Sunday 16th August 2015 - The Yoke and the Anointing Oil - Brian Nish

THE YOKE and the ANOINTING OIL INTRODUCTION Mark 6v13 – And the disciples cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them James 5v14 – Is anyone among you sick? Let the call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over them, anointing them with oil, in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up. And if they have committed any sins they will be forgiven We have known that the anointing oil represents the Holy Spirit, and have practised these verses for a number of years…nothing new here?? Or is there?? In times of revival God often gives ‘new and fresh revelation to old and foundational truths’ – the truths that really matter – salvation, the cross, healing, holiness, anointing with oil etc About two months ago, the Lord started to speak to me afresh about using the anointing oil when I pray with people. As I have done this I have seen some amazing things happen! This made me curious – so I asked the Lord what was happening?? I believe the Lord then said that “The anointing oil is destroying the yoke!” Isaiah 10v27 (NKJV) – And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil (fatness/prosperity) WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Commentators differ on the meaning of this verse. There are four main lines of thought: 1) To enjoy prosperity/fatness. For the oxen to get so fat that the yoke breaks off their necks 2) When the Prophet/Priest/King were anointed with oil, and functioning properly, then Israel would enjoy prosperity/fatness 3) The Holy Spirit’s grace/power/gifts (x Ref Zechariah 4v6 – “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts) 4) Pointed ahead to Jesus, the Messiah, the Anointed One – who would ‘destroy’ the work of sin and the enemy in our lives (Isa 61v1-3; Luke 4v18; Heb 1v8-9) MY UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION ‘The Yoke’ – can be troubles, burdens, bondages, sickness, oppression, or any other negative thing that works against us 1) Destroy The Yoke Of The Enemy We ‘destroy the yoke of the enemy’ by praying for people using the ‘anointing oil’ – believing that the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and of Jesus the Anointed One, will come upon them when we anoint them with oil – in the name of Jesus! 2) Take On The Yoke Of Jesus We then need to encourage people to ‘take on the yoke of Jesus’ (Math 11v29-30 (AMP) – Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest, relief, ease, refreshment, recreation, and blessed quiet for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome, useful, and good – it is not hard, sharp, or pressing – but is comfortable, gracious, and pleasant – and My burden is light and easy to carry) In the Bible the oxen often worked in pairs – alongside one another. When we take on the ‘yoke of Jesus’ that’s how we should walk with Him – alongside Him 3) Become Spiritually Fat And Prosperous Our next step is to become so ‘spiritually fat and prosperous’ that the ‘yoke of the enemy’ can never again fit around our necks!!! How can we do this? 3 John 1v2 (NKJV) – Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things, and be in health, just as your soul prospers Keep our relationship with God in His word living and active Recognise new seasons in God and enter in - by faith Obey the leadings and promptings of the Holy Spirit Respond in obedience when God gives us new revelation Keep stoking our fire – by what we read and watch, the company we keep, being continually filled with the Holy Spirit etc FINALLY I am emphasizing a particular truth today - that God has revealed to me - about the anointing oil. Therefore, I can obey and practice this revelation – reverently - and with faith! If God gives you revelation about the anointing oil, you can’t just go down to Tescos, buy a bottle of oil and start anointing people??? I believe the oil needs to be prayed over and consecrated by myself, or one of the church elders – and then it needs to be used reverently - and with faith - as the Lord directs you!!! We can ALL still lay hands upon people and pray for them - without the anointing oil - and expect God to bless them in whatever way is necessary