How to Be a Leader

We examined how God used the widow woman to supply Elijah’s need, as well as how Elijah supplied her need. Reminding us of Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

How the Fire Falls (1Ki. 18)

During a Feeble time w/ Depraved leadership & Divided people

God provided a Faithful man, who challenged his people; chastised false worship; Corrected the Basis of Worship; who had Confidence in God & Called upon the same

A Falling Fire

Came Powerfully; Sufficiently; Convincingly & Effectively.

How to Get Back in the Saddle

I. The Immorality of the Enemy (v1-4)

Unmistakable; Unconverted; Unsettling

II. The Indulgence of the LORD (v5-8)

Elijah Retreated; God allowed him Rest (v5-6b); God provided Refreshment for the Moment (v5b-6a); God gave Resources for the Journey (v7)

III. The Insight of the LORD (v9-12)

A Prophet Disheartened; God’s Power was Demonstrated; God’s Presence was Discovered

IV. The Instruction of the LORD (v13-18)

Get Back Where you Belong (v15a); Bless the Next Generation (v15b-16)

Be Encouraged

I Have a Plan (v17)

You are Not Alone (v18)

How to Have Peace Under Fire

I. The Reason for the Fire

For Following the Spirit’s Lead (v3); For Declaring the Word of the LORD (v4); For Having a Familiar a Description (v7-8)

II. The Right Way to Handle It

Be Situated Properly (v9b); Stand Fast in your Heritage (v10a); Stay Firm in Your Position (v9-12); Be Perceptive to the Spirit (v13-15)

III. The Rest of the Story

God Protected (v15); God’s Word was Proclaimed (v16); God’s Will was Performed (v17)

How to be Faithful in Times of Trouble

I. A Troubled Time

The Burden of Loss

The Opportunities it Presented;

Reviving of the Brethren; Remembering of the Past; The Resolve to Continue the Work

II. A Testimony of Faithfulness

Through the Pressures of the Known; Through the Pressures of the Unknown; Through the Voices of Discouragement

III. A Transformative Result

Because He was Faithful…

His Prayer was Answered; He Performed Miracles; He Proved His Calling

How to Set the Tone

I. The Waters were Cured

A Pitiful Land (v19); A Pristine Vessel and a Powerful Agent (v20); A Pronouncement Made (v21); A Purification Provided (v22)

II. The Mockers were Cursed

A Fallen City (v23a); A Faithless Generation (v23b); A Fury Unleashed (v24a); A Future Altered (v24b)

How to Solve a Problem

I. The Problem (v1a)

A Lack of Plan / Preparation; A Passing; A Pledge Unfulfilled

II. The Petition (v1b)

He had the Right Standing; She had the Right Source

III. The Plan (v2-6)

Was Faith Based; Faith in Procuring; Faith in Pouring

IV. The Providence (v7)

A Debt Settled; A Future Supplied

How to Bear Children

I. Our Conduct Unto Men

Her Description (v8a); Her Disposition (v8b); Her Duration (v8c)

II. Our Countenance Toward God

Her Discernment (v9); Her Devotion (v10); Her Deference (v13)

III. Children will be Born

Her Child was Born (v13)

How to Make the Dead Live

I. A Mediating Force

Her Care for him (v20); Her Commitment of him to God (v21); It was Crucial to Her (v22); Her Confidence (v23); Her Clarity (v24); Her Conviction (v27); Her Continuance (v30)

II. A Miracle-Working God

An Intervention (v30b); An Intimate Encounter (v32-34); An Indwelling & Expelling (v35)

How to Recover From a Mistake

I. There was a Responsibility Given

A Naked Land; A Noble Mission; A Needy People

II. There was Rot in the Pot

Was Placed by Accident; Was Polluting the People; It Brought more Peril than Plenitude

III. There was a Remedy Administered

It was by Intervention of Man; It was by Intercession of God; It Caused a Transformation & Continuation

How to See a Cleansing

I. The Start

Acknowledgement of the Good; Recognition of the Disease

II. The Spark

A Humble Voice; A Helpful Testimony

III. The Surety

A Chain of Faith (v3-5); An Investment by Faith (v5-6)

IV. The Simplicity

A False Impression; An Act of Faith

V. The Supplication

An Invested Servant; A Timely Intercession

VI. The Salvation

Submission to God’s Plan; Salvation Provided

How to Mess Up a Ministry

I. Recompense Refused

Healing brought Thanksgiving; Thanksgiving Inspired Restitution; Refusal (and Redirection)

