Elijah & Elisha:Patterns of Leadership

2 Kings 2

Background: 1 Kings 19

1 Kings 19:19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him.

The Story

2 Kings 2:1-6 Elijah’s Life: Full of Ministry ‘Sons of the Prophets’: Disciples Elisha: Great Personal Investment

Disciplelship:The Great Pattern of Ministry

Moses and Joshua David and his “Mighty Men” Jesus Christ and the 12 Paul’s “Missionary Band”

2 Tim. 2:2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Disciplelship:The Great Pattern of Ministry

Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

[20] teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Coleman’s M.P.O.E

Let us begin where we are, and train a few of the lowly to become ‘the great’. And let us remember, too, that one does not have to have the prestige of the world – or the prestige of the church – in order to be greatly used in the Kingdom of God.

Coleman’s M.P.O.E

Here is where we must begin: just like Jesus. It will be slow, tedious, painful and probably unnoticed by people at first…but the result in the end will be glorious, even if we don’t live to see it!

Coleman’s M.P.O.E

Seen in this way, it becomes a big decision in one’s life – one must decide where one’s life must count: in the momentary applause of popular recognition OR in the reproduction of his life in a few people who will carry on his work after he has gone.”

Xenos Today?

2 Kings 2:7-8

Now fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan.

[8] Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

2 Kings 2:14-15

He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over.

[15] Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha."

2 Kings 2:9

When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me."

Luke 22:25-27

And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.'

[26] “But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.

[27] “For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”

The Great Pattern of Ministry #2) Inadequacy

2 Cor. 2:16b And who is adequate for these things?

2 Cor. 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

End of Elijah’s Life on Earth

2 Kings 2:10-11 He said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.“

[11] As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.

Elijah: MOG

James 5:16-18 The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

[17] Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

[18] Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.