[10:03] Right? Because organizations can look very, very impressive, but miss the whole point, is we have to continue to say, Lord, put your hand upon this church.
[10:15] Put your hand upon my life. Anoint me with your Holy Spirit. Are you with me tonight? So I hope tonight that we would desire, Lord, I want the anointing in my life.
[10:28] I want that Holy Spirit, the rivers of living water that Jesus spoke about, that he that believeth on me, as the scripture has said, out of his innermost being, out of his belly, the King James says, shall flow rivers of living water.
[10:43] By this spake he of the Spirit. And so this, just that study of the anointing is an incredible study. And I don't have a whole lot of notes on that tonight, but John said, the anointing that you've received abides in you, and you have no need that any man teach you, but the anointing will teach you all things.
[11:04] And then a couple of verses later, I think, or a couple of verses before that, I'm not sure which, he says, and you know all things. You know all things. Why? Because of the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
[11:15] And so, I hope all of us tonight say, Lord, put your hand upon us. Anoint us for such a time as this. And again, one of my, I'm intrigued by the scripture where it says, God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power, not that he has, it's what he has, but according to the power that is working in us.
[11:47] And so again, I believe we could say tonight, without twisting the scriptures, it's according to how much anointing we have. Yes? Or according to how much their anointing is flowing in us, according to the power that is working in us.
[12:02] And so, the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and he hath anointed me. Smith Wigglesworth, I think, said this, there is a place where God, through the power of the Holy Ghost, reigns supreme in our lives.
[12:22] The Spirit reveals, unfolds, takes of the things of Christ, and shows them to us, and prepares us to be more than a match for satanic forces.
[12:33] More than a match for satanic, you know, when the anointing is upon your life, Brother James, it makes you mighty, against the forces of darkness, and Smith Wigglesworth said, makes you more than a match, against the satanic forces.
[12:49] But without the anointing, you know, again, man can do very impressive, accomplish, impressive things, but, always limited. But with the anointing, God can do exceedingly abundantly above what we ask or think.
[13:05] And it's only through the anointing of the Holy Spirit, that we can conquer, the powers of sainting. Yes? An organization, a good structure, good ideas, you know, planning, good planning is not going to conquer, the works of the enemy.
[13:19] But, the anointing, of the Holy Spirit. Other verses we could look at, you know, prophecy again, about Jesus, applies to us, the Spirit of the Lord God, shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom, and understanding, the Spirit of counsel, might, the Spirit of knowledge, and the fear of the Lord.
[13:39] Again, the Spirit will rest upon him. Scripture says, be filled with the Spirit. Filled, somebody had done a study on that, and the Greek, means to fill, to fill full.
[13:52] All right? Be filled with the Spirit. To fill, full. So full, so full that, there will be no room left, empty. It does not mean, to have a measure of the Holy Spirit, and to know a good deal of Christ, but to be, completely filled with, and possessed by the Holy Ghost, and utterly lost in the life, and fullness of Jesus.
[14:14] Can you say amen? Be filled with the Spirit, brother Mike. You know, and it's like, an interesting thought, because we look at, well, how can I fill myself, with the Spirit?
[14:25] And yet it says, be filled with the Spirit. And so, I think it intrigues us, to say, well, what do I need to do, to position myself, in humility, and brokenness, before him, and say, God, I depend, blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[14:40] So, to position our hearts, in that condition, before him, and to say, God, I am desperately, in need of you, and without you, I can do nothing.
[14:50] And then to look, for the Holy Spirit, to take control of our lives, and to be able to say, as Jesus said, Spirit of the Lord is upon me, he hath anointed me. Yes, and to have the confidence, that we have been anointed.
[15:03] Could you say that tonight? I've been anointed, with the Holy Spirit. Yes? I think I have this, in my notes later, and, we should all, say, like this, right?
[15:16] Thou anointest my head, with oil. My cup runs over. Yes? Surely goodness, and mercy, will follow me, all the days of my life. The anointing, of the Holy Spirit.
[15:30] In Exodus, a man named, Bezalel, was filled, with the Spirit of God, that he might have, skill in carpentry, for the construction, of the tent of God.
[15:41] This is interesting, when you think about, a man, a woman, being filled, with the Spirit, there's so many, things that can, come out of that, and here we can see, God filled them, with the Spirit, and gave them, ability, to be skillful, tradesmen.
[15:59] Again, you can see that, a couple places, in the Old Testament. Somebody says, Luke tells of Elizabeth, being filled, that she might be, become a true mother, for John.
