Preaching WITHOUT the anointing

[mrhappy3]

I know we all have the anointing in us at the NEW Birth. And some people who do not believe in a BAPTISM in the SPIRIT, are pretty good teachers and quite profound in some areas of their doctrine - John MacArthur being one. What I'm talking about is the DIFFERENCE the anointing that comes UPON us makes.

I have preached both ways and the RESULTS are massive.

I am at the stage whereby, if I am asked to say a few words here and there and the UPON anointing hasn't shown up - I shouldn't/don't expect too much in the way of "anointed" results, and by that I mean - somebodies life is transformed - in an INSTANT !

Does this make sense to anybody ?:o

 

[ByTheSpirit]

There are many famous preachers who would not even start preaching until they felt the anointing upon services. Wigglesworth anr Wimber are two to mention.

 

[jamadan]

I know we all have the anointing in us at the NEW Birth. And some people who do not believe in a BAPTISM in the SPIRIT, are pretty good teachers and quite profound in some areas of their doctrine - John MacArthur being one. What I'm talking about is the DIFFERENCE the anointing that comes UPON us makes.

I have preached both ways and the RESULTS are massive.

I am at the stage whereby, if I am asked to say a few words here and there and the UPON anointing hasn't shown up - I shouldn't/don't expect too much in the way of "anointed" results, and by that I mean - somebodies life is transformed - in an INSTANT !

Does this make sense to anybody ?:o

I recognize what you're saying, there are times when the Spirit just seems to infuse what you're doing with more than usual power and the results show. That said, the term 'anointing' is really meant to simply mean 'the power of the Spirit to accomplish a specific purpose'. So when Jesus stood up to proclaim His mission statement, He started off saying 'The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to . . .' I find that I have an anointing to teach. It doesn't matter whether or not I feel anything special happening. If I prepare properly, both materially as well as spiritually, the Lord works through me whether or not anything seemingly special happens. The most frequent comment I receive is that people say they understand Scripture and the Lord very clearly. Sometimes, the Lord seems to infuse a little extra humpf into the mix while I'm teaching, as when someone gets Baptized in the Spirit just listening to my teaching on it - something that's happened a dozen times or so over the years. But even when that's not happening, I trust that His anointing is at work empowering the message with His purpose to the audience.

I would also clarify that I was not always anointed to teach. At one point, I accepted an offer to teach a class in Church. It was a train wreck. I failed miserably and checked that off as something never to try again. Then one day I was in worship and the power of the Spirit came on me. I had to just sit down and rest in Him for the next half hour with my eyes closed and tears streaming down my face. In that time, I heard the Lord tell me He wanted me to teach. I argued back that I'd tried it, but failed. He just repeated it over and over. So I started a Bible study in my house . . . it was immediately obvious something had changed. I still needed to prepare and learn how to teach, but there was an anointing for it now that was not there earlier. So I would disagree that we are new born with it. I believe the Spirit gives it according to His timing and will. Even Jesus didn't officially receive His anointing until the Spirit descended on Him when He was baptized, which He then went out into the desert to be tested and then came back and launched His ministry with that announcement from Isaiah I referenced already.

 

[mrhappy3]

I recognize what you're saying, there are times when the Spirit just seems to infuse what you're doing with more than usual power and the results show. That said, the term 'anointing' is really meant to simply mean 'the power of the Spirit to accomplish a specific purpose'. So when Jesus stood up to proclaim His mission statement, He started off saying 'The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to . . .' I find that I have an anointing to teach. It doesn't matter whether or not I feel anything special happening. If I prepare properly, both materially as well as spiritually, the Lord works through me whether or not anything seemingly special happens. The most frequent comment I receive is that people say they understand Scripture and the Lord very clearly. Sometimes, the Lord seems to infuse a little extra humpf into the mix while I'm teaching, as when someone gets Baptized in the Spirit just listening to my teaching on it - something that's happened a dozen times or so over the years. But even when that's not happening, I trust that His anointing is at work empowering the message with His purpose to the audience.

