11 The Power Of Divine Purpose (1/2)

Currently a deep interest in the reality and in the work of G.o.d on earth through the Holy Spirit has become obvious in various churches and fellows.h.i.+ps. In the book of Acts alone almost sixty times the Spirit of G.o.d, the Holy Spirit was mentioned. In that same book early disciples numbering more than 120 were instructed by our Lord Jesus Christ to wait for the Holy Spirit and his power. It was only then they could represent Him as they would become spirit-energized witness for Christ. Indeed, the prophecy of Joel had come to fulfillment.

Joel 2:28

28 And it shall come to pa.s.s afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Before the Lord Jesus was taken up; and a cloud received him out of the sight of the disciples they asked him a question.

Act 1:6

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

The disciples up till then did not know what they would live for or what next was the divine programme of G.o.d. They were anxious for the end of the age but the Lord directed them to what was the priority or purpose of G.o.d for his children on earth.

Act 1:7-8

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Apostle Paul once asked the Ephesus's Christians ”Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed”? And they said unto Him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost” (Acts 19:1-3). That was the honest answer of twelve men's fellows.h.i.+p of the born-again Baptist at Ephesus almost twenty three (23) years after Pentecost. Later, Paul wrote to them in this manner

Ephesians 5:15-18

15 See then that ye walk circ.u.mspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

The implication of that book of Ephesians is that not being full of the Spirit is an indication of Spiritual foolishness. Today, almost two thousand years after Pentecost, a great number of believers are yet to know him or walk with the Holy Spirit in communion. Refusing to know him is refusing to know Jesus and G.o.d the Father.

A king from one of the towns in our land came to me one early morning. He is born-again. They gave him my name that I should pray for him as he wanted to do a major operation in one of his eyes. That morning he brought his wife in company of his High chief. The wife of the chief was also there keeping company with their king. Before I prayed for his healing, I just decided to stir up his faith as I encouraged him from various healing scripture.

Romans 10:17

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17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of G.o.d.

In the process of my sharing on healing, the Spirit of the Lord enveloped the place and the wife of the chief who is the mother of one of my pastors was knocked down by the power of G.o.d. She was not only filled with the Holy Spirit, but she began to pray in other tongues and to prophesy. They were shocked! I stopped my teaching to see someone; who is old enough to be my mother drunk in the Spirit. She prophesied that the king was healed. I should have enough common-sense not to pray for the king but to cooperate with the Holy Spirit by thanking G.o.d for the healing. Why did G.o.d pick on a Methodist woman who was not seeking for the baptism of the Holy Spirit? I don't know, but mine is not to resist the Holy Spirit. This type of thing happens many times with gifts of words of wisdom for me coming out from the sick as I obeyed the Lord in my calling.

The purpose of G.o.d for healing is as important as getting men filled with the Holy Spirit. If you will believe this, the greatest priority of Jesus is to get men filled with the Holy Spirit, once the spirit has brought them to conviction.

Let me share with you wisdom of G.o.d. Don't pray for the sick and leave them; be sure you also see that they are filled or baptized in the Holy Spirit. There is a quickening of the body that the Holy Spirit will do in the life of a man who is just set free. That was the reason why Peter and John came to Samaria after Philip had conducted a great healing crusade. I believe that those who are used in the healing of the sick with a healing anointing upon them will receive the gift of special faith if they ask the Lord. That is my opinion and not a doctrine.

Act. 8:6-7

6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

See the coming of Peter and John.

Act 8:14-15

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of G.o.d, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

Before the Lord was taken up into heaven, he said

Mark 16:17

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

While the sun is the sign of the day, the moon is the sign of the night. Jesus left the world with a sign of his presence and the out-working of his power so men will discover the reality of the Holy Spirit.

I Corinthians 14:21-22

21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

In another place Paul said similar things, calling signs the witness of G.o.d. G.o.d wants to have witnesses on earth even in our days

Hebrews 2:4

4 G.o.d also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Why does G.o.d take interest in speaking through signs? What is his purpose? He speaks this way so men will not be able to escape his divine arrest. Men will be inexcusable.

Hebrews 2:3

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

What then is the purpose of the divine arrest? He does this so that the world will be able to arrest his divine purpose. He is mindful of you. G.o.d owns the earth and has an agenda for this planet earth. He does not and will not give up on man until the lease of Adam ends

Psalm 8:3-4

3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

A good example of a divine arrest is found in Saul of Tarsus who in unbelief and ignorance persecuted and wasted the church.