While some see it being critical of the church it is in reality a holy dissatisfaction with where we are at & a heralding of where we are headed – like it or not God is up to something. It is said that the prophets disturb the comfortable – thank God, because we can’t stay the way we are and expect different results.

The past should be a springboard, not a hammock.

I first saw an example of the old anointing compared to the new when a very well known teacher / preacher was ministering at a conference. He was sharing about how the Holy Spirit had ‘hit’ his church & completely transformed it. He began to minister under that ‘new’ anointing. Then all of a sudden – it was like a huge switch was turned off – he began to teach – but there was something different – it lost something. It was still the word of God but something had changed in the delivery of it. I questioned the Lord & He said “he (the preacher) moved back into the old anointing”. The next night a similar thing happened, he started off – it was awesome what he was saying & what the Holy Spirit was doing, then – the switch – back to the old. Many of us have done similar. The problem is God is not wanting us to go back to the old but pursue the new.

God said to Samuel – Depart from this old anointing that I have rejected. Find the new anointing which was David.

1 Sam. 16:1 ( NIV ) ¹The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

Depart from this old anointing that I have rejected. Find the new anointing which was David.

We are in a time of transition :-

Transitioning into a church doing supernatural ‘acts’ &

Transitioning into a church doing supernatural ‘acts of kindness’.

Significant impact demands a strategic approach. But basically he wants to transition carnal people into supernatural Christians.

We are at a point of Critical mass – the point of change.

It is critical because you are letting go of the old & taking hold of the new.

It’s like changing a baton in a race – there is a point of critical mass. Critical because there is the possibility of dropping the baton. Critical because it is a time where things slow down momentarily while the exchange is made. Critical because it is an uncomfortable time.

You are releasing something that is comfortable, that you are familiar with. You are taking hold of something that you are not familiar with.

You are familiar with the old - you are not familiar with the new. That is the point of critical mass – the point of change.

2 Kin. 2:8 (NCV) Elijah took off his coat, rolled it up, and hit the water. The water divided to the right and to the left, and Elijah and Elisha crossed over on dry ground.

Point of critical mass: - The waters didn’t part until Elijah struck them

Acts 3:6-8 ( NLT ) But Peter said, “I don’t have any money for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” 7Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and anklebones were healed and strengthened. 8He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

Point of critical mass: - The crippled man that rose up & was healed – was healed as he stood up.

John 19:30 ( NCV ) ….. he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and died.

Point of critical mass: - new life didn’t begin until Jesus gave His life. The old didn’t give way to the new until the point of critical mass when Jesus died on the cross.

There is a change in the spirit.

We have been progressing to this Point of change in the spirit –

Matt. 14:29 ( NCV ) 29Jesus said, “Come.”

And Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus.

Point of critical mass: -

Peter was at a place of critical mass when he let go of the boat & started walking on water. He did not start walking on water until he had let go of the boat -The point of critical mass.

History shows – past experience shows whenever the Lord say’s to people get out of the boat. Many will get out of the boat (but not let go) dangle their feet in the water – test the waters but then the vast majority will get back in the boat.

Then there are people that get out of the boat & let go, but then they swim to a life raft - they will immediately look for something else to cling too.

Then there are people who hear the Lord saying get out of the boat – they get out, let go & keep their eyes on Jesus.

Right now we are at a point of critical mass – letting go of the old & embracing the new. It is a place that is very uncomfortable because you are not familiar with the new.

THE CHALLENGE OF THE WESTERN CHURCH

This is the report from Rev GEORGE OTIS Jnr, producer of the Transformations Videos,

"157 Cities and Nations on 5 continents are experiencing Transforming Revival. Restored community life and hope, reduced crime and addiction, thousands coming to faith…"

He said he receives reports every day of more cities around the world where transformation is happening as God responds to the passionate prayer of His people.

BUT - NONE OF THE STORIES ARE FROM WESTERN CITIES!!

There is no sign of significant community transformation in the West.

In studying all the stories of real revival, he finds a number of conditions that are always present before the powerful intervention of God. These include Holiness, Humility, Repentance, People Passionate for His Presence, Sustained United Prayer and Persevering Servant Leaders.

George's research shows many obstacles to Revival in West, especially the influence of western culture in the Church. He says our obsession with time, success and programmes, our apathy and low expectation of God acting powerfully are all barriers to God's sovereign intervention.

God is transitioning the Church into the former glory of the early church.

The early church had the fullness of everything, the fullness of miracles, signs & wonders. The early church had the fullness of the Apostolic & Prophetic. It had the fullness of the five fold gifts of ministry.

God is transitioning the church back into a supernatural church.