II. Rottenness Revealed

Gehazi’s Perception (v20a); Gehazi's Passion (v20b-21); Gehazi’s Propaganda (v22-23); Gehazi's Posturing (v24-25)

III. Ruination the Result

His Deception is Revealed (v26a); A Dilemma is Posed (v26b); His Downfall was Apparent (v27)His Destruction was Not in Isolation (v27)

How to Get Back to Work

I. Labouring for Purpose

A Worthwhile Cause; A Constraint for Growth; A Common Effort ; A Careful Approach (v3)

II. A Lost Edge

A Beam to Fell; A Borrowed Tool; A Broken Axe; A Beleaguered Labourer

III. A Lesson of Hope

Begins with a Profession; Then with a Plea; Next by Pursuit; Lastly by Picking It Up

How to Stay Out of Trouble

I. Understand there’s an Enemy

He has Devices; He will Discourage; He will Disrupt;He will Detour; He will Destroy

II. Understand there is an Enlightened One

He’s Omniscient; He’s Omnipresent; He’s Omnipotent

III. Look for the Escape He Provides

Hear God’s Direction; Heed with Discipline

Last Sunday night I would typically have preached this passage of Scripture but I had two things at play:

I had the lesson that I didn't get to with the Tabernacle.

I had no peace on how to present this passage of Scripture.

The point of the story eluded me. I can honestly say that as I sat down to work through this passage today, it did the same thing at first.

But then God showed me something. I hope that I can convey it properly because I take it to be great wisdom for you and me today in this passage of Scripture.

Church, America is at war. It's not against the Russians or the Chinese or any thing of that nature. There is a war raging for the hearts and minds of Americans. We are and have been in the midst of a great spiritual battle.

And there are two things that I want to address that I believe we are lacking in this country if we are to win this war that we are in.

We're lacking leaders who will step up.

We're lacking proper understanding of the battle before us.

The title of this message is "How to Be a Leader." We see four different instances where Elisha was that leader, for those around him and for the God in whom he served that I want to examine tonight.

The first thing we see is He led a brother in His Faith

I. He Led a Brother in His Faith

His Servant was Panicked

As we begin this story, we see that the enemy had come past the city round about.

For the army to come past the city, you understand that it was a huge enemy Elisha and his servant were up against. When the servant went out and he saw the enemy, he panicked - for the enemy was everywhere!

How many of you, when you see what's taking place in America, have a tendency to get discouraged?

This past week was especially so as we see all of the wickedness that's going on and the vile things that are coming out of the Epstein files. Shed some light on the total depravity of a sub-culture in the elites that hold great power and influence in our nation.

It's very easy to see all of the forces of wickedness around us and begin to fear.

This holds especially true for Christians when they are willing to stand up and speak truth. It can be a fearful thing. Knowing that people will revile you and hate you for simply standing for biblical truth and that which is right.

The servant was panicked.

Elisha Preached the Truth

Elisha, the seasoned man of God, who had far greater wisdom than his servant, showed leadership in preaching the truth unto him. And what was that truth?

The truth is if God be for you, who can be against you?

Romans 8:31 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Unfortunately, the servants eyes were blinded. They were locked and focused in the physical world and were not in consideration of the spiritual realm.

Church, the spiritual realm is just as real as the physical realm. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean that it is any less real than what you can.

(Ill.) I challenge you. I am going to give you a minute to look as hard and fast as you can in this sanctuary for something. Are you ready for it? Show me oxygen. Anyone? Let me ask you: Is oxygen here? Is it real? How do you know?

We know the spiritual realm is real as well because it's what makes us live. What sustains us; we can feel the effects of it continually in our lives. That which is good and that which is bad.

The Bible tells us:

Psalm 118:6 “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me?”

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Elisha preached truth. If we are going to be leaders and lead others in the faith, we must preach truth. The convenient and the inconvenient. The popular and the unpopular.

Elisha Preached Truth - but he didn’t leave it at that.

Elijah Prayed For Him

It's one thing to preach truth and it's hard enough to get people to do that but if that's all we do, it's only half the battle. We must also bathe these people in prayer.

We need not only be encouraging one another in the truth of God's Word but also be praying for one another.

Ephesians 1:15–19 “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,”

Prayer matters. Prayer works. If we’re going to be a people that make a difference, we’ll be a people of prayer!

