A WILD VINE AND THE TRUE VINE
2 Kings 4:38-41
INTRODUCTION: Jesus is soon to appear. The day is quickly approaching when like lightning He will appear. The world is plagued with war, rumors of war, crime, violence, terror, earthquakes, etc. Governments have set up commissions, committees, summits, U.N. observers, and on and on it goes. Sociologists are trying to figure out what has happened to the family and our morals. JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ANSWER FOR THE WORLD, OUR NATION, OUR HOMES, AND THE CHURCH!
I. DEARTH IN THE LAND
1. There was a dearth (famine). They weren’t just hungry. They were starving to DEATH!
2. There is a dearth (famine) in the church today.
3. God’s people are spiritually starving to death in some cases. The most common reason preachers leave the ministry is “burn out.” Much emphasis has been put on things, which don’t satisfy the deepest needs of the heart. We hear much about programs and things—stuff. In our homes it can be much the same if we’re not careful—running and getting no where fast. (Illustrate: nardoo plant which fills but does not have nutrients).
4. The greatest need for the church today is for a close encounter with the risen Jesus!
a. Revival
b. Signs and wonders that will draw men to Christ
c. People to be saved
d. Deepened reverence for God
e. Genuine burden and love for the lost
II. DESIRE IN THE LAND
1. The people were hungry (v. 38).
2. They had a desire to fill their physical need—food.
3. The church is hungry—sometimes not knowing what for—but sensing a void, emptiness—something’s missing.
4. Church, prepare for a move of God. The enemy of your soul has stolen the food of many and replaced it with nardoo!
a. In faith set on a GREAT pot (bring your vessels not a few).
b. Seethe (cook, boil) the pottage. It takes FIRE to seethe.
III. DECEPTION IN THE LAND
1. The people had a heart to do what was right (v. 39).
2. In preparation for a great feast, Elijah, the man of God sent one out to gather herbs. The ingredients in the pottage would give them:
a. Satisfaction
b. Joy
c. Fulfillment
d. Strength
e. Life
3. He found a “wild vine” and its gourds looked so good that he picked them to put in the stew (v. 39).
4. Little did he realize they were poison—they would die from them (v. 40).
5. It was a counterfeit stew. When they tasted it they could not eat it. It was terrible. There was death in the pot.
6. I don’t want a revival from a WILD VINE (Illustrate: Let me get you started speaking in tongues. Repeat after me). Folks, that’s a wild vine, a false Pentecost. The Holy Ghost doesn’t need me or anyone else to do His work. It was the Holy Ghost that gave them utterance on the day of Pentecost—not man. THAT IS A WILD VINE! It will only dry the bones and bring spiritual death. REVIVAL DOESN’T COME FROM A WILD VINE. IT COMES FROM THE TRUE VINE—JESUS. I want a revival from the TRUE VINE!!!!!
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
AND IN THE SAME CONTEXT:
John 15:15-16 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
CONCLUSION: Verse 41 says that Elisha said to bring some meal and cast it into the pot. The word cast speaks of haste, urgency. The meal is a type of Christ, the Bread of life. Jesus brought life from death. He made the poison harmless. Make haste, cast Christ into the center of your church, your life, your family. When Jesus is at the center and the focus of ALL, there will be no harm, but life (v. 40).
