The biggest difference between the Old Testament (before Christ) and the New Testament (after Christ) is the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. We know that the Holy Spirit was with Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Sampson and Gideon at times and even the prophets spoke as they were moved, but nobody had know the baptism in the Holy Spirit until Jesus came. Then from Jesus flowed the most extraordinary gusher of miracles the world has ever seen. Before His death and resurrection, Jesus said in John 14:16-17 that He would send His Spirit to be with the disciples at all times. Then after the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit was resident in the Church and the results were mighty works of power that had never before been known as the blind, the deaf and the crippled were restored. I can’t think of anywhere in the Old Testament where demons were cast out. But Jesus said in Luke 11:20, “But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” With this Scripture reference, Jesus indicates that one sign of a true ministry of the kingdom includes the casting out of demons. He models this in His ministry and promises it in Mark 16:17 as a timeless sign confirming the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom. He also balances this aspect of ministry for His disciples, who at first were amazed to experience such power saying in Luke 10:17, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” Jesus lets them know though that power over demons is not the main reason for rejoicing but that their salvation has registered them as heaven’s representatives and that is the real grounds for authority in the spiritual realm. So the miraculous is an essential feature of the Kingdom of God and if the kingdom is among us, there will be wonders. Christ’s kingdom invaded earth when Jesus came and Kingdom powers began working. With that said there are all kinds of people clamoring for the supernatural and many run to and fro from church to convention to conference hoping to see signs and sensations. But is that all Christianity is to them? Doesn’t the great works of God also include salvation, building up the church, and the believer manifesting the fruits of the Spirit in his or her life and being changed daily into the likeness of Jesus? If we only wander around looking for signs and wonders then fellowship means nothing. I might be stepping on some toes here but healing the sick also means sharing one another’s burdens but to do that we need to know people and their burdens don’t we? So we need to preach Jesus as a healer because if we don’t, He won’t! And this is why we preach Him as a forgiver, and the giver of peace so He can be these things to those hearing His Word. When we preach the gospel, the gospel happens! That’s why Debi and like to preach a miraculous Jesus because when we do He will be a miraculous Jesus. The Holy Spirit can only bless the truths that you allow Him to bless. With this said, if you don’t feel any anointing, maybe the Holy Spirit is waiting for you to say something that He can anoint which is His truth, clearly communicated. Mark 16:20 tells us, “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.”
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:43:46 +0000
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