Calling Of Elisha By Elijah - 1 Kings 19:20

Calling of Elisha By Elijah - 1 Kings 19:20

1 Kings 19:20 Elisha then left his oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you." Elijah answered, "All right, go back. I'm not stopping you!"

It takes a genuine man of God to recognize another genuine man of God. It takes a real man of God to conquer a man of God. How to spot your successor in the ministry? How to know how to choose your leaders, and workers in your church?

I. Elisha Is Called To Replace Elijah - 1 Kings 19:16

II. The Robe of Elijah Was Placed In Head of Elisha 1 Kings 19:19

III. Suddenly Elisha Left His Current Work - 1 Kings 19:20

IV. Elisha Runs Toward Elijah Not Away From Him - 1 Kings 19:20

V. Elijah Permitted Elisha To Say Goodbye To His Family - 1 Kings 19:20

VI. Elisha Followed Elijah And Started Out As His Helper Or Servant - 1 Kings 19:21

I. Elisha Is Called To Replace Elijah - 1 Kings 19:16

1 Kings 19:16 anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.

A fruitful, successful ministry starts everyday on your knees or face before God in your daily devotions with God. God knows Elijah, Elijah knows the voice of God. He knows His Words. He knows how to obey God in His Words. He's accustomed to God's command by practise. Knowing God is knowing His Words.

1 Kings 19:19 Elijah left and found Elisha plowing with a team of oxen; there were eleven teams ahead of him, and he was plowing with the last one. Elijah took off his cloak and put it on Elisha.

1 Kings 19:20 Elisha then left his oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you." Elijah answered, "All right, go back. I'm not stopping you!"

1 Kings 19:21 Then Elisha went to his team of oxen, killed them, and cooked the meat, using the yoke as fuel for the fire. He gave the meat to the people, and they ate it. Then he went and followed Elijah as his helper.

Come on now, take it from veteran Apostle Paul, as he said:

Philippians 3:10 All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death,

Studying God's Words never end. I'll tell you what kind of a church it is, by showing me how many hours a pastor spends his time on his studies. The life of your local church where you pastor depends on your life of study. A pastor is different in his way of life, and his life is his studies. You might call it a delight, an enjoyment or a sacrifice, but spend time in your studies.

John 5:39 You study the Scriptures, because you think that in them you will find eternal life. And these very Scriptures speak about me!

II. The Robe of Elijah Was Placed In Head of Elisha 1 Kings 19:19

1 Kings 19:19 Elijah left and found Elisha plowing with a team of oxen; there were eleven teams ahead of him, and he was plowing with the last one. Elijah took off his cloak and put it on Elisha.

A robe is a dress fit for the body, not on the head. It's a symbol of transfer of responsibility. You need to carry the responsibilities on your head or in your mind. The perfect choice is a someone who has a mind for God.

If you will choose, consider his studies, consider his time of studies, and how strong his mind is. We are all called to suffer, one suffers a different level than another, but all must suffer for the Kingdom of God, make sure the mind of the person of your prospect has a strong mind and will or else..

Deuteronomy 28:28 The LORD will make you lose your mind; he will strike you with blindness and confusion.

Deuteronomy 28:34 Your sufferings will make you lose your mind.

... he might lose his mind in the ministry.

III. Suddenly Elisha Left His Current Work - 1 Kings 19:20

1 Kings 19:20 Elisha then left his oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you." Elijah answered, "All right, go back. I'm not stopping you!"

Being full time has it's priveledges, but before you can focus on God's works and ministry, you need to leave something behind, you need to sacrifice things.

Learn from the Apostles examples: Im talking full time ministry, of full-time calling here. It's like a soldier leaving his family.