Topic: ELISHA: THE MAN OF GOD III-HIS MINISTRY [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 27 May 2023
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CGMI SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
DATE: SUNDAY 28th MAY 2023
HYMN: S.S & S 642 “When We Walk With The Lord…”
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
Believers in Christ should live in the reality of the power of God today.
TOPIC:
ELISHA: THE MAN OF GOD III-HIS MINISTRY
TEXT:
2KING 5:1-16
INTRODUCTION:
Elisha, the prophet with double portion of Elijah’s anointing is further documented in scriptures manifesting the power of God. He concentrated his efforts on meeting the needs of the people around him. Elisha demonstrated God’s powerful and caring nature to all who came to him for help.
The Bible recorded 18 encounters between him and needy people. The miracle that occured during his ministry put people in touch with the all powerful God.
This lesson will help us appreciate and desire to walk in the reality of the power of God in our time
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are to:
- Identify the lessons we can derive from Elisha’s dealing with the king of Israel and Naaman
- Point out some lessons from Elisha’s person and life style
- Discuss some of the outstanding miracles God wrought through prophet Elisha and
- Identify some blessings that accrue to the church and society when the gifts of the Holy Spirit are expressed in the church
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1. READ 2KINGS 5:1-16. WHAT LESSON CAN WE DERIVE FROM ELISHA’S DEALING WITH
(a) THE KING OF ISRAEL: The life of the king was a sobering example of the devastation that accompanies sin, while the blessings that follow holiness stand in direct contrast, sound a clear call to God’s people to walk in his ways without compromise. Elisha helped the king diffuse his tension by telling him to send the leprous Naaman to him. Through our taking a stand for God, kings and rulers can be drawn closer to Him. So, take a stand for God in any position you are in right now.
(b) NAAMAN, THE CAPTAIN OF THE SYRIAN HOST.
NAAMAN came with his military regalia and show off wealth, thinking he could buy the gift of God with money/materials. Elisha did not see Naaman’s arrogance of being a mighty man of war. He simply sent a message to him and to go and wash in River Jordan seven times. The great hero who was used to getting respect and royal treatment became upset. The actions of Elisha taught Naaman humility and obedience.
Obedience to God begins with humility. The ways of men are far inferior to the ways of God, though they may seem too simple to be effective.
QUESTION 2. READ 2KINGS 6:1-7 AND COMMENT FURTHER ON THE PERSON OF ELISHA. ANY LESSON FOR US ? The sons of the prophets who were Elisha’s students desired to expand their place of abide. The incident of the floating axe head shows God’s care and provision for those who trust Him. This miracle also shows Elisha’s relationship with his students who were learning to be prophets. Although Elisha had the respects of kings, he never forgot to care for the faithful. We should not allowed the importance of our work drive out our concern for human needs. Worthy of note is Elisha’s exemplary lifestyle, as he went with his students to cut some beams to expand the house they were staying.
Like Elisha the prophet, we should lead people by example. As their mentor, they trusted and remained loyal to him.
QUESTION 3. DISCUSS SOME OTHER OUTSTANDING MIRACLES GOD WROUGHT THROUGH HIS SERVANT ELISHA
(A) DIVINE GUIDANCE TO THE KING 2KINGS 6:8-12. Through the Spirit of God, Elisha knew Syria’s battle plans and strategies, and kept Israel’s king informed several times. The king used the information to prevent disasters that would have happened to the Israel’s army. He guided the king to victory over the Syrian army.
(B) SPIRITUAL EYES OPENED 2KINGS 6:13-17. Benhadad, the Syrian king sent a great army to ,capture Prophet Elisha. Seeing the great host of army, his servant became afraid. Elisha then asked God to open the eyes of his servant. The answer came immediately and his spiritual eyes were opened and he saw that the mountains were full of horses and chariots of fire to protect Elisha the prophet. Elisha’s servant was no longer afraid when he saw God’s mighty heavenly army.
Faith reveals that God is doing more for His people than we can ever realize through sight alone. Always remember that spiritual resources are always there even if we can’t see them with our natural eyes.
(C). PHYSICAL EYES BLINDED AND OPENED AGAIN 2KINGS 6:18-22. The army of Syria came to Elisha to arrest him, but the prophet prayed to the Lord to strike the army with blindness which made them to be unable to discern where they were. They were then led to Samaria, the capital city of Israel by Elisha. Prophet Elisha again asked God in to open their eyes and they saw that they were now in Samaria. The two prayers he prayed in respect of the Syrian army were answered by God instantaneously.
(D). DIVINE GUIDANCE TO THE SHUNAMMITE WOMAN 2KINGS 8:1-3. This story shows Elisha’s long term concern for the woman and contrast his miraculous public ministry with his private ministry to this family. Elisha’s life demonstrated the kind of concern we should have for one another as brethren. His prophetic ministry made him to understand the plan of God to call for a 7 years famine in the land. By this divine guidance she received, the woman did not experience the seven years famine by moving to the land of Philistines.
(E). DIVINE IMPARTATION FOR DELIVERANCE 2KINGS 13:14-19. Prophet Elisha was highly regarded for his prophetic powers and miracles on Israel’s behalf. King Josh feared for Elisha’s death. When the king was told to strike the floor with the arrows, he did it just thrice. Consequently, Elisha told the king that his victory over Syria would not be complete. He failed to receive the divine impartation fully from the prophet. Receiving the full benefits of God’s plan for our lives required us to receive and obey God’s command fully.
(F). ELISHA’S BONES REVIVE A DEAD MAN. 2KINGS 13:20-21. Elisha’s dead and dried bones healed and raised a dead man accidentally dropped in his grave. This miracle served as one more reminder to Israel that it had rejected God’s word as given through the Prophet Elisha.
QUESTION 4. WHAT ARE THE RESULTANT BLESSINGS WHEN THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT ARE EXPRESSED IN THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY AT LARGE ? Rom 12:6; 1Cor 12:7-11; Acts 13:8-12; 21:10-11.
Our different gifts and abilities should make us love and relate more with one another and therefore should make us more united as one body in Christ
Each of the gift by the Holy Spirit is to be used for the benefits of all members of the body of Christ and the society in general. Some examples are;
I. Supernaturally disclosing the mind, purpose and will of God as applied to a specific situation (word of wisdom)
II. Supernatural revelation of information relating to a person or an event given for specific purpose and for immediate need (word of knowledge)
III. Ability to discern the spirit world to detect the true source of circumstances or motives of people (discerning of spirit), etc.
Through the Holy Spirit, we can act as God’s mediatorial agents of divine judgement against opposers of God and godliness (Acts 13:9-11). Apparently predictive prophecy about specific future event is open to those operating in the gift of the Spirit and the ministry of the Prophets (Acts 11:28). Also in 1Cor 14:1, we are encouraged to prophesy, for the general edification and encouragement of the church.
The acceptability of the operation of the gifts of the Spirit hinges on the credibility related on the person’s record as a trustworthy man/woman of God in the exercise of the gifts of the Spirit
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
The Lord Jesus Christ is still “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Heb 13:8). Let us focus on Christ and yield to the power of the Holy Spirit to do exploit and dominate our world.
Let us be useful to the body of Christ as we show concern for one another as brethren and walk in love. Learn to invite other people outside to the saving grace in Christ Jesus. Also, always share the hope of God’s healing power with others.
MEMORY VERSE
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
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