Releasing Great Grace and Great Power

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Releasing Great Grace And Great Power

By Dr. Gary Michael Epping

Antelope Hill Publications

Smashwords Edition

Copyright: 2008

2nd Edition: 2012

All rights reserved by Gary Michael Epping

ISBN: 9781476320939

Licensing notes:

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy.

Other books by Dr. G. Michael Epping

*A Revolution From Darkness To Light

*Spiritual Stirrings Of The Awakening

*Pathways Into The Glory & Out Into The World

*Strong Meat For The Spiritually Maturing Christian

*The Great Doctrinal Divide That Separates God’s People

*Daily Readings On The Obedience Of Man & God’s Blessing

*Releasing Great Grace And Great Power

*The Last Days Omission

*Birth Pangs Of The Tribulation (Part 1)

*Tribulation Rising (Part 2)

*Unfolding of the Great Tribulation (Part 3)

Table Of Contents

Title

Note From The Author

Preface

1st Foreword

2nd Foreword

Chapter 1 - Reflections and Projections

Chapter 2 - Anointing Jesus

Chapter 3 - Ministry to Jesus

Chapter 4 - Jesus on the Mountaintop

Chapter 5 - Mountain Training

Chapter 6 - All Power is from on High

Chapter 7 – The Gifts of God

Chapter 8 - The Anointing of Man

Chapter 9 – Word and the Spirit

Chapter 10 –Great Grace & Great Power

Endnotes

Bibliography

End

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Note From The Author

Dr. Gary Michael Epping Ph.D. received Bachelor and Graduate degrees in Business Administration, and was a University Professor for twenty-five years. During that time, he taught and published several scholarly articles about the business world. After a radical spiritual transformation at a long-running revival in the mid-1990’s, he subsequently received both Bachelor and Graduate degrees in Biblical Studies and Theology, in order to prepare himself and his family for spending eight years as missionaries in Thailand. The Epping family returned to America in 2009, and is currently living in Montana, where MIchael is a minister, rancher, and writer. At this time, I want to thank my wife, Diane, for standing with me through all of the trials of writing these of books. I also want to thank Fiona Higgins, a missionary in Thailand, for editing all of the books that I have written.

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Preface

Originally, I had planned to write a book solely about the anointing of man with power by the Holy Spirit. But after beginning the literature search, I discovered something of critical importance that altered the entire course of the present study, as well as the presentation of material in this book. This is not to discount the importance of the anointing of the Holy Spirit, but rather to show that something of critical value has been left out. In my literature search of nearly twenty books on the anointing, nearly all dealt exclusively with various aspects of the anointing of power from the Holy Spirit. This is not unusual. If you ask fifty Christians about the anointing, nearly everyone will assume you are talking about the anointing of the Spirit. This is a hot topic today in many Christian circles, as many people are in pursuit of this particular anointing. Even many from the Reformed tradition are reevaluating their doctrinal stance concerning what the Holy Spirit can and cannot do. Yet, hardly anybody, writer or reader, is talking about this other important anointing.

It was only in an older book on another topic that I discovered the need for a ‘prior anointing’ that must take place before any anointing by the Spirit is possible. This book was written by Watchman Nee, and is considered a classic. The book is "The Normal Christian Life" by Watchman Nee, and it deals with the issue of what it really means to be a Christian. The final chapter of that book deals with another anointing that is so important, that if you do not have it, you should not expect to be anointed with power by the Spirit. This anointing was one that was done by Mankind (actually by a woman), rather than by the Holy Spirit. It is described in several different gospel accounts (JHN 12, MRK 14, and LUK 10), where Mary anointed the head (and feet) of Jesus with oil from an alabaster box. This anointing of Jesus indicates that a point has been reached where a person is ready to place everything before Jesus. It is not a place of glamour, pride, or self-willed work in the ministry. Watchman Nee once said, So many who have been prominent in the Christian world know nothing of this. Many of us have been used to the full -- have been used, I would say, too much – but we do not know what it means to be ‘wasted on God.’ We like to be always ‘on the go’: the Lord would sometimes prefer to have us in prison. We think in terms of apostolic journeys: God dares to put His greatest ambassadors in chains. Only from this place at the feet of Jesus, having given up everything, can we be trusted enough to be anointed by the Spirit for use in the ministry. This anointing by man is tied closely to the earthly ministry of Jesus and the message of the cross. It is also of critical importance to the Christian, if we ever hope to flow in the power of the Spirit. Watchman Nee rightly tells us, No, my friends, the Lord’s first concern is with our position at His feet and our anointing of His Head.¹

