Introduction

Good morning, church family! I am so excited to dive into the Word of God with you today. We are going to be exploring a fascinating story found in 2 Kings 6:1-7. This passage gives us a unique glimpse into the kind of visionary zeal that forms the foundation of expansion, the profound impact such expansion can have on our ministries, and the Kingdom way that guides our path to expansion.

Before we dive in, let me share this quote by Bill Hybels. He said, "Vision is a picture of the future that produces passion." Remember that as we explore the scripture today; let's allow it to ignite our passion for the things of God and His Kingdom.

Now, let's read the scripture together:

"The company of the prophets said to Elisha, ‘Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.’ And he said, ‘Go.’ Then one of them said, ‘Won’t you please come with your servants?’ ‘I will,’ Elisha replied. And he went with them. They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. ‘Oh no, my lord!’ he cried out. ‘It was borrowed!’ The man of God asked, ‘Where did it fall?’ When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. ‘Lift it out,’ he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.’” (2 Kings 6:1-7, NIV)

Visionary Zeal

The company of prophets, under the leadership of Elisha, had a vision. They saw that the place where they were meeting was too small for them. Their numbers had grown, and they needed a larger space. This realization sparked a zeal within them, a burning desire to expand and grow. This zeal was not born out of a selfish desire for grandeur or recognition but out of a genuine need to accommodate the growing number of prophets.

Can drive us to achieve great things: It is a deep-seated passion that fuels our ambition and propels us forward. It is the driving force behind expansion. Without it, we would remain stagnant, content with the status quo. But with it, we can dream big and strive for more. We can envision a future that is bigger and better than our present reality.

It’s crucial: It is what pushes us to reach more people, to spread the Gospel further, and to make a bigger impact in our communities. It is what motivates us to improve our services, to enhance our programs, and to expand our facilities. It is what drives us to invest in our people, to develop our leaders, and to equip our members.

More than having big dreams and ambitious goals: It is also about being willing to put in the hard work to make those dreams and goals a reality. The prophets in our passage didn't just dream about a bigger meeting place; they took action. They went to the Jordan, cut down trees, and built a new place. They were not afraid of hard work. They were not deterred by obstacles. They were driven by their vision and their zeal.

Aligning our vision with God's vision: The prophets in our passage were not just building a bigger meeting place for their own sake. They were doing it for the sake of their ministry, for the sake of the people they were serving, and ultimately, for the sake of God's Kingdom. Their vision was in line with God's vision. Their zeal was for God's glory.

Ministry Impact

The story in 2 Kings 6:1-7 gives us a clear picture of how expansion can lead to significant impact in ministry ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO