And, yes, we have
come to the river today...
00:00:30.03\00:00:33.26
We are standing by the
river and, Lord, we need to take
00:00:33.46\00:00:36.59
His hand and cross over. That's
today's message in a nutshell.
00:00:36.69\00:00:40.04
Let's open with
a word of prayer.
00:00:40.07\00:00:41.85
Oh Lord, today
as we open Your Word
00:00:42.05\00:00:44.48
I pray that Your Holy
Spirit that has been present
00:00:44.68\00:00:47.38
every night this week
will be present again here
00:00:47.49\00:00:50.66
this morning on
this, Your Sabbath day.
00:00:50.77\00:00:52.94
Please, Lord, bring to us a
message which we need to hear
00:00:53.14\00:00:56.13
because we want to
hear Your word to us today.
00:00:56.33\00:00:58.88
In Jesus' name, Amen. Amen.
00:00:58.98\00:01:00.75
I was very privileged
towards the middle of last year
00:01:01.95\00:01:05.88
to go up and spend a
week with the church up there
00:01:06.08\00:01:09.28
in Cairns. Has
anyone been to Cairns?
00:01:09.48\00:01:12.53
Ah, it's just
beautiful up there, isn't it?
00:01:12.73\00:01:15.07
Everybody's been to Cairns.
I hadn't been till last year.
00:01:15.17\00:01:17.48
I mean, mangoes... they
grow on the street in Cairns.
00:01:17.68\00:01:20.71
The weather is warm and balmy
and there's beautiful scenery.
00:01:20.91\00:01:24.35
Ah, it was absolutely wonderful!
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And the Lord really blessed
the meetings up there in Cairns.
00:01:26.68\00:01:29.36
And after just one week I
fell in love with the people
00:01:29.56\00:01:32.74
of Cairns just as I have
fallen in love with the people
00:01:32.84\00:01:35.42
of Taree. And it seems
that by the end of that week
00:01:35.52\00:01:39.59
that I shared with
the people up there
00:01:39.79\00:01:41.84
the feeling was a mutual
one because I stood at the door
00:01:42.04\00:01:45.70
and, oh, the
people... they were so grateful
00:01:45.90\00:01:48.32
and appreciative. And I
just praise the Lord for it.
00:01:48.42\00:01:50.97
And not only that, they loaded
me down with a whole lot of
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food, tropical fruits,
and gifts and all this...
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all letters and
e-mail addresses,
00:01:58.11\00:02:00.66
and I was loaded
down by the time I left.
00:02:00.98\00:02:04.33
And there were so many
things that I received,
00:02:04.53\00:02:06.73
but there was one gift
that really stood out to me
00:02:06.93\00:02:10.11
while I was
standing at the door.
00:02:10.32\00:02:11.52
I was shaking people's
hands as they were filing out.
00:02:11.72\00:02:14.67
An elderly man came
forward and I stuck my hand out
00:02:14.87\00:02:18.65
to shake his. But instead
of placing his hand in mine
00:02:18.85\00:02:22.13
he put a book in my hand.
00:02:22.33\00:02:24.84
And I looked at him and
then I looked down at the book.
00:02:25.05\00:02:27.51
It wasn't a new
book; it was an old book.
00:02:27.71\00:02:30.70
The pages were worn and brown.
00:02:30.90\00:02:33.97
The cover was bent. He
had even taped the spine
00:02:34.17\00:02:37.85
of this particular
book. And I looked at the book
00:02:38.05\00:02:40.72
and I was a
little bit surprised.
00:02:40.82\00:02:42.21
And I looked back at him
and he saw my surprisement...
00:02:42.41\00:02:45.15
Is that a good
word? Surprisement?
00:02:45.35\00:02:48.04
Well today it's going to be
a word. He saw my surprisement!
00:02:49.61\00:02:53.01
And he looked at
me and he said to me:
00:02:53.32\00:02:55.55
"Charissa, I want
you to have this book.
00:02:55.75\00:02:58.33
Why? Because there's a message
in this book that I want you
00:02:58.54\00:03:01.85
to preach. " And so I
thought to myself: "OK. "
00:03:01.95\00:03:04.73
I thanked him for the
book and then he left.
00:03:04.93\00:03:06.89
That night when I
got back to my hotel room
00:03:07.09\00:03:09.94
I looked over
everything that I had received
00:03:10.14\00:03:12.59
and there was that book
sitting amongst them all.
00:03:12.79\00:03:15.15
And I thought to
myself: "You know,
00:03:15.35\00:03:16.89
I don't often read
everything that I'm given
00:03:17.09\00:03:19.18
because I just
don't have the time.
00:03:19.38\00:03:20.89
But because of what he had
said to me there at the door
00:03:20.92\00:03:23.68
I was very curious. And
so I decided I was going to
00:03:23.88\00:03:26.94
read that book. And friends,
the book that he pressed
00:03:27.04\00:03:29.69
into my hand was a book by
a man named Leslie Hardinge
00:03:29.79\00:03:34.30
who wrote it in
1968. It's published by
00:03:34.50\00:03:37.41
the Review and Herald
and the book was entitled
00:03:37.51\00:03:40.25
Elisha, the Man of God.
00:03:40.45\00:03:43.15
And so friends, this
morning I bring to you a message
00:03:43.35\00:03:46.14
borne from this book. And
so to go to our story today
00:03:46.34\00:03:50.06
I invite you to take
your Bibles and turn with me
00:03:50.27\00:03:53.41
to II Kings. II Kings
chapter 2 and verse 1.
00:03:53.61\00:03:59.12
This is where we will be
spending most of our time.
00:03:59.32\00:04:01.53
II Kings chapter 2 and verse 1.
00:04:01.83\00:04:06.07
And if you need a Bible
I'm sure a deacon can bring
00:04:06.37\00:04:10.06
you one. Just raise
your hand if you need one.
00:04:10.16\00:04:12.91
OK. II Kings chapter 2 verse 1.
00:04:13.14\00:04:16.29
And the Bible says:
"And it came to pass
00:04:16.59\00:04:19.26
when the Lord was
about to take up... " Who?
00:04:19.46\00:04:22.04
"Elijah into heaven by
a whirlwind that Elijah
00:04:22.35\00:04:27.27
went with... " Who?
"Elisha from Gilgal. "
00:04:27.47\00:04:32.14
Friends, one day the Bible
tells us that Elijah... he was
00:04:32.34\00:04:35.88
impressed by the Holy Spirit
that the time of his ascension
00:04:35.98\00:04:39.69
was near... God was going
to take him home real soon.
00:04:39.79\00:04:43.68
And friends, the
years of Elijah's ministry
00:04:43.82\00:04:46.36
here on this earth...
they had been most fruitful.
00:04:46.56\00:04:49.80
In fact, if we read the
Bible it would appear that
00:04:50.00\00:04:52.71
Elijah... he was the
greatest educator of the youth
00:04:52.91\00:04:57.21
since the days of
Samuel. So he was very valuable
00:04:57.41\00:05:00.60
to God's cause. And friends,
the schools of the prophets
00:05:00.80\00:05:04.42
which Samuel had
labored so hard to establish...
00:05:04.52\00:05:07.72
they had started to become
degenerate and they had started
00:05:07.92\00:05:12.36
to break down because of
neglect and they had been
00:05:12.46\00:05:16.18
wrecked by apostate kings.
00:05:16.29\00:05:18.03
But Elijah... when he
had come upon the scene
00:05:18.23\00:05:20.95
he saw the value in
training up the next generation.
00:05:21.15\00:05:24.61
He saw the value
in the youth. Why?
00:05:24.81\00:05:27.34
Because he believed that it
would be the next generation,
00:05:27.54\00:05:30.44
they were the ones
that would carry on the work
00:05:30.64\00:05:33.06
which he so faithfully
had carried out in his life.
00:05:33.26\00:05:36.63
They would be the ones
who would carry on God's truth
00:05:36.77\00:05:39.85
to the rest of the world. And so
00:05:40.05\00:05:42.42
before his ascension
the Bible tells us that
00:05:42.62\00:05:45.49
Elijah... he set out with Elisha
on a final tour of these schools
00:05:45.59\00:05:51.10
of the prophets. These
schools in which he had invested
00:05:51.30\00:05:55.06
his life in.
00:05:55.26\00:05:57.01
Now I think you would
agree with me that memories make
00:05:57.21\00:06:00.49
a huge difference in
our feelings about a place.
