To all my politically correct friends:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of other, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.
To all my non-politically correct friends:
Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year!
Jubilee Family Church
December 19, 2008
December 18, 2008
The Four Truths about Salvation
If, you'd like to listen to this article please CLICK HERE!
Just as there are physical laws that govern the physicial universe, so are there spiritual laws which govern your relationship with God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God LOVES you, and offers you an abundant life.
God's Love
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life". (John 3:16)
God's Plan
Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" (that it might be full and meaningful) (John 10:10)
Why do so many people live lives that would not be considered abundant? It is because...
...MAN IS SINFUL and SEPARATED from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God's love and plan for his life.
Man is Sinful
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23)
Man was created to have a loving relationship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own way and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is evidence of what the Bible calls sin.
Man is Separated
"For the [result] of sin is death" -- spiritual separation from God (Romans 6:23)
The image below illustrates that God is holy and man is sinful. A huge gap separates the two. The arrows show that man is continually trying to reach God and the abundant life through his own efforts such as living a good life, following specific philosophies or religions, etc.
The third law explains the only way to bridge this gap......
Jesus Christ is God's ONLY provision for Man's sin. Through Him you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life.
He Died in Our Place
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
He Rose from the Dead
"Christ died for our sins....He was buried....He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures....He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred...." (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)
He is the Only Way to God
"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." (John 14:6)
The image below illustrates that God has bridged the gap which separates us from Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins.
It is not enough just to know these three laws. The Fourth Law is essential.....
We must individually RECEIVE Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.
We Must Receive Christ
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12)
We Receive Jesus Christ Through Faith
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
When we receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth
"I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Do not be surprised when I say you must be born again. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (John 3:1-8)
We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation
Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." (Revelation 3:20)
Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us the kind of people He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of will.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer
Prayer is talking with God
God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus,
I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my personal Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?
If it does, pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.
If you prayed this prayer for the first time or the first time in a long time I'd like to hear from you. Please e-mail me and let me know you prayed so we can help you in your new walk with Christ.
Jubilee Family Church
Just as there are physical laws that govern the physicial universe, so are there spiritual laws which govern your relationship with God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God LOVES you, and offers you an abundant life.God's Love
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life". (John 3:16)
God's Plan
Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" (that it might be full and meaningful) (John 10:10)
Why do so many people live lives that would not be considered abundant? It is because...
...MAN IS SINFUL and SEPARATED from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God's love and plan for his life.Man is Sinful
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23)
Man was created to have a loving relationship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own way and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is evidence of what the Bible calls sin.
Man is Separated
"For the [result] of sin is death" -- spiritual separation from God (Romans 6:23)
The image below illustrates that God is holy and man is sinful. A huge gap separates the two. The arrows show that man is continually trying to reach God and the abundant life through his own efforts such as living a good life, following specific philosophies or religions, etc.
The third law explains the only way to bridge this gap......
Jesus Christ is God's ONLY provision for Man's sin. Through Him you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life.He Died in Our Place
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
He Rose from the Dead
"Christ died for our sins....He was buried....He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures....He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred...." (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)
He is the Only Way to God
"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." (John 14:6)
The image below illustrates that God has bridged the gap which separates us from Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins.
It is not enough just to know these three laws. The Fourth Law is essential.....
We must individually RECEIVE Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.We Must Receive Christ
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12)
We Receive Jesus Christ Through Faith
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
When we receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth
"I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Do not be surprised when I say you must be born again. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (John 3:1-8)
We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation
Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." (Revelation 3:20)
Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us the kind of people He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of will.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer
Prayer is talking with God
God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus,
I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my personal Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?
If it does, pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.
If you prayed this prayer for the first time or the first time in a long time I'd like to hear from you. Please e-mail me and let me know you prayed so we can help you in your new walk with Christ.
Jubilee Family Church
The 12 Days of Christmas
There is one Christmas Carol that can cause people to ask, "What does that have to do with Christmas?" or "What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with anything related to the Christmas holiday?"
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.
-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.
-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
The Apostles' Creed
1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave].
5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
7) I believe in the Holy Spirit,
8) the holy catholic Church,
The word catholic means relating to, or forming the undivided church universal
9) the communion of saints,
10) the forgiveness of sins,
11) the resurrection of the body,
12) and life everlasting.
Twelve Days of Christmas
Alternate Lyrics
On the first day of Christmas Jesus gave to me SALVATION FULL AND FREE.
On the second day of Christmas Jesus gave to me EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE
On the third day of Christmas Jesus gave to me PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE
On the fourth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE
On the fifth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE
On the sixth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me POWER FROM ON HIGH, JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE
On the seventh day of Christmas Jesus gave to me A BODY GLORIFIED, POWER FROM ON HIGH, JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE
On the eighth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me A ROBE AND A CROWN, A BODY GLORIFIED, POWER FROM ON HIGH, JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE
On the ninth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me MANSIONS ABOVE, A ROBE AND A CROWN, A BODY GLORIFIED, POWER FROM ON HIGH, JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE
On the tenth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me STREETS OF PURE GOLD, MANSIONS ABOVE, A ROBE AND A CROWN, A BODY GLORIFIED, POWER FROM ON HIGH, JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE
On the eleventh day of Christmas Jesus gave to me A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING, STREETS OF PURE GOLD, MANSIONS ABOVE, A ROBE AND A CROWN, A BODY GLORIFIED, POWER FROM ON HIGH, JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE
On the twelfth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me ETERNITY TO PRAISE, A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING, STREETS OF PURE GOLD, MANSIONS ABOVE, A ROBE AND A CROWN, A BODY GLORIFIED, POWER FROM ON HIGH, JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE
Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone
Jubilee Family Church
December 17, 2008
Merry CHRISTmas
From our family to yours! Merry Christmas. 2008 has been a great year for us. We are so greatful for everyone at church and all your kindness to us as your pastors. Remember this Christmas season to keep Christ at the center. With all the preperations that need to be made it's easy to get things out of wack. Where would we be without a loving God that sent his only begotten son to be born of a virgin in a little town called Bethlehem. Share the Christmas story with your family this year! We love you,
The Hammack Family
Jubilee Family Church
Keys to Receiving a Double Portion of the Anointing
To watch the video of this message click here.
Lessons from the life of Elijah, Elisha and Gehazi
What is the Double Portion?
2 Kings 2:9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"
"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
(KJV) I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
This scripturally is something that Elisha asked for as he served and followed Elijah his master.
It’s interesting that Elisha recognizes the spirit is in Elijah. I believe that it is a gift inside the man deposited their by God. Elisha is asking for the ability to express the tangibility of God through signs wonders and miracles like Elijah did.
In the context of the life of Elisha, a double portion of his master’s anointing means twice the major miracles flowing from his life. Elijah 14 Miracles
Elisha 28 Miracles
Miracles Performed Through Elisha
1) Parting of the Jordan (2Ki 2:14)
2) Healing of the waters (2Ki 2:21)
3) Curse of the she bears (2Ki 2:24)
4) Filling of the valley with water (2Ki 3:17)
5) Deception of the Moabites with the valley of blood (2Ki 3:22)
6) Miracle of the vessels of oil (2Ki 4:4)
7) Prophecy that the Shunammite woman would have a son (2Ki 4:16)
8) Resurrection of the Shunammite's son (2Ki 4:34)
9) Healing of the gourds (2Ki 4:41)
10) Miracle of the bread (2Ki 4:43)
11) Healing of Naaman (2Ki 5:14)
12) Perception of Gehazi's transgression (2Ki 5:26)
13) Cursing Gehazi with leprosy (2Ki 5:27)
14) Floating of the axe head (2Ki 6:6)
15) Prophecy of the Syrian battle plans (2Ki 6:9)
16) Vision of the chariots (2Ki 6:17)
17) Smiting the Syrian army with blindness (2Ki 6:18)
18) Restoring the sight of the Syrian army (2Ki 6:20)
19) Prophecy of the end of the great famine (2Ki 7:1)
20) Prophecy that the scoffing nobleman would see, but not partake of, the abundance (2Ki 7:2)
21) Deception of the Syrians with the sound of chariots (2Ki 7:6)
22) Prophecy of the seven-year famine (2Ki 8:1)
23) Prophecy of Benhadad's untimely death (2Ki 8:10)
24) Prophecy of Hazael's cruelty to Israel (2Ki 8:12)
25) Prophecy that Jehu would smite the house of Ahab (2Ki 9:7)
26) Prophecy that Joash would smite the Syrians at Aphek (2Ki 13:17)
27) Prophecy that Joash would smite Syria thrice but not consume it (2Ki 13:19)
28) Resurrection of the man touched by his bones (2Ki 13:21)
Elisha's ministry superseded Elijah's in certain ways.
Elisha's ministry lasted about twice as long as Elijah's (25 compared to 13 years).
Spiritual success is faithfully fulfilling God's role for you--not how you compare to others or how much approval you get from others.
Keys to catching the Spirit that is on a person
1) Burn the ships to your old life.
2) Spend time with the person who’s spirit you want a double portion of by serving the person in Spiritual Authority.
3) Persistently follow even when they can be offensive keeping an eye on the prize.
1. Burn the Ships
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
When Spanish Conquistador Hernando Cortez landed in Mexico, one of his first orders to his men was to burn the ships. Cortez was committed to his mission and did not want to allow himself or his men the option of going back to Spain. By removing this option, Cortez and his men were forced to focus on how they could make the mission successful.
1 Kings 19:19-21
19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you."
"Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" 21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.
New Testament Radical Followers
Matthew 19:27
Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"
Luke 5:11
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:28
and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
Why would someone be so radical?
Remember the Kingdom Parables
Matthew 13:44-46
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
2. Serve the Person
Spend time together
Mark 9:35
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."
John 13:12-17
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Elisha’s Job Description
2 Kings 3:11 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD through him?"
An officer of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah. [b] “
b-That is, he was Elijah's personal servant.
Service
Matthew 20:28
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Luke 22:25,26
25Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
Benefactor - one that confers a benefit ; especially : one that makes a gift or bequest
1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Be persistent
It appears as Elijah is preparing to be taken away into Heaven he’s asking his servant to leave him. Basically, “Go away Elisha.” but Elisha won’t leave his side.
3. Keep Your Eye on the Prize
1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Gilgal to Bethel
2 Kings 2:2 Elijah going from Gilgal to Bethel Elijah says, Stay here. Elisha replies with, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you."
Bethel to Jericho
2 Kings 2: 4 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho.
Jericho to Jordan
2 Kings 2:6 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two of them walked on.
2 Kings 2:9 When they had crossed (the Jordan River supernaturally), Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"
"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
10 "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not."
Elisha sees Elijah taken up in a whirlwind and strikes the Jordan river with Elijah’s mantle and the water parts. The company of the 50 prophets interprets this sign that "The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha."
Do we serve men or the Lord?
Colossians 3:23
23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
I believe that God has ordained people on the earth to do great exploits for him. I believe that we’re to serve one another in brotherly love and the greater reward you want the greater your level of service.
However when we serve the Lord through a man I believe we can get on the fast track because of the practical hurdles and difficulties our predecessors have overcome. It helps us learn faster and move quicker not to mention the favor factor. If God has truly anointed you and commissioned you to start some kind of ministry PRAISE GOD, I believe God flows through established authority though.
Operating outside that authority is your choice but I believe you are exposing yourself to difficulties that are unnecessary. It’s better and easier to serve and be sent than to launch yourself out into some kind of ministry. I believe serving and being sent is the New Testament model for church planting or ministry launching.
Every time I’ve served under someone that person’s input has been very helpful and honest. They can give you the type of information that no one else has because of their perspective. It’s incredibly valuable!
So if you want a double portion of the anointing should you get in every prayer line you can find and have anointed men and women of God lay their hands on you? Well, that’s not necessarily a bad idea but that’s not how Elisha got the double portion.
He…
1. Burnt the ships to His old life.
2. He spent time with the person who’s spirit he wanted a double portion of by serving the person.
3. He persistently followed even when they can be offensive keeping an eye on the prize.
Jubilee Family Church
Lessons from the life of Elijah, Elisha and Gehazi
What is the Double Portion?
2 Kings 2:9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"
"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
(KJV) I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
This scripturally is something that Elisha asked for as he served and followed Elijah his master.
It’s interesting that Elisha recognizes the spirit is in Elijah. I believe that it is a gift inside the man deposited their by God. Elisha is asking for the ability to express the tangibility of God through signs wonders and miracles like Elijah did.
In the context of the life of Elisha, a double portion of his master’s anointing means twice the major miracles flowing from his life. Elijah 14 Miracles
Elisha 28 Miracles
Miracles Performed Through Elisha
1) Parting of the Jordan (2Ki 2:14)
2) Healing of the waters (2Ki 2:21)
3) Curse of the she bears (2Ki 2:24)
4) Filling of the valley with water (2Ki 3:17)
5) Deception of the Moabites with the valley of blood (2Ki 3:22)
6) Miracle of the vessels of oil (2Ki 4:4)
7) Prophecy that the Shunammite woman would have a son (2Ki 4:16)
8) Resurrection of the Shunammite's son (2Ki 4:34)
9) Healing of the gourds (2Ki 4:41)
10) Miracle of the bread (2Ki 4:43)
11) Healing of Naaman (2Ki 5:14)
12) Perception of Gehazi's transgression (2Ki 5:26)
13) Cursing Gehazi with leprosy (2Ki 5:27)
14) Floating of the axe head (2Ki 6:6)
15) Prophecy of the Syrian battle plans (2Ki 6:9)
16) Vision of the chariots (2Ki 6:17)
17) Smiting the Syrian army with blindness (2Ki 6:18)
18) Restoring the sight of the Syrian army (2Ki 6:20)
19) Prophecy of the end of the great famine (2Ki 7:1)
20) Prophecy that the scoffing nobleman would see, but not partake of, the abundance (2Ki 7:2)
21) Deception of the Syrians with the sound of chariots (2Ki 7:6)
22) Prophecy of the seven-year famine (2Ki 8:1)
23) Prophecy of Benhadad's untimely death (2Ki 8:10)
24) Prophecy of Hazael's cruelty to Israel (2Ki 8:12)
25) Prophecy that Jehu would smite the house of Ahab (2Ki 9:7)
26) Prophecy that Joash would smite the Syrians at Aphek (2Ki 13:17)
27) Prophecy that Joash would smite Syria thrice but not consume it (2Ki 13:19)
28) Resurrection of the man touched by his bones (2Ki 13:21)
Elisha's ministry superseded Elijah's in certain ways.
Elisha's ministry lasted about twice as long as Elijah's (25 compared to 13 years).
Spiritual success is faithfully fulfilling God's role for you--not how you compare to others or how much approval you get from others.
Keys to catching the Spirit that is on a person
1) Burn the ships to your old life.
2) Spend time with the person who’s spirit you want a double portion of by serving the person in Spiritual Authority.
3) Persistently follow even when they can be offensive keeping an eye on the prize.
1. Burn the Ships
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
When Spanish Conquistador Hernando Cortez landed in Mexico, one of his first orders to his men was to burn the ships. Cortez was committed to his mission and did not want to allow himself or his men the option of going back to Spain. By removing this option, Cortez and his men were forced to focus on how they could make the mission successful.
1 Kings 19:19-21
19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you."
"Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" 21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.
New Testament Radical Followers
Matthew 19:27
Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"
Luke 5:11
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:28
and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
Why would someone be so radical?
Remember the Kingdom Parables
Matthew 13:44-46
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
2. Serve the Person
Spend time together
Mark 9:35
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."
John 13:12-17
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Elisha’s Job Description
2 Kings 3:11 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD through him?"
An officer of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah. [b] “
b-That is, he was Elijah's personal servant.
Service
Matthew 20:28
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Luke 22:25,26
25Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
Benefactor - one that confers a benefit ; especially : one that makes a gift or bequest
1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Be persistent
It appears as Elijah is preparing to be taken away into Heaven he’s asking his servant to leave him. Basically, “Go away Elisha.” but Elisha won’t leave his side.
3. Keep Your Eye on the Prize
1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Gilgal to Bethel
2 Kings 2:2 Elijah going from Gilgal to Bethel Elijah says, Stay here. Elisha replies with, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you."
Bethel to Jericho
2 Kings 2: 4 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho.
Jericho to Jordan
2 Kings 2:6 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two of them walked on.
2 Kings 2:9 When they had crossed (the Jordan River supernaturally), Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"
"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
10 "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not."
Elisha sees Elijah taken up in a whirlwind and strikes the Jordan river with Elijah’s mantle and the water parts. The company of the 50 prophets interprets this sign that "The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha."
Do we serve men or the Lord?
Colossians 3:23
23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
I believe that God has ordained people on the earth to do great exploits for him. I believe that we’re to serve one another in brotherly love and the greater reward you want the greater your level of service.
However when we serve the Lord through a man I believe we can get on the fast track because of the practical hurdles and difficulties our predecessors have overcome. It helps us learn faster and move quicker not to mention the favor factor. If God has truly anointed you and commissioned you to start some kind of ministry PRAISE GOD, I believe God flows through established authority though.
Operating outside that authority is your choice but I believe you are exposing yourself to difficulties that are unnecessary. It’s better and easier to serve and be sent than to launch yourself out into some kind of ministry. I believe serving and being sent is the New Testament model for church planting or ministry launching.
Every time I’ve served under someone that person’s input has been very helpful and honest. They can give you the type of information that no one else has because of their perspective. It’s incredibly valuable!
So if you want a double portion of the anointing should you get in every prayer line you can find and have anointed men and women of God lay their hands on you? Well, that’s not necessarily a bad idea but that’s not how Elisha got the double portion.
He…
1. Burnt the ships to His old life.
2. He spent time with the person who’s spirit he wanted a double portion of by serving the person.
3. He persistently followed even when they can be offensive keeping an eye on the prize.
Jubilee Family Church
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)