2 kings 4:1-7

intro: Have you ever had a need you didn’t know how you were going to meet then it seems like just in the right momentGod intervenes and your need is met. God provided for those who believe and obey. No, a Lamborghini in your driveway is not a need. God is sovereign not a genie. We are going to look at the story of the woman whose husband passed and left a debt and the debtor wanted to take her kids according to mosaic law a debtor could enslave a person who owes a debt for as long as to the next jubilee

Sermon Title: Empty jars full of mercy

Text: 2 kings 4:1-7

“Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband , is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few. And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out into all these vessels, and you shall set aside what is full.” So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons; they were bringing the vessels to her and she poured. When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not one vessel more.” And the oil stopped. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.””

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Introduction

Main Idea: God's sovereignty will provide for us that trust in him with obedient faith his grace is not limited by our lack but by our unwillingness to depend on him.

Point 1: A desperate need brought before a faithful Go 

Scripture: v:1-2

Meaning : the widow represents a true need: she needed money to save her kids. There was no earthly solution. Her situation was awful and deeply stressful.  God knows her need and invites her to bring it to him. Jesus says come to me all who are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest. This woman was laden with the stress she took her problem to a just and loving God. The small jar represents the source of provision not the resource itself if God can close the mouth of the lions and part the Red Sea he can help you in your hour of need

Application: we need to bring real needs to God and not rely on earthly solutions. Being in desperation should drive us to prayer for answers not looking to the world to provide for you. God doesn’t want abundance to give; he requires your trust, your faith and obedience. As believers we should look at what we rely on versus who we should rely on. I'm pretty sure we all rely on a pay check to have food and or shelter. I don’t see it as I rely on that job. I rely on God who has given me the opportunity to be at this job and work to honor him and they are able to provide a check because God made the business successful. 

Point 2: Obedient faith makes room for God to provide. 

Scripture:“v:3-5

Meaning:God requires action before understanding Romans 12 be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Don’t lean on what you think God's plan will ultimately stand. The borrowing of the vessels demanded humility be willing to submit and ask for help. She then took them in private and the miracle happened. God's will was done and it wasn’t a spectacle. Jesus says this dot lets the left hand know what the right hand is doing. The oil flowed as long has she believed and obeyed showing faith is active not passive.

Application: faith is to be expressed through obedience even when we don’t know what the outcome will be. God might want you to sell everything and leave and plant a church. Could you set everything down and leave tomorrow.  We should not be half hearted in our faith or obedience. God works faithfully and quietly, not about being dramatic or a show. We must be willing to accept what God gives to us. And accept his will humbly. 

Point 3:God's provision is abundant not wasteful 

Scripture: v:6-7

Meaning :the oil stopped flowing because the vessels were full, not that God ran out. God will provide us what is needed, not less and not excessive. The debt was paid and the sons were set free. Jesus paid our sin debt that it was sufficient for us all who have faith and obey but not efficient for all. God gave his son for those who’ll believe but not everyone will. This is limited atonement God provides just enough no excess we had our debt paid to those who accept him. 

Application: Believers should trust God’s sufficiency rather than demand excess.God’s provision should lead to stewardship, not indulgence.Freedom from bondage comes through obedience to God’s Word.Gratitude should follow every experience of God’s faithfulness.We are called to live in dependence, not self-sufficiency.

Conclusion

Recap: God meets us at our emptiness and in faith we act in obedience and God stays faithful and true and provides our need like I said in the beginning he’s a provider not a genie God owes us nothing he loves us enough to send his son and save us from eternal torment