Pouring Out: The Power of Active Faith

 

Summary

In the heart of our spiritual journey, we find ourselves at a crossroads of faith and action. The story of the widow and Elisha in 2 Kings 4 serves as a powerful illustration of this intersection. The widow, facing insurmountable debt and the loss of her sons to slavery, is instructed by the prophet Elisha to gather empty vessels and pour her small amount of oil into them. Miraculously, the oil multiplies, filling every vessel, providing the means to pay her debts and secure her family's future. This narrative is not merely a tale of divine provision but a call to active faith.

The oil represents the anointing, the Holy Spirit's empowerment in our lives. We are reminded that the anointing is not meant to be hoarded but shared. When we pour out what we have received into the lives of others, we position ourselves for a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit. Stagnation in our spiritual walk occurs when we cease to give, when we stop allowing the anointing to flow through us to others. The enemy, likened to the Lord of the Flies, seeks to spoil this anointing, but we are called to be vigilant, to keep pouring out, and to trust in God's abundant supply.

Our faith is not to be predicated on the fulfillment of prophecies or the validation of others. Instead, we are to live each day as if it were our last, committed to doing God's will. The fulfillment of God's promises in our lives is contingent upon our willingness to receive and act upon His word. We must not allow hope deferred to make our hearts sick but rather trust that if a word is from God, it will come to pass in His timing.

We are also cautioned against spiritual miscarriage, where unfulfilled expectations can wound our spirits. The health of our spiritual 'pregnancy' is determined by what we consume and the environment we cultivate. We must feed on the Word of God and ensure that our spiritual atmosphere is conducive to carrying God's promises to term.

Finally, we are encouraged to inquire of the Lord, to seek His direction in every aspect of our lives. When we ask God for guidance, He responds. Our relationship with God is not transactional but transformational. It is not about what God can do for us but what we can do for Him. As we serve Him faithfully, He meets our needs and fulfills His promises.

Key Takeaways:

- The act of pouring out what we have received is essential for receiving a fresh anointing. When we invest our lives into others, we open ourselves up to God's miraculous provision and avoid spiritual stagnation. The enemy seeks to disrupt this flow, but our vigilance and faith in God's abundance will prevail. [30:39]

- Living by faith means not being swayed by unfulfilled prophecies or the need for external validation. Our focus should be on fulfilling God's will daily, trusting that His promises will manifest if they align with His word. This approach to life brings victory and purpose, regardless of circumstances. [34:07]

- The health of our spiritual life is directly linked to what we consume and the environment we create. To carry God's promises to fruition, we must nourish ourselves with His Word and maintain a spirit-filled atmosphere, free from the toxins of worldly consumption and negative influences. [36:03]

- Inquiring of the Lord is a practice that brings clarity and direction. When we seek God's will and ask specific questions, He provides specific answers. This dialogue with God is a crucial aspect of our relationship with Him and leads to the fulfillment of His plans for our lives. [09:48]

- Our actions towards others have a direct impact on what we receive in our own lives. Generosity, kindness, and service open the door to God's blessings. As we give to others, we align ourselves with God's principles of sowing and reaping, setting the stage for His promises to unfold in our lives. [47:29]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Kings 4:1-7 - The story of the widow and Elisha.
2. James 4:2 - "You do not have because you do not ask God."
3. Proverbs 13:12 - "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

#### Observation Questions
1. What did Elisha instruct the widow to do with her small amount of oil, and what was the outcome? (2 Kings 4:1-7)
2. According to the sermon, what does the oil represent in our spiritual lives? [30:39]
3. How does the sermon describe the enemy's attempt to spoil the anointing in our lives? [30:39]
4. What does the pastor say about the importance of inquiring of the Lord in our decisions? [09:48]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of pouring out what we have received relate to receiving a fresh anointing, according to the sermon? [30:39]
2. What does it mean to live by faith without being swayed by unfulfilled prophecies or the need for external validation? [34:07]
3. How can the environment we cultivate and what we consume impact the fulfillment of God's promises in our lives? [36:03]
4. Why is it important to inquire of the Lord, and how does this practice affect our relationship with Him? [09:48]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually stagnant. How might pouring into others have changed that situation? [30:39]
2. Have you ever experienced hope deferred? How did it affect your faith, and what steps can you take to trust in God's timing? [34:07]
3. What are some practical ways you can ensure that your spiritual environment is conducive to carrying God's promises to term? [36:03]
4. Think of a recent decision you made without inquiring of the Lord. How might seeking God's guidance have changed the outcome? [09:48]
5. Identify one person in your life who could benefit from your spiritual "oil." How can you pour into their life this week? [30:39]
6. How can you shift your mindset from a poverty mentality to an abundance mindset in your daily life? [27:26]
7. What specific steps can you take to cultivate a spirit-filled atmosphere in your home, free from negative influences? [36:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Flow of Anointing
The act of pouring out what we have received is not just a spiritual exercise but a vital practice for sustaining the flow of God's anointing in our lives. When we share our blessings, talents, and the Holy Spirit's empowerment with others, we become conduits of God's grace. This outpouring is not a depletion of our resources but a trigger for divine multiplication, much like the widow's oil in 2 Kings 4. As we give, we must remain vigilant against the enemy's attempts to disrupt this flow. Our faithfulness in pouring out ensures that we will not experience spiritual stagnation but will instead witness the miraculous provision of God, who replenishes our supply far beyond our initial capacity.

