Untitled Sermon (3)
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Let me just start by saying two things...
First, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
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Second, in case you have not noticed, I’m not a woman. I believe it’s important for me to say that because while I want to honor and speak with you this morning. I can never completely and wholly speak for you.
You are unique in your own way. Crafted by God in a way different then me. You experience the world different than me. You’re related to by others different than me. That can sometimes be a good thing and that sadly that sometimes can be a bad thing...
Judy Garland/Lorna Luft
Judy Garland/Lorna Luft
Patricia Noah/Trevor Noah...
Patricia Noah/Trevor Noah...
This year, with our hearts set on our sisters, I want to take a look at a woman of Scripture not widely known. A sister who in one life lived through the all the wild swings that women can experience...
In fact, we never ever come to know her name, but through her, we come to learn so much about our God and ourselves.
I want to spend a few moments this morning learning from this woman in four ways:
THE WOMAN’S CHARACTER
THE WOMAN’S CHARACTER
8 One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. 9 And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. 10 Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”
WEALTHY
WEALTHY
We see from the Scriptures that this was a WEALTHY woman but rather, leveraging her wealthy to crush people, it appears she leveraged her wealth for the sake of generosity.
This alone would separate her from many in both her day and ours but it is the next quality that we notice that really elevates her as woman to be not only noticed but learned from.
HOSPITABLE
HOSPITABLE
The next trait we notice in this woman is her incredible hospitality. Without prompting, she notices God’s prophet Elisha in need of support and replenishment and she uses her means as a woman of wealth to help.
In fact, she doesn’t even wait for him to acknowledge his need. She initiates all the acts of hospitality. She urges him to start visiting her and her husband for food, she urges her husband to join her in making a small room on their roof for Elisha to take rest and refuge whenever he needs it.
This woman LITERALLY MADE ROOM for HOSPITALITY. She went and constructed a room to show love towards someone in need of support.
Here is something you should know about a hospitable heart. It must be reflected outwardly.
You can’t be INWARDLY hospitable....Because hospitality is more than just thinking nice thoughts, or even cutting a check. Hospitality may include those things, but it is moreso about inviting people into our lives. This aging couple brought Elisha into their lives.
Hospitality is not just an attribute to admire. It is a distinguishing mark in the Christian life. It is something that should separate the Christian from everyone else, an ongoing commitment to open up our lives in order that people might come in contact with the love of Christ.
When the Bible mentions the requirements of leaders in the church in Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3, it mentions a number of different things that a man must have in order to be qualified to lead a church. You know what is mentioned in both of those passages? The man must be HOSPITABLE.
However, Scripture does not just reserve this charge for hospitality for pastors. They may be called to be models and leaders in this area but they are not called to be the only ones walking in this area.
Paul as he is laying out qualities of a Christian growing in Christ in Romans 12 says in verse 13 “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
In Hebrews, we hear these words:
2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
In 1 Peter 4:9, we hear these words from the Apostle Peter:
9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
I mention all of these texts to show that this is not something the Christian can neglect. This is a part of our spiritual disciplines.
We are a welcoming people because we’ve been welcomed by Christ.
We are an inviting people because we’ve been invited into fellowship by Christ.
We are a people who are willing to open our lives to others because Christ has opened his life to us.
How can a people whose eternity was established by Christ opening himself up to them, close themselves off from the rest of the world?!
And yet as Christians in the Western Hemisphere of the world, we absolutely do! We prize our independence and individualism so much that we have closed ourselves off from a world that needs to see our love demonstrated through the opening of our lives.
Some of us are too busy, others of us are too fearful, and yet some of us are too stingy to open our lives beyond ourselves and our families. And that was before COVID!
COVID has made it even easier for us to live closed lives, alienated from those in desperate need.
Now, that life is opening back up again, this is a perfect time for a fresh start! Can I encourage you to, if you did not before COVID, commit to living your life in a more hospitable way POST-COVID?
Sisters, it can even start this week as you take your gift card that was just shared with you and you invite another sister out for coffee or lunch.
DISCERNING
DISCERNING
This woman is not only wealthy and hospitable, but she also discerning.
9 And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way.
As Elisha walks past their home, there is a manner in which he carries himself that communicates to the woman that God is with him and that they should open their lives up to providing him a space for rest and replenishment. Her discernment and obedience to where it leads her gives her an opportunity to receive a blessing from the Lord.
