The sermon for September 3rd 2003 is now available on the New Life web site.
In this sermon, which is based on 2 Kings 4:1-7, Margaret Baxter talks about God’s Provision.
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2 Kings
Today’s Sermon
Today’s Sermon
Today’s Sermon
Reflection on 2 Kings 2:1-14
Scripture
Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double portion of your spirit and become your successor.”
Observation
Just before Elijah is about to be taken up to heaven, he goes on a tour of key sites in Israel- Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and the Jordan River. At each place, Elijah tells Elisha to stay, but he refuses.
Elijah asks Elisha what he can do for him before he is taken up to heaven, so Elisha asks for the double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
Suddenly a chariot of fire appears between the two men, and Elijah is lifted up to heaven by a whirlwind. Elisha picks up Elijah’s cloak and uses it to drive back the waters of the Jordan River in order to cross it.
Application
People often ask for a “double portion” of the Holy Spirit, thinking that it is about getting more of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This overlooks the fact that we already have all of the Holy Spirit, and what is needed is for the Holy Spirit to have more of us.
The language of “double portion” refers to inheritance. The first born son inherited twice as much as other sons in order to carry on the family farm or business.
Elisha is asking to inherit Elijah’s ministry as the leading prophet in Israel. He wants to be the successor to Elijah.
The fact is that Elijah and Elisha had a close relationship. Elijah had been mentoring or discipling Elisha for some time. Elijah was a spiritual father to Elisha.
The closeness of the relationship is seen in the grief Elisha experienced at Elijah’s departure. Elisha was not just in the ministry business, he really loved Elijah.
The first step in receiving the “double portion” is to be a son or daughter to a pastor or other leader, seeking to serve them and love them. When we are willing to invest our lives into their lives, then we have the possibility of inheriting their spiritual gifts and graces.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to love and to serve those over me. Help me to invest my heart and life into their ministry. Amen.
Today’s Sermon
Reflection on 2 Kings 5:1-19
Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+5.1-19
Scripture
But his servants approached him and said to him, “Father, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult would you have not done it?How much more when all he said to you was ‘Wash and be clean’?”
Observation
Naaman, a commander of the army of Aram suffers from leprosy. A Hebrew slave girl, captured by Naaman’s army, tells Naaman’s wife about Elisha’s ability to heal.
Naaman approaches his boss, the king of Aram, who writes to the king of Israel demanding that he heal Naaman. So Naaman comes to Elisha’s house. Elisha sends a messenger out to tell Naaman to go and wash seven times in the Jordan River.
Naaman is angry because Elijah has not acted in the way he expected, But his friends urge him to do this simple thing. Finally he is persuaded and he is healed.
Naaman responds to his healing by determining to worship no other god than the Lord. However he does seek Elijah’s blessing to accompany the king when he bows to idols.
Application
God doesn’t always act in the ways we think He should. He doesn’t answer prayers on our timetable and often he answers in ways that are beyond anything we would have imagined.
Miracles can be missed because we have fixed ideas about God’s methods and directions. The religious spirit deceives us into believing that the Lord is constrained by our words or actions.
Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and be humble and brave enough to do what He commands, whether it is something simple or something difficult.
Prayer
Lord help me to be open to your miracles, no mater how they come. Amen.
Reflection on 2 Kings 2:1-14
Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Kings+2.1-14
Scripture
Elisha struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.
Observation
Elijah and Elisha travel to some of the key places in Israel. At each place, Elijah tells Elisha to stay while he travels on, but Elisha is determined to follow Elijah.
At each place, the local prophetic community come and tell Elisha that the Lord is going to take Elijah away that day.
Elijah and Elisha cross the Jordan near Jericho. Elijah asks Elisha what he can do for him. Elisha asks for a double portion of the Spirit that is on Elisha. Suddenly a chariot of fire appears, and Elijah is taken up in a whirlwind.
Elisha takes up Elijah’s cloak and crossed the Jordan.
Application
This is a story about spiritual sonship. Elisha, the son to Elijah, is determined to walk with Elijah to the end. Nothing will deter him. When asked what he wants from Elijah, Elisha asks for a double portion of the Spirit that is on Elijah- this is the language of inheritance not of arithmetic.
Everyone needs a spiritual father- someone whom they can love and learn from, serve and walk with. Out orphan society, in its obsession with individual fulfilment, misses the point that our biggest joys come in close relationships.
Elisha received the “double portion” and the cloak of authority precisely because of his love and commitment to Elijah.
Prayer
Lord help me to be a son/daughter to a spiritual father. May I walk in the grace of passionate commitment to the people you place me in relationship with. Amen.
Today’s Sermon
Reflection on 2 Kings 2:1-12
Scripture
“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
Observation
Elijah is soon to be taken up to heaven. He embarks on a journey, along with Elisha whom Elijah keeps on encouraging to stay, but Elisha insists on following him.
At Bethel, the company of prophets comes out and tells Elisha that the Lord is going to take Elijah away. Elijah tells them not to speak about this. This scenario is repeated at Jericho.
Elijah and Elisha cross the Jordan river at Jericho. Elijah asks Elisha what he can do for him. Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
A fiery chariot and horses come down and separate Elijah from Elisha, and Elijah is taken up in a whirlwind.
Application
Elisha is a true spiritual son to Elijah, and this is shown in his behaviour on this last day of Elijah’s life.
* he refuses to leave Elijah’s side as it becomes clear that Elijah is about to leave the earth
* he refuses to listen to those who self-importantly prophesy Elijah’s departure.
* he asks for the son’s inheritance- the “double portion”
* he is genuinely distressed when Elijah is taken up, more concerned about the relationship than his own promotion as the nation’s chief prophet.
Prayer
Lord stir up the spirit of sonship in me so that I might have the same love, loyalty and dedication to my leaders that Elisha had for Elijah. Amen.
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