Shoots We Grow - Part 4: The Holy Spirit & Anointing

Over the past number of weeks, we have been exploring a series on how to grow or restart growth as a Christian.

One thing is certain:

We must continue to grow or we risk a slow decline, drift & death in our relationship with Jesus.

We have talked about the role of the Word of God, The Bible (Its Right Division & Its Lordship) & now we are sharing about The Great Need we have for The Holy Spirit (as a Catalyst of Change).

Today, we will be exploring a little about the Holy Spirit’s Anointing in the life of the believer as a catalyst of growth!

The Holy Spirit is God’s agent of change & help on the earth today in the life of the believer

We need the Holy Spirit if we are going to grow to be like Jesus

Remember, Jesus couldn’t have been like Jesus without the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit = The Anointing

The Anointing = God’s Divine Ability to get the Job done (A.K.A - The Spirit of Grace)

Biblical “Types” and Symbols of the Holy Spirit:

Wind/breath (Genesis 2:7)

Water (John 7:37-39)

Clothing (Luke 24:49)

Wine (Acts 2:15-18; Ephesians 5:18-19)

Fire (Acts 2:2-4)

Oil (1 Samuel 16:13)

Types of Biblical Anointing:

This is a non-exhaustive list

Poured on Anointing

Leviticus 8:12 NKJV

12 And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him.

Psalm 133:1–2 NKJV

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments.

Ephesians 4:15–16 NKJV

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Christ=The Anointed One & His anointing

Jesus Christ is the Head of the Body and His anointing runs down over us.

It’s the same anointing, not a different anointing (1 John2:27)

Rubbed-In Anointing

The rubbed-in anointing goes deeper and penetrates further to effect change.

Isaiah 21:5 NKJV

5 Prepare the table, Set a watchman in the tower, Eat and drink. Arise, you princes, Anoint the shield!

We need the anointing to give us resilience & flexibility in the fight

- if you’re breaking under attack, maybe you need to rub in the anointing.

Revelation 3:18 NKJV

18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

The anointing helps us to see the way we should.

The anointing helps us to have the God-lens we desperately need.

-Well…I just don’t see it that way, Jesus! - We need the anointing

Poured-in Anointing

Luke 10:33–34 NKJV

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

Wound = Latin word “Vulnus“ = Vulnerable

The Holy Spirit is able to heal our vulnerabilities and weaknesses when we let Him into our wounds.

The Holy Spirit not-received will not bring healing in our life.

The wounds and vulnerabilities that we carry need to be exposed to the Holy Spirit rather than hidden and buried from His touch.

He already knows our imperfections and vulnerabilities, but unless we let Him have His way in them, we will not be healed!!!

Hidden≠Healed

The Anointing Within

Next week’s message is going to be challenging and enlightening as we take a little side-trip and talk about ministry in the anointing & our responsibility as Christians to supernatural ministry and living!

1 John 2:27 NKJV

27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

John 14:16–17 NKJV

16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

John 7:38–39 NKJV

38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Jesus doesn’t just want us to be able to go to the well, He wants us to have a well with us wherever we go!

Well = Holy Spirit “on demand”

By fostering the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, in residence, we become a life-giving resource to anyone in need.

This transition moves us from being receivers only to being givers

-remembering that we are NOT the source, but The Source dwells in us so we are constantly receiving - like a pipeline.

Acts 20:35 NKJV

35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Just One Thing:

We need the Holy Spirit and the anointing in order to become the blessing God intends for us to be!

Pour it On, Rub it In, Pour it In, & Let it Live in you & through you!

Discussion Questions:

What kinds of things do you like to cook or what is the best dish you make?

What stood out most to you, or impacted you most, from this sermon? Share a little bit about it.

Please read the parable in Luke 10:30–34 and share about your interaction with the Holy Spirit when you have suffered wounds. Have you let the Holy Spirit into those areas? Why or Why not? - share a bit as you are willing.

Do you currently feel like you have a well of the Holy Spirit living in you? Share a little about that and how you feel your answer affects your life and those around you.