THE WOMAN’S BLESSING
THE WOMAN’S BLESSING
One interesting thing that God tells us about hospitality is that we should pursue it not only because it reflects the hospitality that we have received from Him, but also because it positions us to receive more of His divine favor and blessing.
For example, Jesus tells us in Matthew 10. First, verse 40
40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.
Making room in our lives to serve and receive others not only gives way to the uncertain chance that we might receive angels. It gives way to the certain opportunity that we will receive God. According to the Lord, receiving those sent by Him IS RECEIVING HIM!
And making room to receive those sent by Him makes room for us to receive a blessing from Him.
41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.
Through hospitality, we invite the Lord’s blessing. NOW, HOW the Lord blesses us is His decision alone, but we position ourselves for His blessing when we live hospitably towards his people and even people that are far from Him because they have a chance to come into contact with His love through us. Ultimately even if we don’t see the blessing now, we can have confidence that blessing is laid up for us in our eternal rest. We hear as much in Luke 14.
13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Picking back up in 2 Kings 4, the prophet Elisha here certainly acknowledge that the Lord blesses those who open their hearts and lives up to others. Start at verse 11 and read through 17...
11 One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there. 12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him. 13 And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’ ” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.”
Even in this moment of where an opportunity for blessing is presented, we see this woman’s generous heart.
Elisha asks her point blank “In exchange for your hospitality, what would you like me to do? Would you like me to put in a good word to the King or the commander of the army?”
In other words, would you like me to build up a little favor for you in the high places by putting in a good word?
How would most of us respond? “Hey it sure won’t hurt? I mean I have been pretty nice to you. I would expect something in return.”
This woman responds with these words “I dwell among my own people” Meaning that I’m with my people. I have everything I need.
This woman was doing what she did for Elisha and in order to be blessed by him or to receive a good word from him. She was displaying the hospitality and generosity that she was displaying because it was simply the RIGHT thing to do.
In a world like ours when we see someone pouring themselves out as this woman is, the natural question that flows from such displays of generosity and hospitality is “Well, what does she want?”
In return for UNBELIEVABLE HOSPITALITY, she is seeking nothing return.
This woman is wealthy and at the same time hospitable and selfless. Rare combinations indeed.
It is no wonder Elisha desires so much to see this woman gifted with a blessing.
NOW, AS WE WILL LEARN IN JUST A MOMENT, THIS WHOLE SEQUENCE about Elisha putting in a good word with the king and her not needing that because she has everything she needs and she is just happy dwelling with her people IS WAY MORE FASCINATING THAN IT SOUNDS, but let’s continue to verse 14
14 And he said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” 15 He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16 And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.” 17 But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.
This is unbelievable miracle. Not something that always happens, not in any way normative. We only see it a few times in Scripture and when we do, we don’t even see it like this. We normally see it with prominent babes in God’s covenant story…ISSAC with Sarah, JACOB with Rebekah, JOHN the BAPTIST with Elizabeth.
However, here we see it with woman who’s name we do not know and with a child whose name we never know.
It is, however, no less stirring, no less powerful, and no less shocking...
The woman responds as one might expect her to: “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant!”
Our modern day translation would render this woman’s words as “MAN, STOP PLAYING WITH ME!!!!”
We can tell from her reaction that this is a woman who is well acquainted with disappointment.
She has been denied the joy of children. And now a man who she believes to be sent by God has come and told her she we would be blessed with child.
It seems as if this woman had resigned to a reality that maybe this was JUST NOT TO BE.
She no longer even appeared to be interested in asking. And yet this man of God voluntarily speaks this blessing over her life.
There is this moment of GREAT UNSPEAKABLE JOY! However, for some of you this morning, it is probably a little difficult to celebrate because it only rehashes memories of your own struggles in childbrearing...
A Word to Sisters Who ARE Struggling or HAVE Struggled with HAVING A CHILD.
A Word to Sisters Who ARE Struggling or HAVE Struggled with HAVING A CHILD.
Infertility is a common problem in our country…over 10% of women in our country between ages 16-44 have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant and so the likelihood of one of you being here this morning or watching online this morning is HIGH!
There are times where we read stories like this and people want to simplify your lives by saying “Well see, if I just live a more hospitable life that will ensure your fertility.” Heck, maybe you even thought similar things and said to yourself, “WHAT DID I DO WRONG and WHAT DO I NEED TO FIX!”
