The Rescue #3: Whatever It Takes

THE RESCUE #3: WHATEVER IT TAKES

INTRO TO TOPIC:

Week #1: Elijah’s call of Elisha to replace him as prophet in Israel.

Elisha received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, and did twice as many miracles.

Week #2: the importance of being anointed with fresh oil – spending time with Jesus daily.

God is calling us to do whatever it takes to reach the lost, hurting and broken people in our lives.

THE BIG IDEA: If we want to experience the supernatural power of God in our lives, then we must prepare ourselves, hang onto the promise, and persevere no matter what.

I. THE PREPARATION: Is Jesus welcome in your home?

8 Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. 9 And she said to her husband, "Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. 10 Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there." (2 Kings 4:8-10, NKJV).

• Two lessons in this part of the story. The first one is the importance of hospitality:

• “Continue to love each other with true Christian love. Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (Heb. 13:1-2, NLT).

• When was the last time you had someone in your home?

• Secondly, we also need to make room for Jesus in our hearts and lives as well:

• “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13, NKJV). “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8, NKJV).

• Is Jesus welcome in your hearts and homes? He goes where He is welcomed.

II. THE PROMISE: What do you want Jesus to do for you?

11 And it happened one day that he came there, and he turned in to the upper room and lay down there. 12 Then he said to Gehazi his servant, "Call this Shunammite woman." When he had called her, she stood before him. 13 And he said to him, "Say now to her, Look, you have been concerned for us with all this care. What can I do for you? Do you want me to speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?" She answered, "I dwell among my own people." 14 So he said, "What then is to be done for her?" And Gehazi answered, "Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old." 15 So he said, "Call her." When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16 Then he said, "About this time next year you shall embrace a son." And she said, "No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant!" 17 But the woman conceived, and bore a son when the appointed time had come, of which Elisha had told her.

• Elisha asks the woman The Jesus Question: “What can I do for you?”

• Jesus said to the blind man, “What do you want Me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight.” (Luke 18:41, NKJV).

• God is a good God, and He loves to give good gifts to His children!

• Do you know His many precious promises? Quote Psalm 103 – forgive sins, heal sicknesses, redeems your life from destruction, satisfies your soul, renews your youth!

III. THE PROBLEM: What do you do when the promise or dream dies?

18 And the child grew. Now it happened one day that he went out to his father, to the reapers. 19 And he said to his father, "My head, my head!" So he said to a servant, "Carry him to his mother." 20 When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. 21 And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door upon him, and went out.

• Even when we serve God faithfully, sometimes the promises or dreams can die.

• “On the same day, when evening had come, Jesus said to (His disciples), "Let us cross over to the other side.” (Mark 4:35, NKJV).

• Even though they were being obedient to the word of Jesus, trouble showed up!

• “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:37-38).