Worship

Course: The Higher Calling to Worship

Lesson 11

Lesson Title: The Anointing: God takes control of worship. 

 

Lesson Goal:  To understand the baptism with the Holy Spirit is given to bring empowerment to worship. 

 

Lesson Text:  'But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.'  (Acts 1:8)

 

Lesson Theme:  The anointing of the Holy Spirit brings the believer into a greater relationship with the Lord.

 

Introduction: The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is empowerment to worship.

·        The believers were anointed to be worshipping witnesses.

·        Anointed worship on the Day of Pentecost gained the people's attention.  '...we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God',  (Acts 2:11).   

 

Introductory Story:  The anointing brings us into a new realm in worship where the Holy Spirit takes control of the worship. 

Azusa Street Revival (1906) - the Holy Spirit had control of the meetings.  There was no program.  Prayer was continuously made for the Holy Spirit to be in control because there was always the problem that the Holy Spirit would be grieved by those insensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit.

·        The anointing makes the Lord Jesus more precious to us;

·        …gives us a new tongue to praise Him; and

·        …fills us with a boldness to be worshipping witnesses to the Lord Jesus.

 

Exposition:

1.      United to be anointed, Acts 2:1.

·        The believers were gathered together on the Day of Pentecost in unity. It was not their unity that brought the anointing, but unity was essential in order for them to receive the anointing. 

 

·        The anointing can only flow through the body when there is the unity of the Spirit.  'Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;  As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore'  (Psalm 133: 1-3)

 

2.      The anointing of the Holy Spirit empowers the worshipper to be a witness to the Lord Jesus Christ.

·        Those who desire to be anointed witnesses to the Lord Jesus must first be anointed worshippers.

 

·        Anointed worshippers witnessing in the power of the Holy Spirit will cause men and women to tremble like Felix trembled before Paul.  'And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go your way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for you'  (Acts 24:25)

 

·        The people were 'pierced to the heart' because of the anointing moving upon them.  'Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?'  (Acts 2:37). 

 

3.      The anointing brings worship into a new realm that attracts people to Christ because of the presence of God.

·        David bringing the Ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:12-19).  David desired the anointing more than he desired to be a king.  He had one desire to be a worshipper. This was a new time in Israel's history, a time of anointed worship in the presence of God. David appointed musicians to worship and to praise continuously on Mount Zion.

 

·        Those who desire to worship God in the anointing will always come against opposition from people who resist the moving of the Holy Spirit.  The greatest opposition to the anointing will always come from those who have a form of godliness but deny the power of God (2 Timothy 3:5).  A hardened heart will resist the moving of the Holy Spirit.  Brokenness and humility must characterise the worshipper.

 

4.      The anointing brings the believer into a greater relationship where there is   

·        …a greater awareness of the presence of the Lord. 

·        …a greater love among believers,

·        …a greater joy for worship,

·        …a greater power for witness, and

·        …a greater opportunity to worship through opposition by those who resist the moving of the Holy Spirit.

 

Conclusion:

1.      We must keep the unity of the Spirit in the body of Christ to be anointed. 

2.      The anointing of the Holy Spirit empowers the worshipper to be a witness to the Lord Jesus Christ.

3.      The anointing brings worship into a new realm that attracts people to Christ because of the presence of God.

4.      The anointing brings the believer into a greater relationship with Christ.

 

What should the student do?

1)     Keep the unity of the Spirit avoid criticism.

2)     Seek the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be worshipping witnesses.

3)     Praise the Lord at all times

4)     Seek for a greater relationship with the Lord.

 

 

 

Lesson Outline

 

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