On Sunday morning I heard the best message on what the church should be like that I have ever heard in my entire life. I tell you… it was eye opening! Our guest speaker, Chuck, preached out of 2 Kings 6:1-7, going through each verse. Wowzers is all I can say!!
(NASB) “Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Behold now, the place before you where we are living is too limited for us. First of all… Churches need to make more room for the prophetic #1. On a side note… wouldn’t it be an incredible place to be in when your congregation came up to you to say, “Hey dude, we’ve got to move to a bigger location!” I know that one had my hubby smiling!!
Please let us go to the Jordan and each of us take from there a beam, and let us make a place there for ourselves where we may live.” So he said, “Go.” Churches are not called just to be gathering places, focused on ‘come in and stay’ but GO. If we soak for too long, we’re just going to get wrinkled. It’s not about us getting a blessing, blessing, blessing but us being a blessing to others. Follow the great commission – be a sending church. GO GO GO! Prepare the people – then send them out to share the GOspel with all nations until the entire world has heard the GOod News!
Then one said, “Please be willing to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I shall go.” We’re not to go on our own, if we’re somewhere where the Holy Spirit is not… we’re in the wrong place. In business, in relationships, in life. If God’s not a part of the decision… don’t make it!
So he went with them; and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. Everyone got involved. None of the prophets thought they were too good to swing an ax and chop down trees. None of them thought they were better than others and deserved to be used in a different way, for a different purpose. He didn’t hear from the group… “It’s not my gift”, or how about… “It’s not in my job description”! I know you’ve heard it ’cause I’ve heard it.
But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” Every thing we have is borrowed. None of it we’ll take with us, the Bible even says that our children are lent to us. We will be better off, in a better place, when we realize that our wants always come behind our needs.
Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float. He didn’t ask “WHY?”. Why did you do such a stupid thing? Why did you not tell me the ax was slipping? Why did you let it fall in there? He asked “WHERE?”. People get so focused on the WHY’s of life (the ‘why me’ syndrome) when they should focus on the WHERE. Where did it go wrong – where do you need to go to ask for help – where do you go afterwards. Is finding the answer to the WHY more important than enjoying the presence of God in the here and now? The branch represents Jesus and the ax head is the Holy Spirit. The branch brought the ax to the surface. The handle is useless without the iron head! But it’s amazing how many people and churches are out there, running without the Holy Spirit. They are like people swinging the handle with zero power = no effect.
He said, “Take it up for yourself.” So he put out his hand and took it.” We have to humble ourselves and reach out for what He has to offer. We can’t have it if we don’t take it. As I always say… “We’re action figures with some assembly required!” He doesn’t just put it in our hands.That’s all I can remember right now. I was so involved in the sermon that I actually forgot to take notes. I need to get the CD and listen to it all over again.