[16:11] Anybody here tonight, as a mother, young woman, that wants to be, a good mother, it's the Holy Spirit, the anointing upon you, that can make you, a good mother. Do you believe that tonight? I believe that.
[16:23] When the anointing, is upon a woman, when the anointing, is upon a man, you know, it's like, we got all of us, have our, bad traits, or bad character, yes?
[16:35] We're all flesh and blood. But when the anointing, takes over, you're like, how did that person, change so quickly? Is it possible, that the anointing, absolutely, the anointing, you know, can make a person, completely new, so much more, than just like, well let's, disciple the person, take him through, and some motivational classes, or send him to some, motivational places, and see if we can motivate, well what if the person, just receives the, anointing of the Spirit, and begins to just, let the anointing, take over, and it's like, how is he so kind?
[17:11] Like he never was, known to be a kind person before, yes? The anointing, Timothy, the anointing of the Holy Spirit, I'm, I've been hungering for, the anointing more recently, you know, and, and John, I think you could testify to this, the anointing here, it says, called you to preach, and there's times, when you've preached, and, you end up saying something, that you're like, where did that come from?
[17:38] And you just know, well that was the anointing, that was the Holy Spirit, and there's something so fulfilling, and it doesn't just come in preaching, it can just be, as a mother, to your children, and you're like, Lord, thank you, that was amazing, how you gave me the grace, or how you moved upon me, anybody with me tonight?
[17:58] I will say this, that when you, have the hand of God, upon your life, that's what we're talking about tonight, that, you know, you do become a threat, to the enemy, so, you might face some trials, that you didn't face before, yes, because when you become, a threat to the enemy, so, don't think, just because you have the anointing, that now, all the mountains, are going to move in front of you, and you're just going to, you know, be on cloud nine, all the time, you may face more trials, than you did before, but at the same time, then you know that, oh, God is using these trials, to refine me, you know, so what the enemy means, for evil, God actually turns it around, for the good, so, that in itself, could be a long message, about, the trials, that you may face, the more the anointing, is upon you, in fact, again, I don't have this in my notes, but, when Elisha, Elisha, we have Elisha, and we have Elijah, right, Elisha said to, Elisha said to Elijah, when Elijah said, you know, you keep,
[19:02] I'm telling you to stay, no, no, you're going with me, I'm going with you, finally he said, what is it that you want, he said, I want a double portion, of the anointing, that you have, now he didn't use the word, anointing, but that's what he was saying, of this, I want a double portion, of the spirit that you have, what did he tell him, you've asked for a hard thing, ah, that's, you know, when you want the anointing, you're going to face, some challenges, right, it's not, if it, you know, I guess that's why, not more people, are more anointed, because, it's, you'll come up against, some difficulties, when you say, I have decided, to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back, that's the way, that we get, to the anointing, so, again, if you really want, the anointing tonight, you really want to be, a woman of God, you can say, well, I might face, some challenges, but, again, that's, that's fine, yes, okay, I'm still on, my first point here, I got to keep moving, the anointing, I want us to think, about the authority, the power, that comes with, the anointing, and I want us, again, to leave the place tonight, with a desire,
[20:10] God, I want that anointing, I want the Holy Ghost, in my life, I want the power, of God in my life, the Bible says, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, I don't want to just be, a religious church goer, I don't want to just, follow a, a religious organization, I want the spirit of God, working in my life, and then the power, and authority, that comes from that, I was thinking, you know, Peter one day, he was walking down the street, and this beggar, was sitting there, and was begging for money, right, and, and Peter was able, to look at him, and say, I don't have any silver, I don't have any gold, but that which I have, I give to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk, can we say that tonight, that which I have, I give to you, because he had the anointing, in his life, yes, he had the power of God, in his life, and he was able to say, look, I don't have the money, that you need, but I have something, that I'm going to give to you, wasn't that a whole lot better, than just giving him money, so again, the spirit of the Lord,
