Sermon Central
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The Umbrella Anointing
Contributed by Kevin Taylor on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: Find out the benefits of living ’under cover.’
M. Understanding the umbrella concept increases our love for God and assures us of His love, protection, and provision for us as His children.
N. For 40 years, God gave protection and direction to the nation of Israel through a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When the cloud moved, they moved. Those who lagged behind were attacked by their enemies and destroyed (see Deuteronomy 1:33 and 25:17–19).
O. All human “umbrellas” have faults and limitations. For this reason, those under authority are instructed to pray for them. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:1–4).
II. Walking in Your Destiny
A. We’ve talked a lot lately about walking in your God-given destiny.
B. However, you will never fully walk in that destiny or fulfill the will of God in your life if you are living outside that umbrella of obedience to God and His Word.
C. Destiny is a process that is being worked out. You must persevere in preparation for your destiny. The journey in this life is just as important as the destination. That process requires patience. It requires steadfastness and faithfulness. It requires trust and confidence. God does not refine you, train you, transform you, or renew you instantly. There is no such thing as a drive-through breakthrough.
D. Hebrews 10:36 says “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”
E. Sometimes we get fooled into believing that our destiny will just drop in our lap, but that’s not the case. God does not refine you, train you, transform you, or renew you instantly. He puts you through a process. Destiny is a process that is being worked out. You must persevere in preparation for your destiny. The journey in this life is just as important as the destination. That process requires patience. It requires steadfastness and faithfulness. It requires trust and confidence.
F. And, if you choose to go against your trust and confidence in God – if you choose to be disobedient in any area of your life – you are removing that area out from under the umbrella of God’s protection and blessing! Whether it is your children, your finances, your health, your marriage, whatever it is – once it’s out from under the will of God – only God’s love is promised. There is no longer provision for protection and favor!
G. That’s why we MUST stay under His umbrella!
H. If you want God to move you into a future that will be marked by an abundance of life ... if you want God to create for you a place in His history, then don’t move away from Him. Keep seeking God with your whole heart. Pray. Lean on Him. Let the Holy Spirit guide you as you learn how to listen to His voice. Study the Word of God. Learn who God is, how He moves, and what He does. Keep studying the Word and meditating on its truth as a part of your commitment to never give up. This all comes from staying under His protection – under the flow of His blessing – under His umbrella.
