Becoming Vessels for God's Anointing and Power
Summary
In the sermon, I was reminded of the importance of being a vessel for God's miracles and power. The speaker used the story of the widow and the oil from 2 Kings 4:1-7 to illustrate this point. The widow, in her desperation, was told by the prophet Elisha to gather as many vessels as she could. The oil she had, which represents the Holy Spirit and God's anointing, was not the problem. The issue was whether there were enough vessels to contain the oil. This story was used to emphasize that God is not lacking in resources, power, or miracles. The challenge is finding vessels, or people, that He can trust to pour His oil into.
The speaker further emphasized that God is looking for people who are clean and empty, ready to be filled with His power and miracles. The speaker warned against the dangers of relying on additions or distractions in our lives, instead of focusing on the oil, or God's power. The speaker also highlighted the importance of our homes being places of prayer, worship, respect, honor, unity, and love. The speaker encouraged us to be vessels ready to be filled with God's power, to be open to being poured into, and to be hungry for more of God.
Key Takeaways:
- God is not lacking in resources, power, or miracles. The challenge is finding vessels, or people, that He can trust to pour His oil into ([04:04]).
- Our homes should be places of prayer, worship, respect, honor, unity, and love ([04:48]).
- God is looking for people who are clean and empty, ready to be filled with His power and miracles ([06:15]).
- We should be open to being poured into and be hungry for more of God ([06:59]).
- We should be ready to be filled with God's power, to be open to being poured into, and to be hungry for more of God ([07:45]).
Study Guide
Main Points from the Sermon:
1. The story of the widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7 illustrates the importance of being a vessel for God's anointing. The widow's jar of oil, representing the Holy Spirit, was not the problem; the issue was the lack of vessels to pour the oil into. This signifies that God's power and anointing are not lacking; what God needs are vessels to pour His anointing into. [49:33]
2. The oil, representing God's anointing, is not the problem. The problem is the lack of vessels to pour the oil into. God is looking for vessels He can trust to pour His anointing into. The amount of vessel that you offer God is the amount that His oil will fill. [04:48]
3. God is looking for vessels to pour Himself into. The church should be full of people wanting more of God, more of His Spirit. Revival happens when people separate themselves from earthly ideas and prepare themselves to be filled with God's Spirit. [14:10]
4. God is looking for people who are hungry for Him, who are desperate for His touch and His presence. These people need to be vessels, ready to be filled with God's Spirit. [15:41]
5. God is looking for people who are clean and empty, ready to be filled with His Spirit. He wants to use, promote, and bless you, but you have to empty yourself so He can pour more into you. [18:34]
Bible Chapters for the Group to Read:
1. 2 Kings 4:1-7
2. Ephesians 6:10-18
Discussion Guide:
Observation Questions:
1. What does the widow's jar of oil represent in the story from 2 Kings 4:1-7?
2. What does it mean to be a vessel for God's anointing?
3. How does the story illustrate the concept of being filled with God's Spirit?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of the widow relate to our lives as Christians today?
2. What does it mean to be "clean and empty" for God to pour His Spirit into us?
3. How does the concept of being a vessel relate to the idea of revival in the church?
Application Questions:
1. How can we prepare ourselves to be vessels for God's anointing?
2. What are some practical ways we can empty ourselves to be filled with God's Spirit?
3. How can we cultivate a hunger for God and His presence in our daily lives?
Devotional
Day 1: Be the Vessel
God is looking for clean, empty vessels to pour His miracles into. We must be willing to empty ourselves of our own desires and ambitions, making room for God's will in our lives. This requires a willingness to surrender completely to God, trusting in His plan for us. [16:29]
2 Timothy 2:21 - "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work."
Reflection: Reflect on areas of your life where you are holding back from God. What is preventing you from fully surrendering to Him?
Day 2: The Oil is Not the Problem
God has an abundance of blessings, miracles, and power to pour into us. The issue is not a lack of resources on God's part, but our willingness to be vessels for His work. We must be open and ready to receive what God has for us. [04:04]
Psalm 23:5 - "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."
Reflection: How can you better prepare yourself to receive God's blessings and miracles?
Day 3: Seek More of God
We should be constantly seeking more of God's presence in our lives. This requires a hunger and thirst for God that surpasses our desire for worldly things. We must be willing to put God first in all things. [12:04]
Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper hunger and thirst for God in your daily life?
Day 4: The Power of Prayer and Worship
Our homes should be places of prayer and worship, where we honor and respect God. This creates an environment where God's miracles can manifest. We must be intentional about creating a space for God in our homes and in our lives. [04:48]
Joshua 24:15 - "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Reflection: How can you make your home a place of prayer and worship?
Day 5: The Importance of Order
God works in order and when everything is in place, miracles happen. We must strive to keep our lives in order, aligning our thoughts, actions, and desires with God's will. This prepares us to receive the miracles God has in store for us. [14:51]
1 Corinthians 14:40 - "But all things should be done decently and in order."
Reflection: What steps can you take to bring more order into your life, making room for God's miracles?
Quotes
1. "Shake off last year, shake off last season. When coming to the church, shake it all off. Let's get filled up so we can go into our community and spread the love of God." - 09:40
2. "The oil is not the problem. God has not run out of resources, power, or miracles. The issue is, can God find a vessel? If you give God a vessel, he will give you the oil." - 06:15
3. "God wants a vessel to put his miracles in. He wants to use you, but you got to be empty. He wants to promote you, but you got to be empty. He wants to bless you, but you have to empty yourself so he can pour more into you." - 18:34
4. "We're entering into a season here at revive that we want more of God's Spirit, more of God's love, his presence. The oil wasn't the problem, provision wasn't the problem, you just needed some vessels." - 12:48
5. "Revival doesn't just happen. It happens because people separate themselves from earthly ideas and thoughts. They prepare themselves, they empty out, and God pours back in. Revival happens when everything is in order." - 14:51
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