Gathering Vessels and Striking Floors

2 Kings 4:1-7; 13:14-19

I.    Introduction
      A.  How much does God work in our lives?
          1.  We often wonder how God works in our lives. (Mark 9:23)
          2.  But a question that may be more approachable is how much?
              a.  Like the how question, this too is beyond our ability to fully know.
              b.  But the Bible teaches lessons that indicate we have some involvement in the answer.
      B.  Old Testament examples may give us insight into how we can open our lives to His working.
          1.  Two stories from the account of the work of Elisha that speak to this question.
          2.  Elisha was successor to Elijah, and received a “double portion” of the Spirit
          3.  God’s Spirit worked a number of marvelous miracles through Elisha (2 Kings 4-6)
          4.  Two more events from Elisha’s life may help answer the question we have posed.
      C.  Lessons from the ministry of Elisha
          1.  What you get from God often depends on what you bring to Him.
          2.  God often responds in proportion to your submission, diligence to His commands.
II.   Gathering Vessels (2 Kings 4:1-7) – God can fill up what you bring to Him
      A.  The prophet’s widow had a deep need
          1.  She had a very real problem, one not of her own doing (Exo. 21:2,ff; Lev. 25:39-40)
          2.  Elisha answers based on what she has
          3.  He commands her to gather vessels – empty ones
      B.  God filled her need by multiplying what she had using what she brought
          1.  As much as she had available was filled
          2.  Because she had gathered enough vessels, she had enough to live on
      C.  What are we bringing to God to use, and to fill up?
          1.  We have very real, material and spiritual needs
          2.  God uses what we have to bring about an abundance to supply needs (1 Cor. 12:11,ff)
          3.  God can keep pouring out blessings as we bring ourselves to Him empty
(John 7:38; Eph 5:18-20; Gal. 5:22-25)
          4.  How much are we bringing to God to fill? (Phil. 2:7,9)
III.  Striking Floors (2 Kings 13:14-19) – God responds to diligent, obedient faith
      A.  Joash had a need for God’s support in a difficult time (13:4, 7)
      B.  Elisha gave assurances of God’s deliverance through the king’s obedience
          1.  Though dying, Elisha instructs the king, giving commands
          2.  But the king is not diligent in doing the commands Elisha gives
      C.  God provided a response in proportion to the obedience of Joash (13:23, 25)
      D.  How much are we “striking the floor?”
          1.  God gives us commands we must do continually
              a.  (Heb. 11:6; Luke 9:23; 1 Thes. 5:16,17; Heb. 13:15)
          2.  We don’t do them … and then stop
          3.  We must keep striking the floor if we are to receive an abundance (Luke 6:38)
IV.   Conclusion
      A.  How much are you allowing God to work in your life?
          1.  That’s really the answer to the question: How much does God work in your life?
          2.  Are you allowing God to multiply the talents you have?
      B.  In order to fill up your life with His Spirit, you must come to God as an empty vessel.
      C.  Through obedience to His command, God gives victory!

Sermon from: July 20, 2008
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon outline available here.

A Day of Good News

Sermon Outline from July 20, 2008

Sermon audio available here.