Church Vibes 101: Discipleship Series • The Anointing: Are You Called?
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Review & Overview
Review & Overview
1. Discipleship Series Overview
1. Discipleship Series Overview
Welcome to Church Vibes 101: A Discipleship Series!
I hope you are you ready to dive deep into what it means to be a part of the Church and explore what Jesus has established?
This series is all about understanding the core of our faith and how we can live it out in today's world.
We’ve designed this series to be engaging, relevant, and impactful, specifically for you.
So, what is Church Vibes 101?
Church Vibes 101 is more than just a series of lessons; it’s a journey into the heart of the Christian faith.
Throughout this series, we will explore:
**The Authenticity and Reliability of the Bible**: Discover why the Bible is our trusted guide and how it has stood the test of time.
**Church Government**: Understand the structure and purpose of church leadership and how it helps us grow together.
**Qualifications of a Servant**: See what it means to be a true servant of God and how you can step into this vital role.
**The Trinity**: Dive into the mystery of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and how each plays a unique role in our faith.
**The Holy Spirit**: Get to know the Holy Spirit more personally and understand His work in our daily lives.
**The Gospel of Grace**: Embrace the life-changing power of God’s grace and how it shapes our lives.
2. Previous Study’s Review
2. Previous Study’s Review
Last time we were together we looked at the topic of Spiritual Warfare…
We looked at Ephesians 6:10-13 and we learned several things.
Last time we were together we looked at the topic of: The Authority of the Word of God.
We saw that the authority of the word of God is a cornerstone of our faith:
The Bible is Inspired
The Bible is Truth
The Bible Corrects Our Lives
The Bible Instructs us in Righteousness
The Bible Completes Us
3. Current Study’s Overview
3. Current Study’s Overview
That brings us to today’s study and topic of discussion: Are You Called?
Today, we’re going to get into the Anointing of God and I want to begin by distinguishing two crucial concepts: the anointing of God and the appointing of man.
The anointing of God is a divine empowerment, a sacred blessing that sets individuals apart for His purpose.
It’s not simply a ceremonial act but a spiritual gift that enables one to carry out God’s will with authority and power.
And we see this in the lives of David and Jesus, where God's anointing was evident through their actions and impact.
Now, on the other hand, the appointing of man involves human selection and recognition, often based on visible qualifications and achievements.
While human appointments can be significant and God uses them, they are distinct from God’s anointing.
In essence, God's anointing equips and empowers beyond human ability, while man's appointing acknowledges and commissions within human capacity.
In today's message, I want us to seek to understand and embrace the anointing God has for each of us, transcending the limitations of human appointment.
1. The Difference Between Appointing and Anointing
1. The Difference Between Appointing and Anointing
More often than not we tend to appoint – to fill a role – a need
It is easy to appoint – to see a need and then go and try to fill the need.
The question is whether or not God has called you…
If we try to step in and simply fill a role – the results are often disastrous – at best they are a burden
If we try to serve God in our own strength – then we have to maintain the work
If God is the one who does the work – then He will be the one who maintains it.
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Jesus chooses us – He ordains us - That we might bear fruit .
fruit that remains If God is doing the work – then even if I am not there – the work will continue The fruit remains… whether I am there or not.
So, here’s the question: HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT GOD HAS ANOINTED US TO DO?
Turn with me to…
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.
Notice, when God called Paul and Barnabas?
As they ministered unto the Lord…
Don’t miss that point! It is one of the most important things in Christianity.
They were just ministering to the Lord
They were simply ministering to Jesus, focusing on Him
And as they were focused on Jesus the Holy Spirit did a mighty work.
ILLUSTRATION: Being on staff story… From stepping down to being on staff.
APPLICATION: So how do we know what God has anointing us to do? Just focus on Jesus.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
When you abide – focus on – Jesus - You find yourself right where He wants you.
In whatever country or place or position that may be. You do not even have to wonder what to do…
Just keep on doing what you have been all along – ministering to Jesus!
APPLICATION: And here is a real danger that people who serve fall into:
The danger is when you focus on good things and miss the only good thing: Jesus Christ
Sometimes we focus on ministry and not who we are to minster.
If our focus is just ministry, it’s wrong.
We have to keep doing what we have been doing all along, ministering to Jesus.
If your taking notes I would like to give you a couple of freeing truths regarding ministry:
1. God Does Not Need You!
Understand, He uses you because He loves you.