00:06:00.59\00:06:03.16
Yes? Yes.
00:06:03.36\00:06:05.11
I personally have wonderful
memories of the kitchen pantry
00:06:05.31\00:06:08.55
'cause whenever I go
there I have a wonderful time.
00:06:08.75\00:06:11.82
Actually in our home I
think everybody in my family
00:06:12.02\00:06:14.64
has the same feeling.
Because I will come downstairs
00:06:14.84\00:06:17.54
and I'll look in the kitchen
and there will be my sister
00:06:17.67\00:06:19.80
just standing there in
the pantry just looking
00:06:19.90\00:06:22.01
at the pantry. She has
a wonderful time there.
00:06:22.11\00:06:24.75
And friends, I
also enjoy a fireplace.
00:06:24.95\00:06:27.28
Why? Because I've had wonderful
memories by a fireplace.
00:06:27.48\00:06:30.94
And certainly, as Elijah
and Elisha begin their tour
00:06:31.14\00:06:35.19
of the schools of the
prophets the memories of Israel
00:06:35.39\00:06:38.90
past... they begin
to flood their minds.
00:06:39.10\00:06:42.50
And as Elijah and Elisha
comes to this first school
00:06:42.70\00:06:45.69
here in Gilgal,
the memories come back.
00:06:45.89\00:06:48.28
Here the reproach of
the years of servitude that
00:06:48.48\00:06:51.59
the Israelites spent in
Egypt... they remember that
00:06:51.69\00:06:55.00
and they remember how here
those years were rolled away.
00:06:55.20\00:06:59.94
All of that had been rolled
away right here at Gilgal.
00:07:00.14\00:07:03.74
Here at Gilgal the people
of God had chosen to put away
00:07:03.97\00:07:07.99
their rebellious spirit
that they had shown so often
00:07:08.20\00:07:11.72
during their wanderings in
the wilderness for 40 years.
00:07:11.92\00:07:14.78
It was here at Gilgal
that the children of Israel...
00:07:14.98\00:07:18.52
they had entered into a new
relationship with their Lord.
00:07:18.72\00:07:22.71
And it was here at Gilgal
that the children of Israel
00:07:22.91\00:07:26.73
had been so enthusiastic
to go forward and take the
00:07:26.83\00:07:30.61
Promised Land the second time.
00:07:30.72\00:07:32.54
Appropriately the
name Gilgal means rolling.
00:07:32.74\00:07:36.25
It means rolling away.
00:07:36.35\00:07:37.61
Friends, Israel remembered
Gilgal as a place of victory
00:07:37.81\00:07:42.16
and
consecration. Here was a place
00:07:42.36\00:07:44.77
commemorating Israel's
national consecration to God.
00:07:44.97\00:07:49.36
So the two prophets arrive here.
00:07:49.56\00:07:51.83
And the Bible tells us
that Elijah... he approaches the
00:07:52.03\00:07:54.56
school and when he gets there
he preaches his last sermon
00:07:54.66\00:07:58.00
to the students at Gilgal.
00:07:58.20\00:07:59.64
And wouldn't you just
have loved to have heard
00:07:59.84\00:08:01.71
what he had to say?
00:08:01.81\00:08:03.32
I would certainly have
loved to have heard him.
00:08:03.52\00:08:06.23
But friends, when he finishes
his sermon the Bible tells us
00:08:06.43\00:08:10.53
in the next verse that he
did something very strange.
00:08:10.66\00:08:13.84
Notice what happens in verse 2:
00:08:14.04\00:08:15.86
"Then Elijah said to Elisha... "
00:08:16.06\00:08:18.98
Starts with S... ends in tay.
00:08:20.33\00:08:22.91
Stay... that's right!
00:08:23.11\00:08:24.74
"Stay here please for the
Lord has sent me on to Bethel. "
00:08:24.94\00:08:29.15
Friends, Elisha was kind of
surprised when Elijah said this
00:08:29.35\00:08:32.81
to him. He had given up
every- thing to serve Elijah.
00:08:32.91\00:08:37.02
He had left behind his family,
his father, and he had gone
00:08:37.22\00:08:41.79
to serve Elijah.
And so he responds with
00:08:41.99\00:08:44.71
feeling. He says: "I
will not leave thee. "
00:08:44.81\00:08:48.60
And friends, I don't
know about you, but Elijah...
00:08:48.80\00:08:52.17
Elisha, sorry - is the
kind of man I would love to have
00:08:52.27\00:08:55.40
as a friend. You know why?
00:08:55.50\00:08:57.27
He was loyal. He was committed.
00:08:57.47\00:09:00.71
He was faithful.
00:09:00.91\00:09:02.93
It didn't matter where God took
Elijah, Elisha was determined
00:09:03.13\00:09:07.19
to be there. He
had chosen to go...
00:09:07.40\00:09:09.66
He had not chosen to go along
with Elijah as long as it felt
00:09:09.76\00:09:14.33
good. He hadn't chosen
to go along with Elijah
00:09:14.44\00:09:18.05
so long as it
didn't cost him anything.
00:09:18.25\00:09:20.08
He had chosen to
follow Elijah no matter what.
00:09:20.28\00:09:23.40
And friends, today's
Christianity can learn a lot
00:09:23.60\00:09:26.69
from Elisha's actions right here
00:09:26.89\00:09:29.00
because we seem to
lack commitment today.
00:09:29.20\00:09:32.54
We look for
religion of convenience.
00:09:32.74\00:09:35.63
But friends, Elisha here
tells us that we must not look
00:09:35.84\00:09:38.83
for a religion of convenience.
00:09:38.93\00:09:40.87
Sometimes we want
roads to travel on
00:09:41.08\00:09:43.54
but God doesn't always
give you a road to travel on.
00:09:43.74\00:09:46.20
Sometimes you and I have
to just step forward in faith.
00:09:46.40\00:09:49.95
It's a bit like the
story of David Livingstone
00:09:50.08\00:09:53.05
in South Africa. He was
there doing his missionary work
00:09:53.15\00:09:57.30
there and he received a letter
from somebody there in Africa
00:09:57.50\00:10:01.46
who wanted to send
people to come and join him.
00:10:01.66\00:10:04.56
And this is what they said
in their letter. They said...
00:10:04.76\00:10:06.94
to David Livingstone they said:
"Have you found a good road
00:10:07.14\00:10:11.18
to where you are? If so,
we want to send other men
00:10:11.21\00:10:14.70
to join you. " Livingstone
was not very impressed with this
00:10:14.80\00:10:18.24
and so he wrote back. He said:
00:10:18.34\00:10:19.83
"If you have men who will come
only when there is a good road"
00:10:20.03\00:10:24.62
he said "I don't want them. "
00:10:24.82\00:10:26.64
He was fully committed to his
task. Elisha was fully committed
00:10:27.50\00:10:31.33
to Elijah. And friends
today, are we fully committed
00:10:31.43\00:10:34.90
to Jesus Christ?
00:10:35.10\00:10:36.51
Seeing the firm determination
in the young prophet
00:10:36.81\00:10:40.36
I am sure Elijah's
face... he must have lighted up
00:10:40.46\00:10:43.88
with a great big smile.
00:10:43.99\00:10:45.53
He was touched by
Elisha's determination. And so
00:10:45.73\00:10:48.74
the Bible tells us
that they went on to Bethel.
00:10:48.94\00:10:51.25
And let's continue
reading in verse 2.
00:10:51.35\00:10:53.69
"Elisha said: 'As the Lord
lives and as your soul lives
00:10:53.89\00:10:57.34
I will not leave you. ' So
they went down to... " Where?
00:10:57.54\00:11:00.87
"Bethel. " Why was Bethel
so exciting for the children
00:11:01.83\00:11:05.79
of Israel? Well friends, after
a remorseful and terrified night
00:11:05.89\00:11:10.22
in flight it was here that
Jacob spent his first night away
00:11:10.42\00:11:15.34
from home. It was here he
found a pillow and he used...
00:11:15.44\00:11:19.01
a stone and he
used it as a pillow.
00:11:19.31\00:11:21.36
And that night as
he slept he dreamed of
00:11:21.66\00:11:24.21
a ladder that went
from earth to heaven.
00:11:24.31\00:11:26.88
And he saw angels ascending
and descending on that ladder.
