Hand Me Another Jar

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

I. INTRODUCTION

Ever run out of time?

Ever run out of options?

Ever run out of resources?

The oil stopped when the empty vessels ran out.

·Empty vessels … there were lots of vessels – none empty.

II. SHE CAME WITH A PROBLEM (V.1)

Nothing like a good problem to get us to the Lord.

- The bank was going to take her sons.

- Little different than today. Her sons were her only “commodity”.

- She did all she could in her own strength and

came to an end.

- The woman had lost her husband (which was her source of living)

- She had lost her earthly possessions

- She was about to lose her children

- She was reduced to a jar of oil

- All she had left Death and debts … The two great burdens of life.

The good news is: SHE CAME TO THE RIGHT PLACE – GOD!

· Folks sometimes our lives are so filled with things that distract us and God has to remove them before we can see clearly enough to see Him

· Often God has to remove those things in our lives that makes us comfortable

You come to the end of your ROPE – ABILITY – RESOURCES

Phil. 4:19 my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

III. SHE CAME WITH WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS IMPORTANT

She goes to the right place but relies on the wrong things.

· Elisha – “your servant”, “my husband”, “track record”

Some Christians are looking for Gods help because of their spiritual credentials.

- I did this … I know … I’ve supported …

Rom.9:15,16 He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.

Don’t come looking for your rights and what’s coming to you, come looking for mercy.

He’s a merciful God … approach asking for favour.

Your spiritual credentials are tainted ….

LISTEN: She came with what she thought was important …. BUT ALL SHE NEEDED WAS AN EMPTY VESSEL!!!!

IV. SHE DISCOVERED WHAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT. (V.2)

It wasn’t what she had done in the past. It wasn’t what she had in the past.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN THE HOUSE NOW?

· What is available for God to multiply?

· Remember the story of the feeding of the 5,000—(John 6:1-14)

I have nothing …… BUT ….

We all have something.

It’s not what do you want to have. WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

The only thing she had was a vessel … not empty though.

WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS NOTHING WAS ABOUT TO BECOME

EVERYTHING.

Jar of Oil.

- You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to understand the Spirit is represented by oil through out the word.

V. SHE OBEYED AND DID WHAT SHE COULD (V.3,4)

She heard the Word and obeyed.

- She may have had a little oil but her faith was absolutely active.

- She had no idea why …. She just obeyed!

- Imagine the neighbours.

- There’s the Pastors wife …. What in the world is she up to now?

VI. SHE SHUT HERSELF IN WITH GOD (V.5)

She began to pour the oil into the empty vessels.

- Big and small

- Round and tall

- Painted and plain

EVERY KIND OF VESSEL WAS BEING FILLED.

THEY ONLY HAD ONE THING IN COMMON: EMPTY!!

- They were all filled from the same source.

- BUT they all came empty.

GOD SAYS, “WHERE ARE THE EMPTY VESSELS?”

2Tim. 2:20,21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Don’t bring your credentials or years of service … Bring your empty vessel.

Elisha brought her the Word.

The preacher can only bring you the Word … You alone must shut yourself in with God and act upon it.

Elisha wasn’t holding her hand … to many Believers want the pastor to hold their hand …. YOU NEED TO GET EMPTY AND GET GOD!

VII. HER ABILITY TO RECEIVE ENDED BEFORE GODS ABILITY TO PROVIDE ENDED. (V.6.)

“bring me another vessel …..!!”

Talk about momentum. When they had a room full of empty vessels the oil was flowing.

- When all the vessels were full .. THE OIL CEASED!

- Sounds like some services I’ve been in.

The oil stops flowing in our churches when the vessels are full.

Eph. 5:18 “…but be filled with the Spirit” (Be .. being … filled)

Remember .. Lord bless us … then increase us.

Lord pour out your oil …. Again and again …

· Empty yourselves into the people around you.

BRING THE EMPTY VESSELS TO THE LORD.

VIII. GOD NOT ONLY FILLED; HE SUSTAINED (V.7)

Before she did anything she went for the Word again.

- Pay what you owe and live off the rest.

Paul said “I am indebted (obligated) … WE OWE THIS WORLD THE TRUTH.

WE HAVE THE SPRIT TO SUSTAIN US AS WELL.

IX. DID YOU COME EMPTY THIS MORNING?

The story is simple … no empty vessels .. no miracle.

Do you come empty this morning?

ILL/

There is a tale of a young man who was seeking God—he went to a well know and wise sage for help------He asked him how he could find God?-----the old sage took him to a nearby river and they waded out into the deep water----when the water got up to their chins the old man took the young man by then neck and pushed him under water

---------he held the young man down until the young man was flailing the water in desperation----another minute and the young man would have drowned

-------He finally let the young man up-------and they found their way back to the bank-------the young man asked----what did this have to do with finding God----

The old man asked him: “while you were under the water, what did you want more than

Anything else?”

The young man said: “air”

The old man replied: “when you want God as much as you wanted air, you will find Him”

Just how empty are you?

Eph.3:19,20 And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,