“Elisha Accepts God's Call” 1 Kings 19; 2 Kings 2

Theme: Developing a Character for Translation

Jesus Opening: Let us go back to that scene, as we see the disciples and the multitude gathered around Jesus on the mountainside, listening to Jesus. He has a very special message for everyone. "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). Did they have an understanding what the words of Jesus meant?

Alone upon a mountain near the Sea of Galilee, Jesus had spent all night in prayer. He wanted them all to understand that their was a work they had to do in developing a character for translation. But the people wanted mansions of plenty and days of ease. Yet as something strange and new, Jesus’ words fall upon the ears of the wondering multitude. Such teaching is contrary to all they have ever heard from priest or rabbi. They see in it nothing to flatter their pride or to feed their ambitious hopes. But there is about this new Teacher a power that holds them spellbound. The sweetness of divine love flows from His very presence as the fragrance from a flower. All feel instinctively that here is One who reads the secrets of the soul, yet who comes near to them with tender compassion. Their hearts open to Him, and, as they listen, the Holy Spirit unfolds to them something of the meaning of that lesson which humanity in all ages so needs to learn.

One special day Jesus took three of His disciples (Peter, James and John) up into a high mountain. God chose Moses & Elijah to be His messengers to Christ and glorify Jesus with the light of heaven and talk with Him concerning His coming agony because they had lived on earth as men and had experienced human sorrow and suffering and could sympathize with the trial of Jesus.

Jesus had studied the life of Elijah and the work that had gone on in his life to help him to develop a character for translation and He wanted the multitude to understand what needed to be done in their lives to have a character prepared for translation.

Opening: Elijah at the gate of Jezreel • Elijah prayed for rain • One small cloud by faith, he beheld abundance of rain • Elijah had large faith that laid hold on promises of God’s Word • Elijah persevered in prayer • Connects us close to heaven and develops a character for translation • Elijah lies down to sleep by the gate • Messenger aroused Elijah & told him Jezebel’s plan to have him killed

Elijah flees for his life • Gets up and runs into the wilderness • What did Elijah forget to do? • Pray & listen to “Still, Small Voice”

1 • Listened to his emotions and feelings • His faith & courage forsook him

• Have you ever said, I don’t feel like being kind to brother? Is your character ready for translation?

• Did Elijah’s character need more development before he could be translated? • What did Elijah forget? • 2 Samuel 22:33 “God is my strength and power. . .” • ______

• How about us today? • What do you do when some children encourage you to disregard Dad and mothers instructions not to run I church. They tell you your parents are too strict, they just don’t want you to have fun? • Will those kind of friends be an encouragement to have a character prepared for translation? • Promise in Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

• Was the wilderness a good refuge place? • Did he listen to the still small voice or to his feelings and emotions?

• Experience: • Talked disrespectful to by father • I was disciplined • Didn’t thing I deserved the punishment • So I ran & hid in the barn in some hay • Winter time and I was getting cold • Was that a good refuge place? • Did my reaction prepare my character for translation?

• Promise for us: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Elijah retreats to Mount Horeb and hids in a cave • God met him there. • Elijah had one more lesson to learn • “Trust wholly in God” • Prov. 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

• How did God speak to Elijah? • strong wind? • earthquake?

2 • fire? • still small voice? • Are we listening to God’s still small voice of conscience? OR • Self, how Satan works? • Are we daily studying our Bibles and claiming promises to aid us to have characters ready for translation?

Elijah listens to Gods still small voice and returns as He had work to finish for the Lord. • Everything was green again after the rain • Finds Elisha, the son of Shaphat who was plowing in his fathers fields • What lessons was Elisha learning to help prepare his character for translation? • quietude of country living • discipline of useful work • teaching of God and nature • Received training in habits of simplicity and of obedience to his parents and to God • Learned to be faithful in little things • By co-operating with his father in the home-life duties, he was learning to co-operate with God.

• Practical application: • Duty is to fix breakfast in the morning. • Feel tired so sleep in • Is that being faithful in little things? • Your pet dog or cat, are you faithful in feeding them every day or does mother have to continue to remind you? • Help with the wash, don’t throw cloths in the drawer, but fold them and put them away neatly. • Are these habits preparing your character for translation?

• Elijah casts the mantle of consecration upon the shoulders of Elisha. • Elisha understood that it was the signal that God had called him to take the place of Elijah.

Elisha leaves the field to follow Elijah • Without hesitation he left a secure home where he was loved, to attend prophet in his uncertain life • Lisa was secure in her home life feeding her little lambs but God called her to feed the children around the world. • Elisha learned to obey his parents and God could entrust him with greater responsibility. • God wants all of you children to give His service first place in your life. • Trails came to him but in every emergency he relied on God. • He was tempted to think of the home he had left, but he gave it no heed.

3 • In his early labor of guiding the plow, Elisha had learned not to fail or to become discouraged

Elisha & Elijah at the Jordon River & Elijah Taken into Heaven • uses mantle to part the water • Elijah ask Elisha a question, “Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee?” • asked not for worldly honor • asked not for a high place among men • asked “I pray thee, let a double portion of thy Spirit be upon me.” • As they walked on, Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. • Are you allowing God to transform your character so you can be translated to heaven?

Elisha returns to river to be God’s prophet • Parts the water with Elijah’s mantle • Elisha was a man of mild and kindly spirit • Elisha was also stern • On his way to Bethel • ungodly youth mocked Elisha • did not talk respectful to God’s anointed one • Elisha turned back and under the inspiration of God, he pronounced a curse upon them • Awful judgment that came upon them was of God. • 2 she-bears came out of the woods and destroyed 42 youth.

• Are you respectful to your parents? • In every family, firmness, decision, positive requirements are essential. • REVERENCE for God • Reverence toward ministers, teachers and parents – God is honored.

Summary: • To have our characters ready for translation, we need to: 1. Pray and have faith in the Word of God 2. Learn to hear “God’s still small voice of conscience 3. Faithfulness in little things 4. Learn and practice obedience and respect

APPEAL: God is preparing a people whose characters reflect His so they can be translated. Is God speaking to you today regarding things in your character that needs to be changed? Are you listening to the still small voice? Do you want your character ready for translation? God has given us a promise: “Ask, and it shall be given you.” Let us pray and claim God’s promise for that character ready for translation?

Prayer

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