The Mantle - 2

Intro:

Good Morning – If your guest this morning, My name is Mike, my wife Susie and I are the Lead Pastor’s here at Mohawk Valley Church

Could you do me a favor and fill out the connect card and turn it in to get your free gift.

Next Week: The Widows Oil

We are in a series called ELISHA

Last week we looked at  - Double Portion

Today: The Mantle

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Explain Journey a little - Crossing Jordan

2 Kings 2:11-14

11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.

13 And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.

         Explain – Elijah calling Elisha - The Cloak

This passage symbolizes the transfer of spiritual authority and responsibility.

It illustrates the significance of following God's calling and the power granted through this divine legacy.

What is a Mantle?

A Mantle in this context symbolizes Prophetic Authority, Spiritual Authority, Anointing, Faith & leadership that Elijah carried For us today when I’m talk about your “Mantle” NOT - Prophetic BUT Spiritual, Anointing, Faith, Leadership

Divine Mantle

There is a Divine Mantle for each of us that is passed on, that we receive at salvation

Elisha was passed a Mantle from Elijah

      This Mantle was the to Lead the prophets of Israel

         That Weight & Responsibility now rests on Elisha

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Do you remember receiving the Weight & Responsibility of Parent

         When are the real parents going to show up?

PIC OF Mike with one of our girls

I remember the first year I was the Pastor – Waiting Real Pastor - Imposter Syndrome

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Today I want you to know there is a Divine Mantle of faith that gets passed on to us from Jesus when we accept him as our Savior

But it is a choice - Just as it was with Elisha

3 Steps to: Passing on this legacy of faith and transformation to those around you.

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1. Picking Up the Mantle

2 Kings 2:13

“And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.”

In that moment Elisha had a decision to make.

I did what was asked of me I stayed with Elijah I saw him get taken

This Mantle is mine if I want it

This very act of picking up the Mantle symbolized the acceptance of the authority and responsibility of this “Legacy of Faith” God had for Elisha

Have you picked up your Mantle?

We all have a Mantle of “Legacy of Faith” - What does yours look like?

Picking up Amazon boxes

we ordered it we see it we may even trip over it But often I will walk by it - Box on our porch now

We have all been passed a Spiritual Mantle

Some by mom and dad Some by Grandparent Some by a aunt or uncle Other’s by a friend

Even if none of that is true for you today: Everyone of by Jesus

Now you have a Spiritual Mantle to pass on to others

Not everyone picks up that Mantle

3 Reasons why we don’t pick up our Mantle

Fear - insecurity, disobedience - missed impact - spiritual apathy

Fear

Unknown

Failure

Rejection

Uncomfortable

Stretch us

You don’t grow being comfortable

Might feel a little awkward at first - OK

Not worthy

Serving in Kids:

Teacher in our schools for years thought they were not saved long enough - saved years Another person who thought they couldn’t work with our Kids because no degree

Were not asking you to run our whole Kids Ministry - But to serve on a team to help

Too often we listen to lies of the enemy

We look at our past

We look at our sin

and think I’m not worthy of this Mantle

Your Kinda right - Your Not - Neither am I - But because of Jesus

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2. Pursue God's Presence

2 Kings 2:13–14 “And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?”

This is where God last met Elijah

This is the last place that God’s power was seen

Elisha was going back to what he knew

“Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?”

Elisha knew, he could not walk out the calling on his life without God

He knew he had some big shoes to fill

So he goes back to the last place, and cries out to God the very place that God showed up

Elijah & Elisha Spiritual Tour

2 Kings 2:1-2, 4, 6  When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.”

4 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho.”

6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.”

PIC OF MAP

Gilgal - First stopping place after Israel crossed Jordan

Bethel - Jacob encounters God

Jericho - First city to fall as the Israelites take the Promise Land

Jordan - Crossed over from 40 years of wondering in the desert

Elijah was taking Elisha on a Hall of Fame tour

Your up next Elisha - Remember God’s faithfulness

The Mantle will settle on you - but remember who your God is

Elisha was reminded of the impact of those who went before him - What Happened with Joshua picked up his Mantle - Walls Fell When you pick up the Mantle God has for your life - Other’s are Impacted When you pick up the Spiritual Mantle of Faith & Leadership your Marriage gets stronger - You Parent better

You find complete fulfillment when you Pick Up that MANTLE

For Elisha - It was a reminder that without God they are nothing, can do nothing, be nothing would have been erased from history

Pursue the Things of God at all Cost

So Elisha is standing there at the edge of the Jordan just like Joshua had - 500-600 yrs earlier

He cries out to God - “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?”

When was the last time you cried out to God for his Presence in your life? In your marriage In your Family In your Kids

When was the last time you were Desperate for him? - Are we only desperate when we need something from him? - Connect Group

Desperate people live differently Pray differently They talk differently They make decisions differently

Are you pursuing God’s presence in your life?

If your going to grab ahold of the Mantle - Your going to need his Presence

Your calling is too Big - Your Calling is to Important - Your calling is

You cannot do it on your own

Finally, Your Mantle has Purpose

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Worship Team

3. Purpose in your Mantle

2 Kings 2:14 “Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.”

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I fear our faith has become more theoretical

In Theory I believe God can heal based on what the bible teaches What I believe as a Christian

I believe in theory God can heal my friend who has cancer, but I don’t think he will

I don’t think I will ever see him heal someone

I believe in theory God can restore Marriages - Just not mine

I believe in theory we could see revival - We could see 1000’s saved - our Church filled to overflowing

But we can think to ourselves - I don’t actually think I will see it

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At some point in our lives we have to be willing to STRIKE the waters of our lives

Elisha - Picked up the Mantle - He called on the name of God - Then What???

He Striked - It’s now or never - Here we go - I’ve got 50 prophets on the other side of the Jordan watching me

I’m either going to look really stupid - Or God is who he says he is

At some point we have to be willing to STRIKE and Trust God

We are called to leave a Legacy of Faith

for our Kids, grandkids, family, co-workers, those around us ought to feel the impact of our MANTLE

Your not going to leave a legacy if your not willing to Strike those waters

Take a Chance - a Risk

Elisha was willing to look like a fool - To grab a hold of the Mantle God had for his life

What are you willing to do to, to pick up your Mantle?

To grab a hold of the “Legacy of Faith” God has for your life?

Close:

I don’t want to have a Theoretical Faith when it comes to our Church

When it comes to impacting the Mohawk Valley for the Cause of Christ Not someday but Today People Saved today - Marriages Restored today - Addictions broken today

The question is simple - Are You Willing to Pick Up the Mantle God has for you?

The Mantle of Faith, Leadership, Spiritual Authority for your life, & your family