Three Seasons Community Church 2-10-08

Acts 20:35 (NLT) And I have been a constant example of how you can help the poor by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

Romans 12:4-5 (NLT) Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, [5] so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.

In Old Testament days the anointing ceremony was for the purpose of a person’s being set apart for a special use. Such was the case when Aaron was anointed and set apart or consecrated to the high priesthood (Exodus 29:7; 40:1 -16).

Exodus 29:7-9 (NIV) Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head. [8] Bring his sons and dress them in tunics [9] and put headbands on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons. The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance. In this way you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.

Exodus 40:14-16 (NIV) Bring his sons and dress them in tunics. [15] Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may serve me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue for all generations to come." [16] Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded him.

When Saul was called by God for special duties, it was Samuel, God’s prophet, who anointed him with oil.

1 Samuel 10:1 (NLT) Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul's head. He kissed Saul on the cheek and said, "I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the leader of his people Israel.

David experienced much the same call, when again Samuel, directed by God anointed him to be king.

1 Samuel 16:11-13 (NLT) Then Samuel asked, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse replied. "But he's out in the fields watching the sheep." "Send for him at once," Samuel said. "We will not sit down to eat until he arrives." [12] So Jesse sent for him. He was ruddy and handsome, with pleasant eyes. And the Lord said, "This is the one; anoint him." [13] So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the olive oil he had brought and poured it on David's head. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

In both of these calls the Scriptures speak of the fact that the Spirit of God moved upon them in a mighty fashion, following the anointing.

The New Testament, likewise, makes frequent reference to anointing with oil for the purpose of "setting apart" also, but here we find Jesus expanding its use to include the blessing of healing, the increasing of one’s faith and the forgiveness of sin.

He not only laid His hands upon those who were afflicted, but encouraged the disciples to do the same and to anoint with oil, praying for the recovery of health of those afflicted. (Mark 6:7-13;)

Mark 6:13 (NIV) They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

James 5:13-16 (NIV) Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. [14] Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. [15] And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. [16] Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Fasting Matthew 6:17 (NIV) But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,

Matthew 26:12 (NIV) When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.

Luke 4:18 (NIV) "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,

to release the oppressed,

Acts 4:26 (NIV) The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.'

Acts 10:37-38 (NIV) You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached-- [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Hebrews 1:9 (NIV) You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."

Promise of the Holy Spirit

1 John 2:20 (NIV) But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

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.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NIV) Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, [22] set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Since the power of God’s Spirit has not lessened from that day to this, and since our Lord urged His disciples to go forth to pray for the healing of those who were afflicted during the time of His ministry upon the earth, we have every reason to believe that such a ministry of consecration and healing should he continued in our day.

Leadership Team

Prayer Team

Ministry Leaders

Ministry Team Members

Anyone with special prayer needs