Sometimes the answer is that simple…MOST OF THE TIME, the answer is NOT that simple.
Remember, we know the Lord will reward our faithfulness, but we don’t always know HOW. The most complex thing in all of universe throughout all of history is the MIND OF GOD. Meaning that we will never fully understand everything He does and every reason why He does it. Neither we will ever understand every effect of the fall that allows into our lives and every reason that He allows.
David said of the Lord’s thoughts in Psalm 131
1 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. 2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
David also said these words as He thought on God’s soverign ordering and control of my life:
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
Paul, as He pondered the ways in which the Lord brings about His salvation in the world said:
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
Job, on the other hand, as He pondered God’s ways through His own unbelievable suffering that included the loss of his goods, his family, and his health, he too was confused, but once the Lord showed His might and magnificence, Job responded this way:
Job 42:3
“You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.”
Life can be INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT and WE do not have the answers to all the tears that we will cry. Like we saw at the very start of our sermon this morning with the two mothers: Judy Garland and Patricia Noah, life can carry very violent swings and we don’t always get answers as to why...
In fact, just a few verses down from this moment of unspeakable joy. Our dear sister in this story experiences a VIOLENT swing...
THE WOMAN’S TRIAL
THE WOMAN’S TRIAL
18 When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. 19 And he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20 And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died. 21 And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out. 22 Then she called to her husband and said, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.” 23 And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.” 24 Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite. 26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’ ” And she answered, “All is well.” 27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’ ” 29 He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” 30 Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.”
I can’t imagine anything being more devastating than that loss being your having child.
But I imagine there is a special kind of devastation that is reserved when we receive a child that we were never supposed to have only in our joy to have that child die in our arms...
We notice something odd is also happening with Elisha. It starts in verse 27.
27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.”
Elisha cannot discern her distress…there is the first signal that something is wrong…but then continuing into verse 29...
29 He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” 30 Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.”
So, this is such a twist to me in this story. Typically, when the prophet in the story gives us this weird gesture to perform, it works! Take my staff and lay the staff on the child’s face…normally when something like this happens and the next moment in the story the person rises from his/her deathly slumber and all is well. NOT HERE
I think this was intended to serve as a reminder that ultimately our help doesn’t come from men. It comes from God. God uses men and women as vessels to speak into our lives, to bring healing to our bodies as nurses and doctors, to care for us and raise us as parents…but they are not the source…they are vessels of the source!
Sometimes, He will remind us of this truth…that only He can
God is the sustainer and keeper of life. God is the one who brings us up from the grave. Not the prophets, not our tools, GOD AND GOD ALONE!
THE WOMAN’S RESTORATION
THE WOMAN’S RESTORATION
32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. 33 So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. 35 Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 Then he summoned Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” 37 She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.
Even when all seems to be lost and all seems to be gone…this story is a reminder that God is present with us in our difficulty and in our trials...
23 And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.”
You’re going at the wrong time…ALL IS WELL. There is nothing he can do...
26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’ ” And she answered, “All is well.”
This is the posture of woman who has committed herself into the hands of the Lord. If anything is to be done, it will only be him that does it and I’m going to lean on Him for the work to be done...
AND HE DOES IT...
Life can be INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT and WE do not have the answers to all the tears that we will cry but here is what we can take great confidence in GOD DOES NOT WASTE a single one of them...
The one who has power to resurrect this child was the same one who called Lazarus from the grave
The one who has power to resurrect this child is the same one who rose from the grave on the third day
The one who has power to resurrect this child is the same one who will raise us to eternal life...
Yes LIFE can carry violent swings from JOY to GRIEF, but take confidence in this
No matter how many tears we cry, GOD WILL NOT WASTE a single one of them...
Whether we see some of it in this life or wait until the next to see it all fully, brothers and sisters you can take confidence that God will restore you fully for any grief you have suffered...
He is not only faithful to do it. he is powerful to do.
1 Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, and depart with your household, and sojourn wherever you can, for the Lord has called for a famine, and it will come upon the land for seven years.” 2 So the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God. She went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3 And at the end of the seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to appeal to the king for her house and her land. 4 Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, “Tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.” 5 And while he was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and her land. And Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, here is the woman, and here is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” 6 And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed an official for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers, together with all the produce of the fields from the day that she left the land until now.”
Provision is being made for us even when we don’t know
In Christ we will NEVER LOSE MORE than what HE GIVES BACK...