00:11:27.08\00:11:30.17
And at the top of that
ladder he saw God Himself
00:11:30.37\00:11:34.28
standing there in vision.
00:11:34.48\00:11:36.56
This deeply
impressed Jacob there. And so
00:11:36.76\00:11:40.25
he was no longer a youth at the
time. He was 70 years of age.
00:11:40.46\00:11:44.62
But it was here that for
the first time he realized fully
00:11:44.82\00:11:49.00
that he had not lived
as he ought to have lived.
00:11:49.14\00:11:52.78
It was here under the
guidance of God that Jacob...
00:11:52.98\00:11:56.09
he resolved to enter into
a new fellowship with God.
00:11:56.19\00:12:00.06
And it was at Bethel that
he decided to make the wrong
00:12:00.26\00:12:03.72
in his heart
right with God. Amen?
00:12:03.82\00:12:05.97
And so because of the experience
that Jacob had here at Bethel
00:12:06.17\00:12:10.61
he called the place
Bethel because it means
00:12:10.81\00:12:14.05
the house of God.
00:12:14.25\00:12:16.10
And Israel... when they looked
back on the story of Jacob
00:12:16.30\00:12:19.53
they remembered
Bethel as the place of his
00:12:19.73\00:12:22.72
personal consecration.
00:12:22.82\00:12:25.00
But notice verses 3 and
4 of II Kings chapter 2.
00:12:25.20\00:12:28.51
It says: "Now the sons of
the prophets who were at Bethel
00:12:28.71\00:12:32.41
came out to
Elisha and said to him:
00:12:32.61\00:12:34.61
'Do you know that the
Lord will take away your master
00:12:34.81\00:12:37.94
from over you today? '
And he said: 'Yes, I know.
00:12:38.14\00:12:41.09
Keep silent. ' " Poor
Elisha. He was not happy
00:12:41.19\00:12:44.13
to know that Elijah
was going. Notice verse 4:
00:12:44.23\00:12:46.97
"Then Elijah said to
him: 'Elisha, stay here please
00:12:47.17\00:12:50.68
for the Lord has sent
me on to... ' " Where?
00:12:50.88\00:12:53.75
" ' to Jericho. ' But
he said: 'As the Lord lives
00:12:53.95\00:12:57.77
and as your soul lives
I will not leave you. '
00:12:57.88\00:13:01.77
So they came to Jericho. "
00:13:01.97\00:13:03.97
Friends, after Elijah
had preached his last sermon
00:13:04.17\00:13:07.40
to the students at Bethel
00:13:07.60\00:13:09.44
again he comes to his
young companion the second time
00:13:09.64\00:13:13.21
and he invites him to stay.
00:13:13.41\00:13:15.52
But friends, Elisha was
determined to stay with Elijah,
00:13:15.72\00:13:19.28
and so on they went to Jericho.
00:13:19.31\00:13:21.83
And as they
walked along the hillside
00:13:22.03\00:13:24.66
soon the great city of
Jericho... it came into view.
00:13:24.86\00:13:28.90
Friends, Jericho marked
the beginning of Israel's
00:13:29.10\00:13:32.64
conquest of Canaan.
00:13:32.74\00:13:34.48
It was here that God had brought
the walls a'tumbling down.
00:13:34.68\00:13:38.24
It was here that God had
shown Himself ready and able
00:13:38.44\00:13:42.24
to remove every obstacle
that came before His people.
00:13:42.44\00:13:46.40
Amen? Can God do
the same for us today?
00:13:46.60\00:13:49.13
He can remove the
obstacles for us today.
00:13:49.43\00:13:52.56
It was here at Jericho
that Rahab - that prostitute,
00:13:52.76\00:13:56.60
that red light
madam from Jericho...
00:13:56.70\00:13:58.98
she had seen the light
and she had come to God
00:13:59.08\00:14:02.19
and she had saved her family.
00:14:02.39\00:14:04.40
It was also here at Jericho
00:14:04.61\00:14:06.93
that Achan's sin with its dire
results... they had been exposed
00:14:07.13\00:14:11.55
and he was punished.
00:14:11.75\00:14:13.08
And so perhaps as
Israel looked back
00:14:13.29\00:14:15.40
on this particular
place - on Jericho -
00:14:15.60\00:14:18.44
they remembered two things.
00:14:18.64\00:14:20.08
They remembered it as a sight
of victory - Rahab's victory...
00:14:20.28\00:14:24.14
her faith and victory -
00:14:24.34\00:14:25.64
and it was also a reminder
of the need for God's people
00:14:25.84\00:14:29.15
to obey Him implicitly as
they saw in the story of Achan.
00:14:29.35\00:14:33.80
Notice verses 5 and 6.
00:14:34.00\00:14:36.53
It says: "Now the sons of
the prophets who were at Jericho
00:14:37.03\00:14:40.73
came to Elisha and said to him:
00:14:40.93\00:14:43.17
'Do you know that the
Lord will take away your master
00:14:43.37\00:14:46.61
from over you today? '
So he answered and said:
00:14:46.71\00:14:49.39
'Yes, I know... keep silent. ' "
00:14:49.59\00:14:50.95
Everywhere he goes
he hears the same story.
00:14:51.05\00:14:53.46
Verse 6: "Then Elijah
said to him: 'Stay here please,
00:14:53.66\00:14:57.51
for the Lord has sent
me on to... ' " Where?
00:14:57.71\00:15:00.23
" 'on to the Jordan. " But
he said: 'As the Lord lives
00:15:00.43\00:15:04.62
and as your soul lives
I will not leave you. '
00:15:04.83\00:15:07.81
So the two of them went on. "
00:15:08.01\00:15:10.35
For the third time Elijah asked
Elisha to just stay behind...
00:15:10.55\00:15:15.73
but three times he refuses.
00:15:15.93\00:15:18.21
And friends, his actions
here... they mimic what Ruth did
00:15:18.41\00:15:21.82
to Naomi. She said:
"I will never leave you.
00:15:22.03\00:15:24.28
Your God is my God;
your people are my people.
00:15:24.48\00:15:26.65
I will go with
you wherever you go. "
00:15:26.85\00:15:29.09
His actions here mimic Jacob
00:15:29.39\00:15:32.16
who wrestled with the angel
all night and then discovered
00:15:32.36\00:15:35.49
he had been
wrestling with Jesus.
00:15:35.59\00:15:37.31
And he clings to Him and he
says: "I will not let You go
00:15:37.51\00:15:40.72
until You bless me. "
00:15:40.82\00:15:42.20
And so it is today. You
and I... we need to hold on
00:15:42.40\00:15:45.73
to God... hold on to our faith.
00:15:45.94\00:15:48.34
But there is another
lesson which we can learn
00:15:48.54\00:15:51.31
from what I have just
shared with you thus far.
00:15:51.51\00:15:53.56
And if you've been listening,
00:15:53.76\00:15:54.83
this will really, really
excite you. Because listen:
00:15:54.93\00:15:57.38
it is not enough for
you and I to tarry at Gilgal
00:15:57.58\00:16:01.56
with its memory and
message of conversion.
00:16:01.76\00:16:04.84
It's not enough
just to be converted.
00:16:05.04\00:16:06.94
It is not enough even
for us to pause at Bethel...
00:16:07.25\00:16:10.99
even though it is
called the house of God
00:16:11.19\00:16:13.71
and marks and important
stage in our dedication.
00:16:13.91\00:16:16.90
It is not even enough
for you and I to be satisfied
00:16:17.10\00:16:20.54
with past victories like
the Israelites remembered
00:16:20.74\00:16:23.55
happened for them at Jericho.
00:16:23.75\00:16:25.74
Friends, the message that
God is giving to you and I
00:16:25.94\00:16:29.02
through what we
have just read thus far
00:16:29.22\00:16:31.19
is that in our Christian life
we must always move forward.
00:16:31.39\00:16:36.38
We cannot just come to
church and say: "There,
00:16:36.58\00:16:38.47
I am a good person
and I am saved. " No!
00:16:38.68\00:16:41.16
You must keep
moving forward in faith
00:16:41.36\00:16:43.84
because to stand
still is to fall back.
00:16:44.04\00:16:47.49
We must always move
forward. We cannot live
00:16:47.69\00:16:50.60
in the victories of yesterday.
00:16:50.70\00:16:52.93
Verse 7:
00:16:54.12\00:16:55.64
Says: "And 50
sons of the prophets...
