Freely You Have Received, Freely Give
And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:7-8
When the Lord dispatched His disciples in Matthew 10 to go out to the people and preach the gospel, He gave them power to do the works of God. After His death and resurrection, Jesus re-issued this command, which we know as the Great Commission. Therefore, as disciples of Christ (Christians), we are commanded to do the same and greater works that Christ did during His three-year ministry. Jesus said in John 14:12: Verily, verily I say unto you. He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. Through the Holy Spirit we have been given power to do the works of Christ.
For too long we have relied upon leaders in the Church to operate in the power of God when we have it available to us in the same measure [1 Corinthians 12:7]. I see Christians who remain beaten down and powerless because they haven't been taught or they haven't sought to operate in the power of God. It's no wonder that the world looks upon Christianity as nothing but a religious crutch when His followers aren't living powerful and victorious lives. Some time ago, the Lord revealed an important truth to me. The great revival and harvest of the Church in last days will be a result of the saints of God operating in His power--and not from the pulpit [Acts 2:17-21; Joel 2:28-32]. This revelation was the foundation and purpose for these messages and subsequent book. When the disciples of Christ begin demonstrating the power they have received, many more lost souls will be won to Christ.
Because I want you to know that I practice what I preach, I'll share something the Lord did through me the week before last. That Sunday morning I was getting ready for church and the Lord told me to go to Wesley Long Hospital in Greensboro to pray for a woman that He was going to heal. I meditated on what He'd said, and the word "coma" came into my mind. We went to church and during the service, the Lord continued to encourage me to obey what He'd said. When the service was over, He continued to speak this into my spiriteven on the drive home. During lunch, I prayed and confirmed that this was the Lord's voice I was hearing. I told Him, "Okay, Lord, I'll go, but you'll have to tell me what to do and say." He replied, "If you go, I'll tell you where to go and what to say." So I went.
While driving, I continued to meditate on this mission. The Lord told me to go to ICU and then gave me a vision of a woman in a hospital bed with green sheets. I said to myself, "Okay, coma, ICU; it makes sense." I thought the vision to be odd because I had never seen green sheets on a hospital bedonly white. I knew in my natural mind that this was going to appear strange. I didn't know anything, but that a woman in a coma was going to be healed. I approached the front desk and asked the receptionist where someone in a coma would be and she said, "In ICU." I walked to ICU and was greeted by a nurse. I asked her if there was a woman in a coma in the ward and she said that she couldn't give me that information. She asked for the woman's name and I told her that I didn't know, but that I had been sent to pray for her and that she was going to be healed. The nurse again said that she couldn't provide any information, but added that no one in ICU was in a coma. I asked her if someone in a coma could be somewhere else in the hospital. She said, "Yes" and suggested I contact the nursing supervisor via the receptionist at the front desk.
So, I walked back to the front desk and asked the receptionist to call the supervisor. She said she would have to page her and wait for a call back. While we waited, I told the receptionist that I had been sent by God to pray for a woman and that she was going to be healed. The supervisor called and I explained my request to her. Like the nurse before, she couldn't give any information to meespecially since I didn't have a name. I told her that I would get a name and get back in touch with her. After hanging up, I walked to the chapel to pray for the Lord to give me the woman's name. Meanwhile, I was feeling kind of frustrated and the devil began telling me just to leave, that people thought I was crazy, etc. I went inside the chapel and began to pray for the Lord to give me the woman's name. It didn't take longthe name Saunders came into my spirit. I continued to pray and the Lord gave me another visionof the name Saunders printed in black on a white background.
I walked back to the front desk and told the receptionist that the Lord had given me the name Saunders. She picked up the hospital roster and gazed through the list. When a look of astonishment followed by a smile appeared on her face, I knew she had found the name. "We have a Saunders and she is in ICU," she said excitedly. I shook my head with a smile and returned to ICU and to the same nurse from earlier. I told her that I had asked God to give me the woman's name and it was Saunders. She turned and walked around a corner, stopping to examine a white metallic board with black writing on it. On it was the name Saunders printed exactly as it had appeared in the vision. The nurse, also astonished, said, "But she isn't in a coma." I shrugged my shoulders, not knowing how to explain the coma part, but instead asked if I could see her anyway. She said she would check with her nurse. The woman's nurse and another womanthe patient's mothercame to me. I explained what the Lord had told me to do and asked why the woman was in the hospital. She had pneumonia and had been there for a week. I knew this was the woman the Lord had sent me to, so I asked if I could pray for her. The mother agreed and led me to her room.
When I walked into the room, I saw the woman in the bed. It was exactly as my earlier visiongreen sheets and all! I told the woman that God had sent me to pray for her and that He was going to heal her. She then began crying. The Lord then told me that she was being healed because of someone's prayer. I told her this and her mother spoke up and said, "Ever since she's been in the hospital, I have been praying for God to heal her." I had brought some anointing oil with me and I anointed the woman's head and prayed for the Lord to heal her. When I was finished, the Lord led me to ask the woman to take a deep breath. When she did, a big smile appeared on her face. She hadn't been able to take a deep breath since she'd been sick. She was healed--hallelujah!
