CORE STRENGTH - PART SIX

PROTECT THE ANOINTING

I. Introduction

a. Series introduction and recap

b. Foundation scripture (Habakkuk 2:2)

Habakkuk 2:2 (ESV)

2 And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.

c. What does a young adult at the Bridge look like? What sets us apart? Who has God called us to be?

II. What is the anointing?

a. The power of God through the Holy Spirit to destroy yokes and remove burdens (Isaiah 10:27, Acts 10:38, Acts 11:26)

Isaiah 10:27 (ESV)

27 And in that day his burden will depart from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck; and the yoke will be broken because of the fat.”

Acts 10:38 (ESV)

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Acts 11:26 (ESV)

26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

b. Confirmation of calling (1 Samuel 10:1, 6-7)

1 Samuel 10:1 (ESV)

1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you to be prince over his heritage.

1 Samuel 10:6–7 (ESV)

6 Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 7 Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you.

c. The supernatural ability to be more than you were before (1 Samuel 10:9, John 1:32)

1 Samuel 10:9 (ESV)

9 When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day.

John 1:32 (ESV)

32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.

III. How to protect the anointing

a. Know where to run when the pressure comes (Judges 16:16-17, Proverbs 18:10)

Judges 16:16–17 (ESV)

16 And when she pressed him hard with her words day after day, and urged him, his soul was vexed to death. 17 And he told her all his heart, and said to her, “A razor has never come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak and be like any other man.”

Proverbs 18:10 (ESV)

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

b. Guard your heart (Judges 16:18-19)

Judges 16:18–19 (ESV)

18 When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called the lords of the Philistines, saying, “Come up again, for he has told me all his heart.” Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hands. 19 She made him sleep on her knees. And she called a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him.

c. Live a life of humility (Judges 16:20, 1 Peter 5:5)

Judges 16:20 (ESV)

20 And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.

1 Peter 5:5 (ESV)

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

d. Stay focused in the waiting (Judges 16:21, Isaiah 40:31)

Judges 16:21 (ESV)

21 And the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. And he ground at the mill in the prison.

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

e. Call on the Lord (Judges 16:28, Acts 2:21)

Judges 16:28 (ESV)

28 Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.”

Acts 2:21 (ESV)

21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

f. Do what the task requires (Judges 16:29-30, 1 Samuel 10:6-7)

Judges 16:29–30 (ESV)

29 And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. 30 And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.

1 Samuel 10:6–7 (ESV)

6 Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 7 Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you.

IV. Conclusion

a. Abide in the anointing (1 John 2:27)

1 John 2:27 (ESV)

27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

b. Honor the anointing and anointed (Psalm 105:15)

Psalm 105:15 (ESV)

15 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”

c. The anointing is worth protecting; it’s the key to your success (Luke 4:18-19)

Luke 4:18–19 (ESV)

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”