The first recorded sermon Jesus spoke originated from Isaiah 61, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor" (verse 1). In subsequent verses Jesus articulates the other benefits of that anointing: healing for the brokenhearted, freedom for captives, an experiential "jail-break" for prisoners, the year of our being delightfully accepted by God based on His vengeance having been fully satisfied, comfort for all mourners, and the divine exchange: beauty for ashes, joy for the mourning ones, and the garment of praise for all who are depressed.
The recipients become oaks of righteousness
as God's special planting that the great God might receive glory. The
prophet Isaiah identified the ultimate goal of this anointing. The newly anointed ones would be ones who "rebuild the old ruins", "raise up the former desolations", "repair the ruined cities", which were the "desolations of many generations".
Presence-Based Life
Isaiah also made a radical statement about the priesthood. In his
day only those born from the tribe of Levi could be a priest, yet
Isaiah prophesied, "You shall be named priests of the Lord" (Isaiah 61:6). Fathers name children at birth. Isaiah promised that those who were fully restored by the anointing became authorized to establish a brand new priesthood based on having received a new spiritual vitality characterized by a restoration that only true fathers of a new order possessed, namely "fathering" a new high order of priests!
Those
people would create a new order of spirituality characterized by a
"presence-based lifestyle". Jesus modeled "presence-based" life and
declared it when He said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me," – and so it would be for those who received the fullness of His ministry.Those of us who see this truth, believe for it, and qualify become those who can establish a presence-based community of people who have the potential to restore whole cities.
We must set our sights higher than we have in the past. The anointing is not something we have to simply have great meetings or see people supernaturally healed and delivered. Its ultimate goal is to transform societies. We must not settle for less than that. If we do we have denigrated our spiritual currency.
There is an ongoing experience of "glory" and encountering God that has a much greater potential than we have ever imagined. Its purpose is to create a national awakening that transforms the United States. Perhaps we are not a post-Christian nation. We may, in fact, be a pre-Christian one. Don't settle for less. Our best days lie just ahead!
Robin McMillan
Senior Pastor, Queen City Church
Email: robin.mcmillan@aol.com
Website: robinmcmillan.me
3 comments:
There is a process to becoming a tree of righteousness with the ability to effect change. T Austin Sparks threshing the Lords Method. Sadly we have a choice as to wether to endure it or not. Looking at America it seems many professing Christians are leaning to not. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared to every good work (That's Gods Word if the good work of God is not evident one should ask why). 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do engender strifes. 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 2"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. Hebrews 12
Very odd quote (we must set our) sights higher than the past. God never lowered them to what they have become man did.
Nothing at all to do with the article but most interesting indeed and I think you may find it interesting free on you tube Hilton Sutton - Nations In Prophecy
might ANSWER A QUESTION.
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