Podcast Episode Summary

The Spirit & Power Of Elijah | Craig Field | Holy Ghost Meetings 2024 | Monday AM

Host: Dufresne Ministries
Speaker: Craig Field
Date: January 19, 2024

Episode Overview

This message, delivered by guest minister Craig Field during Dufresne Ministries’ Holy Ghost Meetings, explores the prophetic concept of operating in “the spirit and power of Elijah.” Field traces a spiritual lineage from Elijah to John the Baptist, then asserts that Kenneth E. Hagin fulfilled a modern forerunner role. He challenges contemporary believers—especially those associated with the Word of Faith movement—to recognize their calling as forerunners for Christ’s Second Coming, emphasizing the need for humility, proximity to spiritual generals, and skillful engagement with the Holy Spirit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Repeated Phrase: The Spirit and Power of Elijah (01:20 - 04:00)

• Field shares that since January 1, a phrase has risen in his heart: “In the spirit and power of Elijah.”
• The message divides into two parts:
  • Understanding what we have and who we are.
  • How to retain and skillfully use it, recognizing Satan’s strategies to steal what is valuable.

2. Elijah’s Prophetic Role & Legacy (04:45 - 08:30)

• Elijah stood as the greatest prophet of his generation, “protecting the flow of God” amid gross idolatry and witchcraft.
• The “spirit of Jezebel” (sexual perversion and witchcraft) is compared to contemporary times.
• Field explains that Elijah’s true threat was his boldness and his ability to turn people’s hearts back to God.

Quote:
“Elijah was the greatest prophet of his generation and he protected the flow of God in his generation.” – Craig Field (07:30)

3. The Prophetic Connection to John the Baptist (08:30 - 14:30)

• Malachi’s prophecy (Malachi 4:5) that God would send “Elijah the prophet before the coming of the Lord.”
• Gabriel’s visit to Zacharias (Luke 1:16-17) reveals that John the Baptist would come “in the spirit and power of Elijah.”
• John’s life and ministry echo Elijah’s—in appearance (hairy, leather belt/camel skin), message (turning hearts), and boldness.

Quote:
“What does that mean—‘the spirit and power of Elijah’? The spirit of Elijah is the spirit of faith. He knew how to trust God, to hear God, to flow in the Holy Ghost.” – Craig Field (16:55)

4. Forerunners: Old and New (15:00 - 23:30)

• Field argues that if a forerunner was required before Jesus’ first coming, it stands to reason one is required before His second.
• He introduces Kenneth E. Hagin as the forerunner for the Second Coming, paralleling John the Baptist.
• A rare audio clip is played in which Hagin recounts a vision his mother had in 1917, and a prophetic word:
  • “For as John the Baptist was a forerunner to His first coming, he’ll be a forerunner to His second coming.” – Kenneth E. Hagin (18:50)

Memorable Segment:
Hagin’s humility:
“This ministry is not built on personalities… I attract attention to Jesus. This ministry is built on purpose.” (19:55)

5. The Message and Mantle of Kenneth E. Hagin (23:45 - 32:45)

• Hagin’s lifelong commission: “Teach my people faith.”
• Field asserts that Hagin’s ministry brought essential balance between Word and Spirit—Holy Ghost power with faith.
• Relates a story of Jesus appearing to a Mexican minister’s son, emphasizing that manifestations alone are insufficient—God seeks faith-driven flows.

Quote:
“When He comes back to the earth, He’s looking for faith… a balanced thing of faith and the Holy Ghost.” – Craig Field (26:15)

• Hagin started a movement, not just a ministry—“He was the spark; we are the flame.”
• The forerunner spirit now rests on a generation and an army, not just one person.

6. Skillfulness, Humility, and Proximity (32:50 - 46:00)

• Field stresses that having a calling is not enough; believers must be skillful to retain and exercise it.
• The importance of humility: one cannot walk in the fullness of the Elijah anointing without submitting to spiritual generals (“You don’t know nothing unless you’re taught.”).
• True impartation requires physical proximity (“You can’t get it by watching—a lot of this is caught, not taught.”).
  • Field notes the attendance of pastors from Congo, Kenya, Brazil, Israel, Estonia, Nigeria, and Pakistan, highlighting the importance of presence.

