Sunday, September 05, 2010

Walking With The Greats - The Life of Elisha

This week's service can be watched at
"...follow the example of those who are going to inherit
God’s promises because of their faith and endurance."
Hebrew 6:12

Today's Scripture Text: 1 Kings 19:15-21 & 2 Kings 2:1-13
  1. GOD’S CALL! – 1 Kings 19:19
There is no audition for serving God.  He is not looking for your ability but your availability.
Life Lesson #1 - God Calls Ordinary People & Has More In Store
All of the 'Greats' were found "working".  God uses people who are busy working for the kingdom!
Life Lesson #2 - Hard Work Always Pays Off!
'Waiting' means "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" – Eccl. 9:10
Life Lesson #3 - God Makes The Call – We Make The Commitment & Effort 
  1. OUR COMMITMENT to God! – 1 Kings 19:21
When you make a commitment to God, there must be no turning back!  Elisha burned everything so he couldn't make any excuse to back out of his commitment!
Life Lesson #4 - The Call Will Often Cost You But The Blessing Is Abundant!
When you receive God's call, you must give your all. It is a choice that will require sacrifice.  God will use and bless anyone who is committed to the call!
  1. OUR COMMITMENT to Serve!  – 1 Kings 19:21
When Elisha was called, he was actually the man in charge.  He was building a business when God called him.  He heeded the call to serve the man of God.  Not as a boss, but as a servant.  He humbled himself.  We're not called to position, we're called to submission.  We are called to serve.  This is the last we hear about Elisha for 10 years.
Life Lesson #5 - God Makes Great Leaders Out Of Great Followers
Whoever wants to be the greatest must become the least - Matthew 23:11
  1. THE TESTING! – 2 Kings 2:2-6
When once again we hear about Elisha, he's being tested!  You might think he would be a prominent leader by this point, but instead he is making the bed and washing the clothes... he is still serving!
Life Lesson #6 - Our Commitment Is Almost Always Tested!
Elisha's answer to his man of God was consistently, "As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!"  Elisha's commitment was summed up by saying, "I am going to remain faithful to you until God says otherwise!"  He kept being tested to leave the call, but he stayed close to his man of God, regardless of what the future was to bring.  Elijah had many followers, but they all stood at a distance - while Elisha stayed close.
Life Lesson #7 - Don’t Look For The Easy Out - Determination In Serving Always Brings Blessing
After Elijah realized the determination of Elisha "when they crossed over to the other side" (Elisha was still serving him after all that time and testing), he asked Elisha what he could do for him.  Elisha didn't chase Elijah always asking for the blessing, but Elisha offered it when it was the right time.
  1. THE BLESSING! – 2 Kings 2:9-10
Life Lesson #8 - Your Blessing Comes After You Prove Faithful In The Testing
Elisha asked for a double-portion of Elijah's anointing.  Now, there really isn't such a thing as varying measures of anointing.  But in Elisha's culture, what double-portion really meant was that he wanted the blessing of the father on the first born son!  A generational blessing (as opposed to a generational curse).  Elisha understood that it wasn't about him.  The miraculous flows out of lives that have been submitted, with the heart to see others delivered - because there are still be people that need freedom.  We know that Elisha received his request because:
  • While it is recorded that Elijah did 8 great miracles, we see that Elisha
    did 16 great miracles. 
  • Elisha was a prophet for twice as long as Elijah.
Elisha wasn't just like Elijah.  While Elijah had a very prominent ministry in his time, with many onlookers, Elisha never had the crowds.  He performed miracles relationally, one at a time.  When you are faithful to serve your man and woman of God, He will release blessing on you and your future generations.  Just don't turn back.  After all, what do you have to go back to?  Jesus said that we will do greater things than he did and there isn't enough room to record all the works Jesus did.  The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead will empower you to walk in the footsteps of Elisha.  Because you truly do have an anointing from the Holy One! 1 John 2:20

CHALLENGE: This week's challenge is two-fold:
  1. If there is anything that you have as a Plan B, something to 'fall back on', a back-up in case your relationship with God doesn't work, you need to surrender it to God right now.  Let go of anything that holds you to your past.  These are the very things keeping you from moving into your destiny.
  2. Elisha's last miracle was his greatest.  He had died and was in his tomb.  A dead body was thrown in Elisha's tomb by some thieves and as soon as that body touched Elisha's bones, it came to life!  You have died to yourself and are alive in Christ.  In the same manner as Elisha, let the dead that are around you receive life as they encounter you and their lives are touched by you.
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Posted by HWC Blog at 11:52:00 PM

1 comment:

  1. UnknownSeptember 9, 2010 at 6:49 PM

    God has greatness in store for you. Elisha was working right up until the time he was called. King David was working right up until the time he was called. In fact, they were both right in the middle of working when they were called. What if they decided that they weren’t going to work that day? Would they have missed their call? Would it have been delayed? Be faithful where you are right now. Solomon said, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”

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