I. Understanding the Practice of Anointing
Symbolic Significance - Presence of Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
1 Samuel 16:13 - “So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the olive oil he had brought and poured it on David’s head. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him from that day on.” (NLT)
Point: Anointing celebrates the work of God in our lives.
Practical Usage - Preparation for service to God.
Exodus 30:30 - “You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, in order that they may serve me as priests.”
James 5: 14 – “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
Point: Anointing sets apart a person for God.
Example: Jesus’ Baptism (Matthew 3)
Ultimate Purpose – Anointing is a Confession of God’s blessing that reflects
our peace with God.
“Peace” = Lacking nothing… or, completion in Christ.
Colossians 2:10 - “You are complete through your union with Christ.” (NLT)
Application: In Peace we live confidently in and comforted by faith.
Heidelberg Catechism -
Question 1 - What is your ONLY comfort in life and in death?
Answer - That I belong - body and soul, in life and in death - not to MYSELF but to my faithful Savoir, Jesus Christ…that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven NOT A HAIR can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit HIS PURPOSE for my salvation. (emphasis added)
II. The Benefits of Living in Peace
Benefit 1 - You can live confidently in a world of chaos.
“Confidence” = Our outward expression of Peace.
James 5:15a, 16b - “The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”
Anonymous - “Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?”
Application: We go out on a limb because God is able to support us.
Benefit 2 - You can live completely forgiven by Christ.
Katie Funk Wiebe - “What happened to the reality that forgiveness of sin, before God or before humankind, is a spiritual cleansing, not just a coping skill?”
James 5:15b, 16a - “Anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.”
Application: In Christ, You are forgiven… you are new…you are whole = Peace!
Benefit 3 - You can help others (re)connect with Christ.
James 5:19-20 - “My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
Point: Peace with God is a gift to be shared.
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