00:16:55.94\00:17:00.63
they went and stood
facing them at a distance
00:17:00.84\00:17:04.14
while the two of them
stood by the Jordan. "
00:17:04.17\00:17:08.06
At last, friends, they
came to the Jordan River.
00:17:08.26\00:17:11.01
There is a picture
of the Jordan today.
00:17:11.21\00:17:13.76
They came to the
Jordan River, and when they do
00:17:13.96\00:17:17.13
the Bible describes what it
looks like to be uncommitted.
00:17:17.33\00:17:21.69
Because there are always
those who want to observe
00:17:21.89\00:17:25.89
the movement of God
and the activity of God
00:17:26.09\00:17:28.60
and the gospel of God
00:17:28.70\00:17:30.15
but they never
actually want to get involved...
00:17:30.25\00:17:32.97
just like the 50
sons of the prophets.
00:17:33.17\00:17:36.15
Oh yes, the truth is
interesting to these people.
00:17:36.55\00:17:40.31
They think Jesus is lovely.
00:17:40.51\00:17:42.84
They think He is nice.
00:17:43.04\00:17:44.60
They're impressed by
the message of scripture.
00:17:44.80\00:17:47.10
They're impressed by
the three angels' messages
00:17:47.30\00:17:50.32
of Revelation chapter 14.
00:17:50.52\00:17:52.63
But quite
frankly, that is about it.
00:17:52.84\00:17:55.27
Because listen, friends, it
might come as a surprise to you
00:17:55.48\00:17:58.89
today, but truth
is very dangerous.
00:17:58.99\00:18:03.79
The gospel is
very, very dangerous.
00:18:03.99\00:18:08.55
And you say: "Oh, but isn't
that meant to be good news? "
00:18:08.75\00:18:11.56
Yes it is, but friend
there is a very, very serious
00:18:11.66\00:18:14.97
danger associated with the
message... and that is this:
00:18:15.08\00:18:18.16
the danger is that you
and I as we hear the gospel,
00:18:18.36\00:18:22.38
we read the gospel, the
danger is that you and I
00:18:22.58\00:18:25.37
will be impressed by the
gospel but only be impressed.
00:18:25.47\00:18:30.39
As Eugene Peterson put
it... he put it this way.
00:18:31.61\00:18:34.45
He said: "As the spectacular
dimensions of this story" -
00:18:34.65\00:18:39.05
he's referring to
the gospel story -
00:18:39.25\00:18:40.68
"slowly or suddenly dawn upon us
00:18:40.88\00:18:43.99
we could easily become
enthusiastic spectators
00:18:44.19\00:18:48.35
and then let it go at that!
00:18:48.55\00:18:50.06
Become admirers of
Jesus, generous with our ooh's
00:18:50.27\00:18:53.77
and aah's, and in our
better moments inspired
00:18:53.87\00:18:56.73
to imitate Him. "
00:18:56.83\00:18:58.54
He makes a
powerful point, doesn't he?
00:18:58.75\00:19:00.80
'Cause he's absolutely right.
00:19:01.00\00:19:02.53
Friends, like the sons of the
prophets there are some people
00:19:02.64\00:19:05.54
who prefer to watch
the action from a distance.
00:19:05.64\00:19:08.73
Oh yes, the sons of
the prophets... they knew
00:19:08.94\00:19:11.63
that something
was going to happen
00:19:11.83\00:19:13.76
but they chose not
to be a part of it.
00:19:13.96\00:19:16.80
Now the Bible
doesn't write like a novel
00:19:17.00\00:19:20.89
but sometimes I really wish
it did... because in a novel,
00:19:21.09\00:19:25.13
you know, the author...
they can describe the person's
00:19:25.33\00:19:27.84
hair color and their eyes
and their facial expression
00:19:28.04\00:19:30.59
and what they did with their
hands and how they were feeling
00:19:30.69\00:19:33.50
and what they were thinking.
00:19:33.70\00:19:34.79
But the Bible often can
read like a history book.
00:19:34.99\00:19:37.98
And so today at this moment
I'm going to take a little bit
00:19:38.19\00:19:41.18
of creative liberty
and use my imagination.
00:19:41.28\00:19:43.93
Because listen: God has
been leading these two men
00:19:44.13\00:19:47.89
all along, has He not?
00:19:48.10\00:19:49.39
He led them from
Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho
00:19:49.59\00:19:52.59
and now He has brought
them to the Jordan River.
00:19:52.69\00:19:55.59
And I imagine in my mind's
eye that Elijah and Elisha...
00:19:55.80\00:19:58.83
they come to the edge of
the Jordan and as they get there
00:19:59.04\00:20:02.70
they look across. And
Elisha sees a very big problem
00:20:02.90\00:20:07.71
because there's
no bridge across.
00:20:07.91\00:20:11.39
And he looks down
the river. Nothing there.
00:20:11.59\00:20:14.16
He looks up the river.
There is still no bridge across.
00:20:14.26\00:20:18.26
And so he looks at Elijah -
00:20:18.46\00:20:19.85
his mentor, the man he
has looked up to for so long -
00:20:20.05\00:20:23.50
he looks up to Elijah
and he's thinking to himself
00:20:23.60\00:20:26.20
"Well what are we
going to do now? "
00:20:26.40\00:20:27.93
Now friends,
what does Elijah do?
00:20:28.13\00:20:30.72
Did he take out his mobile phone
and call to see when the next...
00:20:30.92\00:20:35.33
when the next barge was due?
00:20:35.43\00:20:37.42
Hmmm? No.
00:20:38.39\00:20:40.52
Or did he ring? Take
his mobile phone and ring
00:20:40.72\00:20:43.30
to hire a jet ski so they could
cross over the Jordan River?
00:20:43.40\00:20:46.54
No, because they
didn't have phones back then.
00:20:47.54\00:20:49.49
So of course he
wouldn't have rung.
00:20:49.69\00:20:52.12
Did Elijah bend down and
start rolling up his trousers
00:20:52.32\00:20:55.49
and rolling up his sleeves
and turn to Elisha and say
00:20:55.59\00:20:57.75
"OK, come on
Elisha... let's swim across. "
00:20:57.95\00:20:59.98
Is that what he did?
00:21:00.18\00:21:01.28
No... notice what he did.
00:21:02.33\00:21:04.46
Verse 8: "Now
Elijah took his mantle.
00:21:04.66\00:21:08.73
He rolled it up
and he struck the water
00:21:08.94\00:21:12.77
and it was
divided this way and that
00:21:12.98\00:21:15.48
so that the two of them crossed
over... " On muddy ground?
00:21:15.68\00:21:19.93
"on dry ground. " Oh
friend, there is a lesson here
00:21:20.23\00:21:24.29
for you and I today
if there ever was one.
00:21:24.39\00:21:26.84
Because how many times does
God bring us to the edge of the
00:21:27.14\00:21:31.50
Jordan River. He brings us
to Jordan Rivers all the time,
00:21:31.60\00:21:35.06
by the way! They come to us
in the form of tests and trials.
00:21:35.26\00:21:39.47
God brings us to the edge
of the Jordan. Or challenges...
00:21:39.67\00:21:42.53
And we look across and
we see no bridge across
00:21:42.74\00:21:46.44
and we think to ourselves:
"We have to swim across. "
00:21:46.64\00:21:49.69
How many times do we
do that in our experience?
00:21:49.89\00:21:53.12
How many times when we
look across the Jordan River
00:21:53.32\00:21:56.04
we see no bridge across
and so we pull out our phones
00:21:56.14\00:21:59.27
of complacency and think
well, we'll ring to catch
00:21:59.37\00:22:01.82
the next barge across.
00:22:01.92\00:22:04.33
But friends, God
didn't need a bridge back then
00:22:04.54\00:22:07.41
and He doesn't
need a bridge today.
00:22:07.71\00:22:10.60
When there is no way
across the Jordan River
00:22:10.90\00:22:14.25
God can make a way.
00:22:14.45\00:22:15.94
And you say: "Well
Charissa, that's wonderful!
00:22:16.14\00:22:18.34
You are giving us a passionate
rendition of crossing a river
00:22:18.54\00:22:22.29
that lies in the Middle East.
It has nothing to do with us
00:22:22.49\00:22:25.14
here... we are by
the Manning River. "
00:22:25.24\00:22:27.49
Yes, I know that.
