Provoking Divine Lifting And Advancement Through Prayer by Apostle Michael Orokpo: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

It is God's desire for his children to keep advancing. Deuteronomy 28:13 — "the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail." 1 Samuel 12:6 — "it was the Lord that advanced Moses and Aaron." Psalm 75:6-7 — promotion comes not from east, west, or south; God is the judge who puts down one and sets up another.

Three Limitations to Advancement

1. Human hindrances — wicked or unreasonable people resist for no just cause, the way Pharaoh resisted Israel's advancement. Exodus 3:19

2. Self-limitations — fear (Numbers 13:31, the spies who saw themselves as unable), weakness and laziness (Proverbs 24:10), sin that easily besets (Hebrews 12:1-2)

3. Spiritual immaturity — Hebrews 5:12-14, still needing milk when the time called for solid food; without spiritual alertness, discernment to move is lacking.

Five Precursors for Advancement

1. The hand of God

   1 Kings 18:42-46 — Elijah prayed fervently, then "the hand of the Lord was upon Elijah," and he outran Ahab's chariot to the city gate. Acts 4:29-31 — the apostles prayed for God to stretch forth his hand, and signs followed.

2. Favor

   Psalm 44:3 — "they got not the land in possession by their own sword... but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them." Esther 5:13 — favor suspends protocol; Esther entered against the law and was offered up to half the kingdom.

3. Wisdom

   Proverbs 8:15 — "by me kings reign, and princes decree justice." Ecclesiastes 10:10 — wisdom is profitable to direct. James 1:5 — ask for it, and it will be given liberally. Many are stagnant not because of spiritual attack, but because of foolish decisions and lack of direction.

4. Strength of the Spirit

   Isaiah 40:28-31 — "even the youth shall faint and be weary... but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles." Human capacity is a limitation on this journey; strength has to be substituted by God's own. Acts 26:22 — "having obtained help of God, I continue."

5. Prophecy

   Ezekiel 37:1-10 — the valley of dry bones; prophecy cut the ordinances of time, and scattered bones rose as an exceeding great army. 2 Kings 7:1-2 — Elisha declared a besieged nation's economy would turn around within 24 hours, and it did. Advancement can come by declared words, not only by waiting for someone else to prophesy: pick up Scripture and declare it over yourself.