21 Mar Elijah | Part 6 – “WHERE ARE THE ELISHAS?”

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Key Verse: 2 Kings 2

The life of Elijah as powerful as it was or as low as it got, it was for one man for who the life of Elijah changed everything – Elisha.

Elisha was Elijah’s successor.  His call changed his life and moved him from a spectator into a participator in what God was doing in the life of Elijah.

The Christian life is far more than hearing stories in the Bible but living them.  Where are the Elishas?

THE CALL OF ELISHA:

Elisha was the owner and operator of a business with substantial profitability.  He was not average or middle class, he was upper class living.

1 Kings 19:21 ESV

Elishas life changes.  He gave his wealth to the people.  He threw a feast for the townsman. Elisha turns into a giver and follows Elijah.  He assisted him.  He went from upper class living to serving the prophet of God.  He got a call from God.

Like Elisha, I’ve been CALLED to God’s PURPOSES.

If we are in Christ, we are called not just to attend church but serve God’s purposes.

Q. What was the point in which you went from just going to church (spectator) to becoming as an Elisha (participator, realizing you are here to serve God’s purposes)?

Ephesians 4:1 (ESV)

I cannot accomplish the PURPOSES of God without the POWER of God.

Elisha was called 18 years before he took over from Elijah.

There is Christian church going and then there is Holy Spirit living.  Nothing, other than what Jesus has done for us, is more important than to be filled with the power of God in our lives.

Q. Have you ever felt too small for ‘the Call’ and how?

He goes from town to town following Elijah from place to place. He was hungry for God to show up in his life and wanted to do more than just go through the motions.    He was not just studying Elijah, but wanting to do what he did.

1. Come to “BETHEL”

2 Kings 2:1-2 (ESV)

Bethel is the House of God

Bethel was first mentioned in Genesis 28:16-17 (ESV).

Jacob had an encounter with God as he was literally running for his life because he scammed all who were important to him.  He was not a good person. Christian faith is not for good people, it is for bad people that is all Jesus can find.  In spite of all Jacob’s evil, God shows up.

Q. What is a specific example where have you seen God show up in spite of your not being ‘good’ recently (Christian or not we all have bad days and moments when we are not so ‘good’)?

“Bethel” – the place of AWAKENING to God.

The first thing God wants to do in our lives is awaken us to who he is.  Jacob knew God was for him, he knew God was good, and God was in charge.  Our first step to our relationship with God is awakening to who he is.   God takes those who don’t feel worthy and makes us worthy.

Q. What was your Bethel moment?  The moment or moments in your life when Jesus started doing something in your life that led you to an awakening with Him? (Even if you have been in the church all of your life, there are things that God does to lead you to Him. People you have met, things you may have done, places you have gone, worked etc.Things you may not have realized until you had that ‘Elisha’ moment)?

2. Come to “JERICHO”

2 Kings 2:4 (ESV)

Jericho – a picture of the life of faith – is a place of:

1. CONFLICT

After our awakening comes the battles.  We gain new enemies: the world, devil, and demons.

Q. What conflicts came when you came into the faith? 

Q. What conflicts do you have now?

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)

B. CONQUEST

When we do what God says, even though it may seem weird and strange, we win,

Q. What is the strangest thing God has asked you to do?

1 John 5:4 (ESV)

C. CONSECRATION

Everything we have is really Gods.

2 Corinthians 8:7 (NLT)

“Jericho” – the place of SURRENDERING to God.

A lot of people have had an awakening but have not had a surrendering.  Worry and anger are areas we most need to surrender. We may think things like ‘I need to work this out or I am not going to be happy’.

Q.What are you controlling or holding onto that causes you to worry or be angry that you need to give up and surrender to God?

Matthew 16:24 (NLT)

To follow Jesus is to Give up our own way.  The moment we surrender and give up control of our life, is the moment we win.

3. Come to “THE JORDAN”.

This is the last place Elisha goes with Elijah.

2 Kings 2:6 (ESV)

The Jordan is such an important place in the Bibles history that people come form all over to get baptized in it.

Joshua 3:15–16 (NLT)

The Jordan was a place of empowerment. 

Matthew 3:16–4:1 (ESV) 

Jesus came to the Jordan to get baptized.  The Spirit rested upon Him and then he is led by the Holy Spirit from that moment forward.

He received the Holy Spirit at his baptism because He needed him.  Jesus laid aside His divinity and became a man and humbled Himself.  He performed miracles because the Holy Spirit came upon Him.

Acts 10:38 (NLT)

“The Jordan” – the place of EMPOWERING from God.

Q. Have you been to:

Bethel – aware that God loves you?

Jericho – where you need to surrender?

Jordan – where you have felt God empower your life?

Q. Where do you still need to go?

2 Kings 2:8-9 (ESV)

Elisha has an ASSIGNMENT, but he knows he needs an ANOINTING.

We cannot do the assignment in our own strength.

2 Kings 2:10 (ESV); 

This is not a peaceful moment.  What Elijah experiences is a picture of the judgement of God, that Jesus Christ would bear 2000 years ago and was brought up to God at the ascension so we could have the Holy Spirit.

John 16:7 (ESV)

Jesus’ ascension TO HEAVEN made it possible for the HOLY SPIRIT to come down from HEAVEN and FILL us.

2 Kings 2:13 (ESV); Luke 11:13 (ESV)

Leader: Pray with those that need to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.