Elisha - SS Lessons

Intro

Who was Elisha?

Elisha was the successor to the prophet Elijah.

His father was Shaphat and his name means “God is Savior”

Context of passage:

Vs. 4 - Elijah was being chased by Jezebel and discouraged after his victory on Mt. Carmel. He asked to die…

1 Kings 19:4 KJV 1900

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

The angel came…

Vs. 9 - Elijah went to a cave where God asked him “What doest thou here?”

Vs. 10 - “I, only I am left and they seek my life to take it away…”

Vs. 11 - 12 - God was the still small voice… not the wind, earthquake or fire

Vs. 13 - Elijah wrapped his head in his mantle

God was not finished with Elijah…

1 Kings 19:15–21 (KJV 1900)

15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. 17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. 18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. 20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? 21 And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

When Elijah wanted to end it all and be done with life… when he was ready to hide his face from God… when he thought he was the only one left all alone… God told Elijah that He was not done with him…

God told Elijah he needed him to anoint two more kings and a prophet…

1. Don’t stop until God stops you

2. Replace yourself

1. Elisha was found working

1 Kings 19:19 (KJV 1900)

19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.

Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro when God called him from the burning bush.

Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress when the angel of the Lord called him to deliver Israel.

David was called by God while he was shepherding his father's flock.

Elisha was plowing with oxen when Elijah cast his mantle on him, signifying God's call.

Peter, Andrew, James and John were casting and mending their nets when Jesus called them to be His disciples.

Matthew was sitting at the tax collector’s booth when Jesus called him.

a.) Why isn’t God using me?

Are you doing what He wants you to do right now?

b.) Let’s be found plowing when He comes

Luke 9:57–62 (KJV 1900)

57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Luke 17:32 KJV 1900

32 Remember Lot’s wife.

What did Lot’s wife do? She looked back!

She didn’t go back, but she looked back…

Why is simply looking back such a hinderance?

Lamentations 3:51 (KJV 1900)

51 Mine eye affecteth mine heart…”

2 Timothy 4:9 KJV 1900

9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

Paul asked Timothy for a focused, diligent effort in coming to him…

We must have diligence as we follow Christ…

2. Elisha left everything

1 Kings 19:20 (KJV 1900)

20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

Luke 14:33 KJV 1900

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 5:10–11 KJV 1900

10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

a.) You can’t follow if you won’t forsake

What?

My will

My things

My family

My friends

My future

3. Elisha ministered

1 Kings 19:21 (KJV 1900)

21 And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

a.) Jesus was a servant

Matthew 20:28 KJV 1900

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

b.) Deacons are servants

Acts 6:1–4 KJV 1900

1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

c.) Pastors are servants

1 Peter 5:2–3 KJV 1900

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

d.) Angels are servants

Hebrews 1:13–14 KJV 1900

13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Let’s be found working

Let’s forsake all to follow

Let’s keep serving