Sequel to the Call of Elisha

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that Elisha spent 20 years not in isolation, but in close proximity to Elijah, serving him as a 'coolie' or 'valet,' pouring water on his hands, and running…

This specific act is used as a concrete example of Elisha's humble servant role, akin to a valet, demonstrating his close proximity and function as a companion and disciple.

summary statement in 1 Kings 19 that subsequent to that final feast of confection and cutting the ties with his family, that he arose and went after Elijah. Elijah and ministered unto him. Furthermore, it is clear from the passage read in your hearing in 2 Kings 3 that the thing for which he was remembered when the king asks, is there a prophet, is the fact that he was the man who poured water upon the hands of Elijah. That is, he was a man who was in very close proximity to the prophet and fulfilled the function

4:21 - 5:04 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that Elisha spent 20 years not in isolation, but in close proximity to Elijah, serving him as a 'coolie' or 'valet,' pouring water on his hands, and running…

The relationship between Elisha and his servant Gehazi is used as an analogy to illustrate the nature of the servant-master dynamic that Elisha himself experienced with Elijah.

his master. Now, you have some very interesting details of what this involved in the relationship between a bona fide prophet and a would-be. Prophet, or what we might call a preacher boy prophet. Because later on in the narrative, you have the record of the relationship between Elisha and Gehazi, his servant. And it really

8:53 - 9:16 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And it was because God had marked out Elisha for true greatness that he thought it no waste of time to direct him to spend ten years in the role of a coolie, in the role of a servant, in the role of an errand boy, that h…

Jesus' teaching on leadership among Gentiles (hot shots, high-pressure personalities) versus leadership in the Kingdom (servant of all) is used to explain why God had Elisha serve for ten years.

reasoning in the way? But they held their peace, for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest? And he sat down and called the twelve, and said unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all. And then in another passage, our Lord says, This true leadership in the kingdom is not based on the same principles as leadership among the Gentiles. He said, Among the Gentiles, it's the hot shots, it's the big pressure,

12:51 - 13:27 Read in full sermon

Driving home: What in the name of common sense does this have to do with being a prophet of God in Israel. Going out for a bucket of water. What in the world does this have to do with my high and my noble calling. It had everything to…

The example of a young man with character strength, aggressiveness, and 'gift of gab' being immediately pushed to a platform is used to illustrate the church's error in promoting leaders who haven't learned servanthood.

You see, this is where the church is erred so greatly. When it sees the young man. The young man who seems to manifest some strength of character and some aggressiveness of personality and some gift of gab. He's immediately pushed to a platform so that everyone can reap the benefits of this young Tyro's gifts.

16:11 - 16:33 Read in full sermon

Driving home: You see, he did not take the indisputable evidence of his divine credentials as a warrant to run off half-cocked and start preaching.

The rarity of free, open communication in marriage is used to highlight the profound intimacy and depth of conversation between Elijah and Elisha during their walks.

They're not just taking walks that involve, you know, 300 yards. You get your Bible map out and look at the distance between Gilgal and Jericho and then down to the Jordan. And while they walked, they talked. Now, you see, that didn't just come at them at the last day. This was something that was nurtured. And again, the text is silent, but because

26:07 - 26:32 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin describes the deep, familial bond between Elisha and Elijah, evidenced by Elisha's cry 'my father, my father' and his refusal to leave Elijah's side, noting the purity of…

The story of King Saul's envy and murderous intent towards young David is used as a contrasting example to highlight the purity and lack of rivalry in the relationship between Elijah and Elisha.

to whom he was bound in these deepest bonds of intimate and loving affection. And yet, and this to me is the marvel, so pure was this relationship by the grace of God that there wasn't a trace of rivalry one against the other. The older man who knew that he was in the presence of his successor or manifest no jealousy. That wasn't true.

31:46 - 32:17 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin describes the deep, familial bond between Elisha and Elijah, evidenced by Elisha's cry 'my father, my father' and his refusal to leave Elijah's side, noting the purity of…

Absalom's desire to upstage his father, King David, and steal the hearts of the people is used as another contrasting example to emphasize the absence of such ambition in Elisha's relationship with Elijah.

Saul, was it? When Saul is in the presence of younger David, an evil spirit troubles him and he's filled with envy and suspicion until he takes his javelin and he hurls it at David seeking to kill him. On the other hand, there was no desire on the part of Elisha to upstage Elijah. And we have the record of that in the Bible. Remember Absalom? He couldn't stand it that his pappy was

32:17 - 32:47 Read in full sermon

The point: If you have aspirations for ministry, pray that God will help you find ways to be a servant. If you do not learn that ministry is a continuous diaconal function, you will never make a true shepherd of souls.

Elisha stretching himself on the Shunammite woman's dead son is used as an example of his selfless, whole-souled engagement for others, a lesson learned during his time with Elijah.

Elisha learned that. Later on when there's a circumstance that demands selfless, whole-souled engagement for the concerns of another, he's prepared now to stretch himself out on the body of that little boy and to pray and to cry, to God, until life is given. He learned that lesson in those ten years with Elijah.

39:45 - 40:09 Read in full sermon

Driving home: But for the most part, my friend, it's just the slog of selfless, self-denying servitude to the people of God.

The story of Elisha making the axe head float for the penniless young preacher is used as an example of his mundane, selfless acts of service that marked his ministry.

He's prepared when a poor young preacher boy has his axe head flying off when they're trying to enlarge the dormitory. And he says, alas, my master, it was borrowed. He didn't say, well, look, Baal worshiped all over the place. I don't have time to stop and worry about your old axe head.

40:12 - 40:28 Read in full sermon