Smeared With the Presence of God
Text: Matthew 28:18-20
Introduction: I want us to focus in on that phrase: "I am with you always" for a time today. The promise of God to all who follow after Him is "His presence." More than anything else in this world, we need God’s presence surrounding us and with God’s presence comes God’s power. Even more than for ourselves, this world which we are in needs us walking in God’s presence. What I’m talking about today is the "anointing." We talk about the anointing alot; yet, most Christians really don’t have a clue what the anointing is. Anointing basically means "smeared;" hence, the title "Smeared With the Presence of God." To be smeared or anointed by God means to be covered with His power-filled presence.
Long before Jesus walked upon this earth, men of God sought after this same presence. God’s presence was manifested to the world as the children of Israel moved through the desert. As long as God’s presence was with them, their needs were met; their enemies were routed; they were taken care of. Moses learned early on that he had to have God’s presence with Him in order to fulfill the mission God put before Him. At the burning bush, Moses understood his own inability thus God revealed to him His ability through His presence.
As Joshua took over at the death of Moses, he was frightened. But God assured him - I am with you. Time and again, God’s promise of His presence and power was renewed unto Joshua.
David understood his need for God’s presence in his everyday life. It was really much more than a simple need, David longed for it. Time and again in the Psalms we read of David crying out for more of God’s presence - it was an intense longing.
Church, we owe it to the world to be smeared with God’s presence. This lost, dying world needs the anointing of God in our lives in order to make real the mighty presence of God for their ultimate deliverance. The anointing equips us to bring the world into an encounter with God. When we are smeared with the presence of God, it rubs off on all we come into contact with - and it’s that anointing that breaks the yokes of darkness.
As we begin trying to better understand the anointing, it is important that we actually witness:
1. The Anointing’s Action
- Luke 8:43-48 - A woman suffering from bleeding for 12 years, who had spent all she had on doctors yet could not be healed by any, approached from behind and touched the tassel of His robe. Instantly her bleeding stopped. Who touched Me? Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, Master, the crowds are hemming You in and pressing against You. Somebody did touch Me, said Jesus. I know that power has gone out from Me. When the woman saw that she was discovered, she came trembling and fell down before Him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched Him and how she was instantly cured. Daughter, He said to her, your faith has made you well. Go in peace."
A. Jesus was moving through a crowd of people.
1. This one particular woman with a great need reaches out and touches Him and He responds with "Who touched me?"
2. Many people were touching Him at the moment but this one particular woman stirred up something within Him.
3. The power of the Holy Spirit within Him moved from Him into that woman and He knew it.
4. That power flowed in and met that woman’s need immediately.
5. The faith and the desperate need of that woman placed an immediate demand upon the anointing resident within Jesus.
B. This woman received her healing because the anointing breaks the yoke.
1. Isaiah prophesied of this power of the anointing to break yokes.
2. Isaiah 10:27 records: "On that day his burden will fall from your shoulders, and his yoke from your neck. The yoke will be broken because of his fatness."
Application: This same power is available to us today. We, too, can walk in this same Spirit and witness people encountering God in that same personal way as we pass by. Above all else, people should be encountering God in their lives because of your life.
As we begin to get a clearer understanding of the anointing, it becomes imperative that we begin to understand:
2. The Anointing’s Availability
- Jn 14:12 - "The one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."
A. The power displayed in and through Jesus Christ is readily available to you and I.
B. There are stipulations laid out in this passage for this power.
1. Belief in Him - that word "believe" implies much more than a simple "yeah, I believe in Jesus Christ" - it implies a commitment to Him.
2. Asking in His name - implies asking according to His will.
3. Glorifying the Father - not for our glory but His alone
4. Obeying His commandments.
Application: The anointing has been granted to all of us for the purpose of glorifying God. It is not to be feared rather it should be sought after as we work to further God’s Kingdom. It is a necessity in this day in which we live to operate in God’s power and strength.
Finally, we come to the place where we can begin to understand:
3. The Anointing’s Accomplishments
- Mt 10:7-8 - "As you go, announce this: The kingdom of heaven has come near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, drive out demons. You have received free of charge; give free of charge."
A. We begin by understanding we are all commanded to go and to announce in one way or another.
B. As we are going, the anointing, the covering, the smearing of the presence of God going before us empowers us to do as He did:
1. Heal the sick.
2. Raise the dead.
3. Cleanse those with skin disease.
4. Drive out demons.
C. These belong to us as His ambassadors and as His children.
Application: Verse 8 ends with Jesus’ words: "you have received free of charge; give free of charge" - "freely ye have received, freely give." This particular phrase is extremely important. In the church world, we often use this phrase concerning the giving away of our possessions and excesses. Though that is all good, that had nothing to do with what Jesus was discussing at the time. The context of this passage points directly at the anointing on our lives and the use of this anointing to bless others. In fact, I see this addition as a command to us to be doing freely just what Jesus has spoken of previously.
Conclusion: As we go forth in the anointing, we are giving away the presence of God on a daily basis - imparting His power to those that need Him most - this lost, dying world. This is what Jesus is saying in verse 13 here in Matthew 10 - "if the household is worthy (if the household accepts that anointing), let your peace be on it." What it all comes down to here is peace with God. Jesus told the woman who touched His garment to "Go in peace!" The entire message of Scripture is peace with God. Your job, my job here on this earth as long as He leaves us here is to bring others into a position of peace with God.
Too many Christians become frightened when we talk about the Spirit of God. Yet, as believers, we are filled with that Spirit. We are supposed to be walking in that Spirit. And, we should be imparting that same Spirit. The anointing or smearing of God’s presence is not something we crave while we are sitting in the church so we can have some kind of feel-good experience only to leave it there when we depart. The anointing comes upon us so we can truly be God’s instruments while we are in this world.
I want a fresh anointing today. I need a fresh anointing today. I want to walk among the crowds and have them reach out and get what I’ve got. I want this world to know my Jesus. I want them to experience my Jesus. I want to be smeared with His presence and power for the sake of all that need Him today. He says: "I am with you always." As He is with us, so He desires to be with those around us. Do you know His presence today? Have you experienced Him in such a personal way? Do you go about sharing that same presence everywhere you pass by? You should!
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