Introduction:
1. In case you haven’t heard it well known former football coach and present day broadcaster, John Madden, is being inducted in the Pro-Football Hall of Fame. I saw part of an interview with him this week. He talked about how as a coach he used to work 18 hour days and travel 6 months each year. Then he made a statement that revealed is more than football. He said something to this extent, "There should be a hall of fame for the wives of coaches. They’re the ones who care for the family and pick up the slack when their husbands are traveling six months out of the year." Though Madden devoted his life to football, he understands that importance of his wife and that life is more than football.
2. Nearly all of us are busy these days. We run from this thing to that thing and have trouble keeping up with all the things we put on our "to do list."
3. I want you to think with me for a moment about how busy the life of Elijah must have been. The life of Elijah must have been a whirlwind of activity too! From the time he stepped out of nowhere to confront the king of Israel, to his adventures of faith at the dry brook, to what took place at the widow’s house, to his great victory on Mount Carmel and to his fall into depression and then his restoration, Elijah lived a very busy life. It was a full life to say the least, but now that ministry was coming to an end. As they say, "All good things must end." Elijah’s ministry is coming to an end and Elisha’s ministry is beginning. That’s the way life worked then, and it’s the way things work now. No body lives or leads forever. We are all put in leadership to lead for a time, and we are all placed on this earth to live for a few years, but we must never fall into the trap of thinking that this life is going to last forever. We are to live life to its fullest, that’s what Elijah did.
Cell #1—
Elijah was about to leave like he lived, In a Whirlwind.
4. The challenge when we are living such busy full lives is that we don’t lose sight of what is really important. When we are rushing back and forth and doing this, that and the other thing, it’s very easy to forget what really counts and to discount what doesn’t matter.
5. That was a matter that Elisha had been learning over the course of his training with Elijah. He had started as a green young recruit, so to speak, but he had matured to the point where he was ready to take the lead and become the next prophet leader in Israel. You might say his time had finally arrived. Let me show you what I mean. You will see it clearly as we read this morning’s scripture passage together. Follow along in your notes, on the screen, or in your own Bible. Let’s read 2 Kings 2:1-14 together this morning. . .
Cell #2— 2 Kings 2:1-14
1 And it came about when the LORD was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
2 Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here please, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.
3 Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?" And he said, "Yes, I know; be still."
4 Elijah said to him, "Elisha, please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho.
5 The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?" And he answered, "Yes, I know; be still."
6 Then Elijah said to him, "Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." And he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on.
7 Now 50 men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan.
8 Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me."
10 He said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so."
11 As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.
12 Elisha saw it and cried out, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan.
14 He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over.
Let’s pray and then we’ll begin our study this morning. . .
Here is where I want us to begin this morning in our study of Elisha’s life because it has incredible implications for us as well. . .
Cell #3—
What We Must Do If We Want God to Bless Our Ministry
TS: For the remainder of the time we have together this morning, I want us to attempt to answer that question. Here is the first part of the answer to the question of what we must do if we want God to bless our ministry. . .
Cell #4—
I. Stay a Little Closer 2:1-7
1. Over the years Elisha served as Elijah’s assistant he apparently became well known among the various schools of the prophets. While taking care of his mentor, Elisha appears to have learned many valuable and deep spiritual lessons that helped prepare him for the day that was now at hand, when Elijah would be taken from him. When someone holds a special place in your heart, there is usually a desire to be close to them at the end of their life. The same was true here. I can’t even begin to remember all the times I’ve been called to be with a family during the "final hours." Most people want their families there and most families want to be there. There are many reasons for this but one of them is the fact that. . .
Cell #5—
A dying person often has some last words. In those days, dying people often passed on a Special Blessing.
2. Elisha had probably been serving Elijah for several years and they had grown close to one another. His calling was not only to prepare to take on Elijah’s ministry, but to serve him faithfully as long as he was here. If what’s going on here is any indication of it, Elisha had been very serious about his responsibility. He had been there each time Elijah needed him. He had served him faithfully. Now, the two men are on their final trip together. Sometimes families and friends don’t realize they are doing their final trip together, but that wasn’t the case here. At each school of the prophets Elisha is told again that this is not just Elijah’s last days, it’s his last day. He has faithfully served and he will continue doing that right up to the very end. In fact, his approach reminds me of a statement that I believe applies here.
Cell #6—
Consider the postage stamp: Its usefulness consists in the ability to
Stick to One Thing till it gets there. Josh Billings
4. That humorous little statement is a pretty good description of Elisha at this point. He had been a faithful member of the old prophet’s team for many years. By making this final trip with his young protégé Elijah was communicating to everyone that Elisha was to be his successor.
5. There is something a little strange about the fact that Elijah appears to want to be left alone. I mentioned a few minutes ago that it’s normal for a person to want to be with their family at the end. Part of the reason things here are different could be the fact that Elijah isn’t going to die. But actually, I think there is something else doing on here. I don’t believe this is about Elijah wanting to be alone. In fact, notice in verse, 2, 4 and 6, nearly the same phrase is repeated, "please stay here." Did Elijah really want to be alone that badly at the end? Well, that’s possible but there is another more likely reason for his insistence that he be left alone. I believe what’s going on here is actually a test to see if Elisha will remain faithful right up to the end.
