The Stockpile Factor Series

INTRODUCTION

Today we begin a six week series entitled “Becoming Contagious”. How do we, as believers in Christ become more contagious in making a difference in the life of one who’s life either does not show evidence of Christ or is unchurched.

A. WHY THIS SERIES

1. We All Have the Desire to be effective in influencing another for Christ.

a. Storms, Trials, Deliverance

b. Miracles of Prayer and Times of Call

c. Gift of Salvation

2. Satan does his part to make us feel:

a. Ineffective

b. Not Equipped – Don’t know enough

c. Not my responsibility

B. YOUR APPROACH TO “BECOMING CONTAGIOUS”

I’ve learned my approach to worship, Bible Study, etc. determines what I receive!

1. If I prepare through prayer, meditation, and expectancy

2. God always out gives my effort

3. If I approach Expecting to Receive God Outgives

4. The Same Applies to You

5. WE WILL NOT OUTGIVE GOD.

C. “THE STOCKPILE FACTOR”

1. TEXT: 2 KINGS 7:3-10

2. The Time Period

a. Barbaric

b. King Enlarging Territory or Protecting Territory

c. Walls around City

d. Gates Allowed Imports/Exports

3. The Setting: 2 Kings 6:24

a. “laid siege” “besieged” – Took control of Wall and the Gates to the City

b. Explain “famine” (Vs. 25, 27-29)

1. Siege so long it caused a famine

2. Selling a donkey’s head (unclean animal) for 80 shekels (approx. 50.00)

3. Selling a ¼ kab (1/2 pint) of seed pods, dove’s dung, dove/pigeon manure or green leaf, root but most say dove manure or dropping sold for 5 shekels (approx 3.00)

4. Cannibalism

4. The FOUR LEPERS

a. Leprosy was an infectious disease

b. An outcast of city, home, or farm

c. Lived in a Leper’s Colony or Camp Outside of City

d. Received provisions from a family member or friend who would leave at camp’s boundary.

e. The Famine effected them also!

I. THE FIRST STEP IS THE HARDEST

A. THE LEPER’S CONDITION - READ 7.3-4

1. Their situation seemed helpless

a. Guards kept family from delivering their provisions

2. They thought they were on their own

3. We’ve all gone through days of trial and tribulation that made our situation seem helpless.

B. THEY TOOK THE FIRST STEP - READ 7.5-7

1. Took the “First Step” having no idea of what they would find

2. God had set up their way (before they took the first step)

Bible says “God knows what we need before we ask”

3. Describe the Camp “left the camp as it was” (7)

a. Livestock

b. Food

c. Provisions

C. THE LEPER’S “STOCKPILE” - READ 7.8

All they were hoping to find is FOOD! But notice what they found!

1. The Tents

2. The Filling of Food (“Stockpile of Blessing”)

3. The Provisions were Hid – Their future secure!

APPLICATION:

1. How many are guilty of just that – hiding our stockpile of blessings!

2. God has given us more than we asked, and we may have even thanked Him but we’ve kept it to ourselves!

D. THE DAY OF GOOD NEWS IS NOW– READ 7.9

1. “a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves”

a. We need to remember “today is the day” We DON’T KNOW TOMORROW

b. Silence was an unthinkable crime at that point.

2. In VS. 10 they went back announced the STOCKPILE —and the city was saved.

ILLUSTRATION:

While running errands one day, a well-known pastor ran into a man from his church who wanted to share something with him. The minute the guy began talking, he started tearing up. He said, “God did something in my life over Good Friday and Easter that was so awesome in my life. I feel like I am just about ready to explode!”

What he was really saying was that he had a spiritual stockpile that was so huge and so wonderful, it can hardly be contained.

APPLICATION

1. When God’s People have a proper understanding of their spiritual STOCKPILE, they won’t be able to stop themselves from sharing!

2. The problem with God’s People today is that we are NOT MATURE ENOUGH to stand up to the schemes of Satan who does everything in his power to keep us from sharing the good news of Jesus.

3. We have forgotten WE ARE NOT ON OUR OWN.

READ ACTS 1:8

II. THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH – EPHESIANS 4

There is a lot of talk in the NT regarding our “Spiritual Gifts”. What I’ve come to believe in the church is that we really don’t understand those gifts!

READ EPHESIANS 4:7

A. Your Gifts of Enablement - Ephesians 4:7

a. Your Gifts of Enablement were given for Me!

b. My Gifts of Enablement were given for You!

c. VS 12 “works of service” – Our WITNESS