THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE KINGDOM PERIOD
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR: CAR BREAKDOWN
1. 4 engineers were traveling in a car; a mechanical engineer, a chemical engineer, an electrical engineer and a computer engineer. The car broke down.
2. “Sounds to me as if the pistons have seized. We’ll have to strip down the engine before we can get the car working again”, says the mechanical engineer.
3. “Well”, says the chemical engineer, “it sounded to me as if the fuel might be contaminated. I think we should clear out the fuel system.”
4. “I thought it might be a grounding problem”, says the electrical engineer, “or maybe a faulty plug lead.”
5. They all turn to the computer engineer who has said nothing and say: “Well, what do you think?” “Ummm perhaps if we all get out of the car and get back in again?”
B. THESIS
1. This is part 3 of a series on the Holy Spirit. We started with “Moses & the Holy Spirit,” then “David & the Holy Spirit,” and tonight “The Holy Spirit in the Kingdom Period”
2. Our purpose is to expand our understanding of the Holy Spirit & to learn how to yield to Him and work with Him today.
3. He was sent to fill and work with the church until Jesus comes. God has not changed His gameplan; the Holy Spirit is just as vital to the church’s success today as He was in the Book of Acts. We need Him to succeed!
I. EXPONENTIAL GROWTH IN PARTICIPATION
A. POST-JUDGES: PERIOD OF SPIRITUAL EXPANSION
1. Israel’s early history is one of great numerical expansion, but small spiritual power. Coming out of Egypt were 2½ million people and one man filled with the Spirit – Moses. Joshua followed him.
2. Then came the chaotic time of the Judges who were (accept Deborah) warriors whom God temporarily empowered to defeat their enemies, but who knew little of God’s ways or spiritual gifts.
3. At last came a boy raised in the Tabernacle, surrounded by the shekinah Presence of God, who early on learned to listen and yield to the Spirit – Samuel.
4. He became filled to overflowing and controlled by the Spirit; a pioneer and forerunner of Holy Spirit breakthrough. He led many other men and women into a profound relationship with the Spirit.
5. 1 Sam. 7:16 says that Samuel went on a regular circuit around the country to act as a Judge in disputes. He went to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah – then return to his home in Ramah.
B. SCHOOLS OF THE PROPHETS
1. The Prophet Samuel evidently held worship services at his regular stopping places. Young men & women were filled with the Spirit and began to prophesy at the meetings. Eventually schools or associations of these prophets formed, geographically.
2. EXAMPLES
a. 1 Sam. 10:5-6. “As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place…[playing musical instruments] and they will be prophesying. 6 The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.
b. 1 Sam. 19:20,23. “So he [Saul] sent men to capture him [David]. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied….Saul went to [arrest David]….But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth.
C. UNDER DAVID, SOLOMON
1. David himself fostered both the prophets and the presence of God. David worshipped God with his harp. He became a Praiser. David wrote many songs of praise to God. 73 Psalms are directly ascribed to him.
2. When David came to the throne, he took definite steps to bring the Ark of the presence of the Lord to the capital city so Israel could experience God’s presence.
3. David himself inquired of the Lord in decisions, and also had the constant input of the prophets Gad (1 Sam. 22:5; 24:11-19; 1 Chron. 21:9-19) and Nathan (29 references to him).
4. SINGING PROPHETS. David, as a musical worshipper, also instituted that ministry at the Temple. ASAPH, HEMAN, & JEDUTHUN were Worshipping prophets who prophesied regularly during worship in song at the Tabernacle/ Temple. 1 Chron. 25:1-3.
5. During David & Solomon’s time, the rural schools/ companies of the prophets continued in their geographical locations.
D. ILLUS.: STORAGE OR CONTACT?
1. Cars run on the storage principle - fuel is stored in the vehicle and then it runs out as the vehicle is driven.
2. Electric trains run on the contact principle - they maintain contact with the source of power.
3. David’s experience of the Spirit was based on the contact principle.
II. BREAKUP OF THE KINGDOM
Because of the sin of Solomon (1 Kgs. 11:4-11) God tore 10 tribes away from the son of Solomon, Rehoboam and gave them to Jeroboam.
A. AHIJAH, ARCHITECT OF DIVIDED KGDM
1. ANOINTED JEROBOAM AS KING OF 10 TRIBES
1 Kings 11:29 Ahijah the prophet…met [Jeroboam] on the way, wearing a new cloak….30 Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces. 31…the Lord…says: ‘See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes.”
