CULTURE OF HONOUR

ELISHA

2 Kings 2:2–13 (NKJV)

Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they went down to Bethel.

Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”

Then Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they came to Jericho.

Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” So he answered, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”

Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So the two of them went on.

And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan.

Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

And so it was, when they had crossed over (when you have endurance, loyalty, you can run the race, you will cross over), that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”

Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces.

He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan.

Elisha denied his own desires and his own ministry to follow his mentor

2 Kings 3:11–12 NKJV

But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?” So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.” And Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

Elisha poured water on the hands of Elijah, he took the servants position, a low position.

The mantle fell because Elisha was a devoted servant, dead to the flesh and his own desires.

Galatians 2:20 NKJV

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

As long as you are alive Christ cannot live through you

Psalm 127:1 NKJV

Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.

You cannot build and liveout your vision while your flesh is alive. Many ministries are built in the flesh.

Taking on the roll of a servant is taking on the character of Jesus.

We must die to the desire of having our own ministry, the pulpit, the preaching position, the notoriety, the desire to be seen, approved, and noticed.

When it is no longer about you, and you are content to serve such as Elisha, then you are ready.

CULTURE OF HONOUR

Ruth 2:10 NKJV

So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”

1 Peter 3:6 NKJV

as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

Culture of honour, hold others in high esteem

Do you treat others as you would treat Apostle Daniel?

DAVID

1 Samuel 26:8–11 NKJV

Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!” But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?” David said furthermore, “As the Lord lives, the Lord shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head, and let us go.”

1 Samuel 26:21–25 NKJV

Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David. For I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Indeed I have played the fool and erred exceedingly.” And David answered and said, “Here is the king’s spear. Let one of the young men come over and get it. May the Lord repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the Lord, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.” Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, my son David! You shall both do great things and also still prevail.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

People today are quick to tear down others, especially leaders, those in authoritive positions.

When your leader makes a mistake, or does something you disagree with, it is not your job to strike them and expose them.

Saul has turned from God, the Spirit of the Lord left him, and an evil spirit came to him. Saul tried to murder David. David still held him in high esteem and would not strike him.

David protected Saul.

TREACHERY

In this day and age in our culture, the culture of honour has largely been lost. You see this in the lack if honour towards parents especially.

2 Timothy 3:1–5 NKJV

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

One of the largest tactics of the enemy is to sow seeds of dishonour. The enemy wants to split, and divide, cause disloyalty, and rebellion.

The enemy sows seeds of betrayal through wounds and dissapointment, result of offense.

The enemy sows seeds of betrayal through a person’s own pride. “if I was in their position I could have done a better job and this wouldn’t have happened, the ministry would be more fruitful… etc”.

You can disagree while still being loyal.

When the enemy disconnects you from the one that will pass the mantle to you, you cannot fulfill the calling and destiny of your life. Elisha and Elijah, Timothy and Paul etc…

Purpose to derail your call and rob you of your rewards.

CARRY THE VISION

Own the ministry as if it is your own. The hireing is there for wages, the owner has a dream.

Can you carry the vision of your leader?

When you can faithfully carry the vision of another, the Lord will give you your own vision to carry.

You may get the Leah before the Rachel. Rachel is withheld until we are satisfied with the Leah.

The more attentively you serve another’s vision the faster the Lord will open the doors for your own vision.

The key to all is love. Love is selfless, love is only concerned for the souls of others. Seeing them whole, restored, and thriving. It isn’t about you, it is about others being restored and thrown into their destiny in God.

“me, me, me” is not love.