Topic: Humility Pays — Saturday November 18, 2017.

Text: Matthew 18:1-14

Key Verse: “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4).

The world would have been a better place today had people imbibed the attribute of being humble. What we see in society is a demand for humility by people who lack the virtue in their lives and day-to-day dealings with other people.

The disciples of Jesus were themselves confused on this subject matter even though they had been with Christ for quite some time. They wanted to be sure where they belonged in the matter of the Kingdom. But Jesus did not say, “you my followers”, but He said “whosoever…” Thus, He disabused their minds that heaven was just for a few of them that were following Him as His disciples. He went a step further “whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (verse 4). Humility therefore, is a serious requirement in our walk with God and man. Jesus also used the occasion to advise them to be vigilant and guard jealously their spiritual life, urging them to do away with whatever might cause them to “offend.” As believers, we must learn from Jesus’ teachings to His disciples in the passage under consideration.

Although they were already in the kingdom, at least their names had been written in the book of life, they needed to secure that ticket, by humbling themselves; ensuring that they were not dragged into sin by any of their body members and to always seek the lost sheep of God. If the disciples who were with Jesus needed tutoring, how much more we who did not see Christ bodily but believed? It is that quality of humility that can carry us through till the end.

Thought for the day: Pride disqualifies!

Bible Reading in one Year: Ezekiel 6-8

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

TOPIC: The Anointing Of The Holy Spirit [Sunday, 19th November 2017]

MEMORY VERSE: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” – Acts 10:38

BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 4:5-20

INTRODUCTION:

We have studied how to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the actual baptism. We also gave considerations to the Baptiser and the evidence of baptism. Today, by the special grace of God, we shall be looking at the Anointing – what it is exactly and the conditions for maintaining the flow.

LESSON OUTLINES:

1. What exactly is anointing?

2. Conditions for maintaining the flow

WHAT EXACTLY IS ANOINTING:

Anointing is the outflow of the Holy Spirit through a sanctified vessel. It is a divine enabling grace (Acts 4:5-20). It is likened unto Rain (Zechariah 10:1; Joel 2:23), but it is neither the “WELL” of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14), nor the flowing “RIVERS” of living water (John 7:38) for these are referring to the operations of the Holy Ghost at the new birth and at baptism of believers (not of water) respectively. This is the Rain of the POWER of God from above to increase the water levels of both the “WELL” and the “RIVER” to bring about the overflow (Luke 4:18-19). The anointing determines the volume of water in the rivers, which in turn determines the functions to which they can be put. Similarly, for example, the level of anointing in a man determines the number of people he can carry along or his productivity as a man of God e.g. compare (Acts 2:41) with (Acts 4:8-32) when 3,000 (three thousand) and multitudes of people received Christ respectively after baptism in the Holy Ghost. The Lord Jesus, as a perfect example, came under a strong anointing and His fame went abroad (Acts 10:38). It makes the Christian life active and full of results. As it were, it enthrones the believer (John 14:12, 1Peter 2:9, Revelations 1:6). The anointing breaks every yoke of the devil and demolishes any spiritual mountain (Isaiah 10:27).

CONDITIONS FOR MAINTAINING THE FLOW

1. Love for righteousness, hatred for iniquity. The Lord Jesus never ran out of anointing because He loved righteousness and hated iniquity (Hebrew 1:9, John 14:30). Sin places a limit on anointing. Paul, a successful Apostle, was no exception (1Thessalonians 2:10). God enjoins us to “DO” righteousness also (1John 3:7).

2. Walking in love: If a believer is to constantly flow in anointing, love for God, himself, the ministry, the church and people in general must be paramount. A release of fresh anointing always follows the compassionate feelings of the Lord Jesus (John 11:35, 43-44, Mark 6:34-41).

3. Living a life of praise: A life of praise increases the flow of anointing (Exodus 15:11). Murmuring and complaints keep anointing far away, so do not engage in either.

CONCLUSION:

All true believers that want to succeed in the pilgrims’ way must equally desire ever flowing anointing. The kingdom of God is not in words but in the demonstration of the spirit and power of God.

QUESTIONS:

1. Define anointing

2. What are the conditions for maintaining the flow of anointing?