Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. I trust you've been washed in the grace of our Lord this week and are ready to gather around the table of His Word. We're here to unwrap the gift of God's message to us, to let it nourish our souls and fortify our spirits. There's a unique warmth that comes from sharing in this feast together, isn't there?

We're turning our hearts today to the book of Philippians, specifically to chapter 2, verse 12. The Apostle Paul wrote these words from a Roman prison cell, yet his spirit was as free as a bird in flight. He says, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling."

This verse, my friends, is a call to courage, to obedience, and to servanthood. It’s a call that echoes through the ages and lands squarely in our hearts today. It’s a call that was answered by the faithful of old, and one such faithful servant was Elisha. His story is a testament to the power of courage, obedience, and servanthood.

Elisha, the farmer turned prophet, the man who asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit and received it. His life and his legacy are a testament to the power of exceptional courage, earnest obedience, and exemplary servanthood.

As we consider Elisha's life, I'm reminded of the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon who said, "Character is always lost where a high ideal is sacrificed on the altar of conformity and popularity." Elisha, dear friends, was a man of character who refused to sacrifice his high ideal, who stood firm in the face of adversity, and who served with a humble heart.

As we prepare to glean from the life of Elisha, let's bow our heads in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We thank You for the example of Elisha, a servant who embodied courage, obedience, and servanthood. As we reflect on his life, we ask that You open our hearts to receive Your truth and our minds to understand Your wisdom. May we, like Elisha, respond to Your call with courage, obey Your commands with sincerity, and serve You with humility. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Transition. So, dear friends, let's turn our hearts and minds to the life of Elisha, a man of exceptional courage, earnest obedience, and exemplary servanthood. Let's learn together from his life, and may the lessons we learn inspire us to live our lives in a way that brings glory to our Heavenly Father.

Elisha's Exceptional Courage

As we look at the life of Elisha, we see a man who was not afraid to step out of his comfort zone. He was plowing in the fields when the prophet Elijah came to him and threw his cloak over him, a sign that Elisha was being called to succeed him as a prophet. Elisha didn't hesitate. He didn't say, "Let me think about it," or "Can I get back to you?" No, he immediately left his oxen, ran after Elijah, and became his attendant. He left his old life behind, a life that was comfortable and familiar, to step into a new life that was uncertain and challenging. This was a man who was not afraid to take risks, to step out in faith, and to follow where God was leading him.

Elisha's courage was also evident in the way he faced opposition. Being a prophet was not an easy job. It involved speaking truth to power, confronting people with their sin, and calling them to repentance. It was a job that often made you unpopular, and it was a job that could cost you your life. But Elisha didn't shy away from it. He didn't water down the message to make it more palatable. He didn't compromise to keep the peace. He spoke the truth, even when it was hard, even when it was dangerous. He had the courage to stand up for what was right, even when it meant standing alone.

And then there's the courage Elisha showed in the face of the miraculous. Think about the time when he and Elijah were about to cross the Jordan River. Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. Now, that's not something you see every day. But Elisha didn't run away in fear. He didn't doubt or question what was happening. He simply accepted it as a demonstration of God's power and continued to follow Elijah.

Finally, let's consider the courage Elisha showed in asking for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. This was a request for twice as much of God's power to be at work in his life. It was a request that showed a deep desire to serve God to the best of his ability. It was a request that showed a willingness to take on greater responsibility, to face greater challenges, and to make greater sacrifices. It was a request that required great courage.

Transition. So, as we reflect on the life of Elisha, let's be inspired by his exceptional courage. Let's be inspired to step out of our comfort zones, to face opposition with boldness, to embrace the miraculous with faith, and to ask for more of God's power in our lives. Let's be inspired to live courageously for God, just as Elisha did.

Elisha's Earnest Obedience

Elisha's life was marked not only by courage but also by earnest obedience ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO