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The Scribal Anointing
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Theresa H. Johnson
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Theresa H. Johnson
Going from Unteachable to Teachable: Part 4 of 4
©
Copyright 2008 Theresa Harvard Johnson
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ABOUT THIS SERIES: There are so many pot holes in our path as
we pursue the ministry the Lord has placed in our hearts. If we are not
aware of those pitfalls, then we are destined to fall into them, get
stuck, and delay our assignment. One of the greatest strongholds
affecting prophetic writers is the inability to be taught. So many
believe that it is enough for them to have a revelation from God, and
that there is absolutely no room for improvement concerning what he has
given them. Sadly, many can not tell the difference between God's voice
or their own. When the Lord sends men and women into their lives to
lovingly director, mentor or teach them -- they fight the very
instruction that will take them to the next level of ministry. This
stronghold is called being "unteachable" and is one of the toughest
impasses I've ever faced (outside of pride) in the ministry of the
worship arts.
PART IV
The characteristics of a teachable person are easy to identify. One of
the greatest examples that we have in the bible of a person being
teachable is that of Jesus Christ. I've rarely heard anyone say this,
but guess what: Jesus Christ had the spirit of a "little child."
Matthew 18:3
And said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become
as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
I don't have time to explain what I am about to say. But I assure you, I
can back it up thoroughly in the word. I don't want anyone to walk away
confused ... but to be full of understanding concerning these next few
statements. If you need clarity, please don't hesitate to ask by sending
us an email.
1. Jesus entered the earth realm as a man. He did not become Lord and
Savior to us until it was "his time" and he was consecrated into
ministry via Baptism with water and then Baptism with the Holy Spirit.
2. Jesus was taught. He was not walking around in the earth realm with
all knowledge and power. Hear me by the spirit here. We all know he had
access to this power from the very beginning of his life, BUT UNTIL it
was his time to walk in signs, wonders and miracles he lived as a
regular man. He was taught by his parents, by God, and the scriptures
tell us that he "grew into the knowledge" of the word of God. We even
saw him spending time in the temple "learning and asking questions" long
before he began to teach. He didn't come out of the womb as a carpenter.
He learned this trade just like everyone else learns a trade in life.
There was even a time in the scriptures in which Jesus "requested" a
copy of the scriptures to "read them" out loud to the people.
3. Like us, Jesus was given a prophetic word concerning his destiny.
Instead helping God push that destiny along, he waited ... until the
appointed time for his consecration, ordination and "sending." Just as
the Lord prophesies our destiny before we are formed – so did he do for
Jesus.
4. Jesus had to submit to authority. He didn't come from the womb a
"working Lord, Savior and King." There was a price and a cost.
5. Jesus also walked in submission to his mother and father. He could
have said, "My Father is GOD!" But he didn't. Instead, he recognized his
proper place "in his development" and took the back seat until elevation
time came in the spirit realm. He poured himself into becoming the
greatest intercessor to ever walk the earth.
These are just a few things from Jesus' life that show us this simple
truth: Even though Jesus KNEW WHO HE WAS AND WHY HE WAS CALLED, HE NEVER
STOPPED LEARNING. JESUS HAD A CHILDLIKE SPIRIT EVEN THOUGH HIS DESTINY
WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT PURPOSE KNOWN TO MAN.
Take a look at these passages of scripture.
Hebrews 5:5-9
5So also Christ glorified not himself to be
made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day
have I begotten thee. 6As he saith also in another place, Thou art a
priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and
supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to
save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8Though he were a
Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9And
being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all
them that obey him.
Jesus didn't rush his destiny. He didn't fight to be heard or seen. He
didn't struggle to be made known. He just followed the course of destiny
set for him in pure submission to authority on ALL LEVELS. In the home,
in the community, in government (remember the tax issue) and in the
Kingdom of Heaven.
Luke 2:40-52
40And the child grew, and waxed strong (this means in the Greek that
he was MADE strong and increased in strength) in spirit, filled with
wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Now look at this, he was a child who GREW and WAS MADE STRONG in spirit.
Doesn't that sound like YOU AND I! We have had to GROW in our spiritual
strength... since the time of our rebirth in Christ Jesus. We know this
story, but we're going to skip from v.41 down to v.48-52. If you want to
know what happened, go back and read it.
Jesus, made a powerful statement to his parents here. He was declaring
his DESTINY and his PURPOSE before him but they didn't understand. But
in the midst of that he adjusted himself into the PROPER PLACE that GOD
had him at that time in his growth as a child. That place was and is the
greatest place a CHILD CAN BE! It's a position called HUMILITY &
SUBMISSION! See for yourself...
48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him,
Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have
sought thee sorrowing. 49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought
me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51And he
went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them:
but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52And Jesus
increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
You see, there are many characteristics of a teachable spirit that we
can find in Jesus' life. They are:
(1) Fear of God. You see Jesus had deep honor and respect for his
Father in Heaven. But He also had HONOR AND RESPECT for his parents on
earth. Knowing his "sure destiny" in God – he could have said ANYTHING,
because clearly his wisdom and knowledge of the Father exceeded theirs.
But he DID NOT;
(2) Jesus LIVED humility. He did not BRAG about his destiny or go
around telling people who he was to impress, draw a crowd, etc. HIS LIFE
spoke for him. Other PEOPLE talked about him, but he did not allow these
people to turn him into a SUPERSTAR and push him in a direction that God
did not want him to go;
(3) Jesus knew how to listen. There's a difference between, "I
hear what you saying ...." and "I am listening." Not only did he know
the difference, but he walked that difference out. He did not become
puffed up and arrogant in his exceeding knowledge, wisdom or the
overwhelming FAVOR he had with God and man. We are so busy looking at
Jesus' hardship, that we sometimes forget that he walked in the
BLESSINGS OF GOD! Shout with me somebody...
(4) Jesus understood authority and submission. You see, he KNEW
he was a child – when he was a child. He knew when it was time to "grow
up" and then, he "grew up." Today, there are still a lot of children
running around thinking they are grown in the spirit. But they have not
STOPPED to allow God to perfect the work so that true elevation can come
to them. COME ON! That's why so many are not prosperous... they never
allowed the Lord to complete the "first work" in their lives.
There is so much here ... but I must stop because this is long. I
EARNESTLY want you to see that it was this teachable spirit that enabled
JESUS to increase in WISDOM, STATURE and FAVOR with God and man. Are you
willing to wait on the Lord ... until he opens the door for you? Can you
sit and be taught? Can you look beyond the age or the stature of your
teacher and see him/her in the spirit. There are people who are
THOUSANDS of years old in the spirit realm, but may be as young as 35 in
the natural. There are people who 60 years of age and older who have
been "walking with God" for 30 years ... who have not made their 10th
birthday in the Spirit.