LISTEN
This sermon was preached by Tim Simmonds at the Fallowfield site of Christ Church Manchester on Sunday 11th September 2022.
BIBLE VERSES
This sermon was based on 2 Kings 13:14–23.
The Death of Elisha
14Now when Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash king of Israel went down to him and wept before him, crying, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 15And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. 16Then he said to the king of Israel, “Draw the bow,” and he drew it. And Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands. 17And he said, “Open the window eastward,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot,” and he shot. And he said, “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in Aphek until you have made an end of them.” 18And he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground with them.” And he struck three times and stopped. 19Then the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only three times.”
20So Elisha died, and they buried him. Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year. 21And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.
22 Now Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. 23But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and he turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, nor has he cast them from his presence until now.
KEY POINTS
A Call to Renewal
• Gods people returning to Him.
• Israel and Judah divided into two kingdoms.
• Judah had a few good kings, trying to restore people back to God, Israel had no good kings and led people away from God.
The Prophets Elijah & Elisha
• Calling people to worship God, healing the sick, feeding the poor.
• Giving prophetic words and calling people to repent, turn to God, live out their purpose.
• Last call to renewal.
How Does He Want His People Renewed?
• Joash, the next in a long line of bad kings.
• Joash ignore Elisha’s love for God.
• Two world views – Joash, faithless – selfish world view and Elisha, full of faith – seeing the work of God.
Renewed by Word and Presence
• Israel desperately needs a renewal of perspective and faith.
• Why does the body come back to life? Why is it revived?
• Jesus is the prophet – He’s also the King – He’s also God.
Renewed by the Compassion of God
• God still intervenes regardless of sin or their worship to other Gods.
• Renewal in Manchester.
• God being compassionate towards us.
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