Quote:
“There’s things you get by being in the room that you cannot get through a screen.” (41:55)

7. The Model of Elisha (46:30 - 55:30)

• Field outlines Elisha’s preparation for Elijah’s mantle:

  1. Servanthood: Poured water on Elijah’s hands—served in humility (47:20)
  2. Proximity: Stayed close for years, positioning himself for the double portion.
  3. Resilience: Refused to take offense, remained committed despite discouragement or lack of recognition.
  4. Focus: Didn’t get distracted, even by spectacular events (e.g., chariots and horses of fire at Elijah’s ascension).

• Parallels are drawn to the need for today’s believers to serve, stay close, refuse offense, and keep focus if they are to step into their spiritual inheritance.

8. Military Analogy & The Centurion’s Faith (55:30 - 65:30)

• Paul’s exhortation in 2 Timothy: “Endure hardness as a good soldier” (2 Tim 2:3-4).
• The Roman centurion recognized his “divine supply” (Jesus), submitting his own cultural expectations.
• Spiritual maturity requires submission; it is not about agreement with every style or nuance, but recognition and honor.

Quote:
“You need to think the way your divine supply thinks, not the way your culture thinks.” (61:10)

9. Military Training and Submission – Lessons from Israel (65:30 - 73:00)

• Field recounts visiting Israeli soldiers on the West Bank—a metaphor for the Church.
• Observing militant discipline, Field draws lessons on humility, submission, and unity:
  • “There is no feelings. He is saving my life by yelling at me.” (70:05)
  • The importance of correction and training over personal comfort; offense disqualifies believers from the anointing's fullness.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Craig Field (main theme):
  “If Dad Hagin was the forerunner, if that is true, it means that he also had to be in the spirit and power of Elijah…”

• Kenneth E. Hagin (from the audio clip, 18:50):
  “For as John the Baptist was a forerunner to His first coming, he’ll be a forerunner to His second coming. I’ve never said that before… This ministry is not built on personalities. This ministry is built on purpose.”

• Craig Field (importance of balance, 26:15):
  “When He comes back to the earth, He’s looking for faith… a balanced thing of faith and the Holy Ghost.”

• On submission (61:10):
  “You need to think the way your divine supply thinks, not the way your culture thinks.”

• On correction (70:05):
  “‘There is no feelings. He is saving my life by yelling at me.’…The Lord took me there even just for that, to say: ‘that is militaristic humility and submission. And that is what my church does not understand.’”

Key Timestamps

• Opening, explanation of message direction: 00:00–04:00
• Elijah’s role and significance: 04:45–08:30
• Prophetic connection to John the Baptist: 08:30–14:30
• John as Elijah: Scriptures and Jesus’ words: 14:45–16:30
• The phrase “spirit and power of Elijah” explained: 16:30–18:25
• Kenneth Hagin audio clip: 18:31–20:49
• Hagin’s legacy—Word & Spirit balance: 23:45–32:45
• How to walk skillfully as forerunners: 32:50–46:00
• Elisha as a model—servanthood and focus: 46:30–55:30
• Skillful submission and the centurion: 55:30–65:30
• Israeli soldiers—practical example of discipline: 65:30–73:00

Concluding Message

Craig Field urges believers to recognize the era they are in—the era of the forerunner spirit, characterized by faith, boldness, the move of the Holy Ghost, and particular skill in the local church and Word-Spirit balance. The responsibility is weighty: “He [Hagin] was the spark; we are the flame.” Field challenges listeners to humility, practical commitment, and spiritual seriousness, reminding them that their proximity to generals, openness to correction, and willingness to prioritize the flow of the Spirit are vital for this next move of God.

Final Call to Action:

• Don’t spectate—move from mere knowledge to action.
• Prioritize being physically and spiritually close to the flow of the Spirit, learning from those ahead.
• Embrace discipline, humility, and submission to truly operate in the spirit and power of Elijah as forerunners for Christ’s imminent return.