IKing 19:19 So he departed thence, and (found Elisha) the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon
I’m going to pause right here and I’m going to prophesy that somebody’s life is going to change tonight, somebody is going to another level in God, Somebody is going to leave this place with a fire of God in your life.
Touch 3 people and tell them: Tonight’s my night
Elijah (found) Elisha, that means he was looking for him.
You need to know that God is always watching and God is always evaluating and God is always on the lookout for someone he can elevate.
Elisha had Gods attention: Here he was not working in a corporate office, not living in a palace, not driving a Rolls Royce or a Mercedes.
No he was out in a field plowing covered with dirt, but he had Gods attention.
Tell your neighbor: God notices
Sometimes you may feel as though you are so far down the line that no one even notices what you do.
But God notices, he notices your sacrifice, he notices your faithfulness and your commitment, he notices your willingness to do the jobs no one else wants to do.
Elisha had Gods attention:
Growing up I remember from time to time my Dad would say ( I think you need some attention) he was usually referring to the board of education being applied to the seat of understanding.
I did not like that kind of attention
But I want Gods attention, I want Gods good attention
How did Elisha get Gods good attention?
#1 He was busy ( he was sitting around with his hands folded waiting for a perfect ministry opportunity)
He was busy where he was at, working with what he had.
#2 He was dependable, responsible (That means his father knew the job would get done)
Elisha’s father knew that he could trust Elisha alone in a field with twelve yoke of oxen, he didn’t have to stand over him watching him all the time, he knew whatever was placed in Elisha’s hand would be completed.
#3 He was self disciplined:
The number twelve represents discipleship, ( meaning a disciplined life) a life that is in order (order is the proper arrangement of things).
It is a tragedy that so many in the body of Christ view discipleship and the disciplined life as some kind of punishment and deprivation of all the fun things in life.
#4 He was willing to work with no immediate reward:
As a farmer he understood, there is a lot of work to do before you enjoy the fruit or the reward of your labor.
#5 Elisha was a hard worker: ( he gave himself 100 % to his work) Some people work harder trying to get out of working than if they would just buckle down and do the job.
Elisha didn’t have to be sweet talked to work, he didn’t have to be patted on the back to work.
Everybody needs to be appreciated, and everyone wants to be recognized and praised, but a mature believer understands that we are working for the Lord and the Lord will reward us for our labor.
These were the qualities in Elisha’s life that attracted Gods attention.
There are people in the church who are always talking about a double portion, but they have never yet qualified for the first portion.
I think I need to say something very important here:
The anointing is great, it is the yoke destroying burden removing power of God and we will never accomplish the work of God without it.
But (the anointing is no substitute for Hard work)
The anointing is no substitute for training and education
The anointing is no substitute for Character
The anointing does not produce Character
Jesus did not say: Ye shall know them by their gifts, or by their anointing (he said ye shall know them by their fruits)
The fruit of the spirit are the qualities and attitudes of Jesus manifested through our humanity for the benefit of humanity.
Many of Gods people mistakenly assume that the anointing is everything.
The anointing does not replace practice
The anointing does not replace study
And while we often say the anointing is more important than talent, we should also realize that talent is a gift from God, and when your talent is anointed by God, It glorifies God at the highest level.
In other words Excellence is talent and training yielded to the anointing.
*The anointing is the power of God for service
*Character is the nature and attributes of Christ
When you put the Power of God and the Nature of God together you have a full manifestation of Jesus Christ.
He was a full representation and manifestation of the father in every way
The Anointing without Godly Character or without the fruit of the Spirit is a confusing, contradiction.
Example is the life of Samson ( There was no question he had supernatural ability, strength by the anointing of God, but his life was out of balance, there was no character, no fruit of the spirit.
While Elisha was waiting on his anointing he was working on his character, Elisha was becoming the kind of man that God could trust with his anointing, He was becoming the kind of man God could use.
Tell your neighbor: I’m working on my character
Elisha was waiting for something; he was working while he was waiting.
He didn’t know what it was, or where it would come from, He didn’t know what it would look like or feel like.
He just knew he needed something he didn’t have.
He just knew he needed something more.
He was plowing and he was waiting, He was praying and he was waiting
He was plowing and watching, He was praising and watching
He was plowing and Expecting.
His spirit was reaching out; something on the inside of him was stirring
Something on the inside of him was telling him (Your bigger than this) something was telling him (There’s more to life than this)
Something down on the inside of Elisha was telling him:
*Something’s getting ready to change, it’s in the atmosphere ( I can’t explain how I know it, I just know something’s getting ready to change)
I believe I’m talking to somebody that knows something’s getting ready to change, nothing in my circumstance is saying anything different (but my spirit is stirring, my spirit knows something my head don’t know, something my eyes can’t see, something my ears can’t hear.
But God has revealed it unto me by his spirit.
Momma, Daddy I love you, but I’m gonna have to leave you pretty soon.
Where you going son? (I don’t really know)
What are you going to do son? (I don’t really know for sure)
I just feel something on the inside pushing me, telling me (there’s greatness in you, and I know there’s something I’m supposed to do.
There’s something I was born for, I’m here for a reason
My life’s suppose to count for something.
Somehow I just know (I’m supposed to make a difference in this world):
Tell your neighbor: I’m a world changer ( My life counts)
"Walking in the light he had" faithful to what had been put in his hand to do.
Elijah comes by: " Elijah represents the anointing"
Elijah walks out into the field where Elisha is plowing behind twelve yoke of Oxen
" covered with dirt"
And Elijah throws his mantle on him.
Is there anybody, just glad that God saw something in you that he could use?
