A Room - A Chair - A Table - A Lamp - A Cot - (4 A Lamp)
“A Room, A Chair, A Table, A Lamp, A Cot”
A Lamp
The story of the Shunammite woman
2 Kings 4:8-17 (NKJV)
Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. 9And she said to her husband, "Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. 10Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there." 11And it happened one day that he came there, and he turned in to the upper room and lay down there. 12Then he said to Gehazi his servant, "Call this Shunammite woman." When he had called her, she stood before him. 13And he said to him, "Say now to her, 'Look, you have been concerned for us with all this care. What can I do for you? Do you want me to speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?' "She answered, "I have a home here among my own people." 14So he said, "What then is to be done for her?" And Gehazi answered, "Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old." 15So he said, "Call her." When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16Then he said, "About this time next year you shall embrace a son." And she said, "No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant!" 17But the woman conceived, and bore a son when the appointed time had come, of which Elisha had told her.
In this series of sermons there are three things that will stand out in regards to this Shunammite woman. Three things that are also applicable to us in regards to accommodating God’s move in our life. They are: Perception; Reception: and Restoration.
She perceived that Elisha was a man of God.
For her day Elisha was the move of God and she decided to make preparation for that move.
What is your perception of what God is doing today?
So if we perceive that God is moving what preparations are you making in your life to receive and maintain it.
Shunem was nothing it was a very insignificant place, sort of like Kingman
She was not going to let this opportunity pass her by.
So we need to ask ourselves, are we making preparations of this move of God? We need to recognize that it’s not just a one time move but on going – therefore adjustments must be made in our life to receive and maintain it.
The Shunammite woman perceived this move of God and made preparation to receive and maintain it. She made a Room. She furnished it with a Cot; a Table; a Chair; and a Lamp. Each of these items are significant for us to keep what God wants to do. The Cot is symbolic of our Rest in God for all that He has prepared for us. The Table is the place of fellowship prepared for divine visitation. The Chair represents the authority of God in your life. And the Lamp signifies the illumination of God’s revelation of Himself to us.
Today we want to share about the Lamp.
1. The lamp signifies the ILLUMINATION of God’s REVELATION of HIMSELF to us.
2 Kings 4:9-10 (NKJV)
And she said to her husband, "Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. 10Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there."
menowrah, men-o-raw'; or menorah, men-o-raw'; feminine of Hebrew 4500 (manowr) (in the original sense of Hebrew 5216 (niyr)); a chandelier :- candlestick.
The lamp, lampstand, menorah or candlestick in scripture has always stood for the illuminating presence of God.
2. The MENORAH is SYMBOLIC of the PRESENCE of the HOLY SPIRIT.
The menorah or seven branched candlestick symbolizes the eye of the Lord surveying the whole earth. It is also symbolic of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the church as revealed in the book of Revelation in regards to the seven churches.
Revelation 1:20 (NKJV)
The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
Revelation 4:5 (NKJV)
And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
So if we are anticipating the move or presence of God then we need light – we need fire – we need divine illumination – we need the Shekinah glory.
It is His presence which guides, directs, and leads – a pillar of cloud by the day and a pillar of fire by night.
3. God’s PRESENCE GUIDES, DIRECTS, and LEADS us.
Exodus 13:21 (NKJV)
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night.
Do you desire His presence? - I have been in His presence and you don’t want to leave. I pray let His glory fill this house, that a transfiguration might take place – as Moses face shined like the sun.
Exodus 34:29-35 (NKJV)
Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses' hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. 30So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them. 32Afterward all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them as commandments all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34But whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel whatever he had been commanded. 35And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.
Or as the disciples witnessed Jesus as He communed with His Father on the Mount.
Matthew 17:2 (NKJV)
and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
Mark 9:3 (NKJV)
His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
Light is a result of revival or the presence of God and revival or the presence of God results in light.
What is the purpose of Light?
What does light do?
- It removes or dispels darkness – the lamp – (Illustrate)
- Webster defines: lamp – something that makes vision possible – (not just physical sight – the light of God gives people vision – “Where there is no vision the people perish.” - but you cannot have vision without light.
- It brings illumination or revelation – greater truth, more liberty where the spirit of the Lord is – we simply “see” more – we see more of our darkness – we see more of God and as a moth is drawn to the light so we who hunger and thirst after righteousness are drawn to Hi flame!
4. Light DISPELS darkness; makes VISION possible; and brings REVELATION.
What is the significance of the lamp provided by the Shunammite woman?
She wants light!
Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:130 (NKJV)
The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
Proverbs 6:23 (NKJV)
For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
Proverbs 20:27 (NKJV)
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of his heart.
Light is an essential part of our walk with God – the brighter the
light the more powerful is His presence – it reveals our darkness –
the greater the light the more we see the need for cleansing.
Illustration: looking at a garment in a dimly lit room may appear to be clean but when taken into the bright sunlight reveals how dingy looking it really is.
Light is revelation and she sought the revelation of God.
Jesus is the light –
5. Jesus is the LAMP; He is our FOCUS.
John 1:4-5 (NKJV)
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (NIV understand; overcome or extinguish) it.
John 8:12 (NKJV)
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
The Lost Coin –
Luke 15:8 (NKJV)
"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?
Light used to find that which is lost – our light shining forth is to find that which is lost.
(Illustrate) - Lost coin
Some hate the light –
John 3:19-21 (NKJV)
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
We share the light not in condemnation but to dispel the darkness –
1 Corinthians 4:5 (NKJV)
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.
6. Jesus said - WE are LIGHT.
Matthew 5:14 (NKJV)
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Not just reflectors but light comes out of us. We are not just mirrors.
Like Paul we are light to the Gentiles to those around us.
Acts 13:47 (NKJV)
For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.' "
The light has come to bring revelation.
2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (NKJV)
But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 6For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Let the fire burn bright – les us reveal His glory – His presence – His Shekinah – let us be the lampstands illuminated by the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 25:1-13 (NKJV)
"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' 7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
I want the glory of the Lord to fill this place.
Isaiah 9:2 (NKJV)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.
Isaiah 60:1-3 (NKJV)
Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2for behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. 3The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
See how God has moved in the past – talk about revival!
Esther 8:15-17 (NKJV)
So Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. 16The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor. 17And in every province and city, wherever the king's command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them.
The Jews had light.
The Shunammite woman had light.
7. Let YOUR LIGHT SHINE.
So let your light shine before men that they may see your good
works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
“A LAMP”
2 Kings 4:8-37
1. The lamp signifies the ______________________________ of God’s
___________________________ of ______________________ to us.
2. The ______________________ is _______________________ of the
______________________ of the ___________ ________________.
3. God’s ___________________________ ______________________,
________________________, and ____________________ us.
4. Light ___________________ darkness; makes __________________
possible; and brings _________________________________.
5. Jesus is the ___________________; He is our __________________.
6. Jesus said – ______________ are _________________________.
7. Let ____________ ______________ ____________.
Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Isaiah 9:2 (NKJV)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.
Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
“A LAMP”
2 Kings 4:8-37
1. The lamp signifies the ILLUMINATION of God’s REVELATION of HIMSELF to us.
2. The MENORAH is SYMBOLIC of the PRESENCE of the HOLY SPIRIT.
3. God’s PRESENCE GUIDES, DIRECTS, and LEADS us.
4. Light DISPELS darkness; makes VISION possible; and brings REVELATION.
5. Jesus is the LAMP; He is our FOCUS.
6. Jesus said - WE are LIGHT.
7. Let YOUR LIGHT SHINE.
Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Isaiah 9:2 (NKJV)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.
Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.