Ill:
• A man was driving home from work one evening;
• When he suddenly realized that it was his daughter’s birthday;
• And he hadn’t yet bought her a gift.
• So, the man rushed off to ‘Toys R Us’ asked the assistant,
• "How much is that Barbie doll in the window?"
• The assistant replied in a disinterested tone,
• "Which Barbie?
• We have Barbie Goes to the Gym for $19.95,
• Barbie Goes to the Ball for £19.95,
• Barbie Goes Shopping for £19.95,
• Barbie Goes to the Beach for £19.95,
• Barbie-Goes-Night-clubbing for £19.95,
• and the Divorced Barbie for £250"
• The overwhelmed man asked,
• "Why is the Divorced Barbie £250 and all the others are only £19.95?"
• "That’s obvious!" said the assistant.
• "The divorce Barbie comes with Ken’s house, Ken’s car, and Ken’s furniture.”
Life is about relationships!
• Sadly some of them don’t work out!
• And at times we get surprised when some of them do!
• The two men in our passage this session;
• Had an interesting relationship.
• These two men represented different generations and opposite personalities;
• Yet they were able to work together.
Note:
• There are three things about Elisha that I want to pull out from this passage;
• Three principles, three truths that we can apply to our own lives;
• And three principles that can deepen our relationship with God.
(1). Like Elisha we must be committed to our calling (vs 2/4/6).
• Notice: Three times in this passage a phrase, a saying, an expression appears.
• Verse 2: “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.”
• Verse 4: “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.”
• Verse 6: “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.”
• Three times Elijah tried to send Elisha away but he refused to go!
• ill: disobedient dog who repeatedly told to stay insists on following the child to school.
• Notice: in verse 2 the prophets of Bethel came out to him;
• These are real encouraging diplomats – look at what they say:
• “Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?”
• In other words: “Elijah is about to die and you will be on your own!”
• I love Elisha’s response:
• “Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.”
• In other words: “Shut up!”
• “If you haven’t got anything better to say then don’t say it!”
Elisha refused to be distracted or discouraged by anyone;
• And that anyone even included Elijah himself!
• Who told him to ‘stay put’ three times.
• God had called Elisha to a mission, to be a prophet;
• And Elisha planned on fulfilling that calling!
Note:
• I believe that Elijah is testing Elisha in this chapter.
• You may remember from an earlier study in 1 Kings chapter 19 verse 20:
• Elijah had made a promise, a commitment;
• He said to Elijah; “I will follow you”.
• Maybe now in this passage Elijah is seeing if Elisha really meant it;
• You made a promise at the start of our relationship;
• Now through death it will soon be time to end our relationship;
• Did you really mean that promise!
Ill:
• A young man walked into a photography studio with a framed picture of his girlfriend.
• He told the assistant that he wanted the picture copied.
• When the assistant removed it from the frame.
• He noticed an inscription on the back of the photograph.
• “My dearest Tom, I love you with all my heart. I love you more and more each day.
• I will love you forever and ever. I am yours for all eternity.”
• It was signed "Helen,” and it contained a P.S.:
• “If we ever break up, I want this picture back.”
• Application:
• How many of you think she was NOT totally committed to that relationship?
• Elisha had said to Elijah; “I will follow you”.
• Maybe now in this passage Elijah is seeing if Elisha really meant it;
• Application:
• What have you promised the Lord?
• How are you doing with that commitment!
(2). Like Elisha we should be passionate about our calling.
• Elisha was a passionate man;
• We might use the word; ‘zealous’ to describe him.
• Quote: Dictionary describes ‘zealous’ as "eagerness in the pursuit of something."
• The idea being to "pursue" something with strong feelings;
• Until that ‘something’ is found or completed.
Ill:
• When William Sangster was minister of Westminster Central Hall;
• He was part of a group of men;
• Who interviewed applicants who wanted to join the Methodist ministry.
• A rather nervous young man presented himself before the group and began to speak;
• The young man said that he was rather shy;
• In fact not the sort of person who would ever set the Thames on fire,
• Never mind create a stir in the city.
• Sangster relied with insightful wit and wisdom:
• “I’m not interested to know if you can set the Thames on fire.
• What I want to know is this:
• If I picked you up by the scruff of the neck;
• And dropped you into the Thames, would it sizzle?”
Question:
• Elisha was a passionate man of God – he sizzled!
• Christian – do you sizzle?
• We are called to be a people with passion.
• To be ‘Hot or cold’ anything be tepid! ill: Make God sick!
Elisha is first mentioned in First Kings chapter 19.
• Where we have three verses that describe his calling by Elijah.
• From that point on in the story of Elijah the prophet;
• We have no record of Elisha and his work.
• The only hint comes from the passage describing his calling which ends by declaring:
• “He set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.”
Now at the very end of Elijah’s life we find Elisha showing up again.
• The thing that I find most fascinating about Elisha’s ministry;
• Is that he just did it with no fanfare.
• He served an old crotchety prophet who at best had a nasty disposition.
• Do a personality profile on Elijah and you will be fascinated by what you learn.
• He wasn’t easy to get along with. He wasn’t easy to work with.
• If you look at Second Kings chapter 1;
• And read about his last little bit of work that he carried out.
• Read and then tell me he would be easy to attend to.
• Notice: Elijah never included Elisha in any of his remaining exploits.
• At least he didn’t include him to the point;
• That he received any mention in any of the stories at the ending of Elijah’s life.
