Teaching Library of Mike Bickle - Apostolic Prayers - Part 4

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Apostolic Prayer: Transformed by Receiving the Spirit of Revelation (Part 4)

Prayer for revelation of Jesus’ beauty that we might walk in our calling and destiny by God’s power

Review: 16 I do not cease...making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding (heart) being enlightened; that you may know (experience) what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe… (Eph. 1:16-19)

I. UNDERSTANDING THIS PRAYER

A. This is a very important prayer in Scripture. It focuses on God imparting the spirit of glory to us. Paul prayed one general prayer that we receive revelation of God and experience 3 different expressions of His glory that cause us to persevere in godliness. We should pray three things:

1. To understand God’s calling for our life, both in this age and the age-to-come.

2. To know who we are to God as His inheritance and how He feels as we walk out our calling.

3. To experience God’s power in our life by faith and to rightly perceive how it operates.

B. Our internal calling in this life is to be a faithful disciple of Jesus that deeply loves God and embraces what the world calls foolish and weak (humility, serving, giving, fasting, praying and forgiving). Our temporal external calling includes our position (function) in the marketplace, a ministry organization or our home. Our eternal calling (in the age-to-come) is a vast subject.

C. The glory of being God’s inheritance relates to knowing who we are in God. The great prize of all the ages that the Father has chosen to give Jesus is a Church filled with voluntary lovers. We are what God wants most and are what God is most committed to. We are that which is dearest to Jesus’ heart. We are the reward that God gave to Jesus. We are what Jesus most desires.

II. EXPERIENCING GOD’S POWER AND RIGHTLY PERCEIVING HOW IT OPERATES

A. We need revelation to see how God has wisely chosen to release power in His Kingdom. We must consider the release of God’s power internally, externally, temporally and eternally.

B. We need our eyes opened to the revelation of our authority in Christ now to experience God's power in our present life internally (righteousness) as we walk in power over sin (Rom. 6) and externally (circumstances) as we walk free from Satan’s dominion over our lives (Eph. 2:6). As walk in greater freedom from Satan’s attack, we will receive more blessing in circumstances (favor, finances, etc.). We use these blessings to do God’s will (not only to gain more comfort).

C. We must see and value the small measures of God’s power in our life as we seek Him and grow in faith for the breakthrough of the greater measures of His power.

D. We need revelation of God’s power that is to be manifest in our resurrected body
(1 Cor. 15)

III. THE REVELATION OF OUR AUTHORITY IN CHRIST

A. Paul prayed that we would receive revelation of the power that works in our life because we are related to Jesus who the Father raised to His own right hand. The authority we now have is revealed most clearly in the book of Ephesians, especially in Eph. 1:15-2:7; 3:14-21; 6:10-20.

18 That you may know 19…what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him…and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power… 22 He put all things under His (Jesus’) feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him… (Eph. 1:18-23)

B. In the resurrection, the Father set Jesus far above all angelic and demonic powers
(Eph. 1:21).

God's power in raising Jesus from the dead was the greatest display of power in Scripture. Satan sought to stop Jesus’ resurrection but was defeated by Jesus ascending to the Father’s right hand.

C. When Christ ascended to God’s Throne, He gave His authority to the Church because He is the Head of the Church. Christ's authority is released on earth through His Body. We have authority because we are members of Jesus’ body.

D. Authority is delegated power. An example that is commonly used is that of a police officer who stops a car by the authority of the government not his own physical power. Satan is a defeated enemy because Jesus defeated him for us.

E. Our authority is established in Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation. The power of God that raised Jesus also raised His Body (who is one with Christ the head). The revelation of the Body of Christ shows us oneness with Jesus (Eph. 1-2) and to each other (1 Cor. 12). This is the basis for which we receive authority to release Jesus’ power in the places that Satan seeks to destroy us. Jesus is not here in person but delegated His authority on earth to His physical body, the Church.

F. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father which is the ultimate place of authority. We have already been raised to sit with Jesus in heavenly places (given access to the Throne of God).

6 Raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ... (Eph. 2:6)

G. At the cross, Jesus defeated or dethroned Satan and all demonic principalities and made a public spectacle of them before the audience of heaven, hell, and earth.

15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it (His death and resurrection). (Col. 2:15)

H. The day we were born again, we received authority over Satan’s works against our lives. Authority over Satan is ours whether we understand it or use it. The Church has the same authority today that it had in the Book of Acts.