"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." - Proverbs 11:25 ESV

Reflection: In what ways can you pour into someone's life today, and how can you remain open to receiving God's anointing as you do so? [30:39]

Day 2: Living by Faith, Not by Sight
Our journey of faith is not contingent upon the fulfillment of prophecies or the need for external validation but is rooted in a daily commitment to God's will. It is easy to become disheartened when prophecies do not come to pass as quickly as we hope or when we seek approval from others. However, we are called to trust in God's timing and His word. By living each day as if it were our last, with a focus on doing God's will, we align ourselves with His purposes. This alignment brings victory and purpose, allowing us to experience the manifestation of God's promises in our lives.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

Reflection: How can you demonstrate your trust in God's timing today, even if you are waiting for a promise to be fulfilled? [34:07]

Day 3: Nourishing Spiritual Health
The health of our spiritual life is intricately connected to what we consume and the environment we foster. Just as a child in the womb is affected by the health and surroundings of the mother, so our spiritual 'pregnancy'—the nurturing of God's promises within us—is influenced by our spiritual diet and atmosphere. We must be intentional about feeding on the Word of God and creating an environment that is conducive to spiritual growth. By doing so, we protect ourselves from the toxins of worldly consumption and negative influences, ensuring that we can carry God's promises to term.

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it." - 2 Timothy 3:14 ESV

Reflection: What spiritual nourishment do you need to incorporate into your daily routine to maintain a healthy environment for God's promises to grow? [36:03]

Day 4: Seeking God's Direction
Inquiring of the Lord is not a mere formality but a transformative aspect of our relationship with Him. When we seek God's guidance, He responds with clarity and direction. This dialogue with God is essential for understanding His will and making decisions that align with His plans for our lives. As we ask specific questions, we can expect specific answers, which lead to the fulfillment of His promises and the unfolding of His divine purposes.

"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." - Jeremiah 33:3 ESV

Reflection: What specific question do you need to bring before God today, and how can you make space to listen for His response? [09:48]

Day 5: Generosity Opens Doors to Blessing
Our actions towards others, especially acts of generosity, kindness, and service, have a profound impact on what we receive in our own lives. By giving to others, we align ourselves with God's principles of sowing and reaping. This alignment not only blesses those we serve but also sets the stage for God's promises to unfold in our lives. As we practice generosity, we open the door to God's blessings and experience the joy of participating in His work.

"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." - Luke 6:38 ESV

Reflection: Who can you extend generosity to today, and how can this act of giving reflect your trust in God's principles of sowing and reaping? [47:29]

Quotes

1) "When we ask questions of God, he said I will speak to you. Amen. God is a God that answers our inquiries." [09:48](Download | Download)

2) "The key to getting new oil is to pour out the oil you've got. Oil is a type of anointing. If you're not pouring your life into somebody else, you're not getting a fresh oil." [30:39](Download | Download)

3) "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick. Hope deferred, oh I hope it happens and it doesn't happen... you need to quit worrying about that prophecy." [34:07](Download | Download)

4) "Your consumption will determine whether the word comes to fulfillment or not. What are you eating today? What are you consuming?" [37:48](Download | Download)

5) "What we do for others determines what we receive for ourselves. How we treat others determines what we're going to receive for ourselves." [47:29](Download | Download)

6) "God wants you to take it to him today and say God speak to me and don't create this expectation that when that happens you'll be okay." [54:15](Download | Download)

7) "God gave Rebecca Esau and Jacob... but God said the Elder is going to serve the younger. God's ways are so different." [55:50](Download | Download)

8) "I Surrender that expectation and God I want to walk in your perfect will and your perfect plan for my life today." [57:31](Download | Download)

9) "If you feel like God hasn't done what he was supposed to do, forgive God. Don't hold a grudge against him, don't think that God has done wrong." [59:03](Download | Download)

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Transcript
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