No-Nonsense Faith
NO- NONSENSE FAITH
Text: Hebrews 11:32.
Introduction:
A. Elisha is the
1. He was a -nonsense prophet.
2. He was a p ophet extra-ordinary.
3. He was fir . a successful farmer, I Kings 19:19.
4. The Bible ecords more miracles by him than any other man xcept Moses and Jesus.
5. The Bible ecords twenty miracles by Elisha, one of which happ ned after his death.
B. He was a faith ul servant of God from whom we can learn many v uable lessons.
I. HIS RESPONSE GOD'S CALL, I Kings 19:19-21.
A. Elisha was a busy man, a farmer. Search the Scriptures, d you will learn that God has always called busy ople, never the lazy.
B. Elisha's respo se to the call.
1. It was imm diate. He did not ask for time to finish that crop.
2. It was with no reservations. He was a "no-nonsense" man.
a. He kill d his yoke of oxen and burned the plows.
b. He"b ned the bridges behind him."He could not turn k (cf Luke 9:57-62).
C. He prepared or the ministry by "ministering" to Elijah.
II. HE REFUSED T BE DISSUADED BY THOSE OF LESS DEDICATI , II Kings 2:1-11.
A. "Sons of the p phets" (student prophets) attempted to discourage him: once at Bethel and again at Jericho.
B. Rewards of su h dedication.
1. He witnesse the translation of Elijah, verses 11 and 12.
2. He receive his request: a double portion of the empowering Spirit, verses 9, 14, and 15.
III. HE WOULD TOL RATE NO MOCKERY OF GOD'S SERVANT, II Kin 2:23,24.
A. Some young elinquents made slurring remarks about him.
B. To mo k God's servant is to mock God. (Cf Exodus 16:2-7, Moses and the children of Israel.)
C. Elisha ronounced a curse (judgment) upon them.
1. "In he name of the Lord."
2. Go caused two "she bears" to attack and maul fort -two of that gang of rowdies.
IV. HE COND MNED WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES, II Kings 3:13- 5.
A. He scol ed the king of Israel:
1. "I ve nothing in common with you,
2. "As counsel of the prophets of your father and mot er."
B. He di assist the beleaguered kings, but only becaus of the presence of good King Jehoshaphat ofJud
C. He call d for a "minstrel" to create an atmosphere conduc ve to the worship of God.
V. HE REJE TED MATERIAL REWARDS FOR DOING HIS DUTY IN HELPING A FELLOW MAN, II Kings 5:1-27.
A. Sent N an to dip seven times in the Jordan.
B. He ref ed the rich reward Naaman's master sent.
C. He pro ounced a curse of leprosy upon his servant for:
1. His
2. His
VI. HESPOKE E TRUTH PLAINLY AND FEARLESSLY, n Kings 8:7 15.
A. Benhad d, king of Syria was sick.
1. Sent his servant, Hazael, to ask Elisha if he would get well.
2. Nor y he could have expected to recover.
3. But efore he could recover, he would be murdered by his t usted servant.
4. Haz el returned and smothered the king with a wet towe.
B. EJisha a ointed Hazael to be the king of Syria.
1. He hen wept because of the inhuman atrocities Haz I would perpetrate upon Israel.
2. Haz I asked: "Is thy servant a dog?"