00:22:27.69\00:22:29.11
But friend, I am not
talking about crossing a literal
00:22:29.31\00:22:33.14
geographic river. I am talking
about obstacles that you and I
00:22:33.34\00:22:37.49
encounter. That river was
an obstacle, and you and I...
00:22:37.59\00:22:41.77
we could say that
river represents anything
00:22:41.97\00:22:44.59
that keeps us from Jesus Christ.
00:22:44.79\00:22:47.35
That comes between us and Jesus.
00:22:47.55\00:22:49.66
Perhaps it's some addiction
00:22:49.87\00:22:52.16
or some other secret sin.
00:22:52.36\00:22:55.03
We come up to the Jordan...
We just can't see a way
00:22:55.23\00:22:59.28
out of it. We
can't see deliverance.
00:22:59.38\00:23:01.38
But friends, remember the
story of Elijah and Elisha.
00:23:01.59\00:23:06.15
Because when they saw no
way across they saw an obstacle.
00:23:06.35\00:23:10.09
Elijah saw an opportunity
for God to work a miracle
00:23:10.29\00:23:14.64
and so he moved
forward and God made a way.
00:23:14.84\00:23:17.96
Friends, sometimes I
think we don't ask God
00:23:18.26\00:23:21.94
to make a way for us
because sometimes we're just not
00:23:22.14\00:23:24.73
in tune with His frequency.
00:23:24.83\00:23:26.63
Wouldn't you say that
is sometimes the case?
00:23:26.73\00:23:28.51
I know 3ABN... the
cameras are here today.
00:23:28.71\00:23:31.70
But not so long ago
3ABN... they changed satellites.
00:23:31.90\00:23:35.47
Do you remember that? Yes.
00:23:35.67\00:23:37.11
And we all had to change
our frequency on our receivers.
00:23:37.31\00:23:40.78
And we have a lovely neighbor
who used to live down the road
00:23:40.81\00:23:44.15
from us, and she couldn't
get 3ABN because of the change
00:23:44.25\00:23:49.05
of the satellite. And
we talked to her one day
00:23:49.15\00:23:51.36
and she told us - she was in
her 80's... she is in her 80's -
00:23:51.46\00:23:54.25
she said to us she had
been praying and praying
00:23:54.48\00:23:57.11
that God would bring
3ABN back on. And she thought
00:23:57.31\00:24:00.12
that the devil was stopping
3ABN when 3ABN was on the air.
00:24:00.33\00:24:03.85
She just needed to
change frequencies.
00:24:04.05\00:24:06.16
And by the way, she
was praying and praying.
00:24:06.36\00:24:08.25
She is a real lady of
prayer because she was praying
00:24:08.45\00:24:11.79
and praying for my dad,
too, until he was rebaptized.
00:24:11.89\00:24:15.12
Then after he was
rebaptized she crossed him off
00:24:15.32\00:24:17.17
her prayer list. So...
didn't need prayer any more.
00:24:17.27\00:24:20.28
But friends, she's a
lovely lady of prayer.
00:24:20.48\00:24:22.26
And friends, in the same
way that she just need to adjust
00:24:22.36\00:24:25.50
her frequency so she
could receive the signal
00:24:25.70\00:24:28.23
that's what you and
I need to do as well.
00:24:28.44\00:24:30.41
You and I need to
get in touch with God.
00:24:30.61\00:24:33.03
Walk with Him;
be in step with Him
00:24:33.23\00:24:35.62
so that we can catch His signal
and His frequency in our lives.
00:24:35.83\00:24:40.32
And while you are in II
Kings... leave your finger there
00:24:40.52\00:24:43.21
and come over just quickly
to I Corinthians chapter 10
00:24:43.41\00:24:47.98
and verse 13.
00:24:48.19\00:24:49.70
The Bible has a
wonderful promise for us here.
00:24:50.11\00:24:53.16
I Corinthians
chapter 10 verse 13.
00:24:53.36\00:24:57.45
It says... when you're
there. I Corinthians 10:13.
00:24:58.40\00:25:04.29
"No temptation has overtaken
you except such as is common
00:25:05.52\00:25:10.51
to man. But God is faithful
who will not allow you to be
00:25:10.61\00:25:14.98
tempted beyond what
you are able, but will
00:25:15.08\00:25:17.90
with the temptation
also make a way of escape
00:25:18.00\00:25:21.58
that you may be
able to bear it. "
00:25:21.78\00:25:24.02
Isn't that a wonderful promise?
00:25:24.12\00:25:25.38
God will never allow you to be
tested above what you are able.
00:25:25.58\00:25:29.56
If He brings you
to the Jordan River,
00:25:29.76\00:25:31.73
if He brings you
to a Jordan River,
00:25:31.93\00:25:33.93
He will make a way for you
00:25:34.13\00:25:36.02
because He brought you
there in the first place.
00:25:36.22\00:25:38.19
And friends, the waters opened
to the blow of Elijah's mantle.
00:25:38.29\00:25:43.30
And all the while the
sons of the prophets -
00:25:43.50\00:25:46.27
all 50 of them - they stood
back and they watched it happen.
00:25:46.37\00:25:50.14
What an experience to see
the Jordan River part like this.
00:25:50.34\00:25:55.57
I mean, that would be like me
walking up to the Sydney Harbor,
00:25:55.77\00:25:59.39
taking my jumper off and then
rolling it up and then swiping
00:25:59.60\00:26:02.75
Sydney Harbor and
phew... the waves just part.
00:26:02.85\00:26:06.18
The water just parts.
It's the stuff of Hollywood.
00:26:06.38\00:26:09.37
It's amazing. And as they
walk through on dry ground
00:26:09.57\00:26:12.63
the Bible tells us that
they get to the other side
00:26:12.83\00:26:15.47
and the moment their
feet touch the other shore
00:26:15.67\00:26:19.17
the water comes
crashing in in all of its fury.
00:26:19.37\00:26:23.39
And Elisha is dumbfounded.
00:26:23.59\00:26:26.84
Wow! That was amazing!
00:26:27.04\00:26:30.12
And at that moment
he looks up at Elijah
00:26:30.32\00:26:33.32
and a desire is born in
his heart. He wants to have
00:26:33.52\00:26:37.75
the same experience
with God that Elijah has.
00:26:37.78\00:26:42.61
He wants to have the
same connection with God
00:26:42.81\00:26:46.06
that Elijah has.
00:26:46.26\00:26:47.80
Do you want that
connection as well?
00:26:48.00\00:26:50.00
Would you like that connection
that Elijah had with God?
00:26:50.30\00:26:53.36
Notice verse 9:
00:26:53.56\00:26:55.47
"And so it was when
they had crossed over
00:26:55.67\00:26:58.14
that Elijah said to Elisha:
'Ask. What may I do for you
00:26:58.34\00:27:02.42
before I am
taken away from you? '
00:27:02.52\00:27:04.68
And Elisha said: 'Please, let
a double portion of your spirit
00:27:04.88\00:27:09.34
be upon me. ' "
00:27:09.44\00:27:11.49
Now when we first read
this it almost seems like Elisha
00:27:11.79\00:27:15.46
is asking Elijah to ask the Lord
to make him twice the prophet
00:27:15.56\00:27:19.51
that Elijah was. But
friends, the language here
00:27:19.72\00:27:22.80
that is used is a language
borrowed from the practices
00:27:23.00\00:27:25.91
of inheritance. Because the
firstborn of every family...
00:27:26.11\00:27:29.81
they received an extra share
of their father's property.
00:27:30.01\00:27:33.85
And so what he's essentially
saying is what I said to you
00:27:34.05\00:27:36.61
a moment ago.
He's saying to Elijah:
00:27:36.71\00:27:38.82
"I want to have the
same relationship with God
00:27:39.02\00:27:41.92
that you have. I want to
have the same connection.
00:27:42.12\00:27:45.24
I want to serve God
the way you serve Him.
00:27:45.34\00:27:49.10
I want to be able
to exercise God's power
00:27:49.30\00:27:52.20
in my life as well. "
00:27:52.31\00:27:54.32
And so Elijah... how
he must have thrilled
00:27:54.52\00:27:57.95
to hear that
request from his student.
00:27:58.15\00:28:01.23
But friends, let
me ask this question:
00:28:01.43\00:28:03.93
do people look at
you and when they see you
00:28:04.14\00:28:07.55
do they say: "I want to
know the God that you know? "
00:28:07.75\00:28:10.85
"I want to know
the Jesus that you know
00:28:11.16\00:28:14.20
because I want what you have. "
00:28:14.40\00:28:16.00
Do people look
at us and say that?
