It seems that almost everyone in our community is directly or indirectly in need of deliverance or healing. And too often our human efforts are unsuccessful.
“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.”
Luke 9:1-6 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.9.1-6.NIV
We’re the 12 any more holy than us? Was their faith more robust? Was Jesus teaching clearer? Was the world’s needs any greater? I think the answer is no. In fact the anointing they received was not complete at this point. The Holy Spirit was not fully poured out until Pentecost.
“the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
John 14:17 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.14.17.NIV
The miracles performed by the followers of Jesus in the Gospels occurred prior to the full out pouring of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, the Spirit was with them but would soon be in them! This is a remarkable difference!
Jesus plan was always to initiate a spiritual chain reaction that would increase in power and scope until His Kingdom is realized. This did not end in the first century but was only the beginning. And now almost 2000 years after his ministry, I believe we are called to take up this call! Are we in the home stretch? Maybe, but the actual timing of His second coming should not change the urgency of our work. We need to live as if we have 10 years left to fulfill His commission!
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
John 14:12-17 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.14.12-17.NIV
“On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.””
Acts 1:4-5 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/act.1.4-5.NIV
I believe that this requires the following:
- Repentance – just as John the Baptist led the way with a message of repentance in the wilderness, we need to heed this call and turn from the lies and idolatry of this world and fully commit ourselves to Jesus.
- Waiting – Jesus called the earth shakers to wait for the Holy Spirit in the same manner as the Father has called His people to wait for Him. We need to use this Advent Season of waiting to, stop running about and patiently listen for the Spirit’s call.
- Move – Not if, but when, the Spirit fills us, calls us, empowers us, we need to have the courage to go, do, give, create, transform, heal, and deliver. When the Spirit moves we need to immediately move as well! The window of opportunity is often very small.
This is the message of the Kingdom, that God’s peace (Shalom) is here! This message is almost always first experienced by the power of God and then locked in with the words of life.
Maybe it is time for us to review some of the learning we obtained regarding prayer, healing, and deliverance. Agnes Sanford may be a good place to start.