I would also clarify that I was not always anointed to teach. At one point, I accepted an offer to teach a class in Church. It was a train wreck. I failed miserably and checked that off as something never to try again. Then one day I was in worship and the power of the Spirit came on me. I had to just sit down and rest in Him for the next half hour with my eyes closed and tears streaming down my face. In that time, I heard the Lord tell me He wanted me to teach. I argued back that I'd tried it, but failed. He just repeated it over and over. So I started a Bible study in my house . . . it was immediately obvious something had changed. I still needed to prepare and learn how to teach, but there was an anointing for it now that was not there earlier. So I would disagree that we are new born with it. I believe the Spirit gives it according to His timing and will. Even Jesus didn't officially receive His anointing until the Spirit descended on Him when He was baptized, which He then went out into the desert to be tested and then came back and launched His ministry with that announcement from Isaiah I referenced already.

Ah, brilliant testimony ! x

 

[JimB]

I was, and remain, anointed from the moment Christ entered my life. I do not have to “feel” like being used to be used any more than I have to “feel” saved to be saved. Anointing means to be set aside, devoted, for God’s use. If and when he uses me is not a matter of me being worked-up emotionally—God uses me at his will whenever he (not I) chooses (1 Cor. 12.7, 11). Most of the time I am totally unaware (until later) that God uses me. My job is not to work myself up emotionally before I am used of God, I simply keep my connection to him open and he uses me. It's not about me "feeling;" it's about him and others. Period. All the Law (and life) is fulfilled in loving God and loving others. It's not about me.

 

[mrhappy3]

I was, and remain, anointed from the moment Christ entered my life. I do not have to “feel” like being used to be used any more than I have to “feel” saved to be saved. Anointing means to be set aside, devoted, for God’s use. If and when he uses me is not a matter of me being worked-up emotionally—God uses me at his will whenever he (not I) chooses (1 Cor. 12.7, 11). Most of the time I am totally unaware (until later) that God uses me. My job is not to work myself up emotionally before I am used of God, I simply keep my connection to him open and he uses me. It's not about me "feeling;" it's about him and others. Period. All the Law (and life) is fulfilled in loving God and loving others. It's not about me.

My job is not to work myself up emotionally before I am used of God, I simply keep my connection to him open and he uses me.

I take your point, but the MANTLE that falls, is a divine enablement, certainly not emotional.

 

[Optimax]

If there is no anointing, The Holy Spirit is not "in it" and the time of the people hearing is wasted.

 

[Frogster]

The problem is when preachers keep saying how "they feel that anointing", while they teach, what a perfect way to self validate, just say you feel it, and surely God has to be behind it all. These are the self anointed types.

 

[Frogster]

not directed at u mrhappy.

 

[JimB]

The problem is when preachers keep saying how "they feel that anointing", while they teach, what a perfect way to self validate, just say you feel it, and surely God has to be behind it all. These are the self anointed types.

I always considered things like “I wish you could feel out there what I feel up here” or “do you feel the anointin’?” as manipulative tools to get the congregation more involved in the sermon. Personally, being a low-key kind of guy, I was not as interested in feeling what the preacher felt as I was in doing what scripture said.

 

[Frogster]

I always considered things like “I wish you could feel out there what I feel up here” or “do you feel the anointin’?” as manipulative tools to get the congregation more involved in the sermon. Personally, being a low-key kind of guy, I was not as interested in feeling what the preacher felt as I was in doing what scripture said.

I totally agree, Jim. good word, manipulate. If he is really anointed he would be humble in the Spirit, and not do what u speak of here.

 

[Frogster]

people in the world are sometimes smarter than the church. If at a concert a pianist or singer, clapped for their finished performance, the crowd would scorn that, yet a preacher can self anoint, and the sheep just say nothing.

 

[mrhappy3]

LOL ! all true - that is why Jesus said - you will know them by their fruits - not their gifts.

I personally believe a HIGHLY ANOINTED man of God, in the tangible, mantled sense, would never have to broadcast this, but his HUMILITY would be the determining factor to how useful he truly is to the Lord and to others.

Thats why the anointing is NOT limited to POWER alone. A man with the FRUITS working in tandem, is the real deal in my book.

 

[Frogster]

Mrhappy..true stuff!

now don't get mad at me, but this whole mantle stuff is overpressed too.

john said we have anointing, and he did not mention mantles, nor did peter or paul.

