The Price of God's Miracle-Working Power  #2

This series is to instruct us in what it takes to have God’s miracle – working power operating in our lives in a way that we have not seen before. The world needs to see Christ’s disciples lay hands on people and see them instantly changed and healed i.e. blind eyes opening, tumors disappearing, the lame to walk, deaf ears opening, the dumb to speak, people instantly delivered, etc. With all the turmoil that Satan is causing, God wants to show forth His glory and power though His people like never before. The second requirement is entitled:

 “The Disciple must be like his Master”- Jesus truly was God and man. Jesus made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men… (Phil 2: 7, 8) The glory that He had with the Father was laid aside when He became flesh. He was born of a woman, circumcised like any other Jewish boy, and He increased in wisdom and stature during His childhood and growth (Luke 2:52). He experienced every weakness and limitation of human flesh. He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15). He was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He lived His life as an example that we should follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). Had He used power that was not available to us it would be impossible for us to follow His example. As a man He faced and conquered EVERY TEMPTATION known to humanity!

We should study His example carefully, considering the question, “What manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11).

Jesus was a man of power. He spoke as one having authority (Mark 1:22). Jesus cut across all the lines of religious tradition with His words of authority. Those who are like their Master speak with the same authority Christ received from the Father while He was on the earth. (John 5:26, 27). While Jesus was on the earth, He chose disciples giving them the same power of authority that He had. They marveled, “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy Name” (Luke 10:17). They were trained under His supervision so that they could continue “all that Jesus began to do and teach” (Acts 1:1). “In my Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents(by accident) and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover (Mark 16:17, 18). The five fold ministry as prophet, apostle, pastor, evangelist and teacher is really an extension of Jesus as He is the ultimate prophet, apostle, pastor, evangelist and teacher. The five fold ministry is for the perfecting of the saints, for the working of the ministry and the edifying of the body of Christ (Eph 4:12). Jesus said that all power is given unto Him but He also said that you can now go in this power and teach all nations…Jesus relied on the power of His Father to help people and we can too. God wants to use us in powerful ways. What the Father did through Jesus as a man He wants to do through us. In this respect He wants us to be like our Master.  

However, we need to develop the same relationship that He had with the Father. If we are to be like Him in power, we must also be like Him in holiness, consecration, meekness and compassion. We must be like Him in prayer and fellowship with the Father. We must be like Him in faith, fasting and self denial. The power that Jesus had is for all those that meet the condition-“every one that is perfect shall be like his Master” (Luke 6:40).

To have God’s miracle power operating more in your life we have to be like Jesus. We have to allow the Holy Spirit to mortify the deeds of the flesh (Rom. 8:14).  We also have to have as our number one prayer to conform to the image of Jesus (Rom. 8:29). Our biggest enemy is not the devil, but our flesh. One powerful way to put down the flesh is to study, meditate on and speak scriptures into our life from the epistles of Paul:

For example, in Romans Chapter 6, Paul gives some advice to bring more anointing out of our lives; in v. 11-13, he mentions that you have to consider yourself dead to sin, not to let it reign in your life and also that it is very important that you yield your body to God and not to sin. We need to make these quality decisions concerning sin and God will take care of the rest. Paul said in Chapter 7 v. 14-25 that he can’t do the things that he wants to do but the things that he doesn’t want to do. He knew that sin had a power over him and that only Jesus Christ could deliver him. This is the same man that was mentioned in the same sentence as Jesus (above). He was not over confident concerning his flesh. He knew that only Jesus could conquer the desires of the flesh. He said in Chapter 8 v. 13 that only through the Spirit could the deeds of the flesh be mortified. One thing that could separate us from God pouring more anointing out of our lives is giving in to fleshly desires and the resulting sin. But, we have an antidote; the blood of Jesus and the Power of His Spirit. Please take advantage of this Power and don’t try to kick that drug or alcohol problem by yourself. Medical help can only go so far. It takes the Spirit of God to break any yoke. Don’t let the flesh separate you from having more anointing come out of your life. It is so wonderful to have God use you in His gifts to set people free, to bring them into wholeness and to deliver a word of encouragement, straight from Him.

Paul mentions in Chapter 12 v. 1-3 that we need to present our bodies as living sacrifices to God, be not conformed to this world and not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought. This is also great advice as to how to have the anointing increase out of our lives.

Paul also said in v. 28, that God likes to raise up people who are "little" in their sight, as well as in others sight. He likes to raise up the "least likely." Keep yourself "little" in your own sight and this will help to insure that God continues to pour His anointing through you! Paul also said in Chapter 4 v. 4, that he knew nothing of himself. He was totally dependent on Jesus and was truly "little" in his own sight. So many ministers treat the people in their church as "their" sheep and try to keep them "corralled" by manipulation and control which is just another name for "witchcraft." If these ministers keep up this control, God will replace them with people of His own heart, to take care of "His" children. Paul confirmed this truth again when he said that he was with the people in fear and weakness and wanted God’s power to come out of his life, not "man’s" wisdom (v. 3 and 4). H e also confirmed this in chapter 3 v. 6-9, when he said that he and Apollos were nothing but God is the one that gives increase. See, Paul was "little" in his own sight and gave all glory to God!

Paul said in Chapter 5 v. 6 and 7, that a "little leaven" leaveneth the whole lump. Another way to have the anointing and be like our Master is to not allow sin to be present. This can only happen when one turns the flesh and it’s weaknesses over to the Holy Spirit (Romans. 8 v. 13). You can’t stay away from that sin without the power of God strengthening you! (Romans 8 v. 11) In I Cor. 9 v. 27 and 10 v. 13, Paul mentions that he keeps under his body and brings it under subjection to the Holy Spirit, less he be a castaway. You can’t be doing the same sin that you are preaching against! Paul also mentioned in chapter 10 v. 13 that when there is temptation present, take the way of escape! These are just some of the examples from the epistles of Paul that show how we can be like our Master and operate in the same power that He did, as a man.