WonderWorking Power Wk. 1

Intro: Me/We- FB quote.

When we fail to see importance of the authority of the Word of God, everything changes about our relationship with God.

1. He’s a powerless bystander; 2. He’s an indifferent toddler; 3. He doesn’t even exist; 4. Or Supremely wise God

Attempting to test the limits of God- NOTHING YOU CAN DO THAT WILL GARNER SURPRISE OUT OF GOD.

Such is the case in this storyline in 2 Kings 2 as we continue on with Elisha’s story. last Sunday!

Jeremiah, is believed to have been the author of this narrative. Eye witness or just an author writing the storyline from another witness. IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT BIBLICAL AUTHORSHIP, just because they may nor may not have been eye witnesses doesn’t negate or minimize the truth or importance. There are countless documentations of truthful articles that were written from the research of someone who never saw anything. The Spirit of God lead them to the truth and they recorded it was they learned it and as he directed them to it. It’s an important and impactful truth.

Great Respect. Without great respect comes great entitlement and tremendous .

2 Kings 2:15-25/ What in the world is happening here and why preaching this particular text?

At face value, a kindergarten class making fun of an aging prophet.

Elisha splitting this sea same, wanting to prove the presence of power to audience watching.

Jealousy- Talking behind his back. They saw him opposite them and said… Critics always sit opposite

WHY DOES GOD WORK THROUGH HIM LIKE THAT AND NOT ME?

JEALOUSY WILL NEVER GET YOU WANT THE LORD WANTS FOR YOU.

JEALOUSY IS A FAUX EMOTION THAT DISTRACTS YOU FROM THE OPPORTUNITY AND AVAILABILITY RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU. WHEN YOU ARE FIXATED ON THE OPPORTUNITY OF ANOTHER, YOU ARE IGNORANT TO THE ONE IN FRONT OF YOU.

CONFESS THAT THING AND HAND IT TO GOD AND KEEP HANDING IT BACK TO GOD AS OFTEN AS IT TRIES TO RETURN TO YOU. DON’T EVER HOLD ON TO JEALOUSY.

We get a glimpse of the identity of these people right here in this line also. “The sons of the prophets who are at Jericho…” And again, this leads us to thinking that these are the little children of the teachers of the word of the Lord. Jeremiah feels is important for you to understand- Jericho. Claim to fame?

Joshua 6:26, Joshua laid an oath on them at that time, saying, “Cursed before the Lord be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho. “At the cost of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates.” - read about it in 1 Kings 16:34

They want to go see if they can’t find where Elijah has gone or has been taken. There was no point to this, but you can see the determination and resolve of this group. They are bent on their idea, and going to do it anyway. WHY???

I used to say when I was frustrated - “You might as well do what you want bc you’re going to do it anyway.”

problem with the towns infrastructure- Water

Whenever a Christian rolls up on broken, hurting, cursed community, healing should take place.

You bear the power and activity of the goodness of God in your body just like Elisha did and there is no reason why miracles can’t happen around you just like this because of your belief and audacity.

It starts with a mindshift. 1) I’m not going to make excuses. #1 Reason why we don’t see the power of God moving around us!? Excuses!

Let me frame it like this → I didn’t know what to do! How about this one → I didn’t know what do say. Or my favorite → I didn’t have time.

There is always a good personal reasons why you shouldn’t stop and interact with people and their problems.

This is case #1 why it’s imperative that you learn to study the Word of God in its entirety. Now listen, Im not going to tell you a mauling from a bear didn’t happen. I don’t believe this is a reference to something else. This is terrible, no matter how you frame it.

The difference is the image you have in your mind about the victims.

Look at languages/words translated. NAHAR (nah'-ar). Hebrew. means any boy from newborn to adult any male not married. Marriage could be the beginning of manhood for them.

Same word is used in Ruth 2:15 when Boaz says TO HIS SERVANTS, to let Ruth glean among the sheaves.

This word is more defining gender than it was defining age.

It could also be said to be defining maturity. This group of people that Elisha is encountering is a group of learners, students, more than that, they are students of the school of theology/prophecy that is in session in Jericho.

Have you ever noticed how culturally dangerous a developing student can be?

All growing knowledge but zero experience?

My theological fight

<<Keys Beginning>>

They are trying to declare their level of knowledge and insight about theology with the one who they know has access to presence and power. BELIEF AND ATTEMPT

None of these guys has dared to try anything powerful and significant with the power and presence of God and that bothers them.

Elisha rolls up and he’s not been to school. He’s not been through the training they’ve had and yet he’s experiencing all they’ve ever talked about. NOT LIKE WE HAVE.

IT’S NOT FAIR!

Solomon wrote multiple Proverbs, anecdotes of wisdom that are perfect for us to use to guide and direct our lives forward. He said this,

Proverbs 9:10-12 ESV - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Fearing the Lord involves seeing how awesome God truly is. The healthy fear of awe shows us the glory of God’s unlimited power and pure holiness. Hebrews 12:28-29 declares: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire.’”