Alignment, Anointing and Authority:
Congregational Poll:
• Who wants the Anointing of God in your life?
• Who wants to operate in the spiritual Authority of God?
• Who wants to have your Alignment adjusted?
What did you picture when I said the word alignment?
• A vehicle that drifts off course?
• A video projector that needs attention?
• A painful visit to the Chiropractor?
The history of chiropractic began in 1895 when Daniel David Palmer of Iowa performed the first known chiropractic adjustment on his deaf janitor, Harvey Lillard.
• While Lillard was working in Palmers office, Lillard bent over to empty the trash can.
• Palmer noticed that Lillard had a vertebra out of position.
• He asked what happened, and Lillard replied, "I heard a 'pop' in my back, and that's when I lost my hearing."
• Palmer, had Lillard lie face down and proceeded to pop the bone into place.
• Lillard was completely healed!
• Proper alignment can fix more than you might think!
David writes about the value of Alignment in relation to Anointing¬¬, Authority and blessing.
Psalm 133:1-3 (NIV)
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
In scripture the anointing was something to be treasured… And David ought to know!
Aaron (the first) represents not only the priests but also the priesthood of believers.
• When he was anointed, the anointing flowed first on his head (leadership)
• But then onto his body (church).
• God desires for the leadership to receive the anointing and for it to be released throughout the body (church).
Families got excited when the man of God came to their house looking to anoint a member!
(we should as well)
Alignment within the church and its leadership creates a channel through which the Spirit’s anointing can flow.
(I treasure this call)
I have always dreamed of a video wall…
• This can be accomplished on a smaller scale with multiple TVs (Children’s area)
• On a large scale with a single LED screen if you are Jerry Jones and the Cowboys… or willing to take out a mortgage on a screen.
• Or you can use multiple projectors. But for the vision to be clear, they must be in perfect alignment!
David writes this Psalm because David himself was anointed (1 Samuel 16:13). (David’s anointing)
He understood that his anointing was subject to the authority of God.
David also understood the destructive nature of misalignment and division.
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity”!
Alignment:
Proper Alignment is a byproduct of unity (Amos 3:3).
Amos 3:3 (NLT2)
Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?
Unity is created by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:3) but it takes effort to maintain it.
(Our enemy wants disunity; Discord)
Ephesians 4:3-4 (NIV)
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called--
Alignment only occurs when we are one in spirit, purpose, and vision in alignment with God’s agenda. (Phil. 1:27 NLT).
Where there is no alignment, the anointing cannot flow freely and the supernatural is hindered.
David understood this.
• Even though he was anointed future king, he understood the importance of alignment and refused to operate in illegitimate misaligned authority against King Saul.
• 1 Samuel 24:6 (NIV)
He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD."
• David understood that his anointing as King would have been diminished if he did not operate under the authority God established even though Saul’s leadership was clearly defective. (1 Samuel 24:6-11).
• David let God deal with Saul…
• Because David honored Saul, God blessed David.
• Under David’s anointing the kingdom was united and expanded.
When vision and leadership lack alignment, there is a temptation to operate in illegitimate authority.
• (DI-vision) This causes two visions.
• Lots of activity, but no alignment of purpose (Video Screen)
Alignment attracts Anointing which brings with it, Authority to push back darkness!
Contrast that with David’s son Absalom
2 Samuel 15:4 (NIV)
And Absalom would add, "If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that he gets justice."
This ultimately led to a division in the kingdom and it never quite operated under such a powerful anointing again!
God desires not only for alignment to occur in the vision and in leadership, but also throughout the church. This creates an atmosphere where anointing can flow!
(9 Pastors in unity in Sachse)
Anointing:
People talk about anointing a lot, but don’t always understand what it is.
• It’s not excitement, although it can be very exciting!
• A gentle moment can be under just as powerful an anointing!
• God not only wants the anointing to flow through the leaders in the church, but throughout the entire body since we are the priesthood of believers.
• It is the anointing that releases the supernatural in the church and in the community.
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Holy oil (Holy Spirit) was poured over the head of the person as a sign that he was set apart for the service of God.
True anointing is released by the Spirit when there is alignment with God’s will and purpose.
• The anointing of the Spirit flows through the pathways of alignment.
• It makes the supernatural difference in effectiveness and is critical to the life flow that comes in and through the believer and the church.
Exodus 30:30-33 (NIV)
"Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. Say to the Israelites, 'This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. Do not pour it on men's bodies and do not make any oil with the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. Whoever makes perfume like it and whoever puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from his people.'"
David understood the anointing
• He worshiped
• Wrote songs
• Prophesied
• Fought battles
• Sleighed a Giant under the anointing
• When he sinned, it was one thing he begged not to lose!
I’m sure he thought back to that moment many times…
1 Samuel 16:13 (NIV)
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.
(Jesse had 7 sons before David)
Alignment attracts Anointing which brings with it, Authority to push back darkness!
Authority:
Unless there is alignment, the anointing is inhibited.
• Where there is no anointing, there is a lack of spiritual authority to battle with darkness.
• We cannot walk in authentic spiritual authority and operate in disunity and division.
• It will only produce illegitimate authority.
• Therefore, the kingdom will not expand and there will be collateral damage!
At times Alignment brings with it discomfort and perhaps a cost.
True Anointing and Authority is worth it!
(Kevin has Authority…)
You and I can operate in authority…
Matthew 18:18-20 (NIV)
"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Notice Agreement and coming together are key!
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
(You can’t win a spiritual battle without anointing)
Alignment attracts Anointing which brings with it, Authority to push back darkness!
When alignment occurs, the anointing is released, and spiritual authority pushes back darkness.
God then commands the blessings. Life and vitality is produced, including eternal life in the harvest.
“For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” This is where the Kingdom expands.
Altar/ Anointing time
Psalm 133:1-3 (NIV)
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Praise:
God, we understand You alone can anoint us for the task. We recognize that the anointing of Your Spirit is the key to supernatural and effective Kingdom building work.
Prayer:
Pour your oil of anointing on us oh, God!
• We ask You to anoint us (Luke 4:18) to proclaim the good news of the gospel, heal the broken hearted, set the captives free, deliver the oppressed, and declare your favor.
• Let Your anointing flow over the leadership and every member of this church.
o (Touch your head) Anoint our minds that we may receive your wisdom.
o (Touch your eyes) Anoint our eyes that we may see the vision clearly and our part in it.
o (Touch your ears) Anoint our ears that we may hear your voice and follow it.
o (Touch your mouth) Anoint our words that we may speak life into this church and community.
o (Hold out your hands) Anoint our hands that we may build Your kingdom. As you anointed Jesus, anoint us to do good and see the supernatural in our lives, church and community. (Acts 10:38)
• Let Your anointing flow over the entire body of this church (ministries, age groups, outreaches, etc.) Let Your anointing cover the church as the dew of Mount Zion.
