Explores recognizing, responding to, and reaping from God's call, using the transition from Elijah to Elisha as a guide for our own faith journeys.
Good morning, beloved family of God. It is a joy to be with you today, gathered together in the name of our Lord and Savior. Today, we find ourselves drawn to the book of 2 Kings, to a passage that speaks of the prophet Elijah's ascent to heaven and Elisha's reaction to it. It's a story of transition, transformation, and ultimately, of the truth of God's promises.
In the words of Brother Andrew, "God does not choose people because of their ability, but because of their availability." Being available and listening to the call of the Lord is what we’re going into detail about today.
In the passage we read, we see the prophet Elijah being taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. His apprentice, Elisha, is there to witness this extraordinary event. He sees the chariot of fire, the horses of fire, and he watches as his mentor is swept away. This is a pivotal moment for Elisha. It's a moment of transition, of change, but it's also a moment of calling.
Context: Elisha had been following Elijah for some time. He had been learning from him, serving him, and preparing for the day when he would take up Elijah's mantle. But it's one thing to prepare for a calling, and it's another thing to actually step into it. When Elijah is taken up to heaven, Elisha is left standing alone. He's left holding Elijah's cloak, the symbol of his prophetic authority. It's a moment of decision for Elisha. Will he pick up the cloak? Will he step into the calling that God has placed on his life?
Our own lives: We often find ourselves in similar situations. We find ourselves standing at the crossroads of decision, holding in our hands the calling that God has placed on our lives. It might not be a physical cloak, like it was for Elisha, but it's a calling nonetheless. It's a calling to follow God, to serve Him, to live our lives in a way that honors Him.
Recognizing the call: We need to be able to see the calling that God has placed on our lives. This isn't always easy. Sometimes, the calling is clear and unmistakable, like it was for Elisha. Other times, it's more subtle. It might be a gentle nudge in our hearts, a quiet whisper in our souls. But whether it's loud or quiet, clear or subtle, the calling is there. God has a plan for each one of us, a purpose for our lives. Recognizing the call often requires us to slow down, to quiet our hearts and minds, and to listen for the voice of God. It requires us to be in tune with the Holy Spirit, to be open to His leading. It requires us to be willing to step out in faith, to trust that God knows what He's doing, even when we don't understand.
As we continue to immerse ourselves in the narrative of Elisha, we see that recognizing the call is only the initial step ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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