00:28:16.21\00:28:18.14
A little boy... he was
very sick and the surgeon
00:28:18.18\00:28:23.08
sat beside his bed.
00:28:23.18\00:28:24.65
And the parents were in the
room and they sat just opposite.
00:28:24.85\00:28:27.35
And the surgeon began to
speak and he said: "Look,
00:28:27.55\00:28:30.33
tomorrow I am going
to cut open your chest
00:28:30.53\00:28:34.06
and I'm going to
examine your heart. "
00:28:34.26\00:28:35.78
And the little boy
interrupted him and he said:
00:28:35.98\00:28:38.05
"And you'll find
Jesus there" he said.
00:28:38.26\00:28:41.44
And the surgeon was a little
bit frustrated and annoyed.
00:28:41.75\00:28:46.52
He hadn't expected
that. And so he continued.
00:28:46.72\00:28:48.52
And so he said: "Look,
I'll cut open your heart
00:28:48.72\00:28:50.96
and then I'll see how
much damage has been done. "
00:28:51.16\00:28:53.59
And the little
boy piped up again:
00:28:53.79\00:28:55.59
"And sir, you'll see
Jesus there... I know you will.
00:28:55.79\00:28:59.10
We sing about it at church.
00:28:59.40\00:29:01.22
We sing that Jesus
comes into our hearts.
00:29:01.42\00:29:03.64
You're going to
find Jesus in my heart. "
00:29:03.84\00:29:06.38
The surgeon was not very
impressed with these continued
00:29:06.68\00:29:11.00
interruptions and so he said:
00:29:11.20\00:29:12.88
"Look, when I get there
I'll see how much damage
00:29:12.91\00:29:15.72
has been done. Then
I'll sew up your heart
00:29:15.82\00:29:18.34
and I'll sew back up your chest
00:29:18.44\00:29:19.71
and then I'll
plan what to do next. "
00:29:19.91\00:29:21.97
"But you'll find
Jesus there, sir.
00:29:22.17\00:29:24.22
I know you will. The Bible
says He lives in my heart. "
00:29:24.42\00:29:29.32
Well the surgeon had had enough
00:29:29.62\00:29:32.11
and so he looked at the
young man and he said to him:
00:29:32.31\00:29:35.44
"Look, I'll tell you
what I'll find in your heart.
00:29:35.54\00:29:38.45
I'll find a damaged muscle.
00:29:38.65\00:29:41.09
I'll find low blood supply.
00:29:41.30\00:29:43.00
I'll find weakened vessels.
00:29:43.20\00:29:45.58
And then I'll see if
I can make you well. "
00:29:45.78\00:29:48.32
And the little
boy replied again:
00:29:48.52\00:29:50.62
"And you'll find
Jesus there as well. "
00:29:50.82\00:29:53.64
Well later the next day
the surgeon sat in his office
00:29:53.94\00:29:58.82
recording his
notes on his Dictaphone.
00:29:59.02\00:30:01.07
And this is what he
said. He said: "Damaged aorta.
00:30:01.27\00:30:04.22
Damaged pulmonary vein.
00:30:04.42\00:30:07.24
Widespread muscle degeneration.
00:30:07.44\00:30:09.73
No hope for
transplant; no hope for cure.
00:30:09.93\00:30:13.99
Therapy: pain
killers and bed rest.
00:30:14.19\00:30:17.57
Prognosis... "
and here he paused...
00:30:17.77\00:30:20.77
"death within one year. "
00:30:20.87\00:30:23.01
He stopped the recorder
but there was more to be said
00:30:24.03\00:30:27.62
to a higher power.
00:30:27.82\00:30:29.92
And for the first
time in a long time
00:30:30.12\00:30:32.48
the surgeon began to pray.
00:30:32.69\00:30:35.58
But he prayed a prayer
that many people often pray.
00:30:35.78\00:30:38.70
He turned to God
and he said "Why?
00:30:38.90\00:30:41.26
Why did You
allow this to happen?
00:30:41.46\00:30:45.19
Why are you allowing
this young man to die?
00:30:45.49\00:30:49.02
Why did You put him here?
00:30:49.22\00:30:50.29
Why are you putting
him through the pain
00:30:50.49\00:30:52.51
that he is going through?
00:30:52.71\00:30:53.72
You have cursed him to
an early death... Why? "
00:30:53.92\00:30:58.27
The surgeon's tears were
hot but his anger was hotter.
00:30:58.47\00:31:01.95
He said: "You made
him; You created him.
00:31:02.15\00:31:04.81
You can fix him and
look at what You're doing.
00:31:05.01\00:31:07.14
He is going to die. "
00:31:07.34\00:31:08.97
And with that he sat
in his office and sobbed.
00:31:09.17\00:31:12.37
And it was there in the
stillness of that moment
00:31:12.57\00:31:15.57
that he heard a
still small voice.
00:31:15.77\00:31:18.72
God answered him and
this is what He said.
00:31:18.92\00:31:22.25
He said: "I did not
put my lamb with your flock
00:31:22.35\00:31:25.37
to lose him but to
retrieve another lost lamb. "
00:31:25.57\00:31:29.49
The surgeon wept.
00:31:29.69\00:31:32.27
That afternoon the surgeon
sat beside that little boy's bed
00:31:32.47\00:31:37.57
yet again. The boy's
parents were in the room.
00:31:37.77\00:31:40.56
And as the little boy awoke
00:31:40.76\00:31:43.68
he asked the surgeon as
he blinked his groggy eyes
00:31:43.71\00:31:46.90
from surgery... He
opened his eyes and he said:
00:31:47.10\00:31:49.57
"Did you cut open my heart? "
00:31:49.77\00:31:51.76
"Yes, " he said, "I did. "
00:31:51.96\00:31:53.52
"And what did you
find? " said the little boy.
00:31:53.82\00:31:56.48
And the surgeon said:
"I found Jesus there. "
00:31:56.78\00:31:59.48
Friends, the most powerful
argument for Christianity
00:31:59.79\00:32:04.50
is a loving and
loveable Christian.
00:32:04.70\00:32:07.17
When people look at us I
pray that they can see Jesus
00:32:07.47\00:32:10.81
there as well.
Don't you say that?
00:32:10.91\00:32:12.57
Amen? Notice verses 10 and 11:
00:32:12.77\00:32:17.18
"And so he
said... " This is Elijah.
00:32:17.41\00:32:19.46
"he said 'you have
asked a hard thing.
00:32:19.56\00:32:22.70
Nevertheless, if you see
me when I am taken from you
00:32:22.90\00:32:26.88
it shall be so
for you. But if not,
00:32:27.08\00:32:30.06
it shall not be
so. ' Then it happened
00:32:30.26\00:32:33.19
as they continued on
and talked that suddenly
00:32:33.39\00:32:36.30
a chariot of fire
appeared with horses of fire
00:32:36.50\00:32:40.04
and separated the two
of them. And Elijah went up
00:32:40.24\00:32:43.84
by a whirlwind into heaven. "
00:32:44.04\00:32:46.24
Do you enjoy saying goodbye?
00:32:46.54\00:32:49.45
No. There are two
things that I dislike in life:
00:32:50.70\00:32:53.91
I dislike change and
I hate saying goodbye.
00:32:54.11\00:32:57.79
Friends, nobody
likes to say goodbye.
00:32:57.99\00:33:00.04
And that's why I love
heaven because when we get there
00:33:00.24\00:33:02.68
no more goodbyes. Amen? Amen.
00:33:02.88\00:33:04.64
We'll have to live with
each other for all eternity.
00:33:04.84\00:33:07.09
Hallelujah! And so
friends, Elijah's heart...
00:33:07.29\00:33:10.23
he was touched by
the request of Elisha.
00:33:10.43\00:33:12.77
But he could not give
Elisha what he had asked for.
00:33:12.97\00:33:16.23
That was for God to give
him. And as they were talking
00:33:16.43\00:33:19.84
suddenly the angel
couriers had arrived.
00:33:20.04\00:33:24.05
Across the Palestinian
sky darts a bright light.
00:33:24.25\00:33:28.35
And as it comes
down to where they are
00:33:28.45\00:33:31.12
it was a chariot of fire.