I. Satan recognizes our authority if we do. Satan has no legal right to torment us. Many aspects of Satan’s attack against us continue because we allow it by accepting it as the way things must be.

J. We (not Jesus) are to wrestle against principalities and powers. Jesus already defeated them.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age...in the heavenly places.
(Eph. 6:12)

K. We are to use our authority against Satan’s works in our life (torment, fear, emotional
oppression, division, sickness, financial oppression, etc.). Faith is needed in using our authority.

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (Jas 4:7)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith…10 May the God of all grace…perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
(1 Pet. 5:8-10)

L. The power of God in us is greater than Satan’s power in the world.

4You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world. (1 Jn. 4:4)

IV. WE MUST UNDERSTAND HOW GOD RELEASES HIS POWER

A. We must see the small measures of God’s power in our life as we seek Him for a breakthrough of the greater measures. God releases more power to those who remain faithful to His Word.

B. Many are offended with God related to the issue of pursuing and experiencing His power. What some expect and what happens is sometimes very different. How does God release His power, when, why and under what conditions and for what purpose? Some are confused when they cannot feel God’s presence in their life or when a sick person dies (instead of being healed) or when they wait years for the breakthrough of revival (that they earnestly prayed for).

6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me. (Mt. 11:6)

C. There are many who have no revelation of the authority we now have as believers or that God wants to manifest His power through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

D. God releases His power mostly in small measures (internally and externally). Therefore, without revelation we cannot see His hand and thus we can despise the “little” things that He is doing. The revelation that God often releases His power in small measures causes us to discern it with gratitude instead of despising it. Without gratitude we will not persevere in seeking for more.

10 For who has despised the day of small things? (Zech. 4:10)

E. We must walk in the tension of being grateful and faithful in the days of small beginnings while being desperate for more of His power.

F. We pray earnestly for revival because we see what we lack, while giving thanks and acting on the authority we now have. We must repent both of despising the day of small beginnings and of being content with far too small a measure of God’s power in our midst.

17 Because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.
(Lk. 19:17)

10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much… (Luke 16:10)

G. In our pride, we can easily despise the smallness of God’s power in our midst. Some are only interested in God’s power when it is manifest in an unusual and dramatic measure. They will only be zealous to function in healing and the prophetic spirit when there is a significant measure of release. In other words, they want to walk in the prophetic on their terms. It takes humility to walk with God on His terms of being faithful and grateful in the days of smallness.

H. We need revelation of the way in which God releases His authority and power. One way is that we act with confidence on what the Word says about being seated with Christ in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6) and in expressing the subtle impressions that He gives us. When we value even the slightest works of the Spirit, such as when He tenderizes our heart, imparts to us the miracle of faith and vision for more, opens doors, provides direction, protection and provision, then it renews us in our calling and identity in God.

I. Some are offended that God chose to relate to us in this age with smallness (related to our temporal external calling and the measure of power that we usually experience). If we are offended then we will not be attentive to the small things that the Spirit is saying and doing in our lives. The spirit of Elijah operates with the still small voice of God.
(1 Kings 19:11-13).

J. It is the same power of the resurrection at work when someone’s headache is healed as when the dead are raised. We must be grateful for and honor everything from God’s hand.

K. We need revelation of the different ways in which God releases His power. For example, we need to understand the time delay that God sometimes strategically employs when releasing His power to heal. Sometimes, He physically heals in stages like when healing the blind man. On other occasions, He heals instantaneously with a miracle and others He heals at the resurrection.

L. We need revelation of the time delay that God sometimes strategically employs when releasing His power through intercession. Sometimes our prayers which are offered in weakness ascend before God in power to effect change on the earth that may not immediately be seen. We need revelation of this power.

M. God sometimes strategically withholds power from those who walk right with Him.

41 Then many came to Him and said, "John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true." (Jn. 10:41)

N. As we discern God’s power in us it gives us confidence to regularly fellowship with the Spirit.

Apostolic Prayers and Prophetic Promises

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Download Part 1 Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation

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Download Part 2 Transformed by receiving the spirit of Revelation

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Download Part 3 Transformed by receiving the Spirit

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DOWNLOAD Session #4 'Apostolic Prayer: Transformed by Receiving the Spirit of Revelation (Part 4)' Bible Verse Handbook

Much of this teaching will be used by the English speaking Pastors in the Africa Training Bible School.(ATBS)

Each of these ATBS Series includes an audio and handout or study notes to be downloaded as well as a PowerPoint to make the viewing more visual for the Pastors and youth in their churches.