Cell #7—
Three times Elijah had tested his successor and three times Elisha stood the test. Our goal should be to be just as Persistent.
5. In fact, I want you to notice something. As clearly as Elijah told him to stay behind, Elisha, was even more clear that he wasn’t about to abandon his mentor at the last minute. He says, "As the LORd lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." The fact that both the request from Elijah and the statement from Elisha are made leads me and many others to believe that this isn’t just about a man wanting to be alone at the end, or an associate refusing to let him be. This is a test to see if Elisha will remain committed to Elijah right up to the very end and Elisha passes that test. Our goal should be to remain as committed and passionate in our service for God and others as Elisha.
TS: That brings me back to the thought we are hanging our outline on this morning. . . What We Must Do If We Want God to Bless our Ministry. The second thing. . .
Cell #8—
II. Go a Little Farther 2:8-10
1. They finally come to the Jordon River and at first glance it doesn’t appear they will be able to cross. In fact, notice that 50 of the young prophets are there to watch them cross. Remember they all know this is Elijah’s last day and they want to see what’s going to take place. We aren’t told that they know Elijah won’t die, just that they have been made aware that he’s at the end of his ministry. So, they gather, perhaps because it’s what they should have done, perhaps because it was the right thing to do. But, as they watch Elijah does a miracle that as it turns out is his final one.
2. Elijah rolls up his cloak, remember this is what he threw around Elisha’s shoulders in last week’s sermon and using it as a symbol of God’s power, he hit the water with it. The prophet’s cloak symbolized his authority under God and with which God clothed and empowered him. Miraculously the water divided and the two men crossed the Jordan River over as the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea and the Jordan River hundreds of years earlier. Elisha was reminded that the same God with the same power was still alive and active in Israel. The same thing is true for each of us today. We serve a God who has the same power He did in Moses day, the same might He had in Joshua’s day, the same strength to help in Elijah and Elisha’s day.
3. It was at this point that Elijah asked the question Elisha had been waiting for, "Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you." In other words, "What would you like for me before I’m gone?" Now remember, this is the prophet who prayed and it didn’t rain for a period of 3½ years, so a carte blanche offer like this was pretty amazing.
4. At first glance Elisha’s request seems to be a bit selfish, perhaps even self-serving, but it wasn’t. Elisha’s request for a double portion of Elisha’s spirit was actually quite legitimate. Look at the next statement in your notes. . .
Cell #9—
Elisha wasn’t asking to be twice as popular as Elijah or to perform
twice as many miracles. He was asking to be given the privileges
of a First Born Son to carry on his father’s ministry.
4. What seems to be behind Elisha’s request was the overwhelming need he felt at Elisjah’s departure to be ready to step up to the plate. Though God had in essence already called him to be Elijah’s replacement, he needed a little extra confirmation as the time for him to take the reins of leadership approached. It wasn’t that he had cold feet, it was just that the weight of leadership seemed especially heavy as he prepared to carry it on his own for the first time. Interestingly enough, although what he asked for wasn’t unreasonable, Elijah said that he had asked a hard thing. Not that it was hard for God to give, but the point was that. . .
Cell #10—
Elijah couldn’t grant Elisha’s request,
only God can give us a significant Ministry.
5. What Elijah could do was promise what God apparently told him. He told Elisha that if he saw him when he was taken it would be confirmation that God would give him a double portion of His spirit. I want you to notice that the text specifically says, "If you see me when I’m taken," not, "If you’re with me when I’m taken." That distinction may not seem important, but what I’m suggesting in the sermon’s final point makes it quite important. Let’s look at the sermon’s final point and to do that we must remember this question, "What We Must Do If We Want God to Bless Our Ministry?" and the final answer is. . .
Cell #11—
III. Focus a Little More 2:11-14
1. Now, that may not make any sense to you at this point but stick with me for a moment. The text simply says as they were walking along and talking Elijah is taken. We don’t know how much time passed after Elijah promised a double portion of his spirit if Elisha saw him taken. It may have been a few minutes, or it could have been several hours. I believe Elisha is about to encounter another test . How many of you can remember learning about how Elijah rode to heaven in a chariot of fire when you were just a kid? Me too. But, would you do something for me? Look at verse 11 in the handout and circle the phrase, "a chariot of fire." Have you done that? Good, now go to the end of verse 11 and circle the words, "a whirlwind." Do you see it there at the end of the verse? Good. Now, look closely at the text and tell me what does the verse say the chariot actually did?
Cell #12— (parts 1 & 2 come in separately)
#1 The chariot Separated Elijah and Elisha.
#2 The Whirlwind carried Elijah to heaven.