 

[jamadan]

I haveuh founduh thatuh speakinguh in a slowuh, and phonetically exaggerateduh manneruh, and concludinguh each worduh with an 'uh' is a signah of the anointingah. And thatuh, the congregationuh really starts to feeluh the anointinguh when I stompuh my feetuh and wipeuh my browuh and occasionallyuh exhale loudlyuh making all manneruh of noiseuh 'sheeeeeewwwwwwuh' and 'whoooooaaaaaa'.

 

[Frogster]

I haveuh founduh thatuh speakinguh in a slowuh, and phonetically exaggerateduh manneruh, and concludinguh each worduh with an 'uh' is a signah of the anointingah. And thatuh, the confregationuh really starts to feeluh the anointinguh when I stompuh my feetuh and wipeuh my browuh and occasionallyuh exhale loudlyuh making all manneruh of noiseuh 'sheeeeeewwwwwwuh' and 'whoooooaaaaaa'.

 

[mrhappy3]

HILARIOUS !!! been amongst that type before, sounds as though "he" is dying or just finished a marathon!! x

 

[mrhappy3]

Mrhappy..true stuff!

now don't get mad at me, but this whole mantle stuff is overpressed too.

john said we have anointing, and he did not mention mantles, nor did peter or paul.

I can only speak for myself then. Many times, or quite a few at least, in ministry situations......The holy spirit has fallen on me, and i have been changed into "another man". AKA Old test passage (Samuel I think). When that happens to me - I turn into SUPERMAN LOL - that is the MANTLE I'm on about. maybe its just me. BUT I definitely do things BETTER.

 

[Tobias]

I was, and remain, anointed from the moment Christ entered my life. I do not have to “feel” like being used to be used any more than I have to “feel” saved to be saved. Anointing means to be set aside, devoted, for God’s use. If and when he uses me is not a matter of me being worked-up emotionally—God uses me at his will whenever he (not I) chooses (1 Cor. 12.7, 11). Most of the time I am totally unaware (until later) that God uses me. My job is not to work myself up emotionally before I am used of God, I simply keep my connection to him open and he uses me. It's not about me "feeling;" it's about him and others. Period. All the Law (and life) is fulfilled in loving God and loving others. It's not about me.

I am aware that this is stated according to your theology on the matter.


However, there are some preachers who truly are not ever anointed to teach! And there are other teachers who flow in the anointing from time to time, but at other times are clearly not inspired by the Spirit in what they say.

Those of us learning the art of speaking by the Spirit, know that there are things we can do to encourage the Holy Spirit to use us. We also quickly learn that there are ways to grieve the Holy Spirit, and watch the door to the room slam shut as He leaves the building. Some accuse us of not really working with the Holy Spirit at all, but manipulating emotions through man-made techniques.


When dealing with prophets and prophecies, the same rules apply. In my opinion, but apparently not in yours. I most certainly hope not to meet too many more "prophets" who have your attitude toward the matter! "I am a PROPHET OF GOD, and therefore everything I speak is of God. I may or may not feel the anointing when I speak, but it's your job to figure out what God is saying to you through me, and obey it!"


I'm pretty sure this isn't acceptable prophet behaviour in your book Jim, so could you take a moment and explain why you believe one set of rules apply to prophets (who need to know when they are anointed and when they are not), and how you justify that everybody else can flow in the Spirit but be oblivious to the matter and do just fine?

 

[Tobias]

I personally think that the ministry gifts are handed out by God similar to the parable of the talents. And that if we are faithful with the first one(s) He gives us, then He will add more!

Somehow this concept has blown up into all the talk about mantles. I'm not sure how much truth there is in what they say about mantles, but I have experienced my own situation with added gifts. Most of my life I could clearly state that I was not a prophet, and did not operate as one. I had given a couple of "words" through the decades, but anyone is supposed to be able to prophesy, right?

A few years ago I felt God anointing me to be a prophet. He explained that of all the people out there it only made sense, as I had sat in countless church services where they taught on what it is to be a prophet, so I was already half-way trained! I had been faithful in the ministry gifts He had already given me years earlier, so it only made sense to give me more -- according to what we learn in the parable of the talents.