6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—
God just used one angel to preach to everyone on earth. He has millions of angels! He doesn’t need us.
2. It’s Not About You!
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
Wait a minute there pastor – what are you saying?
God uses the Foolish – and that should bless our hearts!
If God chooses us because we are foolish – what does He expect from us?
2. What Happens When We Appoint?
2. What Happens When We Appoint?
Turn with me to…
Acts 1:20–26 “20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’ 21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” 23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
The problem – there were now only 11 disciples…
And notice The qualifications that Peter gave for replacing Judas… Vs. 21-22
One who was with Jesus from the Baptism till the ascension…
Good qualification, but it is not enough to have seen the works of God… Just because a man goes to Bible College (or Seminary) when he is done he is not a pastor/evangelist/missionary It is God who qualifies a man for the work of the ministry
Two men that were chosen… Vs. 23
Justas – Gk. Just / Matthias – Gk. Gift of God
And then notice The prayer of the apostles… Which one do you want Lord? Vs. 24
They missed that these two men were not the only choices.
APPLICATION: So often we pray and ask God to choose between the options that we give to Him… We should pray – Lord what do you want…
So here’s the question: Was Matthias the 12th Apostle? Did there even have to be a 12th Apostle?
14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Paul the 12th Apostle – Why…
The difference between appointing and anointing…
You will know your calling – look at how the Lord uses you…
But you are not defined by your calling – you are defined by Jesus!
Turn with me to… Because there we get some information regarding Paul’s Calling…
Philippians 3:4–14 “4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.…”
Notice, Paul had all the qualifications… He had the right to be confident
He was a Jew – circumcised the 8th day (the Abrahamic covenant) – Of the tribe of Benjamin
A Hebrew of Hebrews – as touching the Law – a Pharisee (Strict adherence to the Law)
Concerning Zeal – he persecuted the church
Touching the righteousness that is in the law – blameless (that is an amazing statement)
But what did Paul say regarding all those things?
In Vs. 8 he counts it all loss…
All things – not most – not some – all things that were gain to me I count lost…
That I may win Christ – for whom I have suffered the loss of all things – and count them as dung
In the light of knowing Christ – Paul counted everything else as dung – manure – trash
If we desire to be anointed by God – we must be willing to let go of everything that we were.
We must let go all of our strengths and identity.
Why? Because we find strength in our weaknesses…
So that we would learn not to trust in ourselves, but in God
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
We have to learn that we are not sufficient in of ourselves…
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
If you do the work then people are drawn to you. If Jesus does the work then men are drawn to Jesus.
3. Knowing Your Calling
3. Knowing Your Calling
What has God called me to do?
Notice the comparisons to two extremes of the lives of Paul & Peter…
Peter the Apostle to the Jews / Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7)
Yet Peter was the working man’s man - Paul was a Pharisee of Pharisees
Simple logic would tell us that God would have called Paul to the Jews…
Paul knew Judaism inside and out – he was perfect to minister to the Jews
Peter was a working man – he could have easily related to the Gentiles Yet God called them to the exact opposite ministries – why?
We are not always used where we think we are the strongest…
APPLICATION: If God called us to our strengths – then we would trust in our own abilities.
Understand, More often than not God calls us to our weaknesses – so that we trust in Him
Recognizing God’s anointing… Turn w/ me to…
Acts 14:21–23 “21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”
Here inn Acts 14:23 Paul return to the cities that he had been to previously…
He appoint elders in every church Interestingly - Paul had not appointed elders when he first taught
Because Paul understood the benefit/purpose of waiting…
Paul recognized the Elders of the Church… not by random lottery or vote.
Paul acknowledged the obvious work that God was doing in men…
APPLICATION: When we see a need in the church – if we are wise we do not seek to fill the need
When God has anointed a man for a work – he will not be the only one to notice. ♦I Timothy 5:22 – “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily…”’
Because listen, it’s Rarely the one who we would pick… Acts 14:21-23
If we are the ones who choose – we will naturally be drawn toward to ones we like…
The smart / the rich / the talented / those whom we perceive as having the ability More often than not – that is not the one whom God chooses…
Turn w/ me to…
1 Samuel 16:7–12 “7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 8 So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!””
Often the Lord chooses the least likely Then there is no doubt it is the Lord who does the word
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,
3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
APPLICATION: We must be very careful not to judge by appearances…
We may think that someone is not _________ to be called to serve.
Who are we to say whom God will choose – our role is not to choose We are called to recognize whom God has chosen.