Introduction

Welcome, brothers and sisters in Christ, to this gathering of hearts and minds, united in our shared love for our Savior and our shared desire to grow closer to Him. Today, we find ourselves standing at the foot of a mountain of wisdom, ready to ascend, not by our own strength, but by the grace and guidance of our loving God. And as we ascend, we will find not just wisdom, but hope, comfort, and a renewed sense of faith that will illuminate even the darkest corners of our lives.

In our hands, we hold the key to this mountain – the Word of God, as revealed in the second book of Kings, chapter four, verses fourteen to thirty-seven. Let me read this passage to you:

He said, 'What then may be done for her?' Gehazi answered, 'Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.' He said, 'Call her.' When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. He said, 'At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.' And she said, 'No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your maidservant.' But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.

When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. And he said to his father, 'Oh, my head, my head!' The father said to his servant, 'Carry him to his mother.' And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died. And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out. Then she called to her husband and said, 'Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.' And he said, 'Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.' She said, 'All is well.' Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, 'Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.' So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.

As we reflect on these words, we are reminded of the profound wisdom of Charles Spurgeon, who once said, 'Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the windows which hope has opened.' Indeed, this passage invites us to climb those stairs of faith, to look out those windows of hope, and to trust in the promises of God, even when those promises seem impossible.

But we are not alone in this. We are guided by the love of God, a love that is steadfast and unchanging, a love that carries us through the burdens of life and helps our faith to blossom, even in the toughest of times.

So, let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of Your Word, for the wisdom it imparts, and the comfort it brings. As we reflect on this passage, we ask that you open our hearts and minds, that we may fully understand and appreciate the lessons it holds. Help us to trust in Your promises, to bear our burdens with grace, and to let our faith blossom, even when the world around us seems dark and uncertain. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

Transition. So, dear friends, are you ready to climb this mountain? Are you ready to see the world through the windows of hope that God has opened for us? Let us begin...

Believing in God's Promises

In the passage we read, we see a woman who is given a promise by God, through His prophet Elisha. She's told she will have a son, even though her husband is old and she has been unable to conceive. Despite her initial disbelief, she does indeed conceive and bear a son, just as Elisha had prophesied. This is a clear demonstration of the fulfillment of God's promises. Even when it seemed impossible, God made it possible.

When we look at our own lives, we might also find instances where God has made the impossible possible. Perhaps we've been healed from a sickness when doctors had given up hope, or maybe we've been blessed with a job when we were on the brink of financial ruin. These are all examples of God fulfilling His promises to us.

But what about when things don't go as we expect? What about when we pray for something and it doesn't happen? Does that mean God has broken His promise? No, God's promises are not always about giving us what we want, but about giving us what we need. And sometimes, what we need is to go through trials and tribulations to grow and mature in our faith.

In the passage, the woman's son grows up and then suddenly falls ill and dies. This must have been a devastating blow to the woman. She had been given a son, only to have him taken away. But instead of losing faith, she turns to God. She goes to Elisha and lays her son on the bed of the man of God. She doesn't give up. This is a powerful lesson for us. Even when things seem hopeless, even when we're faced with loss and heartache, we need to continue to believe in God's promises. We need to trust that He has a plan for us, even if we can't see it.

The woman's faith is rewarded. Elisha prays to God and the boy is brought back to life. God's promise to the woman is fulfilled, not once, but twice. This is a testament to the power of faith and the faithfulness of God.

In our own lives, we might face situations where it seems like God's promises are not being fulfilled. We might face loss, disappointment, or heartache. But we need to remember the woman in the passage. We need to remember her faith and her trust in God's promises. We need to remember that God's promises are not always fulfilled in the way we expect, but they are always fulfilled according to His perfect plan.

Transition. So, let's hold on to our faith. Let's trust in God's promises, even when it's hard. Let's remember that God is always faithful, even when we are faithless. And let's remember that God's promises are not just about giving us what we want, but about giving us what we need to grow and mature in our faith. In the end, it's not about what we get, but about who we become. It's about becoming more like Christ, more loving, more compassionate, more forgiving. And that is the greatest promise of all.

Bearing the Burdens of Life

In the midst of life's trials, the woman in our passage from 2 Kings 4 found herself carrying a burden that seemed unbearable ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO