STREAMING SERMON

7 NOVEMBER 2021

RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH SUNDAY MORNING SERMON

"THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH"

TEXT: 2 KINGS 2: 14 (Read 1-15)
READING: PSALMS 115: 1-18

   SUBJ: Seeking to claim the things that come, in power, through the indwelling Spirit of God
AIM: To encourage us to seek with the same desperation seen in Elisha and for the same reason.
INTR: While we may not demand of God or attempt to bargain with Him we may with desperation seek His power (Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.)
1. We tend to remain with the status quo and fear the unknown and the results of change.
2. We pay lip service to a belief in the power of God but tremble at its prospect. We think in terms of self and personal ability - "I could never do that..."
3. Do we believe that God is able to manifest His power in us? Elisha not only believed it, but he also wanted it desperately. The Lord God of Elijah is "God manifest in the flesh."
THESIS: Even as we believe that He is (Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.) we must believe that He rewards them that diligently seek Him and if we believe that we must believe that He is honored when we do so.
I. The "Lord God of Elijah" ... in evidence in Elijah and his Spirit (Note: the Holy Spirit is "his" Spirit and refers as well to John the Baptist.
1. Of No rain and no rain at the word of Elijah (James 5:17-18 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.)
1) Hidden and fed by ravens - sustained by the widow - raising her child
2) The contest on Mt. Carmel - a glorious display of the power of God
3) And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. (1 Kings 18:36-37)
4) The prayer for rain
2. Confrontation and flight - he would be brought down to full dependence on the Lord – Compare Paul and his thorn in the flesh.
3. The wind, the earthquake and the fire and the "still small voice."
1) The effects of the others could be seen and heard with the physical senses
2) The still small voice was to be heard in the heart - consider the responses of Samuel and Paul.
II. The Prayer of Elisha - his focus and his mission
1. He knew why he was there and remembered his call
2. His cry was for the Lord’s presence and power with him as he had seen it in Elijah.
1) For the double portion that he might glorify God the more
2) "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" - he had seen him go up and remembered what Elijah had said relative to his request
3) The answer was confirmed by the crossing of Jordan again - what he had asked was given.
3. Elijah was not to be found - remember that the enemies of Christ wanted His body!
4. The miracles began immediately with the healing of the water and many followed (making iron swim, raising the woman's son, healing the Syrian of leprosy and so on...
III. The Spirit of Elijah today
1. Consider that Christ came, performed many miracles, taught and declared who He was…
2. But, He promised that greater things would follow as a result of His death and resurrection and the manifestation of the Sprit
3. He was taken up at the appointed time - He is not to be physically found, only in the hearts of His people
4. The Spirit of Elijah is the Holy Spirit:
1) That indwells: Romans 8:9-10 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
2) And is the same Spirit: Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
3) That provides identity: Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
5. What the prophets observed - "The Spirit of Elijah is with Him."
6. What of us? Cf. Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. - THEY HAD SEEN HIM RECEIVED UP INTO GLORY AND WERE CLAIMING WHAT HE PROMISED!
7. Dare we ask: Where is He - what of His power - what of the opposition - for revival? Can we pray and expect as Elisha did?

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