Sermon Tone Analysis

2 Kings 7:

Pray

In 7:1, Elisha predicted that they would be able to buy six times as much food for one-fifth the cost.

So Elisha makes this prediction that they would be able to buy six times as much food for one-fifth the cost.

Let me share a little bit about what is going on here in this passage.

Let’s once again talk about the economy behind the passage.

Israel is in the middle of a famine here.

Times are hard during the famine.

The famine is a result of war.

2 Kings 6:24-

The famine is so bad they are eating Donkey’s head and dove’s dung.

It’s bad!

It’s so bad that some are even turning to cannibalism.

You can read that here in the chapter.

The King hears of this cannibalism and goes in to morning.

He begins to blame Elisha because of this famine.

2 Kings 6:30-

So the economy is TERRIBLE, Food is scarce, Inflation is high and the guy in charge starts looking for someone to blame.

Side note: When things go south one of the first tendencies is to look for someone to blame.

We live in a time where no one wants to take responsibility for their actions.

We have to find someone or something to blame.

Here we see a leader in the King who is looking for someone to blame and who do they blame, Elisha.

It’s God’s fault and we know Elisha is the man of God so the King says the head of Elisha should not remain on his Shoulders.

2 Kings 6:33-7:

So you understand the problem?

A famine is in place, war has went on and the King is going to kill Elisha.

Elisha prophesies that this time tomorrow at the gate you will be able to buy 6 times the food for one fifth the price.

That’s a good deal.

The servant of the King does not believe him.

So a major problem and a huge prediction!

Likewise in Rockaway Beach we have a huge problem.

Our economy continues to struggle.

A huge prediction is that I believe the Lord wants to continue to use His church to restore the economy in Rockaway Beach.

People will continue to fight it but I believe the Lord wants people to know that He is provider.

Here in 2 Kings we have a major problem with a huge prediction!

Watch who God uses to solve this major problem and to fulfill the prophecy spoken through Elisha.

2 Kings 7:4

2 Kings 7:3

If it’s not bad enough to just have leprosy imagine having leprosy in the middle of a war and huge famine.

These 4 are isolated from the rest of the people.

If it’s not bad enough to just have leprosy imagine having leprosy in the middle of a war and huge famine.

These 4 are isolated from the rest of the people.

These guys say they have nothing to lose.

We are dying.

If we stay here we will dye starving but perhaps we might live better as prisoners of war than to just sit here.

Erwin McManus says, “I would rather die facing the challenge than to exist running from it.”

The common life in western Christianity today is to exist running from problems.

The call of the Gospel is not this.

The call of the Gospel is that we would do EVERYTHING within our ability to reconcile people back to Christ.

2 Kings 7:5-

God uses 4 men with leprosy to sound like chariots, horses, and a great army!

Did you hear this?

An entire army fled because the Lord caused them to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army!

2 Kings 7:8-

These guys start to to everything from the camp that was left behind.

Imagine again 4 guys with leprosy with all this bounty that was left behind.

They say we are not doing what is right!

The Gospel:

Today is the day of good news!

If we are silent and wait until morning light, our sin will catch up with us.

Let’s go tell the king’s household.

There must be urgency with the Gospel.

If you don’t know Christ then don’t wait.

We are not promised tomorrow.

If you do know Christ, then don’t delay in sharing the good news of Jesus.

Church we must not delay!

We must not delay for the sake of the children and lost adults in our community.

We must live with urgency!

2 Kings 7:10-

Think about the contrast of the men with leprosy and the King who is out to kill Elisha.

The king is existing running from the problem.

The men with leprosy are living dying to face the kings greatest fear.

Church don’t be a church that exist in fear of our greatest problems but church may we live dying facing the greatest problems in our community.

I am again reminded of who did God use to solve this famine.

He used 4 guys with leprosy.

Church God wants to use you for the big problems in our community.

April pointed out to me this week that it is truly amazing how our volunteers throughout summers at the Beach and Wednesday nights work with the kids.

At school some of our kids have para’s and bus aids and we don’t have the training nor the resources so to speak that the school system has and yet the people in our community make Summers @ the Beach and Wednesday nights work.

God used 4 guys with leprosy to bring a terrible famine to an end and I am confident God wants to use you.

Again there will not be a huge group of people move here to solve problems.

God wants to use you.

God wants to use your gifts, God wants to use your talents, and God wants to use your finances for His Glory.

What I love about this story is that God takes 4 broke guys with Leprosy and blesses them with all kinds of wealth and food and their response with God’s blessing was that he did not bless us for us only.

It is a major Biblical fallacy to believe that God wants to bless your life for your sake only.

God wants to bless your life for the Glory of His name and so that others can come in to the Kingdom in the same way you have.

Jesus come work!

Jesus come save our community!

Jesus be the Center!