Life from Death
2 Kings 13:20-21
Why did God raise that guy from the dead. Why Him?
1. To Keep His Promise
2Kgs 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said
unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away
from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of
thy spirit be upon me.
Where are all the people that want more? That want double?
Wouldn’t it be something, to have a church full of people that want twice
as much of the Holy Spirit as we have? There wouldn’t be any
“it’s the preachers job” “That’s what he gets paid for”
Num 23:19 God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that
he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he
spoken, and shall he not make it good?
In Jn 14:6 Jesus said He is the way, the truth and the life
In Deu 32:4 He is a"God of truth and He’s without iniquity"
In 2 Sam 7:28 His words are "true"
In Jer 10:10 He is the "true God"
In 2 Cor 1:18 He is "true"
In Rev 15:3 His ways are "just and true"
In Rev 16:7 His judgments are "true and righteous"
Loving and Lying don’t go together.
Heb 13:5 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be]
content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord
[is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matt 11:28 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30
For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle
of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be
his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall
be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be
any more pain: for the former things are passed away
That guy was resurrected so God could keep His promise and
2. To Display His Power
Some time ago a new employee at a Wal-Mart had an unusual
experience. The young man had just been at work three days and was
the low man in the pecking order at the store. He was standing with a
broom in his hand near the entrance when an irate customer came into
the store. The customer had made a purchase that had not turned out
satisfactorily and was coming back with a complaint.
“Young man,” the customer growled, “I want to speak to someone with a
little authority around here.”
The new clerk looked around to the left and right and leaning on his broom
said, “Well, sir, you might as well talk to me, I guess I got just about as
little authority as anybody in this whole place.”
Why were the Israelite's afraid? They were God’s chosen people
He had never let them down and never will
a band of Moabites. Not even an army, a band.
Why did God raise that man from the dead?
God was letting the Israelite's know that if they would place their faith once
again in the "God of Israel," he would give them power to overcome
their enemy. It is better to "fear God" than to "fear" the enemy!
Our Country, The world, the church, needs to see the Power of God!
God has not changed, His Power hasn’t changed, but the world has and it
hasn’t been a change for the better
Over 50,000 overdose now. Chris saw a guy overdose, a week later, he does
now more than ever
1Chr 29:11 Thine, O LORD, [is] the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and
the victory, and the majesty: for all [that is] in the heaven and in the
earth [is thine]; thine [is] the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted
as head above all.
Ps 46:10 Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
That guy was resurrected so God could keep His promise, display His Power and
3. To Remind us of our Purpose
“ Grandpa gives me five dollars to let him sleep.”
God hasn’t, His power hasn’t, His purpose for you hasn’t changed either
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud
of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so
easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before
us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for
the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first
began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by
them that heard [him];
Matt 5: 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour,
wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be
cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the
world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light
a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light
unto all that are in the house.2 16 Let your light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
How many people have been ressurected from the dead, because they got close to you?
As Children of God, We have been quickened by the Holy Spirit of God
Eph 2: 1 And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh
in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our
conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of
the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even
as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he
loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together
with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)2 6 And hath raised [us] up together,
and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: 7 That in
the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his]
kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
opener
I read about a operation that remined me of Pastor James
There’s a story about a wealthy man who was terminally ill. The doctor said, "There’s only “one thing” that will save you. “A brain transplant.” - It’s an experimental operation. And it’s very expensive." The wealthy guy said, - "Money is no object. Can you get me a brain?" The doctor said, - "We have three available right now. The first one was from a college professor. But it’ll cost you $10,000." The guy said, "Don’t worry. I can pay; it will make me much wiser. What about the second brain?" The doctor said, "It was from a rocket scientist. It’ll cost you $100,000." The man said, "I have the money. And I’d be a lot smarter too. But tell me about the third brain." The doctor said, "The third brain is from a Baptist Preacher. But it would set you back a million dollars." The man said, "A million dollars? Why so much for his brain?" The doctor said, "It’s never really been used that much."
Why in the world would a man that can preach like Bro James ever ask anyone to preach in his place is beyond me.
I am blessed and honored to be here today. Thank you for the invitation
Promise
A businessman was traveling on a plane for the first time. He had always been terrified of flying but his next appointment required him to do so. The flight was going well when suddenly the plane shuddered. The pilot came over the intercom and announced that the engines on the right side had stopped so the were making an emergency landing. Shortly there after, another shudder and the pilot announced the other engines had stopped. Everyone was informed to assume the crash position with their head between their knees.
For the first time the businessman felt vulnerable. He had never felt the need to cry out to God but at that moment he did. “God,” he prayed. “ If you will allow me to survive this crash I promise to give half of all my possessions.” to charity
Suddenly all four engines began working again and the plane glided smoothly onto the runway. The businessman rushed to disembark.
As he made his way out of the runway area the man who had been seated beside him spoke to him. “Excuse me sir. I am a pastor involved in several charities. I heard your promise to the Lord concerning your possessions. I can guide you in keeping that vow by recommending some outstanding charities that have needs.”
The businessman replied “That won’t be necessary. You see I made God a new promise. I promised that if I ever got on another plane, He could have it all.”