Other people couldn’t see it because you were all covered up with dirt
You didn’t look too spiritual with dirt all over your face, and oxen dung all over your feet because you’ve been walking in a mess.
But
God said: I can use him, I can use her, I can do something with him, her, I’ll put my anointing on them and they’ll plow for me.
I’ll make them a vessel of honor
I’ll make them a diadem in my hand and a crown of glory.
I’ll use them to tear down Satan’s kingdom and establish the Kingdom of God
When Elijah’s mantle touched Elisha Destiny jumped in Elisha’s spirit and said: This is it, this is what I’ve been waiting for, This is what I’ve been praying and asking God for.
This is what my heart has been crying out for "It’s The Anointing"
The first Anointing immediately launched Elisha into serving, ministering to and being discipled and mentored by the man of God ( he positioned himself for the double portion anointing).
He left all, and Elijah became his spiritual father.
He placed himself as a son under Elijah’s jurisdiction, because he discerned the anointing of God in Elijah’s life.
He put himself in school, he became a disciple, a follower, a student.
A lot of people want the kind of anointing that is on Benny Hinns life to get people saved healed and delivered.
But few people want to do what he did to get it.
They want the anointing and the power of God in their lives but very few want to position themselves in humility and submission to the man of God over their lives and say teach me, lead me, correct me when I’m wrong, rebuke me when I need it.
The first anointing that touched Elisha’s life was the anointing of the student, the disciple, the servant (the son).
Everybody wants the double portion anointing but the double portion doesn’t come until you’ve walked and lived and served under the first anointing.
When Elijah’s mantle touched Elisha The bible says: Immediately he went after Elijah
He left all to follow and minister to and be schooled and mentored by the man of God.
Elisha knew he was not going to get where Elijah was overnight, but he committed himself to the process.
Elijah Says: Go back again what have I done unto you?
This is Elisha’s first test:
Right here is where a lot of people fail, they’ve been touched by the anointing, but the price of following on, the price of discipleship and sacrifice and commitment is too high and they settle back down into their comfortable predictable routine way of life.
I’m going to pause here and tell you, that if God ever brings an Elijah across your path and he or she is pleased to throw their mantle over you, ( you better run, not walk to catch up with him or her.
Because they may very well be the door to your next level of destiny, your next anointing, and there is no guarantee that, that door will ever open again.
The first step to a new level in God is Exposure "you have to see it"
When it’s time for promotion God will bring someone across your path, into your life who can demonstrate, and manifest where you want to go.
(But you have to discern the Elijah Spirit in the man or woman of God, and connect with them)
While Elisha is plowing, praying, watching, waiting, just being faithful with what he had been given (just a little ways away God is telling Elijah: I want you to anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat for he will be prophet in your room).
So while Elisha is plowing:
Just taking care of business, faithful in the little things, willing and obedient, (:
the anointing is coming).
He can’t see it but it’s coming
He can’t hear it but it’s coming
He can’t tell it by looking at his present circumstances but it’s coming.
I came to tell somebody today:
It’s coming
Just keep on plowing because it’s coming
Keep on praying because it’s coming
Keep on pressing because it’s coming
Don’t grow weary in well doing for in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not.
It’s coming:
Your anointing is coming
Your dream is coming
Your destiny is coming
Your victory is coming
What you’ve been praying for, it’s coming
Keep on plowing, keep pressing, keep praying, (don’t quit, you may not see it Elisha but the anointing is coming your way.
You might not see it yet Elisha, but the anointing has just turned the corner,
You might not feel it yet Elisha, but the anointing is coming down your row
Tell your neighbor: I just thought I’d give you an advanced warning (if I get a little crazy here, if I start to run, or jump, if I break out in a dance or start speaking in tongues) It’s just the anointing.
Don’t even think about telling me it’s not necessary to be so emotional ( I’ve been out plowing in this field too long, dreaming about this anointing, I’ve been waiting on this anointing too long, I’ve got up and pulled this plow when I was sick, I pulled this plow when I was cold, I pulled this plow when everybody else had left the field.
This is what I’ve been waiting for
The anointing destroys the yoke
Where the spirit of the lord is there is liberty
Tell your neighbor: It’s here (the anointing is here)
The anointing has found you
I don’t know who I’m talking tonight, but this is your night, this is your service, this is your visitation, (The anointing has found you)
I don’t know who it is, but somebody just now felt the anointing touch you, this is another level for you, If you’ll reach out and take hold of this anointing your life is never going to be the same (Because The Anointing Has Found You)
Everything you do for God should have the anointing on it.
Sing with the anointing, Play your instruments with the anointing, Make phone calls with the anointing Cook with the anointing Usher with the anointing, Clean the church with the anointing.
Everything that belongs to God should have the anointing on it.
The anointing makes the difference between
Pretty and powerful
Talent and Ministry
Activity and Productivity
Gold and Glory
I just stopped by to tell somebody the anointing has found you.
Your whole life is getting ready to change because the anointing shifts you.
The anointing doesn’t come just to sit, It comes to shift.
When Elijah passed by (Elisha’s life was shifted forever)
Tell your neighbor: You might want to scoot over a little bit, I feel a shift comin on.
We’re getting ready to shift into the anointing, but I have to warn you, when you go into this shift, (this next level of anointing) some people aren’t going to make the shift.
Some people will even get mad at you, and call you extreme, radical, fanatic.
Some people will try to stifle you, and settle you down.
Just tell your neighbor: I can’t help it if I’m high performance.
The anointing has found you.
Is there anybody ready to go to another level in the anointing?
Then why don’t you make a prophetic declaration and just shift like your shifting into high gear, and tell the devil good by, and say good by to low living, and low performance, and low power.
The anointing has found you.
