“Continuing on the Spiritual Legacy”
Sermon series: God’s extraordinary power in dark times
Sermon Title: Continuing on the Spiritual Legacy
Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-11 (ESV)
Introduction:
In today’s text, we are introduced to the character Elisha who God calls to be the next prophet after Elijah. Elisha is essentially receiving the spiritual baton from Elijah to become his successor. For us, how do we prepare to pass the spiritual baton to the next generation? How do we prepare to receive this baton as the next generation?
Overview:
God tells Elijah that Elisha will become the next prophet in his place. Along with anointing other leaders, Elisha is now called to raise up new leaders to carry out God’s ministry. Although Elijah is stepping down from his role, God still calls him to serve till the end.
Oftentimes we stop serving after completing a goal, becoming tired, or creating space for others to step up, yet God may still be calling us to complete our task to the very end.
Our decision to step down from ministry must come from careful discernment from God. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are always called to serve in God’s mission to bring people to God and glorify His name.
We are called to equip and raise up younger generation leaders to put their trust in the Lord in a difficult world.
How did Elisha become Elijah’s successor?
Elisha was following Elijah, but he was really following God.
Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” - 2 Kings 2:1-2.
Every time Elijah asks Elisha to stay, Elijah tells him no. Elisha knew that God’s spirit was upon Elijah, so Elisha wanted to go where God was going.
We should be wary whether we are following godly people over following God. Though we can learn much from godly people, God is always the greatest provider.
Elisha had a desperate desire for the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” and Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” - 2 Kings 2:9
A double portion was used when a father was handing down his inheritance to the first-born child (Deut 21:17). God had designed the spiritual legacy of the family to be carried out by the firstborn child.
When Elisha asks Elijah for a double portion, he wants to continue the spiritual legacy of Elijah and continue God’s divine work. Elisha was desperate for this spiritual anointing.
Being spiritually anointed by God refers to being filled and inspired by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of revealing God’s glory and power. We should seek spiritual anointing not for the purposes of glorifying ourselves but to enjoy witnessing God’s plans and giving Him the glory and praise.
Spiritual anointing is not exclusively given to pastors, elders, and missionaries, but it is given to all Christians (1 John 2:20,27).
The anointing of the Holy Spirit changes our lives: it shows us God in a new light, the Bible with new insight, the cross with new meaning, love with selfless focus. Spiritual anointing from God helps us see the beauty in God’s creation and respond in worship.
Elisha remained faithful until the end.
And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take away your master from over you?” And he said, “Yes I know it; keep quiet. - 2 Kings 2:3
Those around Elisha kept reminding him Elijah would eventually leave; yet Elisha did not leave him until the end. We see this faithfulness with other predecessors as well (Moses+Joshua, Saul+David, Jesus+disciples).
We live in a time when church hopping is normal and we don’t grow deep roots in our communities. When a church doesn’t meet our expectations, we pack up and find other communities to serve us.
We need to grow deep relationships with our community to grow each other up in faith, but also to know our community well enough to equip and raise members in ministry.
We want to pass down the same blessed anointing to the next generation, and how we worship and serve the Lord is how they will worship and serve the Lord.
God worked through horses and chariots of fire for both Elijah (2 Kings 2:9-11) and later Elisha (2 Kings 6:17). God also does the same with parting water (2 Kings 2:7-8, 13-14).
Application:
God calls for men and women to be desperate and passionate for Him. If you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, then you have been called to faithfully carry out His purpose for the rest of your life. As we joyfully partake in this calling to honor Jesus and love those around us, we must also be wary of raising up new believers and leaders to enjoy and continue this calling with us.
Sermon reflection questions:
All Christians have been anointed God, even Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38). What does spiritual anointing look like in your life? How do you feel about being anointed with the Spirit?
Have you ever received the “spiritual baton”? Have you ever passed the “spiritual baton”? What was the experience like?
Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations and teach them to follow all of Jesus’ commands (to love God and to love your neighbor). Take some time to pray for the next generation of Christians, that they may put their faith in Jesus Christ and not things of the world, that they may find joy and peace in God’s love, and that they seek to live their life out to glorify God.
