Theme: God's work is a mighty one.
Reading: 2 Kings 2 verses 1-15

There are two central themes running in the passage that we have read.
1. Gods work is a mighty one.
2. Elijah puts Elisha to the test.
Three times in the passage Elijah says to Elisha, "Stay here the Lord has sent me to ...."
Three times Elisha replies saying, "As surely as the Lord lives and you live, I will not leave you."
We read in this passage that they get to a place through which only God can take them and it is then that when Elijah sees that Elisha is prepared to do anything that he says to Elisha,
"Elisha what is it that I can do for you?"
And Elisha responds in verse 9
"Let me inherit a double portion of your Spirit"
Elisha is asking for a double portion of what Elijah has. We see here that what Elisha is asking for in a double portion is in fact, The Spirit of God.
The request was to be recognized as Elijah's replacement. Of course, he had already been selected by God for that position. It was common for firstborn children to receive a double portion of their father's estate. And this is what he wants.
Elisha was asking for the right of the firstborn! He was asking that the same Spirit that had empowered the ministry of this great man of God be given to him as well. In double portion, this was his request.

And so as we read this passage we see in this chapter that Elijah and Elisha went together to very interesting places.

1. Their first stop was at a place called Gilgal. Gilgal was the place of new beginnings. It was here that the Israelites first celebrated the Passover in the promised- land here the males born during the wilderness wanderings were circumcised and the covenant was renewed.
• Gilgal represented the place of Renunciation. The place where the old past was put aside.
• The place of the Passover Restoration.
• The place of Realisation.
• The place of Revelation.

As Christians if we were to use the analogy of Baseball Gilgal represents the first base. Once we have reached first base we are ready for the rest of the journey, we are into it. We are ready for the fight and the challenges that lie ahead.

However the problem in the body of Christ today is that there are too many Christians who have settled on getting to first base and they are happy to stay there. They are not moving.
We need to advance; we need to mature in our faith. Elisha said, "I am moving" and so they moved to Bethel.
2. And so they moved to Bethel. Bethel is the place of dreams. It was here that Jacob met God; it is here that they wrestled; it was here that Jacob saw the ladder with angels ascending and descending out of heaven.
It is this very place that God said to Jacob, "I will never leave you nor forsake you"
Will God not do the same for us as we move on?
What is the vision that God has given has given you?
• Is yours a vision of growing into an effective church? Being the church that Christ needs operating in Kloof
• Is yours a church that embraces all? A church where things are happening and where people flock to because they are catered for there and they feel at home there and they can be used there.
• Is yours a vision of empowering? Were people are encouraged to become involved and effective within the family.
• Is it one of equipping proactive leaders? Where people are developed so that they can perform to their potential
• Is it one of encouraging every member of the body? Where people's needs are met and they feel at home.
Is the Spirit of the Lord saying to you?"Don't stay where you are in Bethel. Like Elisha,
move on. Take yourself off to something better.

3. And the next stop was Jericho. Jericho the place of past victories. Also a place of Holy Ground. It was here that Israel had her first Military victory in the promised -land. Jericho was a border town beyond this was the unknown new territory.
Jericho was this fortified, powerful city, a city in which the Army and Priests all played a part as they marching around in silence. For 6 days they marched around. This proved to be a useless military movement. But on the 7th day God gave them the power and with the blowing of the trumpets and the shouting of the people the walls came tumbling down.
So then where is the problem if we get this far and stay? The problem is that we are content to stay and revel in past victories. God has something better than this in store for us.

4. And yet again Elijah moves on and again Elisha will not stay behind. And so they move to Jordan. Jordan the place of death. The river that represents the boundary to the promised- land. It was a formidable barrier that few would ever want to cross. It was here that Elijah does something very significant. He took off his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water and the water parted and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
It is then and only then that Elijah realizes that he can ask that vital question.
"Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you"
Why could he ask the question now?
The question could only be asked where and when they were at the place when the offering is laid on the altar. This is total commitment, reminiscent of the account of Abraham and Isaac. Elisha had gone the distance.
And Elisha makes his request,
"Let me inherit a double portion of your Spirit"

We need to get to that place where we are done with ourselves. We are ready to Trust God to do what only God can do.
And Elijah says to Elisha, "You have to wait a while yet, only when I am taken up will you receive it"
As Elijah is taken up he loses his cloak and there is a very symbolic action on the part of Elisha. Elisha takes off his clothes as if he is stripping himself of the past

The reality is that God is willing to do the same for you if you are prepared to surrender in full to him.
As the prophets witnessed what Elisha was able to do they said, "The Spirit of Elijah is upon Elisha"

In this lesson there are some very good teachings for us today.
• Following Christ totally is the only way to gain Spiritual authority, power and significance as Christians.
• What would have happened to Elisha if he had not been prepared to go the full distance?
• Because of what he was prepared and committed to do Elisha performed double the number of miracles that Elijah had performed.

There are some challenges for us this morning:
1. What could have been and might have been for us if we had been prepared to go the distance. Would we have been satisfied with our lot is we had stayed in Gilgal and had moved no further. Will we look back one day and say , "If only"
2. You don't want to be a settler in your Spiritual walk with the Lord you want to be a pioneer. Move on for the Lord has so much more in store for you.
3. What will you miss if you don't move on?

It is today that we must realize that if he is not Lord of all, he is not Lord at all.

4. What is keeping you back from that full surrender, laying your all on the altar, is it the perceived price that you will have to pay, is it a habit that you will find difficult to give up?
5. What is robbing you from knowing the fullness and being, In the Spirit of God.

The Mighty Power through Christ Jesus is available to all of us. How far are you prepared to go?

Amen.