I know you're asking, "What about the coma?" I asked the same question and the Lord reminded me that His initial call for me didn't involve a coma. It appears that in my own desire to do something great, I had manifested the coma part. It just goes to show you how carefully we must listen to His voice and only speak what He has spoken to us. Afterward, I asked the Lord why He didn't give me the name from the beginning. He said, "Because I wanted to see if you would give up." He was testing my faith and persistence and also training me to do greater things. Next week, I'll share two other miracles the Lord has done through me since then, and I tell you that they were as incredible as this one. You see--just as Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give." And if I can do it, you can do it as well.
The Great Commission
Before endeavoring to operate in God's power, let's re-examine what the Lord commanded us to do. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus said: All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Mark's account reflects the same command, and also describes the signs of having this power. And these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. [Mark 16:17-18]
Luke's account speaks of the foundation of our preaching (repentance and remission of sins), discloses the promise of the Holy Spirit, and commands that we should wait for it. And behold I send the promise of my Father upon you. But tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until you be endued with power from on high. [Luke 24:49]
John's gospel cites the Great Commission with greater brevity. As my Father has sent me, even so send I you. [John 20:21] In Acts 1:4-8 we see that the writer concentrated on how we would receive this powerby the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. [Acts 1:4,5,9].
When we examine the combined words of our Lord from the gospels and Acts, we conclude that we are to do the following:
~receive the promise of the Father (the baptism and power of the Holy Spirit) [Acts 1:4,5,8]
~preach the gospel to every creature [Mark 16:15]
~teach them all things Christ has commanded [Matthew 28:20]
~be witnesses of Christ to the uttermost part of the earth [Acts 1:8; Luke 24:48]
~do the works of Christ (cast out devils, heal the sick, raise the dead, restore the blind, etc.) [John 14:12; 20:21; Mark 16:17-18; Matthew 10:7-8]
~baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost [Matthew 28:19]
In all these things, we should remember this: Jesus first told the disciples to wait for the power to come upon them, and then once they received it, to Go! Doing the works of Christ requires faith and action.
A Gospel of Power
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20
Jesus wasn't just a great teacher and preacher. Neither was He simply a miracle worker or a healer. He also wasn't just a prophet from Galilee. He was all these things--and much, much more. What described the ministry of Jesus was that it was a ministry of power with signs and wonders following. This is the true gospel ministry--the ministry of Christ; the ministry of the apostles; and a number of ministries today that walk in the anointing and power of God. Any ministry, church, or denomination that does not seek to operate in the power of God with signs and wonders following is not fulfilling the call of our Lord Jesus. Because as he is, so are we in this world. [1 John 4:17] In fact, without the power of God, Christianity would be just another religion. Unfortunately, many churches are preaching and walking in a watered-down version of the gospel--with no anointing, no power, and sadly very little victory if any at all.
The Church Christ created and prophesied that the gates of hell would not prevail against it [Matthew 16:18] was born at Pentecost. After the Pentecost, 120 people--not just the apostles, but all who were present, were filled with the Holy Ghost [Acts 1:15; 2:4]. They immediately demonstrated the power of the Holy Spirit by adding 3,000 souls the first day. As in Christ's ministry, people didn't follow Him because of His teachings only, but because of the power He demonstrated in healing diseases, casting out devils, and performing miracles. Because of the works He was doing, He was proving that He was the Son of God. Jesus said, If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though you believe not me, believe the works. That you may know the Father is in me, and I in him. [John 10:37-38]. When Nicodemus came to the Lord in John 3, he said: Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God. For no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him [John 3:2]. The same was true then, and continues to be true even today in a world filled with unbelief. The gospel of Jesus Christ is one of power. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. [Hebrews 13:8]
The apostle Paul was a powerful man of God. He operated in all the gifts of the Spirit as illustrated by Christ's ministry and outlined in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:4-5: And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Our faith should be aligned with what the word of God teaches in that all born again believers can have power to do the works of Christ. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. [Acts 2:39] This promise of power abides still today although many in the body of Christ deny it to be true. However, we should place our trust in what the word of God says instead of what man says simply because of pervasive unbelief in the world and even among Christians. The Bible says: Let God be true, but every man a liar. [Romans 3:4]
By refusing to seek and walk in the power God has made available to us, we are, in essence, giving place to the devil and his destructive plans. Jesus paid far too great a price for us to refuse to walk in everything He died to give us. Through His resurrection we have obtained the victory over the powers of darkness.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you. --Acts 1:8
How can you do the works of Christ? First, you must have faith in Jesus and be born again [John 3:3-8]. Second, you must receive the full indwelling power (baptism) of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8: 11 says: But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.