2. PROPHESIED AGAINST JEROBOAM
Later because of grave sin, Ahijah the prophet prophesied against Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:1-18) and ultimately the whole family of Jeroboam was judged (1 Kings 15:29).
B. PROPHETS OF THE DIVIDED KINGDOM
1. When Israel became divided, God raised up prophets to prophesy to each part; some to Judah and others to Israel (10 tribes).
2. Some to Judah (930-840 B.C.) were Shemiah, Azariah, Hanani, Elijah, Jehu, Eliezer, and later, the “writing” prophets. Of special mention are the prophets Shemaiah, (2 Chron. 12:5) who rebuked Rehoboam son of Solomon, and Azariah, who encouraged King Asa (2 Chron. 15:8).
3. Also the prophetess Huldah who encouraged King Josiah, when he discovered the Book of the Law, which led to a national revival (2 Kgs. 22:14; 23:2; 2 Chr. 34:22.)
4. In Israel, the prophets (940-740 B.C.) were Ahijah, Jehu, Micaiah, Elijah & Elisha, Obed, several unnamed prophets (1 Kgs. 13:11-29; 20:13-41), and some “writing” prophets.
5. Of special mention in the Northern Kingdom was Micaiah, who prophesied the destruction of King Ahab (1 Kgs. 22:8-23)
6. The Northern 10 tribes were carried away in captivity by the Assyrians about 720 B.C. Judah was not carried into captivity until 570’s B.C., so the prophet’s ministry continued much longer there and through the 70 years captivity.
III. MINISTRY OF ELIJAH & ELISHA
A. RISE OF THE PROPHET ELIJAH
1. Elijah was a prophet and a miracle-worker primarily in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of Ahab (9th century BC). He was as much of a pioneer, in his own time, as Moses and Samuel in theirs.
2. In the absence of a Godly King, God raised up Elijah to defend/ restore the worship of Jehovah over that of the Canaanite idol Baal.
3. Elijah is also known for many outstanding miracles, including stopping rain for 3 years, raising the dead, calling fire down from heaven, and being taken up in a fiery chariot by angels.
4. Before his ministry ended, He anointed Elisha to be the next prophet to follow him (1 Kings 19:16).
B. SCHOOLS OF THE PROPHETS VISIBLE
1. The survival of the schools of the prophets from Samuel’s time resurfaces in 1 Kings 18:13, where Obadiah, Ahab’s palace manager, tells Elijah of his hiding & feeding of 100 of the Lord’s prophets.
2. When Elijah is about to be taken up to heaven, “companies of the prophets” meet them as they traveled from Gilgal, to Bethel, and then to Jericho (2 Kgs. 2:1-9). Of special interest is that Bethel & Gilgal were 2 of Samuel’s circuit stops.
3. Later, Elisha helped feed the school of prophets at Gilgal (2 Kgs. 4:38, ‘death in the pot’) and helped another near the Jordan (Jericho?) enlarge their dormitory (2 Kgs. 6:1-7, floating axhead).
4. When Elisha’s servant Gehazi was talking to Naaman the leper (Syrian general, 2 Kgs. 5:22), he mentioned a company of the prophets in the hill country of Ephraim.
5. Elisha evidently made assignments to these young prophets, as understudies, as mentioned in 2 Kings 9:1; “The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of olive oil with you and [anoint Jehu]….”