[21:12] God is upon me, because the Lord, has anointed me, to do what, so I'm looking, just pulling some points, out here, this is what should happen, this is what happens, if the anointing, is working in our lives, it says here, he has sent me, the anointing sends us, the anointing empowers us, to proclaim, so we're able to, proclaim things, it says that twice, in these verses, it uses the word, to proclaim, okay, to proclaim liberty, to the captains, to proclaim, to appoint, to give unto them, all right, so this is, the effects, of the anointing, so I believe, God would say to you, you know, my son, my daughter, I have a very special gift, for you, I have a gift, God has a gift for you, it's his presence, it's his anointing, and he wants you to ask, he wants you to seek, he says, if you ask, he says, if you ask, for the Holy Spirit, he will not give you, if a son asks his father, for bread, he's not going to give him, a fish, or a scorpion, right, so, but he says ask, and so tonight, we should all ask, and say,
[22:27] God, give us the anointing, and then we're going to, end with, what is the purpose, so that we can bring, glory to your name, yes, I believe that's very vital, so that, our purpose is, so again, Jesus said, wait until, in Jerusalem, until you're endued, with power from on high, you know, I hope you're, have a, more expectation, than I do, when I, when I heard, Ed Zimmerman is coming, there was an expectation, that rose up in me, it's like, praise the Lord, he's coming right, the week of your, seeking the Lord, in the school of Christ, I think it is, and I just had this, expectation, that's going to be, an amazing, time, and I, I would encourage you, I want to pray for that, and say, God, let it be an amazing time, that Ed will come, with the anointing, and the anointing, will be upon the whole church, and you'll see like, that was just, exceeding abundantly, about what we're asking, or thinking, can you say amen tonight,
[23:29] I'm sure God has a purpose, I'm sure God has a plan, okay, the effects, what are the effects, that come from the anointing, well very obvious, in these verses, there is glorious, benefits, that comes to humanity, yes, all this that's flowing, from our innermost being, as he anoints us, we do what, what happens, good tidings, come to the meek, we bind up the broken hearted, or Jesus binds up the broken hearted, this is what is happening, when he says, the spirit of the Lord, God is upon me, the Lord has anointed me, good tidings to the meek, binding up the broken hearted, bringing liberty to the captives, opening of the prison, to them that are bound, comforting all that mourn, them that mourn, to give to them, beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise, for the spirit of heaviness, all because of the anointing, of the Holy Spirit, can you say amen tonight, hallelujah, you know, a good structured church, cannot produce those things, to any degree, of what just the, spirit of Jesus, just the anointing in a church, just the spirit of God, in a church, all those things, come out of, the spirit of Jesus, being upon a church, so may God give us, a desire, for the anointing, yes, for the anointing, of the Holy Spirit, all right, that was all for point two, point one took pretty long, point three,
[25:20] I don't think will take real long, again, what is the final outcome, the results, and the purpose, of the anointing, again, my second point was, is the benefits that come, and we could expound on that, a whole lot, but the benefits that come, or what comes out of the anointing, the, those who are mourning, are comforted, yes, beauty is coming for ashes, amazing, you know, we, we, it's good for us, to think a little bit more, about that, what the anointing produces, in people's lives, the, the, the captives, are delivered, the opening of the prison, those who are bound, yes, is anybody ever in need of that, it's like, oh, Lord, I set my spirit free, so that I could praise you more, sometimes the enemy, brings us into captivity, all right, so those things come out, of the anointing, again, what is the end purpose, let's go to read it,
[26:23] I read it before, but I'm just going to, read it again, again, the spirit of the Lord God, is upon me, because the Lord God, hath anointed me, to preach good tidings, to the meek, he has sent me, to bind up, the broken hearted, to proclaim, liberty, to the captives, and the opening of the prison, to them that are bound, to proclaim, the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance, of our God, to comfort, all that mourn, to appoint, unto them, that mourn in Zion, and to give unto them, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise, for the spirit of heaviness, so that they might be called, trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified, can you say amen tonight, that he might be glorified, you know, we pray for the people in Michigan, not just because they're your family, okay, sure, that you might be glorified,
[27:26] Lord, that you might be glorified, whatever we pray, whatever we pursue, we should always, seek our, our motives, search our motives, and say, well, what's my motive, what's my motive, that I want to, prosper financially, is it so that, I could bring more glory, to his name, you know, it should be an easy, it should be an easy element, in our lives, when we have the revelation, of who he is, yes, when we have the revelation, of what he's done for us, and who he is, it shouldn't be difficult, for us to live, every day of our life, every breath, that we take, for the glory of his name, when we, when we, when we, when we, when we, begin to ponder, his greatness, and his majesty, and may that become, more and more, our life, A.W.