Because of its importance, this prior anointing will be discussed more fully in the early chapters of the book. This anointing is the necessary foundation from which an alignment of the Spirit and the Word might occur among denominational and doctrinal camps, as well as a prerequisite for the anointing of power from the Spirit. Instead of waiting for an ‘Isaac generation’ to someday come and solve the woes of the church, we should rather look to a ‘Mary generation’ in the church today, who is willing to humble themselves before the Lord. In essence, what I am saying is, do not expect an alignment of the Word and Spirit, nor a mighty anointing by the Holy Spirit, unless you are willing to first anoint the head of Jesus. The source of all supernatural gifts, starts by pouring out everything of earthly value upon Jesus as He is worthy of it all, and then sitting down at His feet. Sorry, if I burst any bubbles for those ‘fast movers’ that want to skip this step, and get on to a discussion of how you can be a powerhouse of your own making in your ministry. I am not avoiding that equally important topic about the anointing of the Spirit, but rather delaying its discussion till later in the book.

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Foreword

By Leilani H. McConnell

As a minister, intercessor and educator, I read on the average of twenty to thirty books a year. Before reading this book, 'Releasing Great Grace and Great Power,’ I had not come across any book that focused on this truth of the ‘dual nature of the anointing.' I believe that this is a divine revelation that is essential for the Body of Christ to grab a hold of.  This book is more than a book.  I believe that this is a message from the heart of the Lord to the Church.

The main message of this book is taken from the different gospel accounts of Mary anointing the head and feet of Jesus with very expensive oil from an alabaster box.  Most of us know this story but I believe that we have missed a very important principal.  That is the principal of ‘first’ anointing the Lord with what costs us everything!  This is foundational to our anointing from Him!  How, I wish that someone would have shared with me this concept before I entered the ministry.  Had I known this truth early on, I believe I would have been much more effective in the early years of ministry.  Not only that, I would not have experienced 'burn out'!  This is one of those foundational truths that God is now restoring to His Body, the Church.  I believe that this is a prerequisite for the anointing and power that God will be pouring on and through His Church in these last days. 
Truly, our Lord said it best.  For those of us that wish to be great in God’s Kingdom, we must first learn to be servants to all.  We must learn to be like Mary who was always in a posture of worship even in her most difficult circumstances.   Even when her brother Lazarus died, Mary ran and fell at Jesus feet.
 As I was in the process of writing this, I came across the following passage from the book ‘Adoration’ by Martha Kilpatrick.  I believe that the following quote from her book sums up what I believe that my friend and author, Dr. G. Michael Epping, is trying to communicate in this book, ’Releasing Great Grace and Great Power’.   Our ministry to Him must always begin, must daily begin, at His feet.  In absolute surrender, a posture of humility before Him.  We become His feet.   Seated at His feet, we become!  Only as His feet….being His feet are we elevated….only there can we become His hallowing hand ….His delivering influence.

I believe that the truths that are revealed in ’Releasing Great Grace and Great Power’ are powerful keys to unlocking the anointing, power and grace of God not only in our personal lives but in corporate ministry as well. 


Leilani H McConnell
Healing

Waters Ministries, Inc.


Hardin, MT

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Foreword

By Dr. Philip Brassfield

I don’t know about you but sometimes I get uncomfortable with the brand of Christianity that we see on Christian television and through other major media outlets today. It seems to be a Christianity that is defined and validated by material wealth and ministry size that exalts success in earthly, even carnal terms to the exclusion of spiritual disciplines, genuine sacrifice and humble service. As a result, it seems that the best we can produce are anemic, spiritually immature Christians who are high maintenance, low impact.