00:33:31.22\00:33:33.27
And friends, what a moment that
must have been for them both.
00:33:33.57\00:33:37.24
It had come time for Elijah...
God was taking him home.
00:33:37.45\00:33:41.79
And the Bible doesn't
say but I'd like to imagine
00:33:41.99\00:33:45.32
that at that moment
the two men embraced.
00:33:45.52\00:33:48.31
They shed a tear, a parting
prayer: "God be with you. "
00:33:48.51\00:33:52.18
And then Elijah... he
stepped into that fiery chariot
00:33:52.38\00:33:56.81
and he went up, the
Bible says, in a whirlwind
00:33:57.01\00:34:00.41
and God took him home.
00:34:00.61\00:34:02.63
And notice verse 12: "And
Elisha... " did he miss it?
00:34:02.83\00:34:06.58
No, he saw it.
00:34:06.78\00:34:08.54
"And he cried out
'my father, my father,
00:34:08.74\00:34:11.14
the chariot of
Israel and its horsemen. '
00:34:11.34\00:34:13.78
So he saw him no more and
he took hold of his own clothes
00:34:13.98\00:34:17.81
and tore them into two pieces. "
00:34:18.01\00:34:20.83
As Elisha watches Elijah go up
00:34:21.13\00:34:24.50
into heaven, suddenly
a pang of pain pierces
00:34:24.70\00:34:29.75
his heart and he feels
all alone in the world.
00:34:29.85\00:34:34.29
The prophet would be sorely
missed... not only by Elisha
00:34:34.49\00:34:38.16
but by all of Israel. You see,
Elijah was more valuable to them
00:34:38.36\00:34:43.32
than all of their
horsemen and chariots.
00:34:43.42\00:34:45.95
He had been like a
father to the young prophet.
00:34:46.15\00:34:49.23
And so suddenly Elisha felt
like he had been orphaned there
00:34:49.43\00:34:53.96
on the plain. Elisha's
mind was still on his master.
00:34:54.16\00:34:57.79
And suddenly his ears catch
the sound of something above him
00:34:57.99\00:35:01.80
and he looks up and he
sees the mantle of Elijah
00:35:02.00\00:35:05.83
winging its way
down. That shaggy mantle...
00:35:06.03\00:35:08.54
floating down on
the wings of the air
00:35:08.74\00:35:11.22
and it falls down at his feet.
00:35:11.42\00:35:13.47
The old prophet... he
wasn't going to need it
00:35:13.68\00:35:15.98
where he was going. And
friends, here was heaven's sign
00:35:16.08\00:35:19.64
that the responsibility, that
the blessing which Elisha had
00:35:19.84\00:35:23.42
requested... he had
received it from God.
00:35:23.52\00:35:26.58
Elijah's mantle had been
baptized in water: the Jordan
00:35:26.78\00:35:29.74
river and now it came down
to him baptized in fire as well.
00:35:29.84\00:35:34.66
And friends, as a token
of his commitment to God
00:35:34.86\00:35:37.97
the Bible describes what
Elisha did. What did he do?
00:35:38.17\00:35:40.90
The Bible says he
tears his own clothes.
00:35:41.10\00:35:44.73
Friends, he is done with his
past and he is ready to address
00:35:44.93\00:35:49.15
his future with God.
And notice what happens
00:35:49.25\00:35:51.85
in verse 13. "He also
took up the mantle of Elijah
00:35:52.05\00:35:57.00
that had fallen from
him. And he went back... "
00:35:57.20\00:35:59.78
And where did he stand?
00:35:59.98\00:36:01.23
"He stood by the
bank of the Jordan. "
00:36:01.43\00:36:04.59
Friends, he reaches the Jordan
River - and there it is again...
00:36:04.79\00:36:08.47
He reaches the Jordan
River and this time his face
00:36:08.67\00:36:11.88
is stained with
tears. As he looks across
00:36:11.98\00:36:14.68
because of his weeping he can't
quite make out the other side.
00:36:14.89\00:36:19.28
He looks up the river;
he looks down the river...
00:36:19.48\00:36:22.12
and still there
is no bridge across.
00:36:22.32\00:36:25.68
But now his mentor is gone.
00:36:25.88\00:36:28.25
How will he cross?
Well, it's just Elisha now.
00:36:28.45\00:36:31.99
He can do whatever he wants.
00:36:32.19\00:36:33.69
Would he adopt some new
method of doing God's work
00:36:33.89\00:36:37.57
and try something different?
Something that the old prophet
00:36:37.77\00:36:40.79
hadn't done? Perhaps
he could do a little dance
00:36:40.89\00:36:43.25
and say a new chant and
the river would open for him
00:36:43.45\00:36:46.25
as well. But friends, would he
adopt a new method and disregard
00:36:46.35\00:36:50.99
the method of the older worker?
00:36:51.09\00:36:53.04
No, because watch
what happened in verse 14.
00:36:53.24\00:36:55.42
"Then he took
the mantle of Elijah
00:36:55.62\00:36:58.23
that had fallen from
him and he struck the water
00:36:58.43\00:37:02.21
just as Elijah had done.
And he said: 'Where is the Lord
00:37:02.41\00:37:06.45
God of Elijah? ' And when
he also had struck the water
00:37:06.55\00:37:10.28
it was divided this way and
that and Elisha crossed over. "
00:37:10.49\00:37:15.64
Friends, taking
the mantle of Elijah
00:37:15.84\00:37:18.91
he does exactly
what Elijah had done.
00:37:19.11\00:37:21.83
And he calls upon the God
of Elijah. He says: "Where is
00:37:22.03\00:37:25.80
the God of Elijah? "
00:37:26.00\00:37:27.97
He calls upon the
God who answers by fire.
00:37:28.17\00:37:31.97
Who stops and starts the rain.
00:37:32.17\00:37:34.89
Who feeds His
servants by ravens.
00:37:35.09\00:37:37.90
Who multiplies
the meal and the oil.
00:37:38.10\00:37:40.33
Who raises the dead.
00:37:40.53\00:37:41.74
Who is powerful enough to
shake mountains and the earth.
00:37:41.94\00:37:46.03
Why does he call
upon the God of Elijah?
00:37:46.26\00:37:49.69
Because he knows and he believes
00:37:49.89\00:37:52.36
that anything less than the God
of Elijah would let him down.
00:37:52.56\00:37:57.01
He needed
Elijah's God. And friends,
00:37:57.98\00:38:00.94
God honored Elijah's
method and He honored Elisha
00:38:01.14\00:38:04.58
when he used it as well.
00:38:04.68\00:38:06.02
Now that is something I think
we should not just gloss over
00:38:06.12\00:38:09.39
today because we
live in a society today
00:38:09.49\00:38:11.99
where we have been
convinced that old is bad
00:38:12.09\00:38:15.02
and the new is always better.
00:38:15.22\00:38:17.25
And it's true. I mean,
you look at some houses
00:38:17.45\00:38:19.57
and they look so old that the
only reason why they're still
00:38:19.77\00:38:23.90
standing is because the
termites are holding hands.
00:38:24.00\00:38:26.30
But friends, society has
convinced us that old is bad.
00:38:26.60\00:38:31.51
But sometimes you know
what? When it comes to God
00:38:31.64\00:38:33.85
that doesn't apply.
Can you say "Amen? " Amen.
00:38:34.05\00:38:36.61
The old ways are the good
ways because God never changes.
00:38:36.71\00:38:40.84
He is the same
yesterday, today, and forever.
00:38:41.04\00:38:44.27
What's good enough back
then is good enough today
00:38:44.47\00:38:46.69
because we all worship
the same God. Amen? Amen.
00:38:46.89\00:38:50.48
Elijah's God is our God as well.
00:38:50.62\00:38:53.36
Sometimes I wake up in the
morning and I pray: "Dear Lord,
00:38:53.66\00:38:57.16
so far I've done pretty
well today. I haven't gossiped.
00:38:57.36\00:39:00.73
I haven't cheated.
I haven't been greedy.
00:39:00.93\00:39:02.87
I haven't been nasty.
I haven't been selfish.
00:39:02.97\00:39:05.04
But in a few moments
I'm going to get out of bed
00:39:05.24\00:39:07.71
and when I do things may
change. So I need Your help. "
00:39:07.92\00:39:11.46
And so friends, it was one thing
for Elisha to cross the river
00:39:11.49\00:39:16.16
when he was with
Elijah, wasn't it?