[28:21] Tozer said this, the truly spiritual man, is indeed something, that's kind of an odd person, in life, he lives not for himself, but to promote, the interests, of another, so the reason is odd, because the world, doesn't think like that, so he's talking about, in comparison to, the way the world thinks, he does not, the truly spiritual man, does not live for himself, but rather to promote, the interests, of another, capital A, another, he seeks to persuade people, to give all, to his Lord, and ask no portion, or share for himself, he delights not to be honored, but to see his Savior, glorified in the eyes of men, his joy, is to see his Lord promoted, even if, if he himself, is neglected, again, I have, the scripture in my notes, I have glorified thee, on the earth, I have finished, the work which you gave me, to do,
[29:24] I think this was, Thomas Watson, says this, it will be no small comfort, to us, when we come to die, if this is in our hearts, it will be of, a big comfort to us, that is, written back in the, maybe 16, 1700, so, this will be a great comfort, to us, at the time of our death, that we have hollowed, and sanctified, God's name, Christ's comfort, a little before his death, was, I have glorified thee, on the earth, again, he's quoting, the words that Jesus, stated, and he's saying, this was truly, a great comfort, a great joy, that Jesus, was able to say that, here, this was his comfort, before death, that he had, hallowed God's name, and brought glory to him, so, he continues to say, what a, cordial,
[30:25] I don't, we don't use that word, that much, but, what a great, exceeding joy, it will be for us, at last, at that moment, when we're facing death, when our whole life, has been, in glorifying God's name, I have glorified your name, I have brought, all the honor I could, to thee, I have done, that which is good, in your sight, can you say amen, what a, what an amazing, moment, that would be, when we look into his face, and with, all of our heart, we would know, I have lived for your glory, and we can say, as James started out tonight, truly that took place, I am glorified, in them, yes, and we can say, Lord, you've been glorified, in my life, so, at that moment, again,
[31:31] I have in my notes, the focus, at that moment, when we see him, face to face, the glory, and the joy, will not be, on how anointed, we were, unless it brought glory, to him, yes, it will not be, all these things, in Isaiah, what was it, 6, 62, I think we're in, the spirit of the Lord, is upon me, he hath anointed me, and then, all the things, that took place, the people, that were mourning, were comforted, this took place, this took place, but my thinking is, all those things, are going to be, secondary, at that moment, even the effectiveness, of our ministry, is not going to be, ultimately, what we're looking at, unless they brought glory, to him, are you following me, now we can get focused, on how anointed we are, like this is amazing, and this is, you know, but, if that anointing, is not bringing glory, to him, or all the things, that are coming out, because of the anointing, people are getting delivered, people are getting healed, but at that moment, when we see him, face to face, that's not going to be, our focus, unless it brought glory, to him, can you say amen, in other words, we're not going to be, thinking that, wow a thousand people, got delivered, because of the anointing, that was on my life, unless we can say,
[32:56] Lord, my ministry, my life, brought glory, to your name, are you with me tonight, so I'm, closing, with this emphasis, spirit of Lord, being upon us, anointing us, and amazing things, are happening, so that he might, be glorified, so that he might, be glorified, why don't we stand, and let's pray, I'm going to pray, and I'm going to say, Lord, anoint our heads, with oil, yes, the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want, thou anointest, my head with oil, my cup runs over, can we say that tonight, Lord, anoint my head, with oil, I hope our churches, in the affiliation, continue to emphasize, the anointing, of the Holy Spirit, I was reminded, at the,
[34:00] Grace and Truth, Welsh Mountain Church, recently, you know, I look back, and I remember, times, and I know, we go through seasons, but I remember, we used to pray, for people more, Lord, anoint this person, fill this person, with your spirit, yes, and I'm encouraging us, to look in the word, of God, they prayed for them, and the Holy Spirit, came upon them, so, I'm encouraging us, in our day, to say more, and more, Lord, anoint my head, with oil, just raise your hands, if you would, and look to the heavens, and just say, to him tonight, to the almighty God, through his son, Jesus Christ, Father, give me the Holy Spirit, he said, if you ask, he would give, if you seek, if you ask, if you knock, and Lord, I pray, for this congregation, I pray, for their, weak, school of Christ, Ed Zimmerman coming, I pray, Lord, that you would, anoint their heads, with oil,
[35:01] I pray, that their cups, would be running over, and I pray, that it would have, an impact, in this community, in their families, the people in Michigan, Lord, in the various elements, that you would do, exceeding abundantly, above what they would, ask or think, according to the anointing, Lord, that is flowing, through them, I ask it in Jesus name, Amen, you can be seated,