A lesson that I learned from raising my children is that immaturity is typically characterized by a lack of understanding regarding the true value and importance of things. Priorities become confused. An out-of-whack, meo-centric value system develops where we major on the minors and focus in the trivial. Now, I am no Christian critic and have little patience with those who are, and I really do believe in material prosperity, covenant blessing and supernatural power. But I also believe that there is a great need for balance, for us as Christians to grow up and become mature in the things of God; where we learn to value what God values and in the order that He values them. We need teachers, preachers and writers who help us find the way to balance and truth.

That is why I am so excited about this book written by my good friend, Dr. Gary Epping. Gary has proven himself over many years to be a very capable scholar bringing to light truth regarding our understandings of the moves of God, revival, and overcoming the powers of darkness. He has challenged us with strong meat and offered clear paths through the areas of doctrinal division that separates the body of Christ. But now in what could be his greatest literary contribution to the Body of Christ to date, Gary breaks open the concept of anointing. He shows with precision and scholarly care the reality that true spiritual anointing begins with an anointing of surrender and service. With excellent historical insight and practical applications, he teaches us that the pathway to power begins not with the anointing from Jesus, but with our anointing Jesus with our lives of total surrender. ’Releasing Great Grace and Great Power will challenge you to rethink your concept of the anointing, to understand the process of true anointing power and to refocus your attention on the Anointed.

Dr. Philip Brassfield, Director

Destiny Ministries

Heber Springs, Arkansas

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Chapter 1

REFLECTIONS AND PROJECTIONS

A LOOK BACKWARDS

The Great Doctrinal Divide

Over the two thousand year history of the Church, there have been many raging battles over doctrinal areas. Several of these areas were examined in my previous book, "The Great Doctrinal Divide That Separates God’s People.² There has clearly been a division between proponents that place primary importance on the written Word of God, and those who proclaim that the primary substance is the Spirit of God. This separation within the Church universal may be the key reason that God will not act in power to take the Great Commission to the whole world, and usher in the soon return of Christ. It seems that God is saying to the body today, lend Me an ear and I will show you the way." We have been waiting for God to move, but He has been ready to move since He sent His Son to redeem mankind, and then sent His Spirit of Truth to lead and guide the church. God today wants man to move, but for that to happen we must listen to Him, and be willing to tear down all man-made doctrines that have become stumbling blocks and hindrances.

Denominational, nondenominational, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Pentecostal, Charismatic, and other doctrinal groups all need to remember that the authority of God’s Truth as established and presented in the Bible, should always take precedent over any man-made doctrines. No doctrine of Man should be exalted into a place that is solely reserved for God’s Word. The best doctrine of man can only hope to mirror the truths of God’s Word. Any other doctrine that is causing division, strife, and fighting among the brethren needs to be seriously reviewed and changed to be in alignment with Scripture. This is true, whether we are talking about a small group of people or a large denomination. The doctrine of God should lead us forward as followers of Jesus Christ, the anointed One. Obviously, we should never allow either the opinions of man nor the lies of the devil, to creep in and distort church doctrine. This can only be accomplished by keeping our eyes always focused clearly on Jesus, with no sunshades to distort and color our view of Him or His gospel.

The failure, today, to act on God’s commands to take the gospel of the kingdom of God out to the lost people of the world must be shared by all churches, whether they be Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal, or some other group. All groups have had a tendency to develop their own style of theology to fit the needs of their own particular group. What we need is a fresh, new vision of God’s Word without the doctrinal filters of man. This likely will happen when we humbly sit at the feet of Jesus, rather than at the feet of some seminary professor. We must remember that the absence or presence of certain gifts in one’s life tells us little about our salvation status. The absence of the gifts and power from the Holy Spirit, however, can make it very difficult to evangelize lost people in the far reaches of the globe, or next door. In many cases, conversion comes down to the issue of whose god is more powerful, yours or mine? Obviously, we are at a disadvantage if we refuse to use all of the office gifts, the spiritual gifts, and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The miraculous still opens minds that otherwise would never be open to the possibility of truly knowing Jesus in their hearts. At a basic level, neither the charismatic or non-charismatic person is more saved than the other, since it was God that pulled each out of the miry clay. What each of us needs to do, is to be able to endure until the end and not slide back into sin, as we regularly witness to the lost people around us about Jesus.

