Extreme Commitment

2 Kings 8:1-6

2 Kings 8:1–6 (NLT)

1 Elisha had told the woman whose son he had brought back to life, “Take your family and move to some other place, for the Lord has called for a famine on Israel that will last for seven years.”

2 So the woman did as the man of God instructed. She took her family and settled in the land of the Philistines for seven years.

3 After the famine ended she returned from the land of the Philistines, and she went to see the king about getting back her house and land.

4 As she came in, the king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God. The king had just said, “Tell me some stories about the great things Elisha has done.”

5 And Gehazi was telling the king about the time Elisha had brought a boy back to life. At that very moment, the mother of the boy walked in to make her appeal to the king about her house and land. “Look, my lord the king!” Gehazi exclaimed. “Here is the woman now, and this is her son—the very one Elisha brought back to life!”

6 “Is this true?” the king asked her. And she told him the story. So he directed one of his officials to see that everything she had lost was restored to her, including the value of any crops that had been harvested during her absence.

INTRODUCTION:

I- FOLLOW GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS WHEN THEY DON’T ALIGN WITH YOUR PLANS. (2 Kings 8:1-2)

2 Kings 8:1–2 (NLT)

1 Elisha had told the woman whose son he had brought back to life, “Take your family and move to some other place, for the Lord has called for a famine on Israel that will last for seven years.”

2 So the woman did as the man of God instructed. She took her family and settled in the land of the Philistines for seven years.

A- Sometimes circumstances occur that don’t fit in our plans. (2 Kings 8:1)

2 Kings 8:1 (NLT)

Elisha had told the woman whose son he had brought back to life, “Take your family and move to some other place, for the Lord has called for a famine on Israel that will last for seven years.”

1- Elisha warned the Shunemite woman that God was sending circumstances that she and her family would not be planning for.

a- God was sending a famine.

b- She was warned to move somewhere outside of Israel to escape the calamity.

c- No mention is made of her husband - he was likely dead at this point.

d- The famine was to last for seven years. This was no quick vacation!

2- God sometimes allows circumstances to enter our lives that we are not planning on.

a- Financial set-backs, sickness, relationship issues and other trials enter our lives.

b- We need to look to God’s Word for guidance in handling all that we must face.

(2 Timothy 3:16)

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

(John 16:13)

John 16:13 (NLT)

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

c- following God’s instructions may require us to do things that do not mesh with our personal plans.

(1) God has the right to interrupt our plans!

Remember that He is Lord!

(Luke 6:46)

Luke 6:46 (NLT)

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?

B- Sometimes obedience takes us where we would not plan to go. (2 Kings 8:2)

2 Kings 8:2 (NLT)

So the woman did as the man of God instructed. She took her family and settled in the land of the Philistines for seven years.

1- Obeying God took the Shunemite and her family where she did not plan to go.

a- She wound up in the land of the Philistines.

(1) About 80+ miles from home.

(2) Lived among people she did not know (enemies of Israel) for 7 years.

2- We should be careful about our planning process.

a- We need to consider God’s will in our plans.

(James 4:13-17)

James 4:13–17 (NLT)

13 Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.”

14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.

17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

(1) He may redirect us into new paths.

II- TRUST GOD TO WORK AND ACT IN FAITH. (2 Kings 8:3-5)

2 Kings 8:3–5 (NLT)

3 After the famine ended she returned from the land of the Philistines, and she went to see the king about getting back her house and land.

4 As she came in, the king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God. The king had just said, “Tell me some stories about the great things Elisha has done.”

5 And Gehazi was telling the king about the time Elisha had brought a boy back to life. At that very moment, the mother of the boy walked in to make her appeal to the king about her house and land. “Look, my lord the king!” Gehazi exclaimed. “Here is the woman now, and this is her son—the very one Elisha brought back to life!”

A- When God says it is time to move- do it! (2 Kings 8:3)

2 Kings 8:3 (NLT)

After the famine ended she returned from the land of the Philistines, and she went to see the king about getting back her house and land.

1- The Shunemite woman returned from the Land of the Philistines at the end of the time God had prophesied concerning the famine.

2- We need to move in obedience to God (when, where, how, etc.)

B- Trust that God is already at work in directing the situation. (2 Kings 8:4-5)

2 Kings 8:4–5 (NLT)

4 As she came in, the king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God. The king had just said, “Tell me some stories about the great things Elisha has done.”

5 And Gehazi was telling the king about the time Elisha had brought a boy back to life. At that very moment, the mother of the boy walked in to make her appeal to the king about her house and land. “Look, my lord the king!” Gehazi exclaimed. “Here is the woman now, and this is her son—the very one Elisha brought back to life!”

1- God was at work in the Shunemite’s situation.

a- Directed the Shunemite to go home.

b- Directed the Shunemite to go talk to the King about her property.

c- Directed the Klingon to seek out Geazi at the right time.

d- Directed Gehazi to be in the place the King could find him.

e- Gehazi told the story of the Shunemite and her son at the exact time she was arriving to talk to the King.

F- The Lord made the heart of the king receptive to the Shunemite’s plight and caused him to decree in her favor.

2- God is at work in our circumstances.

a- When we obey God, He works on all points in the process to accomplish His will.

Example of Paul’s conversion and call (Acts 9:1-17)

Had Paul go to Damascus with orders to persecute believers

Met him on the road, resulting in his conversion.

caused Judas on Straight Street to be willing to house Paul.

Instructed Ananias to go witness to Paul, heal him and baptize him.

Made the believers in Jerusalem willing to listen to Barnabas about Paul.

III- TESTIFY OF GOD’S WORKS AND SEE HIM WORK AGAIN. (2 Kings 8:6)

2 Kings 8:6 (NLT)

“Is this true?” the king asked her. And she told him the story. So he directed one of his officials to see that everything she had lost was restored to her, including the value of any crops that had been harvested during her absence.

A- Watch for the open door to tell others about God’s work in your life. (2 Kings 8:6a)

2 Kings 8:6a (NLT)

“Is this true?” the king asked her. And she told him the story. So he directed one of his officials to see that everything she had lost was restored to her, including the value of any crops that had been harvested during her absence.

1- God stirred the heart of the King to hear the Shunemite’s story.

a- When she saw the opportunity, she gave her testimony.

2- Keep your eyes open for the Lord to open people’s heart to your story.

a- always be ready to tell your story.

(1 Peter 3:15)

1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

B- Be ready for God to work in amazing ways. (2 Kings 8:6b)

2 Kings 8:6 (NLT)

“Is this true?” the king asked her. And she told him the story. So he directed one of his officials to see that everything she had lost was restored to her, including the value of any crops that had been harvested during her absence.

1- God worked in a way that was probably beyond her hopes.

a- The king ordered the restoration of her property (what she had hoped for).

b- The king ordered the value of any crops grown on her property for the years she had been gone (beyond her hopes).

2- God is able to work in ways beyond all that we expect or hope for.

(Ephesians 3:20)

Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

CONCLUSION: