PREPARATION BY THE ANOINTING OF THE SPIRIT

Acts 19:11-20

(Acts 19:11-20 KJV) "And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: {12} So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. {13} Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. {14} And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. {15} And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? {16} And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. {17} And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. {18} And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. {19} Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. {20} So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed."

Intro: Paul was used by the Lord as an instrument of wonderful miracles. In this particular occasion, even pieces of cloth were emblems of dynamic importance. In fact, for many years the use of anointed prayer cloths has been an important part of the Pentecostal movement. We have prayed over and anointed strips of cloth which were then taken to the sick and as a point of contact (a phrase, perhaps, coined by Oral Roberts in the 50’s) faith would be aroused in the individual. Many miracles have happened as a result of such prayer and faith.

It’s a joyous occasion when you see that your life and testimony, your prayer and faith has made a difference in someone’s life. The power that God has put in you by His Holy Spirit will enable you to put the very demons of hell to flight. Your genuine experience in the Holy Ghost is your ticket to a wonderful life of victory. In fact, the faith God has put in you can move any mountain of doubt – it can blast any demon of fear – it can whip any force of the enemy.

The critical, determining factor is whether you have the real ANOINTING. Phony, fake, or pretend won’t change anything. In fact, anyone who attempts to do great spiritual works without the anointing of the Holy Ghost is no more effective than an exorcist who operates by ceremony and ritual. Presumed anointing is a deadly mistake. Any person who fights the devil without the real power of God in his life is naked and exposed in all of his vulnerabilities. To successfully attack the stronghold of demonic power requires a living experience in the power of God.

Question: "How can I be an instrument of influence and power to the glory of God?"

#1. You must go in your own anointing. (God has an anointing for you.)

• (1 John 2:27 KJV) "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."
• ( 1^st Samuel 16:13; 17:1-51) Tell the story of David’s anointing by Samuel and his consequent encounter with Goliath. It wasn’t Saul’s anointing that slew the giant – it was David’s. )
• The sons of Sceva tried to assume Paul’s anointing.
• They presumptuously named the name of Jesus without knowing Him.

• Their entire effort was human and natural.
• The enemy knew they did not possess the power.
• They fled wounded and naked as a result of their encounter with the evil spirit.

• Those who took the cloths off of Paul’s body to the sick and demon possessed demonstrated their own faith and belief in the Lord Jesus.

#2. Preparing for battle necessitates His power and anointing.

(1 Cor 3:16 KJV) "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"

(Isa 41:10 KJV) "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

(Luke 10:19 KJV) "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."

• Satan is not afraid of your fleshly commands or your pretend Christianity.

• His legions will not flee just because you know about somebody who has the power of God in their life.
• Your family, your home is not safe because of a presumed anointing.
• He flees Christ in you. He is no match for the Holy Ghost.

#3. When the people saw the difference between the phony and the real, many of them believed and turned to Christ.

(1 Pet 3:15 KJV) "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

(Titus 2:7 KJV) "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,"

(2 Cor 4:7 KJV) "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

• Your influence is not measured by how many battles you have fought, but rather, by how many battles you have won.
• People today, make the same mistake the sons of Sceva made. They try to do spiritual battle using someone else’s experience .

Your family needs you to have your own anointing. Your anointing is a defense against the enemy who wants to bind and destroy you and your family.

Make no mistake about it, your experience with Christ is the greatest tool you have to assure safety for your family.

I mean such a true experience that even the angels of heaven AND the demon spirits of hell know who you are.

CLOSING: The power of God is made available to you so you will be able to fight the enemy wherever he is found. God has given you power over the devil and over anything that would bring hurt to you or your family who is under your care. The real question is not whether God will do this ... it’s whether you will receive His presence and live in obedience to Him. Your preparation this year must begin with the anointing power of God in your life. With His anointing you can do anything - without His anointing, you can do nothing.