VII. PREPARATION FOR SUPERNATURAL MINISTRY

General Principles Maintain a Spirit-filled life—not just speaking in tongues, but receiving the power of God for signs, wonders, healings, miracles as needed in ministry Maintain a Spirit-filled life—not just speaking in tongues, but receiving the power of God for signs, wonders, healings, miracles as needed in ministry Receive fillings regularly Receive fillings regularly Receive fresh anointings Receive fresh anointings Be totally surrendered to Lordship of Christ Be totally surrendered to Lordship of Christ Consecrate yourself daily Consecrate yourself daily

Recognize hindrances to God’s power Recognize hindrances to God’s power Spiritual laziness, lethargy, lukewarmness Spiritual laziness, lethargy, lukewarmness Doubt and unbelief Doubt and unbelief The SIN of prayerlessness The SIN of prayerlessness

How to Work the Works of God Sobering Thought: False religions, using occult powers, are showing more supernatural power than the average present-day church. Sobering Thought: False religions, using occult powers, are showing more supernatural power than the average present-day church.

Exciting Fact: Jesus said His followers will do the same works that He did— and greater (in number) because there are many of us (Jn 14:12) Exciting Fact: Jesus said His followers will do the same works that He did— and greater (in number) because there are many of us (Jn 14:12)

Question: “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” (Jn. 6:28) Question: “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” (Jn. 6:28)

The Answer Be honest Be honest Admit your need of God’s power, strength, and anointing Admit your need of God’s power, strength, and anointing Repent of lukewarmness, prayerlessness, doubt Repent of lukewarmness, prayerlessness, doubt

Commit to do what the New Testament says we can and will do. Commit to do what the New Testament says we can and will do. Ask for the supernatural gift of faith to believe that God’s power and authority will work through you. Ask for the supernatural gift of faith to believe that God’s power and authority will work through you. Pray for boldness, anointing, and gifting Pray for boldness, anointing, and gifting

5 Characteristics of Early Church Full of Holy Spirit, controlled by and dependent on Him Full of Holy Spirit, controlled by and dependent on Him Strong prayer life Strong prayer life Bonded together in love and unity Bonded together in love and unity Supernatural boldness – from being with Jesus Supernatural boldness – from being with Jesus Ministered supernaturally to needs of people Ministered supernaturally to needs of people Healed sick; delivered oppressed Healed sick; delivered oppressed Operated in all the gifts Operated in all the gifts

We must contend for supernatural ministry Become dissatisfied with where we are today Become dissatisfied with where we are today Advance into new areas of spiritual growth and victory Advance into new areas of spiritual growth and victory Persist, pursue, press in—and break through into new levels of authority and power Persist, pursue, press in—and break through into new levels of authority and power

Daniel 11:32 “But the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”

Practical Guidelines for Supernatural Ministry Practice righteousness – 2 Chron. 7:14 Practice righteousness – 2 Chron. 7:14 Pray and fast Pray and fast “Live” in the Word to become full of faith “Live” in the Word to become full of faith Get into the spirit of Worship—not just an event Get into the spirit of Worship—not just an event Promote Koinonia – fellowship and bonding Promote Koinonia – fellowship and bonding

Live with eternity’s values in view Live with eternity’s values in view Pay the price for miracle faith – more than mental assent, but absolute certainty that NO situation is beyond God’s power to change Pay the price for miracle faith – more than mental assent, but absolute certainty that NO situation is beyond God’s power to change Recognize God’s sovereignty – trust His perfect knowledge and love – He does not owe us Recognize God’s sovereignty – trust His perfect knowledge and love – He does not owe us any explanation Get involved in evangelism – promise of supernatural signs accompanies the Great Commission Get involved in evangelism – promise of supernatural signs accompanies the Great Commission

Ministry of Deliverance and Exorcism

Causes of Demonization Personal Invitation – deliberate involvement Personal Invitation – deliberate involvement Habitual Sin – Rebellion Habitual Sin – Rebellion Victimization – negative reactions to being harmed Victimization – negative reactions to being harmed Invitation of Others – children dedicated to gods or spirits Invitation of Others – children dedicated to gods or spirits Inheritance/Environment Inheritance/Environment Curses – limited powers Curses – limited powers

Symptoms of Demonization Anesthetic – cannot feel pain Anesthetic – cannot feel pain Blasphemy Blasphemy Clouding of consciousness Clouding of consciousness Convulsions – thrown to ground/shaking Convulsions – thrown to ground/shaking Terrifying dreams Terrifying dreams Eyes cloudy, rolling back in head Eyes cloudy, rolling back in head Falling during prayer Falling during prayer Foaming at mouth Foaming at mouth

Fits of rage, violence, screaming Fits of rage, violence, screaming Knowledge Knowledge Languages Languages Personality changes – toward evil Personality changes – toward evil Physical impairments Physical impairments Reaction to Christians during exorcism – spit, scratch, stick out tongue Reaction to Christians during exorcism – spit, scratch, stick out tongue Unusual strength Unusual strength Voice alteration Voice alteration NOTE: Not always are these signs of demonization, so be led by Spirit in diagnosing be led by Spirit in diagnosing

Ministering Deliverance

General Observations Deliverance is not always fast and easy. Deliverance is not always fast and easy. Miracle faith is essential. Miracle faith is essential. Ministry should be done by teams of mature believers. Ministry should be done by teams of mature believers. Focus more on the garbage than on the rats! Focus more on the garbage than on the rats! Person must desire deliverance. Person must desire deliverance. Minister in love – you are working with a person! Minister in love – you are working with a person! Be open to God working in different ways. Be open to God working in different ways.

Preparation for Deliverance Personal prayer, fasting, cleansing Personal prayer, fasting, cleansing Team – select mature, gifted, prayerful people Team – select mature, gifted, prayerful people Pre-counseling – look for entry points, anything that gives Satan “legal rights” Pre-counseling – look for entry points, anything that gives Satan “legal rights”

Deliverance Session Opening Prayer of Authority Opening Prayer of Authority Confession, Repentance, Renouncement Confession, Repentance, Renouncement Forgiveness of Others Forgiveness of Others Allegiance and Commitment to God Allegiance and Commitment to God Commanding of Demons Commanding of Demons Prayer for Filling of Spirit Prayer for Filling of Spirit Prayer Sealing Deliverance Prayer Sealing Deliverance

Deliverance Follow-Up Further prayer sessions Further prayer sessions Commitment to Discipleship Commitment to Discipleship Counseling Counseling Support Group Support Group