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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. ELISHA’S TESTING
A. STAY AT GILGAL
II Kg 2:1-2a Now when YHWH was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for YHWH has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As YHWH lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
1. SIGNIFICANCE OF GILGAL (Gen 5:21-24; I Thes. 4:13-18; I Cor. 15:51-52; Rev 22:20)
2. STARTING PLACE (Jn 3:7; II Thes 3:11-13; Neh 4:17)
B. STAY AT BETHEL
II Kg 2:2b-4a So they went down to Bethel. And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today YHWH will take away your master from over you?” And he said, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.” Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for YHWH has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As YHWH lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
1. SIGNIFICANCE OF BETHEL (Gen 12:8; Gen 28:11-22)
2. STAYING PLACE (Jn 14:3)
C. STAY AT JERICHO
II Kg 2:4b-6a So they came to Jericho. The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today YHWH will take away your master from over you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.” Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for YHWH has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As YHWH lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
1. SIGNIFICANCE OF JERICHO (Josh 6)
2. STRUGGLING PLACE
D. STAY AT THE JORDAN
II Kg 2:6b-7 So the two of them went on. Fifty of the sons of the prophets followed them, keeping their distance as both men were standing by the Jordan.
1. SIGNIFICANCE OF JORDAN (Mt 24:36, 44)
2. STEPPING OFF PLACE (Rom 12:1-2)
II. ELIJAH’S TRIUMPH
A. STRIKING
II Kg 2:8 Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.
1. STANDING ON THE BANK
2. STRIDE BY FAITH
B. SEPARATION
II Kg 2:11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire came between the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
1. STILL TALKING
2. SWEPT UP
C. SEEN NO MORE
II Kg 2:12a And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw Elijah no more.
1. STRENGTH OF ISRAEL (Is 31:1; Ps 20:7; II Kg 13:14)
2. SET THE EXAMPLE (Mal 4:5-6; Mt 17:1-9; Rev 11:3-12)