How to Position your Life for Eternal Blessings by Pastor Sola Olowokere Apr 11, 2010. Watch photo album of the service
Sermon Synopsis
There are ways to position you for eternal blessings. The question is: do you recognize them for what they are worth?
I am a prophet as well as a father to you. You could take me only as a prophet, or you could take me as a prophet and a father. If you take me only as a prophet you get the prophet’s reward; because a prophet can’t give more than he has. But if you receive me as father you get inheritance. Blessings are kept in the hands of fathers. The relationship between Elijah and Elisha in 2 kings 2:1 –15 illuminates this:
And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel.
And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.
And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
This passage is instructive in many ways:
· Elisha was one of the sons of the prophet
· The other sons had a master-servant relationship with Elijah while Elisha had a father-son
· Elisha didn’t permit any distractions – not even from other sons- in his relationship with Elijah
· Elisha stuck with Elijah until the end of his work
· Only Elisha got double portion of Elijah’s spirit
There are ways to eternal blessings. The story of Elisha in 2 Kings 2:1-15 helps shed light on these ways: He received Elijah not just as prophet but as father; and avoided all distractions as he stuck with Elijah all the way. The reward was eternal blessings by inheriting double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
May God open our eyes and mind to doing what will grant us eternal blessings in Jesus name. Have a week full of elevation.
