(Pastors Gonzalo and Andrea Sanabria)
INTRODUCTION: The Bible teaches that our Lord Jesus brings times of refreshment to our lives, we also await his coming Kingdom, but God has also established special times for us on earth… Well, the kingdom of God is in our midst, and therefore hence its glorious manifestations. Let’s see this interesting study
ELISEO REPLACES ELÍAS
1. PASSION FOR THE PRESENCE OF GOD, 2 Kings. 2:1-10.
“It happened that when the Lord wanted to lift Elijah in a whirlwind to heaven, Elijah came with Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said to Elisha: Stay here now, because the Lord has sent me to Bethel. And Eliseo said: Jehovah lives, and your soul lives, that I will not leave you. So they went down to Bethel… When they had passed, Elijah said to Elisha: Ask what you want me to do for you, before I am taken away from you. And Eliseo said: I beg you that a double portion of your spirit be upon me.
A. Perseverance in the midst of difficulties.
(On at least three occasions, Elijah asks Elisha to stay, but he perseveres…).
b. Elisha longed for a double portion of the Holy Spirit that was upon Elijah.
(How interesting, because in the OT the Holy Spirit came upon men, but in the NT he dwells in the sons of God, however, men like Elijah and Elisha knew him intimately… and Elisha wanted more = blessed dissatisfaction…) .
two. MANIFEST GROWTH OF GOD’S POWER, 2 Ki. 2:11-14.
“And it came to pass as they went and spoke, behold, a chariot of fire with horses of fire separated the two; and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind… And taking Elijah’s mantle that had fallen from him, he struck the waters, and said: Where is Jehovah, the God of Elijah? And as soon as he had struck the waters in the same way, they parted this way and that, and Elisha passed by.”
A. This chariot of fire is a manifestation of heaven on earth.
(The Kingdom of God is being established on earth, hence its multiple manifestations).
b. Elijah’s ministry on earth had ended, but now a new time begins and Elisha would be God’s instrument.
(Thank God for the blessings achieved, but a new time is coming, a new stage that we must manage wisely, so that what God has planned is not damaged, but rather we are witnesses and instruments of the glory of God).
c. The one who finally does the work is God.
(The men and women who serve God are instruments, but without his blessing we can do nothing effective and transcendent, Elisha said: Where is, Jehovah, the God of Elijah?, and this expresses that his desire was to see God glorifying himself before the Jordan River, no matter what the obstacles to overcome, God will always be greater…).
d In Elijah’s ministry we see 7 mighty miracles, but in Elisha’s ministry we see 14 miracles (a double portion)because God fulfills his word, and his word says: “the later glory will be greater than the first”.
3. TEAM LEADERSHIP, 2 Kings. 2:15-17.
“When the sons of the prophets who were in Jericho saw him on the other side, they said: The spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed down before him.”
A. Eliseo was not alone, there was a team.
(And they recognized him as the servant appointed by God: “they prostrated themselves before him”, but what they saw is also very important: “they said: the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha”, the Holy Spirit gave evidence that he was on Eliseo, gave evidence that a new time had begun…).
b. Elisha’s attitude was not one of imposition, but he acted with wisdom and God showed that He moved through him.
(A leader does not impose himself by force, rather he inspires his team, that is the leadership that we see in Jesus, the apostles gave their lives for the Master, not out of fear of him, but out of love and gratitude…).
(A leader takes into account that he does not work alone, that his benefits are not individual but group, that love is necessary, to have patience and tolerance, because teamwork is essential, and his results will always be greater).
Conclusion: We are beginning a new stage as a church, and the pastors who arrive must also take into account these three things: passion for his presence, longing for the power of God manifested (signs) and teamwork, all seeking the glory of God.
(I invite you to read: Sermons written to preach).
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