The Inner and Outer Anointing

Crew Youth

Introduction

Last week, I preached a message titled Respond to the Call, about how each one of us has a call from God and its our job to respond by saying yes from our hearts.

After some time in prayer, I sensed that the Holy Spirit wanted me to talk to you about the inner and outer anointing, because understanding these two things is crucial in order for you to fulfill your calling and destiny.

My goal is for you to:

Know what they are

Value them personally

Know how to grow in them

Quick Preface

The inner anointing is the Holy Spirit living inside of us, making us more like Jesus. He speaks to us, teaches us truth, confronts lies in our minds, and gives us power to live free from sin.

The outer anointing is the Holy Spirit resting upon us, empowering us to do what Jesus does. Its connected to what we do for God in serving others. This can be in the area of business, the arts, evangelism, healing the sick, casting out demons, discipleship, preaching and teaching, leadership, generosity, etc…

Balance

Some believers primarily focus on the inner anointing, and they neglect the outer anointing. All they do is spend time in their secret place, hearing God speak to them, reading their bibles, going to church, growing in holiness, but are not crying out for a greater outer anointing to rest on their lives to serve others.

Some believers primarily focus on the outer anointing, and they neglect the inner anointing. They cry out constantly for God to use them mightily, but neglect their secret place. They just want to do big things for God and do not value intimacy with Him. They do give enough attention to their personal holiness, and give themselves to ministry and serving God. This too is dangerous.

Do you fall into either one of these categories?We are called to pursue and value both.

Inner Anointing

Each born-again believer in Jesus Christ has received the inner anointing. This is just another word for the Holy Spirit, who has made His home inside our hearts, and is forming us to live more like Jesus.

1 John 2:27 NIV

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

The apostle John teaches us that we have received the anointing (the Holy Spirit) from God, and that He teaches us all things.

Relationship with the Holy Spirit

Each one of us is called to grow in the inner anointing through relationship and intimacy with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit teaches us the Bible and all truth

See 1 John 2:27

2. The Holy Spirit energizes our prayer life

See Romans 8:26-27, Ephesians 6:18

3. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us

See John 15:26

4. The Holy Spirit confronts sin in our lives

Testimony — Making jokes at the expense of others

5. The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit in our lives

See Galatians 5:22-23

6. The Holy Spirit reminds us of our identity in Christ

See Romans 8:16

Growing in the Inner Anointing

Get alone with God! Make time for Him, get into the scriptures, pray, worship.

In silence and solitude ask Him more questions and wait for a response. Relationship is a two-way street.

Outer Anointing

We saw that each one of us are called to have a rich relationship with the Holy Spirit — the inner anointing. But, we should also value and grow in our outer anointing.

We need the outer anointing if we are going to be effective in the call of God on our lives. We cannot afford to do ministry without an anointing.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus was born with the Holy Spirit in His heart. He had the inner anointing from conception. But He did not receive the outer anointing until He was baptized by John in the Jordan river at 30 years old. Soon afterward, He went on a 40 day water fast and then started His ministry.

Luke 3:21–22 NASB95

Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

Luke 4:1–2 NASB95

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry.

Luke 4:14 NASB95

And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district.

Notice: Jesus spent 30 years of his life cultivating the inner anointing before He was ready to receive the outer anointing and do anything for God. He had to grow His relationship with the Holy Spirit and learn His identity before He can do anything great for God. 30 years of preparation for 3.5 years of ministry, and He changed the world.

A few verses later, Jesus gives us a glimpse of what the outer anointing was for:

Luke 4:18–19 NASB95

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

The outer anointing was for His assignment. It was connected to His calling, to preach the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, open the eyes of the blind, and to declare the goodness of God.

After receiving the outer anointing, it became easy to gather disciples to follow Him. Why? Because He was anointed. People are drawn to the anointing on your life. The anointing will bring people in who will help you fulfill the call of God on your life (see Mark 1:16-20).

Now when Jesus would teach or preach, demons would begin to manifest and His fame began to spread (see Mark 1:21-28), and miracles soon followed (see Mark 1:29-34).

The anointing began to draw the crowds. Jesus did not need any fancy advertising campaign or church growth program, He had the hand of God on His life.

Mark 2:1–2 NASB95

When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them.

In fact, so many people were pressing towards Jesus to hear about the word of God that He had to get into a boat and push out into the water (see Luke 5:1-2).

People would follow Him deep into the wilderness, fill every synagogue He taught in, and follow Him in the city. The anointing made room for Him.

Luke, the writer of the book of Acts states:

Acts 10:38 NASB95

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

This is the outer anointing at work!

The Example of the Disciples

The disciples received the inner anointing in John 20:21, but Jesus told them that they need to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the outer anointing, being clothed with power from on High.

Luke 24:49 NASB95

“And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Before He ascended back to the right hand of the Father He said:

Acts 1:4–5 NASB95

Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 1:8 NASB95

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

After He ascended, the disciples went on a ten-day fast and dedicated themselves to prayer in the upper room, crying out for the outer anointing of the Spirit that Jesus had just promised them (see Acts 1:12-14).

Shortly after, at 9:00 AM, the Holy Spirit came in power.

Acts 2:1–4 NASB95

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

They began to preach powerfully, thousands started coming to Jesus, leaders were being developed, apostles, prophets, and evangelists are being raised up and sent out, miracles are happening, demons are being cast out, the dead are being raised, city after city are being shaken, and the world is forever changed.

Growing in the Outer Anointing

While it is true that you can receive an increase in your outer anointing suddenly, it is also true that it is something that needs to grow and develop over years.

I want you to hunger for both. Believe for moments where breakthrough happens and commit yourself to growing in both anointings for the rest of your life.

What are some practicals for growing in your outer anointing?

Grow in your inner anointing.

Pray for a greater outer anointing to rest on your life. You have not because you ask not.

Receive an impartation from people.

Example — Reinhard Bonnke and George Jeffreys

Be obedient to what the Spirit says. If you are faithful with little then He will entrust you with more.

Altar Call

If you desire for breakthrough in your inner and outer anointing, come forward tonight. Let the Holy Spirit meet you in both areas.