06/28/2024
Today we will be studying Holy Anointing within the church and its relationship to prayer. We will also consider the conditional nature of this gift and prayer's role in maintaining its freshness. Here is a quick rundown on anointing before we discuss these topics... There are different types of anointing; there is the simple practice of applying oil, or some other substance, to a person or thing, there is the common practice of anointing someone's head or feet as a sign of respect, there is an Ecclesiastical anointing of the sick, and then there is the Holy Anointing such as the one that priests and pastors receive, and which also carries with it the Hebrew translation of the word Messiah or “anointed”.
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;[a]
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;”
Isaiah 61:1 ESV
And again when Jesus said…
““The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.””
Luke 4; 18-19 ESV
Anointing is a word that is being used freely in the modern church to imply that a person has received a calling to do something.... almost anything. Kings and rulers have included an anointment in their coronation to gain special authority by imitating a Holy Anointment, but that doesn't make them Holy. We see people and things anointed with oil for all kinds of reasons... But is that really a Holy Anointing as the bible instructs, or just an imitation?
In both the Old and New Testament anointing with oil had specific purposes. It was used first to anoint Aaron as the High Priest, and then all future priests, pastors, reverends, rectors, and the like. It is more than an act and we can see that played out in Leviticus as God instructs Moses:
“Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. And he sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its utensils and the basin and its stand, to consecrate them. And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him to consecrate him.”
Leviticus 8:10-12 ESV
Consecration... So powerful that no man was allowed to even duplicate the oil much less put it to any personal use... it was Holy, or set aside.
And then in the New Testament we see another use for the Holy Oil...
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
James 5:14 ESV
But being anointed with oil is not the only way we receive an anointing. The Holy Spirit also anoints us, but in a very different way… this is a spiritual anointing…
“But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.”
1 John 2:20-21 ESV
“But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”
1 John 2:27 ESV
So, this morning we will visit the topic of Holy Anointing. Pastor E.M. Bounds defines it in this way:
"It belongs to the experience of the man as well as to his preaching. It is that which transforms him into the image of his divine master, as well as that by which he declares the truths of Christ with power." – E.M. Bounds
In short Bounds is saying that the anointing transforms a novice into a man of God, and fills his words with truth. But, in his description of Holy Anointing, Bounds also issues a warning.
"This anointing is not a fixed gift. It is a conditional gift. This anointing comes directly from God in answer to prayer. Prayer, much prayer, is the price of anointment.... Without perseverance in prayer, the anointing, like over-kept manna, breeds worms." – E.M. Bounds
Seeking the will of God in prayer. It brings anointment and sustains it. The anointing of a pastor is not necessarily for life. A Holy Anointing is too important to make it like an irrevocable Supreme Court Appointment, or to grant it tenure like a professor. God gave it and He can withdraw it again.
Much like our faith, an anointing can whither on the vine without careful attention, and that attention comes in the form of prayer... And lots of it!
If we fell in love, were married, and then went about our individual lives... The marriage would fail... It would be a sham. God's gift of anointment is the same; it requires careful attention and constant communication with Him. Anointment is not a singular event or moment of achievement, it is the beginning of a journey that should continue throughout a life with much effort and care.
Today we may be fortunate, and our pastor is one who keeps his anointing alive, but some churches are being led by those who are merely going through the motions. The worms are in the manna and they are destroying the church from within. It is time for prayer and lots of it! Prayer by the congregation, prayer by the deacons, prayer by the church board, prayer by the pastoral staff, and prayer by others who have been anointed.
This morning when we pray let's pray for those anointed ones in our church. Let's pray that their anointment stays alive and that it thrives on a steady diet of fervent prayer. Let's pray that if they are faltering, and the manna they represent has been kept for too long, that they will withdraw to a place of solitude and prayer where they can confess their lacking and seek God's renewal.
Throughout the bible God's chosen have been men of imperfections, but they returned to God and repented...we are no different and God awaits us just as He awaited David.... we too must seek Him anew each day in prayer.
Many of you who read my morning thoughts have already received a Holy Anointment. My prayer for you today is that you maintain your Holy Anointment through prayer and a diligent search for the will of God. May God continue to bless you, keep you, and lead you even as you lead His church.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ the Messiah; the anointed. Thank you Lord for your Holy Spirit who anoints us not simply with oil, but with your Spirit, and sets us apart for your use. Thank you Holy Father for our fervent prayer as we pray unto you and tend to our faith, and the anointing we have received from you. Help us Abba to obey you perfectly as we come to understand what it means to anoint your chosen in various capacities, but always for your use. We pray over the sick and anoint them with oil as you have instructed us so that they might be healed and glorify you. We anoint our kings with oil so that they will rule under your auspices and authority, and we anoint our priests, and preachers, with both Spirit and oil as their calling to serve you becomes solemn, and holy, as we fervently pray for them. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who calls your chosen to be anointed, and teaches us to apply your anointing according to your will. We are blessed by the anointing we receive, and blessed by being asked to pray, or pour the oil, over those you have called to serve you. Great are you the Father of Jesus the Anointed, the Messiah, who you sent to redeem us of our sin and death. Great are you the Lord of all who have been called and anointed to serve you in worldly offices, and, Great are you who calls some of us to a Holy Anointing as your faithful servants in the administration of the sacraments, covenants, and the loving instruction of your Holy Word. Hear our prayers in every regard Father as we seek fervently to maintain our anointing through fear and trembling as we kneel before you. Hear our moans and groans as the Holy Spirit prays for us when we haven’t the words, but our hearts are overflowing with love and adoration for you. Help us to maintain the strength of your anointing for all eternity, especially as we join our Lord Jesus Christ before you at your table. In that moment let your grace blend with the Spirit and the oil to anoint us in a new and powerful way as we sing out Hallelujah to you forevermore.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!!
Rich Forbes