• Yet, Elisha simply served as Elijah’s attendant.
Ill:
• Leonard Bernstein, the late conductor of the New York Philharmonic orchestra,
• Was once asked to name the most difficult instrument to play.
• Without hesitation, he replied,
• “The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists,
• But to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm - that’s a problem.
• And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony.”
• Elisha was a servant to Elisha;
• He had a submissive heart!
Question: What is the definition of submission?
Answer:
• It is yielding to another’s desires without resistance.
• Submission to another’s wishes is an attitude of the heart done willingly,
• It is the opposite of surrender;
• Which is yielding by being forced to do so.
• Submission to another’s wishes is an attitude of the heart done willingly,
• It is yielding to another’s desires without resistance.
APPLICATION:
• God expects every one of us to serve him by serving others.
• He calls us to serve others EVEN without recognition.
• ill: God does not give out ‘Christian of the month awards’.
• He calls us to serve because it is the right thing to do.
• Others may not notice what we do – but God does!
• Ill: In the human body it is the hidden organs that are the most important!
• If your service for God is not public, it is still important.
• God notices, God appreciates it and one day God will reward it!
Quote:
• Jim Elliott: “Wherever you are be all there!”
• Whatever God gives you to do – do it passionately and do it well!
• The heart of Elisha was a zealous heart, a passionate heart – ‘he sizzled’.
• The heart of Elisha was a submissive heart, he served Elijah.
• The heart of Elisha was a focused heart, he refused to be distracted.
(3). Like Elisha we should be expectant about our calling (vs 9).
“When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”
“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.”
Ill:
• Family were out for a drive in the country;
• They ended up lost and found themselves heading down a very narrow country lane.
• As they went down the lane they say a sign that said;
• ‘Naturist site ahead’.
• The lane was too narrow to turn around and too windy and dangerous to reverse back;
• So they were forced to keep going forward.
• To mum and dads horror 5 naturists came cycling towards them.
• The two children looked at them mouths open.
• And one of the children said;
• “Dad, dad, look dad they are not wearing cycle helmets!”
• Now that is what you call be focussed – despite the distractions around you!
• Elisha was a focussed man;
• He knew exactly what he wanted and what he needed if he was to take over from Elijah.
• When given a choice from Elijah;
• Elisha immediately asked for a double portion of the spirit of his master;
Question: What did he mean?
Answer:
• Many people read and interpret that phrase as;
• Elijah requesting twice as much of the Holy Spirit as Elijah.
• Or Elisha requesting to do twice the ministry that Elijah had.
• I don’t think he was!
• Many biblical scholars believe that Elisha was using Old Testament language,
• He was drawing on an Old Testament custom
• That we read about in Deuteronomy chapter 21 verse 17:
• Where the firstborn son was entitled to a double share of his fathers estate.
• While the younger sons received only a single share.
• By asking for a ‘double portion’;
• Elijah is asking to be Elijah’s son, the heir, the one to carry on!
• Now that Elisha was departing.
Ill:
• In the 1700’s a little man in England, a shoe cobbler by trade,
• Kept a map of the world on a wall of his workshop;
• So that he could pray for the nations of the world,
• He became burdened for a definite missionary outreach.
• When he shared his burden at a meeting of ministers,
• He was told by one of the senior men of God:
“Young man, sit down. When God wants to convert the heathen,
He will do it without your help or mine.”
• But William Carey did not let the fire of his enthusiasm be dampened by such a response,
• And eventually he left the shores of England for those of India.
• History calls William Carey; “The father of modern missions”.
• Carey was one of the founders of the Baptist Missionary Society.
• He also translated the Bible into Bengali, Sanskrit, and numerous other languages & dialects.
• William Carey; is the story of one man who believed God had a plan for his life;
• And he was determined, obedient and faithful in discovering that plan!
• Quote: William Carey:
• “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”
Elisha wanted to attempt great things for God:
• But he knew he could not achieve great things alone;
• He needed the anointing of God in his life.
• He knew God had called him;
• And he knew he needed more of God than ever to fulfil that calling.
• Serving God is not a picnic or a walk in the park - it is hard work,
• It takes a sense of destiny and a commitment to be passionate about our calling.
Ill:
• In July 1841 David Livingstone arrived in South Africa as a lone missionary.
• After some time his missions committee wrote to him saying,
• "Some people would like to join you.
• What’s the easiest road to get where you are?"
• He replied, "If they’re looking for the easiest road, tell them to stay in England.
• I want people who will come, even if there’s no road at all!"
• Serving God is not a picnic or a walk in the park - it is hard work,
• It takes a sense of destiny and a commitment to be passionate about our calling.
• And there is no better place to be than in the will of God for your life!
Notice: Elijah was honest with Elisha:
• We are told in verse 10 that he said to Elisha he was not able to bestow such a gift;
• That was up to God.
• Yet - if Elisha was allowed to see his translation from earth to heaven;
• Then that would be proof that God had granted his request.
• In verse 12 Elisha saw the chariot of fire & the horsemen of Israel.
• And so this meant that God had granted his request!
• Quote: William Carey:
• “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”
• Is a motto you could write over Elisha’s life.
Notice:
• And in verses 13-14: Elisha picked up Elijah’s mantle;
• And struck the waters with it.
• Elisha then made a solemn invocation, “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?”
• The implied answer, dramatised by the miraculous opening up of the river was.
• “He has not abandoned us; he is now with Elisha as he was with Elijah”
