Elisha Empowered to Succeed Elijah 2 Kings 2 Pastor Dan 7-31-16
Elisha s Full Commitment to Follow Elijah 1 Kings 19:19-21 Elijah called Elisha by throwing his cloak around him The Spirit on Elijah witnessed to Elisha, he understood the call to follow and immediately said Yes to serving A full commitment (goodbye BBQ with his oxen & plow) Mission Starting Point = A Commitment to Follow Jesus Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 About 7 years later time for Elisha to succeed Elijah
The Last Journeys of Elijah and Elisha 2 Kings 2:1-7 Gilgal to Bethel Bethel to Jericho Jericho to Jordan River Company of prophets at each place Holy Spirt revealed God was soon to take Elijah away Asked to stay but Elisha refused to leave the side of Elijah as his faithful servant Logos Bible Software Maps
Elijah Demonstrates the Spirit and Power of God 2 Kings 2:8 Stuck the water with his cloak and the river parted Showed evidence of the Holy Spirit power and anointing on Elijah Showed symbolic significance of the cloak (Power of God, The Anointing for Leadership)
Elisha s Final Request Power for Mission 2 Kings 2:9-10 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you? Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit, Elisha replied. 10 You have asked a difficult thing, Elijah said, yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours otherwise, it will not. A double portion was the law of inheritance for the 1 st born son (Deut 21:17) Elisha s request for the Spirit s power and anointing to fulfill the mission as Elijah s successor- his inheritance Elijah: A conditional yes - if you see me taken from you
Elijah Taken To Heaven Elisha Witnesses the Event 2 Kings 2:11-12 11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel! And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.
Power for Mission Received 2 Kings 2:13-15 Elisha picked up Elijah s cloak Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah? Stuck the Jordan with the cloak and the river parted! Elisha inherited the prophet office of Elijah and the power for the mission - the Spirit of God! The prophets recognized the Spirit and the call on Elisha
Jesus Defined Our Mission Together we Love God Love People Make Disciples The Messiah will suffer Jesus died and rise from the dead on the third day, Jesus lives 47 and repentance I repent for the forgiveness of sins I receive will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. My Mission 48 You are witnesses of these things. (show others 49 I am going to send you what my how to follow) Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed Baptism in HS with power from on high. Power for Mission Luke 24:46-49
Power For My Mission - Baptism in the Holy Spirit Following Jesus be on his Mission (Luke 9:23 ) Recognizing the need (Acts 1:8 You will receive power) Asking (and seeking) (Acts 1:4-5 Wait for the power) Receiving (Acts 2:1-4) V4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.) Living out my mission in power (The whole book of Acts) Where am I in the process? No Better Life Than The One That God Has Designed For Me
Receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit An Example Kind of Prayer Dear Jesus, I thank you and praise you that I am your child. You have given me your gift of eternal life and you live in me today by the Holy Spirit. I believe the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father for me and I am ready to receive. I ask you to baptize me in the Holy Spirit - release in me the full measure of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus, I receive and I accept the new language You have given me as your Holy Spirit fills me. Help me to release it. I praise you and thank you (Continue to speak out loud in worship, praise, and thanksgiving and allow the Holy Spirit to overflow and speak through you.)