In the church, there has been much division and strife since the beginning of the Reformation and the emergence of Pentecostalism. Spiritual gifts must be used humbly and in love, or conflict will always arise. One should not arrogantly display his Pentecostal badge of spirituality in the face of a Protestant brother. Likewise, a Protestant brother should not respond in piously, pompous pride, by saying only Protestants know the true way through Scripture. The gifts of the Spirit come from God, and He does not give His children any bad gifts. So, we should accept and use them to genuinely glorify Him. If the New Testament church began in the Spirit, should not we today continue in the Spirit? Trying to run our course in life, in the flesh, may make us miss the mark. Our Father is a rewarder, and gives us good gifts. Let us all learn to receive them, and use them for the benefit of the body, and for the glory of Jesus who is the head of the church.

I believe the Bible clearly states that all of God’s gifts are available for today’s church and believer. But, this is not a rejection of the Reformed tradition and an acceptance of the Pentecostal tradition. What we have done is to affirm the best of both doctrines based on the Word of God. As we move towards an alignment of the Word and the Spirit, it will be important to fully use these spiritual gifts along with the truths from the Bible. Both the Reformed and Pentecostal traditions have much to offer in order for this alignment to take place. Likewise, both traditions have areas of weaknesses that need to be forfeited so that the Word and the Spirit can move properly together. And let us not forget about our Catholic brothers. Since the Reformation, there are man-made doctrinal differences that are also present between Catholic and Protestant traditions. God’s doctrine that comes from the Word should likewise affirm the best of Catholic doctrine, and shake off its weaknesses. A true doctrine of God should be one that represents the Holy Bible (not including the Apocrypha), and has a place for all Christian groups that are willing to listen with open ears, and see with clarity. In the present book, we are not interested in fighting and fussing, or disputing and denying, any of the different man-made doctrines of major or minor religious groups. This issue has already been dealt with in my previous book. Rather in the present text, we will pick up at the ending point of the earlier book, trusting that the reader is interested in wholeheartedly pursuing God and His Word, rather than engaging in any further disputes over man-made doctrines. As far as I am concerned, that is a settled issue, and it is time to move on. If you want to persist in beating a dead horse, by attacked the doctrines of others and defending your own, then you are likely reading the wrong book.

Where Do You Live Your Life?

Each of us who lives on planet earth is involved in a life situation, which reflects the presence of other persons. Presence insinuates relationship and the closeness of others, whether it is physical, mental, or spiritual. These relationships can be freewill choices, where we choose to associate with a particular person or persons, and to avoid or stay away from other less desirable persons. Relationships and presence can also be involuntary, if another person is able to exert control and influence over us against our freewill. Being in the presence of another person can involve one or more parts of our human existence; body, soul, and spirit. Presence by itself does not necessarily involve talking or communication with the other person. At its purest level, presence means to just be in the immediate vicinity of another person.

Presence And Influence

In many instances, the quietness of being in the presence of another, eventually leads to voices being spoken from one member in this relationship, and sometimes a dialogue will take place between the members. Often, one person in the relationship will seek to influence the other person in the relationship. This can be very beneficial, when the one exhibiting the influence brings good and beneficial things into the other’s life. Sometimes, a husband has very important information, that when he speaks it forth, the wife benefits greatly. Similarly, when the Holy Spirit brings instruction in righteousness into our lives, it is possible to be changed and move on to a new level in God. If we have sin in our lives when Satan comes for a visit, he may gain a foothold of influence in our lives, which can drag us down into places that we likely should not go. If we persist in sin, then the influence of Satan grows stronger and stronger, and can eventually harm or kill us if we do not repent and turn back towards the light. God is good and will protect us, when we are covered by the blood of Jesus. If we step out and turn away from God, then He may take His hand off of our life. This gives the devil the opportunity to step in and attempt to drag us back into sin. Yes, presence can lead to voices of influence that can cause us to grow and move upward, or degenerate and fall backward.

There are many voices that try to speak into our lives, and influence where we are headed in our journey through life. If we are on the narrow pathway that follows Jesus, the cunning and seductive voice of Satan will often try to lure us off on a rabbit trail that leads to the wide highway to hell. If we are on the wrong path, the small still voice of the Holy Spirit will speak to us with conviction, attempting to wake us up and turn us back towards the pathway of Christ while there is still time. There are also voices from the world that will attempt to put idols between God and you. The glitter and attractiveness of worldly living can be a strong temptation to take one’s eyes off of Jesus. A key point to be remembered is that not all voices that speak to us are from God. Some voices clearly will try to draw you off the edge and into hell. Others are more deceiving, such as when the devil comes to you as an angel of light. We clearly need to be able to discern between that which is good and of God, from that which is bad and from Satan or from the world. We need not only discernment, but also must make daily choices as to what we let enter the gateways of our eyes and ears.

While in the presence of another, it is possible for us to influence others, as well as for them to influence us. A voice can be physical through verbal language, it can be mental through the generation of ideas in the mind, and a voice can be spiritual through communion and impartation. We can actually be changed by the presence and voices of others, whether this change be positive or negative. It is therefore important for us to watch over our eyes and ears, and to be selective in what we watch and listen to during each day. All of us will be influenced in some fashion by what we see and hear in life. It is therefore critical that we place ourselves in the positive presence of other persons and situations that can nurture us as we grow, and to stay away from those persons and places that can harm and cause us to decline.

Who Are You In The Presence Of?

The word presence can be defined as, one being in the immediate vicinity of another person in a particular place. Three primary things can be gleaned from this definition, which involves an individual, another person or persons, and a place or situation. Presence involves an individual that is alive on planet earth. Presence also necessarily means being near another person. Although an individual could solitarily exist by himself in isolation, such as on an island, this does not insinuate presence, which requires being near someone else. Thirdly, we and the other person (or persons) are aligned in some form of relationship in a particular situation. This situation could involve being in the direct physical presence of another, such as two people in your living room. It could be in the mental presence of another, such as one talking on the telephone with another, but separated by physical distance. It could also mean being in the spiritual presence of another, such as in prayer. Here it is possible to be close in spirit, but far apart physically, such as God in heaven and man on earth.

From an individual frame of reference, our presence is our existence in a life situation, which can be physical, mental, and/or spiritual. Immediate vicinity means near enough to feel the presence of someone or something else. Another definition of presence, means another who inspires awe and respect. This reflects a positive free-will influence from another person or an individual, who we voluntarily associate with. We can also be negatively influenced, as bad people try to gain power and control in our lives. Every one who is alive can feel the presence of one or more persons during their daily existence.

The nature of being in the presence of someone else means that you are aware of another person. Many times, we can sit together with our husband, wife, parents, or children, and feel a closeness and warmness with little or nothing being said. Similarly, we can feel the presence of the Lord, when we come to Him in communion, without any need of speaking. Communion, in this instance, is simply being there with God. This is different than our prayer time when we are petitioning God with our own needs and those of other people. When we sit at the feet of Jesus, much satisfaction is often gained from the mere presence of Jesus. In this instance, we are talking about the manifest presence of God, which insinuates close proximity to our Lord. This is different than the omnipresence of God, which is expressed by Him everywhere in His creation. There is nothing like being in the manifest presence of Jesus, a life experience so wonderful and grand that nothing else in life can compare. Once we have found this secret place on the mountain of God, we can never forget it, and we will want to return there time and time again, until our earthly life comes to an end. Likewise, it is equally possible to feel the cold, dark presence of Satan, fallen angels, and demons, as they come into the realm of your presence. These fallen beings often come for a visit, even when we have not given them an invitation. Satan and his henchmen will always at some point return to see if you have your guard down or have fallen into sin. Their purpose and goal is not to just enter your presence, but to try and influence you. We will all be in the presence of beings from both darkness and light, as our life journey goes through many different places. Sometimes we are on the mountain in the middle of a peak spiritual experience with God. At other times, we are in the desert, in the middle of a major trial, where God seems distant. While in the presence of God, we hope that it will never end. Conversely, when we are in the presence of a being from the dark side, the end can never come too quickly, and many times we must simply stand and persevere until the attack is over. We are told in scripture, however, to resist the devil and he will flee from you (JAM 4:7).