Elijah Prayed for Him

He Led a Brother in Faith

II. He Led an Enemy Unto Submission

He Led Them Rather than Fight Them

One thing to note here is that the odds were in Elisha's favor. God showed his servant the mighty army That was surrounding Elisha. He had the means to fight them but opportunity showed him there was another way to win the battle.

This is so important because America is a war. We are divided into factions and it's like all we know how to do is one of two things: shut up and surrender or fight.

There's a large faction of Christians that are simply quiet while the enemy rages. In church make no mistake, this is no time to be quiet. We've been quiet for 80 years and look where it's got us. The church has not engaged the enemy. Therefore the enemy has run rampant throughout our land.

And then there's the other side of the equation: Christians that see those that are different from them as an enemy to be vanquished. All of their effort is in defeating the left instead of winning them to the right.

Make no mistake, this is a left and right battle. This is an evil vs. good battle that we are in the midst of. But the enemy is not the people. It's the ideas and the demonic influence that is driving the people.

Paul said: 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

Elisha did something very wise. He did not lead a charge against the people but he sought to lead the people unto the truth.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the only hope for America is God. America will be saved when God's people focus on leading the lost unto salvation. We defeat the left by winning them to the right.

Elisha led them instead of fighting them

By Prayer

We see the first thing that he did was pray for his enemies.

Luke 6:27–28 “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”

We must look to Jesus as our example - as He hung between two thieves after being beaten & mocked, the LORD looked down upon them and prayed: Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

We must pray for them.

I must admit, this is something I must work on. I don’t pray for my enemies nearly enough.

But as I said earlier - prayer works, therefore we must pray for our enemies - that God open their eyes to the truth

By Pity

Elisha saw them as a captive people - and that’s exactly what the enemies of God are - they are bound by their sin. It’s infuriating to see wickedness abound, but it’s tragic as well.

A pig knows not but how to grunt.

Elisha knew this and had pity on them.

Now one thing that I want to be clear about is we do not look at them and excuse their sin. That's not what I am advocating, but rather see them as bound by their sin in need of being set free.

(Ill.) Imagine having a bird in a cage and he's squawking and crying and fluttering about and running into the cage and making all kinds of aggravating racket. This would take a toll on someone. Rather than being angry at the bird for it acting out, it's better to have pity on the bird. For the commotion would stop if he were simply set free.

Elisha showed pity upon them.

With Persistence

The distance between Dothan and Samaria was between 10 and 12 miles. Elisha persistently led them until the culmination.

As we approach our enemies with this mindset, we also must understand that the journey will most likely be long and tough but if we are persistent, we can bring them to a satisfying end.

He led them with persistence.

He Led a Brother in Faith; He Led an Enemy unto Provision

III. He Led a King to Show Grace

He Preached for Wisdom

When asked what should he do, Elisha gave him wisdom. He said, in essence, "You don't kill those who are captured." He implored for them to be wise.

1 Peter 3:8–9 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”

You and I must refrain from fighting fire with fire and seek to employ wisdom in the battle.

He Preached Wisdom

He Pleaded for Grace and Provision

The Bible tells us: Proverbs 25:21–22 “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, And the Lord shall reward thee.”

We must show them grace and provision as the Lord has shown unto us.

Once again I am not advocating accepting or ignoring wickedness. God does not ignore my wickedness. But he loved me too much to leave me broken and in the gutter.

You and I must love the lost like that. We need to love them enough not to leave them beguiled by Satan, having their minds perverted by left-wing lunacy. We must show them grace and give them provision, the Word of God, that they might be fed truth.

He pleaded for grace and provision.

He Led a Brother in Faith; He Led an Enemy unto Provision; He Led a King to Show Grace

IV. He Led Those at War Unto Peace

ULTIMATELY, He led those at War Unto Peace

A War was Pacified

The bloodlust that was raging against the COI was quelled. The war was pacified.

Church, wouldn’t it be good to have some sense of normalcy in America once again? Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a nation where the most insane of doctrines was back to being an exception instead of the rule?

I can assure you, the further we get from God, the more prevalent these things will be.

We need leaders like Elisha. If we can develop them, then the people can have Peace.

A People had Peace

I would love to see God lifted up in our country again.

I would love to see God honored amongst our children in school again

I would love to see God’s influence in our government again

I would love to have a rest from the troubles that have plagued this nation. Yet, it will only happen if we win the Spiritual battle before us.

A People had Peace - it can be done…

Conclusion

God needs Christians to step up and be leaders. Will you commit to the cause?

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