Empowered to Influence: The Anointing of Believers

In today's message, we explored the profound metaphor of being the "salt of the earth" as described by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. This metaphor is not just a call to influence but a call to engage actively with the world around us. Salt, in its essence, is a preserver, a purifier, and an enhancer of flavor. Similarly, as followers of Christ, we are called to preserve the truth, purify our surroundings with love and grace, and enhance the lives of those around us with the joy and peace that comes from knowing Jesus.

We delved into the concept of anointing, which is God's divine empowerment through the Holy Spirit. This anointing is not limited to pastors or church leaders but is available to all believers. It is through this anointing that we can fulfill our God-given purpose and influence the world positively. The anointing breaks every yoke and burden, allowing us to walk in freedom and purpose.

We also discussed the importance of staying "salty"—remaining effective and influential in our Christian walk. This requires us to stay connected to the source of our anointing, Jesus Christ, and to engage with the world rather than retreating into isolation. The anointing empowers us to do the work of the Kingdom, which is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, we examined the biblical examples of Elijah and Elisha, highlighting the different levels of anointing and the importance of asking God for a double portion of His Spirit. Just as Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, we too can ask for more of God's anointing in our lives to accomplish His will.

Finally, we affirmed that as believers, we are anointed with the same Holy Spirit that empowered Jesus. This anointing is not just for personal edification but for engaging in Kingdom work, spreading the gospel, and bringing healing and deliverance to those around us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Role of Salt: As the salt of the earth, we are called to be influencers who engage with the world, preserving truth, purifying with love, and enhancing lives with the joy of Christ. Our influence is only effective when we actively engage with those around us. [50:21]
• 2. Understanding Anointing: The anointing is God's divine empowerment through the Holy Spirit, enabling us to fulfill His will on earth. It breaks every yoke and burden, allowing us to walk in freedom and purpose. [52:07]
• 3. Staying Salty: To remain effective, we must stay connected to Jesus, the source of our anointing. This involves engaging with the world and not retreating into isolation, ensuring our influence remains impactful. [51:13]
• 4. Levels of Anointing: Just as Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, we can seek greater levels of anointing to accomplish God's will. This requires a willingness to surrender all to God and rely on His strength. [57:45]
• 5. Anointing for All Believers: Every believer is anointed with the Holy Spirit, empowering us to engage in Kingdom work. This anointing is not limited to church leaders but is available to all who seek to fulfill God's purpose. [01:02:57]
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [42:06] - Salt of the Earth
• [42:50] - Purpose and Anointing
• [43:42] - Influence and Engagement
• [44:12] - Walking in Blessings
• [46:24] - Vision and Provision
• [48:25] - Joy in the Journey
• [49:50] - Symbolism of Salt
• [51:13] - Warning Against Losing Flavor
• [52:07] - Understanding Anointing
• [54:51] - Levels of Anointing
• [57:45] - Double Portion of Anointing
• [60:24] - Jesus' Anointing
• [62:57] - Anointing for All Believers
• [65:02] - Writing Your Story with God

1. Matthew 5:13 - "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
2. Isaiah 10:27 - "In that day their burden will be lifted from your shoulders, their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat."
3. 2 Kings 2:9 - "When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, 'Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?' 'Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,' Elisha replied."

1. What are the different roles of salt as described in the sermon, and how do they relate to our Christian walk? [50:21]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of anointing, and what is its significance for believers? [52:07]
3. What examples from the Bible were used to illustrate different levels of anointing, and what was the significance of Elisha's request for a double portion? [57:45]
4. According to the sermon, what are the consequences of losing one's "saltiness" as a believer? [51:13]

1. How does the metaphor of being the "salt of the earth" challenge believers to engage with the world around them? What might this look like in practical terms? [50:21]
2. In what ways does the anointing empower believers to fulfill God's will, and how does this differ from relying on human strength? [52:07]
3. What does Elisha's request for a double portion of Elijah's spirit teach us about seeking greater levels of anointing in our own lives? [57:45]
4. How does the sermon suggest believers can remain "salty" and avoid losing their influence in the world? [51:13]

1. Reflect on your current level of engagement with the world. Are there areas where you feel you could be more "salty" and influential? What steps can you take to increase your impact? [50:21]
2. Consider the concept of anointing in your life. How can you actively seek and rely on God's anointing to fulfill your purpose? [52:07]
3. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. Is there an area in your life where you feel called to ask God for more of His anointing? How will you pursue this? [57:45]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of staying connected to Jesus to remain effective. What practices can you implement to strengthen your connection to Him? [51:13]
5. Think about a situation where you might have lost your "saltiness" or influence. How can you regain it and ensure you remain effective in your Christian walk? [51:13]
6. How can you use your anointing to engage in Kingdom work, such as spreading the gospel or bringing healing to those around you? [01:02:57]
7. Identify one specific way you can preserve truth, purify your surroundings, or enhance the lives of those around you this week. What action will you take to make this happen? [50:21]