In The Presence Of Man

In the physical realm of existence, each of us can easily see or hear the presence of other people, both near and far. These people can both positively and negatively affect our lives. Our parents were the first and closest contacts we had in life as we grew from childhood into an adult. Traditionally, the young child was in the presence of parents night and day during his or her first five years, up until the point of entering school. In the modern era working mothers and fathers have been replaced by grandparents or daycare personnel, during this important time frame of existence. As one enters the educational system, our sphere of presence extends outward to both teachers and peer groups of other children. For the Christian family, the presence of pastors and other Christians also can have a marked presence as the young child is taken regularly to church. Usually, the parents will attempt to protect the child, until he becomes a teenager. At this point, many other spheres of presence expand to come into one’s life. In high school, social groups, academic groups, and athletic groups become available to the young person. Traditionally, from the age of eighteen to twenty-one, the young adult separates from living with his parents and enters other primary places of influence. For many this begins with college or technical school, where training begins for a future vocation in business or commerce. Others, move directly into occupations with little or no training. At some point, each person must find a way to support himself and later raise a family of one’s own. The presence of work associates becomes an important presence that will continue throughout life. Other social spheres of presence can also move into one’s life, such as country clubs, exercise groups, sports events, hunting clubs, nightclubs, and church groups. Groups of this kind can have a direct presence of other humans in one’s life. Other more distant groups in the town, city, state, and nation, can also bring an indirect expansion of presence into our lives through television, the internet, and movies. Even events from other parts of the world, can enter our presence through increased forms of communication. These are but a few of the many, many kinds of human influences from man that can make up the presence of our daily life. As we journey through life, a few of these people will be there throughout our lifetime. Others will come into our lives and quickly exit. Still, others will enter and stay for a while, and then exit. The presence of life will be ever changing as we go through life. Our life choices can have a positive or negative influence on other people gaining access to our life, or being blocked from coming into our sphere of presence. Many of these people have an agenda or plan for your life, whether it is directly stated or is more subtly applied.

In The Presence Of Satan And Evil

Satan has a plan for your life also, and will try to enter your sphere of presence, beginning at an early age. He does not need an invitation, and will gain entry, whether you directly invite him in, or inadvertently leave a doorway open. His primary purpose, and those who follow him, is to try and nullify any influence or presence of God in your life. Through deception, he wants to keep you in an unsaved condition throughout your life, so that hell might one day claim you. Whatever is presented as God’s truth, he will attempt to pervert and distort through temptation and deception. He is cunning, crafty, and a liar that will never give up. Our only defense is to stay under the blood of Christ, and leave no entry points into our lives. Satan is not omnipresent, nor able to know our thoughts. But, he does have a network of fallen angels and demons that endlessly watch us, and look for weaknesses to exploit. Just as the devil told Eve in the garden of Eden that she would surely not die from eating from the tree of knowledge, he continues to lure us today with many of the same old lies and lures of the world. Without the saving grace of Jesus Christ, we would remain in the presence of darkness with a certain fate of condemnation to hell. Yet, when we choose light over darkness, and follow Jesus, the presence of Satan and darkness is eliminated as the presence of glory enters our sphere of life. Although Satan has already been defeated by Jesus on the cross, he has been left in this dispensation to roam the earth as described in 1 PE 5:8; Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. He would like nothing better than to kill you while you are in a fallen condition and away from the Lord. Never give him an opportunity, as he will exploit even the smallest opening, and use it as an entryway into your life. Yes, Satan also has an agenda for your life, and seeks to enter your presence and influence your life. The only way to avoid his influence or that of the world is to allow Jesus to enter your life.

Living In The Presence Of God

The most important place to live, both on planet earth and in the universe, is in the presence of God. This was the original place for man as created by God in the Garden of Eden.