When Jesus came out of the water in baptism, the heavens were opened and the Spirit of God descended like a dove upon Him and entered Him [Matthew 3:16]. This is the Spirit baptism--when one is indwelled with the Holy Spirit and the power thereof [Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8]. Baptism of the Holy Spirit can happen at various times--and not necessarily immediately after water baptism as is commonly taught today. When we were born again, we received the same Spirit that Christ received; however this is not the Spirit baptism. Jesus said in John 14:16-17: And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him. But you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.
The Lord is describing two events here. The Holy Spirit was dwelling with the disciples at the time, but once the Comforter was sent (after the ascension of Christ), He shall be in them. The born again believer has the Spirit dwelling with him, but until he receives the baptism (power) of the Spirit, his anointing is limited. Remember that Jesus said in Acts 1:8: you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you. In my own case, I was born again and received Christ as Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit was dwelling with me as demonstrated by His leading in my Christian novel The Last-Day Apostles. A month or so later, I was baptized in water, then five months later, I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (manifested in speaking in tongues). It wasn't until I received the baptism of the Spirit, that I began to operate in much of the power of God. His word even came alive in a greater way. To add to this, the healing of my body did not manifest until I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Again, many Christians believe we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit as Jesus did--immediately after water baptism. However, there are several examples in the Bible when the Spirit baptism occurred before water baptism. In Acts 10: 44-48, Peter was preaching to Cornelius and all his kinsmen and friends when the Holy Ghost fell upon them all which heard the word. It wasn't until after it was evident to Peter that they had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (speaking with tongues and magnifying God) that he commanded them to be baptized in water.
I know there are doctrinal differences that exist within the body of Christ concerning the Spirit baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit--especially when you mention speaking in tongues. But you must be sure of this: Christ did not perform one single miracle, cast out any devil, deliver any person from demonic oppression, or heal any disease until He received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Additionally, no person, disciple, or apostle ever did the works of Christ without either His direct anointing of power (i.e. Matthew 10:7-8), or having received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (endued with power from on high).
So how does one receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? It is received by faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. [Romans 10:17] Scripture also says: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not [doesn't scold]; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. [James 1:5-8]
Now that you have heard the Word concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit, I suggest that you ask the Lord to bring revelation of this truth to you (if He already hasn't done so). The subject of the Spirit baptism is a source of debate throughout the body of Christ. Some teach that it applied only to the early church and apostles, and not today; while some teach that when we receive Christ, we also receive the Holy Spirit, and make no mention of a separate event when you receive power (Spirit baptism). Regardless of whether you have been taught either of these doctrines, it is ultimately up to each of you to honestly examine your own walk in Christ. Are you operating in any power? Do the signs Christ spoke of in Mark 16:17 follow you? If not, then perhaps you haven't yet been baptized in the Holy Spirit. There is no shame in this. The fact you are reading this message is proof that you seek more of Christ in your life.
Please remember that Jesus did not perform a single recorded miracle until after He received the indwelling power of the Holy Spiritthe same Spirit that raised Him from the dead, the same Spirit that fell upon the upper room at Pentecost, and the same Spirit that performs the many miracles through people today. By yielding to the Spirit and releasing your faith, you too can do these greater works.
Why No Power?
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief. --Matthew 17:19-20
The plain and simple words of the Lord here are the answer to why prayers aren't answered, people aren't healed, and for anyone that isn't operating in the power of God. According to the Bible, God promises all prayers will be answered provided you are in Christ, and that you doubt not [Mark 11:23-24]. And as long as you ask according to His will, His answer will always be "Yes." For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. [2 Corinthians 1:20] Not one of God's promises are "No" to the one who will believe and meet the conditions of being in Christ.
As I discussed in a previous message, from the time we were children, all of us have been programmed by the world's system of unbelief. Therefore, our hearts have been hardened or made insensitive to spiritual truths. The only remedy for unbelief and hardness of heart is to seek God by renewing your mind (reading the Bible daily--Romans 12:2); prayer, and fasting. As you grow in the revelation and understanding of spiritual truths, you will draw closer to the Lord and consequently, you will melt away that hardened heart filled with unbelief.
Many Christians have been taught that the power of God was given only to the apostles of the early Church, so as to get it started. This is a lie from the pit of hell. The reason the apostles of the early Church operated in God's anointing and power is that they walked in faith and in Spirit. They knew the power wasn't of them--but of God, and consequently, all they did was operate as the Spirit of God led. The same is true today, but as the world has grown more technologically advanced--especially in the field of medicine--we have been bombarded with worldly remedies instead of revelation of the power of God. I don't think it's difficult to convince any Christian that God performs miracles today. However, when you suggest that a person is operating in the power of God and miracles, healings, and other works of God--other than preaching the word--are done through him or her, some roll their eyes. This is an example of having a hardened heart.
In order to operate in the power of God, we must have complete faith--not only faith in what the Bible says about it, but enough faith to know that it is available to every believer who desires to walk in it. Our faith lies in the fact that this power is not of ourselves, but of God, who simply wants to use us to fulfill His purposes. I challenge each and every one of you to take the step of faith and begin seeking God to be used as He is using me--to bring glory to the Lord Jesus.