2. That fact is actually stated pretty clearly in the text. The chariot of fire separated Elijah and Elisha, but then I want you to notice a second thing. It wasn’t the chariot that took Elijah to heaven. Look closely at the text as it’s printed in your notes, or at your own Bible. I checked in a wide variety of different translations, from the KJV to the fresh paraphrase, "The Message," and I found all of them were pretty consistent in the way they translate. The fact is that it wasn’t the chariot that carried Elijah to heaven, it was. . . (Cell #12, part 2) "The Whirlwind carried Elijah to heaven."
3. Then, I stopped and asked myself a question that you may be thinking about right now. "So what?" What difference does it make that Elijah went to heaven in a whirlwind instead of a chariot of fire? On one hand, it doesn’t make much difference at all, both of them were miracles as far as Elijah was concerned, but I think it does make a difference when it comes to Elisha.
4. How many of you think you might stand and gawk if you saw a chariot made out of fire flying down and separating you and a good friend? I think I would as well. In fact, I think we could all agree it would be natural to have a fiery chariot capture your full attention wouldn’t it? Absolutely! Now, keep that thought and I want to go back to the requirement Elisha was given earlier in the passage. What was it that he had to do in order to be blessed with a "double portion" of Elijah’s Spirit? (Give people time to respond) That’s right he had to see Elijah when he was taken. How many of you think you might have missed Elijah going up to heaven in a whirlwind if you just almost got run over by a chariot made out of fire? Me too. When you look at it from that angle, you can see that in essence the chariot was nothing more than a distraction, which if Elisha focused on, he missed Elijah’s departure. That leads me to the real point. . .
Cell #13—
It’s easy to be distracted from the things which really count, but though the lesser things may be more flashy, they are never more Significant.
5. As I begin to wrap things up let me ask you a really tough question. How often do we let the things which don’t really matter completely capture our attention? How often do the temporary things of life become our focus while the eternal things of God get little more than an occasional glance? That’s a tough question, because for most of us, it’s that way far too often. If we’re honest, it’s that way most of the time.
6. The flashy things of life become our focus while the eternal things of God get crowded out of our lives. Let me be honest with you, I struggle with the same things as well. It’s so easy to let that happen. However, if we really want God to do spectacular things with us and through us, we must get our priorities right.
7. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all the other things will be added to you." If we want to really be used by God then, we absolutely must get our priorities right. We will not experience God’s power in our own lives and in our church if we don’t get that right.
Conclusion:
1. Isn’t it amazing how much we miss when we are drifting comfortably along. How many of you were surprised this morning to discover that Elijah didn’t go to heaven in that chariot of fire? I thought so.
2. If we pick up on that fact, but miss our own priorities we have still not understood the point of this passage and the focus of this morning’s sermon. We are called by God to faithfully serve Him.
3. On Sunday morning, October 23, 1983, terrorist bombed the Marine barracks in Beirut. Hundreds of Americans were killed or wounded as they slept. Many of us can still recall the terrible scenes as the dazed survivors worked to dig out their trapped brothers from beneath the rubble. A few days after the tragedy, Marine Corps Commandant Paul Kelly, visited some of the wounded survivors then in a Frankfurt, Germany, hospital. Among them was Corporal Jeffrey Lee Nashton, who had been severely wounded in the incident. Nashton had so many tubes running in and out of his body that a witness said he looked more like a machine than a man; yet he survived. As Commandant Kelly got to him, Corporal Nashton, motioned for a pen and piece of paper. He wrote a brief note and passed it back to the Commandant. On the slip of paper were two words-- "Semper Fi" the Latin motto of the Marines meaning, "forever faithful." With those two simple words Nashton spoke for the millions of Americans who have sacrificed body and limb and their lives for their country -- those who have remained faithful. (James Dobson & Gary Bauer, Children at Risk, Word, 1990, pp. 187)
4. May I suggest to you that God will use us as He wants to use us when we adopt the same attitude as that wounded corporal and are committed to being, "forever faithful." Let’s pray.
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1) James Orr, Editor International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, (Cedar Rapids, IA: Parsons Technology) 1998.
2) J D Douglas, Ed. New Commentary on the Whole Bible: Old Testament, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers) 1990.
3) John Walvoord, Roy Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, (USA: Victor Books, Scripture Press) 1985.
4) Frank Gaebelein, Ed. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Old Testament, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan) 1976-92.
5) Warren W. Wiersbe. Be Distinct: 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, (Wheaton, IL: Scripture Press) 2002.
6) Wes Humble, Passionate Commitment, (Sermoncentral.com) November, 2002.
7) Roy Fowler, Hold On for the Ride, (Sermoncentral.com) February, 2006.
8) Martin Dale, Elisha, (Sermoncentral.com) March 2000.
9) James May, The Double Portion, (Sermoncentral.com) December, 2001.
10) Steven Funderburk, An Anointing for the Elisha Generation, )Sermoncentral.com)
11) Allison Buckin, A Transfer of Power, (Sermoncentral.com) June, 1998.
12) David Yarborough, More Power to Ya, (Sermoncentral.com) July, 2002.
