Empowered for Change: Embracing the Latter Rain Movement

Devotional

Day 1: Perception Shapes Reception

Our perception of Jesus significantly influences what we receive from Him. When we see Jesus as our Healer, Deliverer, or Provider, we open ourselves to experiencing those aspects of His nature in our lives. This understanding calls us to deepen our relationship with Him and to seek a fuller revelation of His character. By aligning our perception with the truth of who Jesus is, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and guidance. [48:00]

Matthew 9:29-30 (ESV): "Then he touched their eyes, saying, 'According to your faith be it done to you.' And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, 'See that no one knows about it.'"

Reflection: How do you currently perceive Jesus in your life? What steps can you take today to deepen your understanding of His character and open yourself to His healing, deliverance, or provision?

Day 2: Empowered for Purpose

The Holy Spirit that empowered Jesus is available to us today, not just for personal edification but for fulfilling our divine assignments and advancing God's kingdom on earth. This empowerment calls us to live in the power of the Spirit, expecting supernatural outcomes. By embracing the Holy Spirit's role in our lives, we can walk confidently in our purpose and impact the world around us. [50:05]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit's empowerment? How can you actively seek His guidance and strength today to fulfill your divine purpose?

Day 3: Dominion and Influence

The latter rain movement emphasized taking dominion and influencing the world for Christ. This perspective challenges us to move beyond a mindset of escape and to engage actively in transforming our communities and spheres of influence. By understanding our authority in Christ, we can make a significant impact in the world, bringing about change and advancing God's kingdom. [54:36]

Genesis 1:28 (ESV): "And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"

Reflection: What specific area of your community or sphere of influence can you impact for Christ? What practical steps can you take today to begin making a difference?

Day 4: The Fivefold Ministry's Role

The restoration of the fivefold ministry gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—is crucial for equipping the church. These gifts are meant to prepare believers for works of service, enabling the body of Christ to grow and mature. By embracing and supporting these ministry roles, we contribute to the church's mission and help others discover their callings. [18:56]

Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Reflection: How can you support and encourage the fivefold ministry in your church? What role do you feel called to play in equipping others for service?

Day 5: Living in Holiness and Expecting Miracles

We are called to live holy lives, filled with the Holy Spirit, and to expect miracles, signs, and wonders as a natural part of our Christian experience. This expectation aligns us with the early church's experience and empowers us to carry revival wherever we go. By living in holiness and faith, we become vessels for God's miraculous work in the world. [27:07]

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: What areas of your life need to be aligned with God's call to holiness? How can you cultivate an expectation for miracles and be open to the Holy Spirit's work in your daily life?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound impact of the latter rain movement that began in 1948 in Canada, emphasizing the supernatural call of God on our lives. This movement was characterized by a renewed belief in the power of the Holy Spirit and the restoration of the fivefold ministry gifts. We delved into the book of Acts, where the early church experienced the Holy Spirit's power, and how this same power is available to us today. The latter rain movement taught that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to empower believers, and this empowerment is crucial for fulfilling our divine assignments.

We discussed the importance of seeing Jesus in the fullness of His roles—Healer, Deliverer, Provider—and how our perception of Him influences what we receive from Him. The movement in 1948 was a call to return to the supernatural power of the early church, to live in a state of holiness, and to actively engage in advancing the kingdom of God. This call is not just about personal revival but about carrying revival, being agents of change in our communities and beyond.

We also touched on the significance of the Holy Spirit in guiding us into all truth and revealing our authority and calling. The latter rain movement was not about escaping the world but about taking dominion, influencing, and occupying until Jesus returns. This perspective challenges us to see ourselves as empowered by God to make a difference in the world.

The sermon concluded with a powerful call to action, encouraging us to believe in the supernatural, to use the authority given to us in Jesus' name, and to expect miracles, signs, and wonders as a natural part of our Christian walk. We were reminded that God has given us everything we need to live victoriously and to fulfill our purpose.

