Quick Overview to help you get a HANDLE on the story (Groan) There were 4 + schools of the prophets in varying locations tutored by Elijah then Elisha Pupils would eat and be taught together, enjoying Fellowship and Physical & Spiritual food but they lived in their own homes. The school at Jericho near Jordan had outgrown its facility so needed to build a larger one and it was a selffunded, self-build project. Iron tools were scarce and expensive, hence the loan. The Mosaic law required reimbursement if a tool was lost or damaged which could seriously affect the Student and the colleges budget. It would be like borrowing a JCB Digger today, crashing it, then finding you had no insurance cover. So, the impact would affect the Student, his fellow students and the projects progress, no small incident
Restoring your Cutting Edge ( It can happen to anyone) 2 Kings 6 :1-7 1- Loss can suddenly occur within Expansion/Vision v 1&2 Building 2- True Servant recognizes value of loss v 5 Borrowed 3- Sometimes we Regress to Progress v6 Where did you lose it 4- Jesus THE Branch Restores + More v6 Cut Off-Cast In 5- Seize Season of Restoration v7 Grab/Pick it Now & Move on 1 Loss can suddenly occur within Vision/Expansion v 1-2 (Elisha the Tutor ) 4 Schools-Young Men Trained-Listened/Lived/Learnt together An Impartation from one generation to another ( Work Wiser ) Larger facility- More Trained at once ( Work Smarter ) A Let s build bigger Vision both God Given & prudent B- Loss was Personal & Corporate - One students loss Impacts Team Moral/Progress Acts 6 : 1-4 ( Revival) Apostles recognised danger of losing prime thrust of expansion in administering a Food Programme - They would have lost Personally Ministry Blunted Corporately Prime gifts not functioning to Max Delegate Important practical task to -- Anointed Deacons ( Worked Wiser/Smarter). Examples of Loss in Expansion By Godly people Gen 9:21 Noah- Drunk-Loss of Face /Authority When repopulating Numb 12:1 Miriam/Aaron Descend into Critical attack as Israel seeks to move forward. Numb 20 1-13 Moses- Looses Self Control at moment of Miracle 1 of 5
2 Sam 11:2 David- Falls Morally ( Bathsheba) as Kingdom expanded Examples vary in severity but key principle is the same. At Points of Real Progress Godly people can lose their edge which affects them Personally and their Contemporys Conc- At points of real Expansion/Vision-Sudden loss can occur 2- True servant recognises they ve lost it v 5. Axe Head precious No DIY Store Repay out of tight budget 3 Key Points. Value of what is lost Alas master Ownership of Tool -- Was Borrowed Moment of Loss -- Instant Confession Oh Sir Value: Salvation 1 Pet 1 :19 Blood of Lamb Priceless Ownership: Jn 3:27 Man has nothing unless given from Heaven Moment: Psalm 51:4 Against THEE have I sinned David Recognized the-- Offence- Offended & Offender Key When Loss occurs Quickly acknowledge it Don t ignore it 1 Sam 4:10- Israel trusted External Religion over Internal Righteousness The ARK- But Gods Glory already Gone. Exp Global/Anointed Ministers/Ministries Concealed/Covered Internal Corruption ( Sex/Money/Power/Property Deals/ Abuse) Then Cosmetic repentance & Blaming Others. Conc- Loss Individually/Together STOP & accept responsibility NOW. 2 of 5
3- We Regress to Progress v 5 ( Where did you lose it? ) Axe Head sunk into Muddy Jordan Head Loose in Handle- Thus A- Expose the Mess B- Examine the Process A- Expose Isaiah 6:6 I am a Filthy Man /Filthy Lips- Don t tidy up Hymn Just as I am without one plea B- Examine Gen 12:3 Abrahams deception 13:4 Returns to Altar Moves from Self to God dependency- v9 Lot YOU chose 14:16 Overcomes Kings with his small army. Positive Regression ( Not a Pity Party )-Go back 2 Go Forward Hold the empty handle & say This is where I am at Now- How did I get here?- How do I go forward?. You may have swung Energetically/Enthusiastically consumed in Task Mission can lose the Master. Quotes M L King Jnr: If we are to go forward we must go back and rediscover those precious values, that all reality hinges on moral foundations, and that all reality, has spiritual control Conc- Do Regular Inventory Replace the stock. 4 Jesus ( Branch ) Restores + More v 6 Loss becomes Testimony --- Trial a Triumph Without it Less to boast in God about Pslm 30:11 Restored King David Turned Mourning to dancing Jerm 4:18 Divided nation back in land as One nation Jerm 30:17 Not just Healing but Health Pslm 103:4 Not just redeemed but Crowned with loving Kindness Heb 6:13/14 Blessings Multiplied Context Repentance Always Precedes Restoration 3 of 5
V6 Branch- Cut Off- Cast in Christ Cut Off from Exalted Position Cast into Servants Role WE come with our EMPTY handle of Humanity We are Joined to the Vine ready for fruitfulness Resurrected out of the Mud of our Sin Cleaned and Sharpened we cut into the Task ahead. Conc- Restoration always includes a + factor 5-- Sieze a Season of Restoration v7 Pick it up NOW Exd 3:4 Moses PICK up point of Fear ( Snake ) & Symbol of Authority Of Pharaoh Now you Rule Jn 9:1- Blind man @ Siloam Go Wash THEN you see Acts 3:7 Lame Man Gate Beautiful Take hand-now Walk Illus: Rugby Player receives pass & runs on to score If you have followed steps 1-4 Now in faith Reach out to HIS Restoring Hand. Conc WE are commanded Grab it NOW- Move on 4 of 5
Restoring your cutting edge Summary 1- Loss can suddenly occur within Expansion/Vision v 1&2 Building 2- True Servant recognizes value of loss v 5 Borrowed 3- Sometimes we Regress/ Progress v6 Where did you lose it 4- Jesus THE Branch Restores + More v6 Cut Off - Cast In 5- Seize Season of Restoration v7 Grab/Pick it Now & Move on Sermon in a Sentence. Let s Build the Church & Break the enemy with a Sharp Cutting edge. 5 of 5 Pastor B J Plume FBM Ministry