The Anointing Has a Price Tag: Seven Costs You Must Pay

Sermon outline

The anointing is the greatest treasure God gives, but it costs something to receive it and walk in it, and only the hungry will pay the price.

1. The anointing is the greatest treasure ever given to men

   An anointed person is like treasure hidden in a field, and getting to that treasure takes effort through fences, rocky ground, streams and even snakes. The anointing may be in, upon or with the man of God, and it costs something to get near the anointed. Like James and John, many want the seat of honour without drinking the cup.

   Illustration: Not every fish in the net is edible; the fishermen sort out the toby fish and poisonous fish and throw them away.

   “If you're not hungry, I can't be hungry for you.”

   • Matthew 13:44-48
   • Matthew 20:22
   • Matthew 27:46
   • Luke 4:29-30
   • Romans 10:14

2. 1. The cost of your time

   People who have no time to spare for the most important treasure show that they are not really hungry. Time is the most precious commodity on earth, and receiving and walking in the anointing will cost you time.

   Illustration: Jackie Chan was asked in an interview why he needed his own private jet, and explained that he had to fly between Tokyo, Hong Kong and China.

   “Time is the most precious commodity on the earth.”

3. 2. The cost of humility

   God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, so walk in real humility of heart, not false humility. It is not too hard to say "I'm sorry"; in a marriage one person has to be humble to stop the fire spreading. Moses learned meekness in forty years of desert, and in broken, weeping prayer the anointing comes as you give God all the glory.

   Illustration: As a young detective he was sent to troubleshoot stations and had older men reporting to him, so he protected himself with arrogance. Once, inspecting case dockets, he threw a young officer's dockets down the passage. Years later that officer, by then a brigadier, told Pastor Wesley that he would not be where he is without his father.

   “God can't anoint you if you're proud.”

   • James 4:6
   • Numbers 12:3

4. 3. The cost of openness

   People love to keep little secrets in their hearts, but being open humbles you before God. Beware the spirit of Herod, which pretends to worship while plotting to kill: people who congratulate you with their mouths but not their hearts. Not everyone will celebrate your victory, and some people you must avoid.

   “Not all will celebrate your victory.”

   • Matthew 2:8
   • Ecclesiastes 1:9

5. 4. The cost of learning new things

   No matter how old you are, you are still learning, and those who will not pay the pain and sacrifice of relearning stay backwards. Familiarity kept Jesus from doing many miracles in Nazareth. Every book and every sermon can bring fresh revelation, and whatever you don't yet understand, put on the shelf for later.

   Illustration: Graduates fresh out of university want to tell managers what to do, and he asks why professors who teach others to become rich are not rich themselves.

   “No matter how old you are, you're still learning.”

   • Mark 6:4-5

6. 5. The cost of adjustment

   You have to adjust to new things and to the times. His generation had very little and were happy, which shows that money will never make you happy; the greatest power on earth is prayer.

   Illustration: As boys they pushed a bicycle rim along with a stick and thought it was a car.

   “Money will never make you happy.”

7. 6. The cost of honour

   Some are not prepared to pay the price of real honour, which costs time, money and effort. Naaman was offended when the prophet sent a messenger telling him to dip seven times in the muddy Jordan, but when he honoured the prophet's word he was healed.

   Illustration: A little servant girl urged Naaman to do what the prophet said.

   “When you honor the person, the anointed person, it will cost you time, money and effort.”

   • 2 Kings 5:10-14

8. 7. The cost of listening

   Don't assume others understand what you mean, because their perspective is different. When the Holy Spirit stirs your spirit, listen and obey His voice. Keep these keys and the anointing will rest on your family, friends and workplace.

   Illustration: A company flourishes because an anointed employee is on its staff, even though the owners never realise it.

   “It is your feet and your presence there that brings deliverance to that company.”