Key Takeaways

1. Perception of Jesus: How we perceive Jesus directly impacts what we receive from Him. If we see Him as a Healer, Deliverer, or Provider, we open ourselves to experiencing those aspects of His nature in our lives. This understanding calls us to deepen our relationship with Him and to seek a fuller revelation of His character. [48:00]
2. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The same Holy Spirit that empowered Jesus is available to us today. This empowerment is not just for personal edification but for fulfilling our divine assignments and advancing God's kingdom on earth. We are called to live in the power of the Spirit, expecting supernatural outcomes. [50:05]
3. Dominion and Influence: The latter rain movement emphasized taking dominion and influencing the world for Christ. This perspective challenges us to move beyond a mindset of escape and to engage actively in transforming our communities and spheres of influence. [54:36]
4. The Role of the Fivefold Ministry: The restoration of the fivefold ministry gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—is crucial for equipping the church. These gifts are meant to prepare believers for works of service, enabling the body of Christ to grow and mature. [18:56]
5. Living in Holiness and Expecting Miracles: We are called to live holy lives, filled with the Holy Spirit, and to expect miracles, signs, and wonders as a natural part of our Christian experience. This expectation aligns us with the early church's experience and empowers us to carry revival wherever we go. [27:07]
** [27:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[45:31] - Opening Prayer
[46:54] - Introduction to the Latter Rain Movement
[47:09] - The Supernatural Call of God
[48:00] - Perception of Jesus
[49:02] - Peter's Revelation
[50:05] - Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
[52:21] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[54:36] - Dominion and Influence
[57:50] - Preaching Dominion
[59:01] - Carrying Revival
[62:10] - The Promise of Prosperity
[66:28] - The Power of a Little Rain
[70:20] - Testimony of God's Provision
[73:41] - Avoiding Distractions
[82:56] - The Fivefold Ministry's Purpose
[94:55] - God's Design for Dominion
[101:22] - Prayer for Debt Cancellation

Sermon Clips

So how you see Jesus is going to determine what Jesus is going to be able to do in your life if you see him as a Healer you're getting healed if you see him as a deliverer you're getting delivered if you see him as your Prosperity you're getting Prosperity if you see him as a Revelator you're getting Revelation you understand that. [00:48:02]

The anointing that was on Jesus is the same anointing that we have today it's not a different anointing the same Holy Ghost That Came Upon Jesus is the same holy ghost that comes upon us do you believe that now this wasn't preached after a long time for a long time people weren't expecting the move of God they weren't expecting the power of God. [00:49:57]

We have the power of the word of God we have the power of the Holy Ghost and we have the authorization to use the name of Jesus, somebody say that's a powerful you know the name of Jesus is the master key that unlocks the kingdom of God so the question would be today do you still have your keys you still got them amen. [00:53:09]

The people the leadership of this movement in 1948 they saw the move of God as a move of Dominion not not of of Escape but an empowerment to invade to occupy the influence and to take over that's a different way of seeing yourself because the other way would be to see uh how bad things are. [00:54:39]

We are not living in the Dark Ages we are living in the New Testament Church of Acts amen where we have demonstration of the power of God Almighty in our life this is what we believe was what makes us different this is what gets God's attention your difference gets God's attention. [00:59:17]

The word possess the word possessed as a militant term it's got It's got Warrior written all over it amen it's got It's got invade occupy influence take over it's got a militant type of fervor to it it's a military it's almost like it's a military term so so it's not something you're just going to sit around and wait for you're going to go after it. [01:01:26]

The land where you go to fight for it is a land of Hills and Valleys and it drinks water of the reign of Heaven a land which in other words this responds to the anointing it's a land that responds to the anointing it's a land which the Lord thy God cares for the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it. [01:04:08]

The belief that the church should be a prophetic Supernatural and end time movement some may say it's all right when God uses prophetic words to bring us Revelation and insight of our assignment number six the belief that the church should be actively engaged in advancing the culture of the kingdom of God. [01:26:17]

The teachings of the latter rain movement are still widespread today especially within the charismatic renewal what is he saying here what he's saying is that if you don't understand how God designed you to take Dominion then you have missed the mark that's what he's saying that sounds important the whole movement was about that. [01:34:55]

God has given us the word and he's given us the spirit he's given us his name he said you can use my name at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow every tongue confess Jesus crosses Lord he's given us the blood what does the blood do speaks Redemption for us and judgment for the enemy. [01:41:22]

The state says you're bound forever you know student loans was supposed to be a blessing and now it's end up being a curse enslaving people anybody else got a student loan you'd like to get rid of now just like I said probably not I'm not telling you to not pay your bills now what we're going to do is believe God to break this amen. [01:41:22]

Lord in the name of Jesus we thank you for the for the word of the Lord that's coming to us today Lord in Jesus name these debts have become slavery they have become bondage what was sent out to be good is to be turned around and become a curse God and in the name of Jesus you have called us to be free into the sons that's free is free indeed. [01:41:22]

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