C. MIRACLES IN THE CAREER OF ELIJAH
1. Causing the rain the cease 3½ years (1 Kgs 17:1);
2. Being fed by the ravens (1 Kgs 17:4);
3. Miracle of the barrel of meal and cruse of oil (1 Kgs 17:14);
4. Resurrection of the widow's son (1 Kgs 17:22);
5. Calling of fire from heaven on the altar (1 Kgs 18:38);
6. Causing it to rain (1 Kgs 18:45);
7. Prophecy that Ahab's sons would all be destroyed (1 Kgs 21:22);
8. Prophecy that Jezebel would be eaten by dogs (1 Kgs 21:23);
9. Prophecy that Ahaziah would die of his illness (2 Kgs 1:4);
10. Calling fire from heaven upon the first 50 soldiers (2 Kgs 1:10);
11. Calling fire from heaven upon the second 50 soldiers (2 Kgs 1:12);
12. Parting of the Jordan (2 Kgs 2:8);
13. Prophecy that Elisha should have a double portion of his spirit (2 Kgs 2:10);
14. Being caught up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kgs 2:11).
D. MIRACLES IN THE CAREER OF ELISHA
1. Parting of the Jordan (2 Kgs 2:14);
2. Healing of the waters (2 Kgs 2:21);
3. Curse of the she bears (2 Kgs 2:24);
4. Filling of the valley with water (2 Kgs 3:17);
5. Deception of the Moabites with the valley of blood (2 Kgs 3:22);
6. Miracle of the vessels of oil (2 Kgs 4:4);
7. Prophecy that the Shunammite woman would have a son (2 Kgs 4:16);
8. Resurrection of the Shunammite's son (2 Kgs 4:34);
9. Healing of the gourd soup (2 Kgs 4:41);
10. Miracle of the bread multiplied (2 Kgs 4:43);
11. Healing of Naaman (2 Kgs 5:14);
12. Perception of Gehazi's transgression (2 Kgs 5:26);
13. Cursing Gehazi with leprosy (2 Kgs 5:27);
14. Floating of the axe head (2 Kgs 6:6);
15. Prophecy of the Syrian battle plans (2 Kgs 6:9);
16. Vision of the Mountain full of chariots (2 Kgs 6:17);
17. Smiting the Syrian army with blindness (2 Kgs 6:18);
18. Restoring the sight of the Syrian army (2 Kgs 6:20);
19. Prophecy of the end of the great famine (2 Kgs 7:1);
20. Prophecy that the scoffing officer wouldn’t partake of the abundance (2 Kgs 7:2);
21. Deception of the Syrians with the sound of chariots (2 Kgs 7:6);
22. Prophecy of the seven-year famine (2 Kgs 8:1);
23. Prophecy of Benhadad's untimely death (2 Kgs 8:10);
24. Prophecy of Hazael's cruelty to Israel (2 Kgs 8:12);
25. Prophecy that Jehu would smite the house of Ahab (2 Kgs 9:7);
26. Prophecy that Joash would smite the Syrians at Aphek (2 Kgs 13:17);
27. He prophesied that Joash would smite Syria three insufficient times (2 Kgs. 13:19);
28. Resurrection of the man touched by his bones (2Kgs 13:21).
E. MIRACLES OF SPECIAL MENTION
1. ELISHA WANTS A DOUBLE PORTION OF SPIRIT ANOINTING
2 Kings 2:9 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.
2. SAME SPIRIT RESTS ON ELISHA: OFFICE ANOINTING
2 Kings 2:15 The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.
3. SPECULATION OF SPIRIT-TRANSPORTATION
1 Kings 18:12, “I don’t know where the Spirit of the Lord may carry you when I leave you.” (did happen, 2 Kings 2:16; also Ezekiel (37:1) and Philip(Acts 8:39).
4. WORD OF WISDOM: VALLEY FULL OF DITCHES
2 Kings 3:11. King Jehoshaphat & 3 other kings had embarked on a mission without consulting God. They found themselves without water, like us, dry, without the Holy Spirit. Elisha told them the only remedy was to fill the desert valley with ditches – dig extensively w/o water! This represents us repenting before the waters of the Holy Spirit can flow!
5. ILLUS. Being under the Holy Spirit's control is like a business hanging a sign out front: Under New Management.
6. UNUSUAL MIRACLES like MAKING IRON FLOAT, MAKING POISONOUS FOOD INNOCUOUS, MAKING SUBSTANCES MULTIPLY, 2 Kings 4:1.
7. SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT FROM A DISTANCE
a. GEHAZI; 2 Kings 5:26 But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves
b. SURVEILLANCE & BLINDING THE ARMY. 2 Kings 6:12 “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”
2 Kings 6:16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION: WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
1. An English prophet, named Graham Cooke, was praying for a man with marriage difficulties. Suddenly, God gave him a vision.
2. He saw the man enter the Connaught Hotel, described what he was wearing, described the man at reception, described the woman he was with, and saw them take room 213.
3. The man he was praying for turned white and started to shake. He had been having an affair with an office girl for three years.
4. The gifts of the Spirit are real. The truth is, God already knows our secret lives. Nothing is hidden from Him. Isn’t it about time we got honest with God & let Him change us?
B. THE CALL
1. The Holy Spirit has come to comfort us, correct us, empower us, guide us, teach us and give us wisdom. A key to everything is whether we learn to yield to the Holy Spirit.
2. Will we depend on Him? Is He just a part of our theology or is He an integral part of our daily walk with God?
3. Let’s make plans now to draw near to God and yield to the Holy Spirit. Let’s ask Him to fill us and to do the greater things through us that we couldn’t accomplish in our own abilities.
