Digging Ditches

DIGGING DITCHES

Pastor Timothy Porter

The Bridge Church Upstate

Text : 2 kings 3:9-20

Have you settled for a mediocre faith? Is your life your church or your prayer life is mundane, expectations low. God is bigger than that. Steven Furtick preaches about childlike faith.

“Paul said to not let anyone look down on you because you are young.”

• I’m an expert on the idea of being dumb enough to believe that God can do anything.

Anything that is written in God’s Word is possible for anyone who believes.

Audacious faith is the hope, the passion of my life and ministry.

The Bridge Mission Statment : To reach Hurting and Broken people and show them the full life in Jesus Christ . Wit Love Grace and Conviction

These words constantly inspire me:

“I despair at the thought that my life might slip by without God showing Himself mighty in my life.” – Jim Cymbala.

2 Kings 3:9-20 is an incident in the life of the prophet Elisha. Elisha is an under-rated prophet.

Elisha did miracles everywhere he went. Fire from heaven, rain to heal a drought, defeating the host of prophets of Baal. There’s is nothing God can’t do.

You may already know how to dream big. Perhaps you’re even ready to burn your plows and leave your old life behind. But to truly live a greater life, you still may not fully know how to start small.

The story of Elisha commanding the king of Israel to dig ditches in the Desert of Edom illustrates the importance of our preparation for God’s blessing in our lives

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: 2 Kings 3:9-20

We can position ourselves, learn and get training, but only God can make it rain. After we’ve done all that we can do, we have to remember that only God can send favor, mercy, salvation, and healing. Only God can make it rain.

We Dig Ditches Because:

I.] GOD HAS WONDERS TO PREFORM

Even if you don't believe or not God will preform these wonders through you - If you sit still God will sit still.

“A great need can be a good thing if it leads you to a deeper dependency on God.”

a. What happens when you find yourself stuck in the pursuit of your greater life?

Proverbs 3:5-6 states that… “in ALL your ways acknowledge Him.” We can’t expect God to show up in our work unless we do our work God’s way.

i. There comes a time in your life where everything you thought you could do doesn’t happen.

ii. The problem lies in knowing how to dream big, but not knowing how to start small. ( start with a small task that will move you forward in the kingdom work for God. Complete that task (dig a ditch) watch God fill it.

b. “God doesn’t want me to use him to meet my needs. He wants to use my needs to bring me to him.”

i. When the king of Israel came to Elisha, his needs were prompting him to look for a solution. But Elisha pointed Him towards God, who would ultimately be their only solution.

II.] GOD HAS WEALTH TO SPREAD

“God is not your shortcut. God is your only solution.”

IF YOU WILL GET A SHOVEL AND START TURNING SOME DIRT GOD WILL TURN THE WEALTH OF THE GOSPEL

a. “If you’re using God just to get the greater things He can bring that’s not faith, its idolatry.”

i. Great needs are often what drive us to or knees looking for God.

ii. But there are certain things that we must do to play our part in seeing God’s miracles in our lives.

b. Inspiration vs. Implementation:

Having good ideas doesn’t make you a visionary, it makes you a daydreamer.

The difference is having the audacity and courage to act. God gives you the faith to get started.

"If the size of the vision you have isn’t intimidating to you there’s a good chance it’s insulting to God."

Remember Elijah’s faith. If you want to see the land filled with water, dig some ditches. Dig ditches in preparation for how God wants to use your life. You may not see rain or even see clouds, but don’t wait to get to work until you seethe evidence of God’s blessing.

i. Many of us try to use God for sheer motivation or inspiration, but rarely progress to the point of actually putting into practice what God calls us to do.

III.] GOD HAS SOULD FOR YOU TO WIN

"THE GREATEST MIRACLE YOU WILL EVER SEE OR EXPERIENCE IS GOD SAVING A SOUL"

“Miracles are not magic tricks. Faith is not a lottery ticket. Faith is a work order.”

a. “Transformation happens through participation in the purpose of God.”

i. The kings came to Elisha looking for a miracle. But Elisha gave them a set of instructions.