00:39:16.36\00:39:18.19
It was another thing
for him to cross on his own
00:39:18.40\00:39:21.51
and to make that decision to
step out in faith on his own.
00:39:21.71\00:39:25.56
But friends, when you
follow the God of Elijah
00:39:25.76\00:39:28.47
you don't need Elijah
because God is enough.
00:39:28.67\00:39:32.64
God is always enough.
00:39:32.84\00:39:34.47
I used to have a
little puppy dog.
00:39:34.68\00:39:37.03
I was telling you
about him during the week.
00:39:37.13\00:39:38.86
Texas was his name,
and he passed away in March
00:39:39.16\00:39:42.21
of last year. And he was just
00:39:42.31\00:39:44.41
the "bestest" friend that
I had had for eleven years.
00:39:44.51\00:39:47.97
I mean, when we came
home he would be at the gate
00:39:48.07\00:39:51.05
and he would wag his
tail and squeal with joy.
00:39:51.25\00:39:53.74
Now when I come home now my
family don't do that for me.
00:39:53.95\00:39:57.04
And so he really made me feel
special: my little puppy dog.
00:39:57.24\00:40:01.64
But I tell you what. He
was a miniature toy poodle.
00:40:01.84\00:40:03.87
He was about this big.
When I took him for a walk
00:40:04.07\00:40:07.23
there was something
that I'll never forget
00:40:07.43\00:40:09.16
and I'll always love about him.
00:40:09.26\00:40:10.88
Because I'd take Texas
for a walk and I'd have him on
00:40:11.08\00:40:14.06
the lead and as we
were walking down the street
00:40:14.16\00:40:16.46
we would see this big dog
in the distance, you know.
00:40:16.66\00:40:20.12
A German
shepherd... a Labrador...
00:40:20.32\00:40:22.75
some big dog in the distance.
00:40:22.95\00:40:24.46
And you should see my
dog's ears. They'd perk up.
00:40:24.66\00:40:27.03
The head would go up. He'd
start strutting like a king
00:40:27.24\00:40:30.95
down that street like the
greatest warrior the world
00:40:31.05\00:40:33.67
had ever seen. And I
was so proud, you know?
00:40:33.78\00:40:36.07
And he'd be tugging on the lead
and I'd be trying to hold him
00:40:36.27\00:40:38.60
back and say: "Easy, don't
bite him; don't bite him. "
00:40:38.70\00:40:41.15
Then we got
close to that big dog.
00:40:41.35\00:40:44.67
You know what
happened? The ears went down.
00:40:44.87\00:40:48.01
The tail went down
and he would turn around
00:40:48.21\00:40:52.56
and he'd run
straight back to me.
00:40:52.77\00:40:54.16
Now did I look at him
and scold him at that moment
00:40:54.36\00:40:57.70
and say: "Hey! Turn
around and fight them.
00:40:57.80\00:40:59.28
Turn around and
you know get him. "
00:40:59.48\00:41:01.29
No friends, I never did that.
00:41:01.49\00:41:03.24
When he turned around
and came back to me like that
00:41:03.44\00:41:06.29
I loved it
because I picked him up
00:41:06.49\00:41:09.45
and I would hold him in my arms.
00:41:09.65\00:41:12.03
And it was then that he seemed
to regain his bravery again.
00:41:12.23\00:41:17.23
And he would perk up his
ears and he would start growling
00:41:17.43\00:41:20.66
and barking and making biting
movements at these big dogs.
00:41:20.86\00:41:24.24
Why? Because he
felt safe from my arms.
00:41:24.44\00:41:29.14
And friends, Elisha...
he did not have to worry
00:41:29.34\00:41:32.83
about anything because
his life was in God's hands.
00:41:32.93\00:41:36.68
Amen? Amen. And that's
how we can take that as well.
00:41:36.71\00:41:40.48
When we put our life
in God's hands, nothing...
00:41:40.68\00:41:43.31
we don't have to
worry about anything.
00:41:43.52\00:41:44.97
Notice verse 15:
00:41:45.17\00:41:47.13
"Now when the sons of the
prophets who were from Jericho
00:41:47.33\00:41:50.86
saw him they said:
'The spirit of Elijah
00:41:50.96\00:41:54.12
rests on Elisha. '
And they came to meet him
00:41:54.32\00:41:57.42
and bowed to the
ground before him. "
00:41:57.45\00:42:00.02
Friends, had Elisha taken the
easy route and stayed behind,
00:42:00.22\00:42:05.27
friends he would have
missed out on the blessing.
00:42:05.47\00:42:08.20
And like Elisha, today
you and I need to learn
00:42:08.41\00:42:11.13
to persist in our faith. Amen?
00:42:11.33\00:42:13.91
Because when you don't see
a bridge. When you don't see
00:42:14.11\00:42:17.47
a way, turn to Jesus...
because He is the only way.
00:42:17.67\00:42:21.96
Oh you missed an Amen
point. Jesus is the only way.
00:42:23.17\00:42:26.91
Amen? Amen! Because
let's not ever forget
00:42:27.12\00:42:29.52
that the first cars... they used
to travel between 3-6 kilometers
00:42:29.72\00:42:34.31
per hour... and they
would break down all the time.
00:42:34.41\00:42:38.37
And people would ride by
these people in these cars
00:42:38.57\00:42:41.50
and then yell out to them
from their horses and buggies...
00:42:41.70\00:42:44.96
they'd yell out to
them: "Ah, get a horse! "
00:42:45.06\00:42:47.43
But friends, can you imagine
00:42:47.56\00:42:49.72
what would have happened
if the inventors had listened
00:42:49.82\00:42:52.16
to the people like that?
00:42:52.26\00:42:53.45
If they had
listened to the crowd?
00:42:53.65\00:42:55.46
Well friends, we wouldn't
be catching the 6 o'clock train
00:42:55.66\00:42:58.68
today... we'd be
catching the 6 o'clock horse.
00:42:58.88\00:43:01.49
Friends, we need to
persist in our faith.
00:43:01.69\00:43:05.64
There were no bridges
back then over Jordan.
00:43:05.84\00:43:09.31
There is no cheap
way... there is no lazy way...
00:43:09.51\00:43:12.67
there is no easy way.
00:43:12.87\00:43:14.44
The only way across
is by what? By faith.
00:43:14.74\00:43:20.49
Faith is the substance of a
bridge when you cannot see one.
00:43:20.69\00:43:23.97
Faith makes a bridge, friends.
Faith is the bridge across.
00:43:24.17\00:43:29.52
We do not need a bridge
when God commands us to cross.
00:43:29.72\00:43:32.74
What you and I
need is a response
00:43:32.94\00:43:35.11
because we just need
to be obedient to God.
00:43:35.31\00:43:37.62
Step out in faith and He
will part the waters for us!
00:43:37.82\00:43:41.98
God never asks you to do
anything without empowering you
00:43:42.18\00:43:47.43
to do it. Without giving you
the power available to do it.
00:43:47.64\00:43:51.67
God did not create a butterfly
00:43:53.02\00:43:55.02
until He had first
fashioned a blossom
00:43:55.22\00:43:59.14
on which to make it happen.
00:43:59.24\00:44:00.75
God did not make the trees
00:44:00.95\00:44:02.27
but He first made the
soil for it to root itself.
00:44:02.57\00:44:06.46
Friends, God... He did
not put Adam and Eve in a...
00:44:06.66\00:44:09.81
He did not make Adam and
Eve until He had first made
00:44:10.01\00:44:13.37
a paradise for them to enjoy.
00:44:13.47\00:44:15.55
When God called
Moses to go before Pharaoh
00:44:15.85\00:44:18.34
Moses said: "I can't
talk. I'm slow of speech.
00:44:18.54\00:44:21.42
I can't frame my
sentences properly. "
00:44:21.62\00:44:23.86
Well friends, God said to
him: "Who made your tongue? "
00:44:24.06\00:44:27.26
God will always make a way.
00:44:27.46\00:44:29.82
When God summoned Peter to
preach on the Day of Pentecost
00:44:30.02\00:44:33.18
did He make a way for Peter
to reach all of those people
00:44:33.38\00:44:36.67
that day? Yes He did.
00:44:36.77\00:44:38.32
He empowered Peter
with the Holy Spirit.
00:44:38.35\00:44:41.37
And he spoke and everyone
present heard the message
00:44:41.57\00:44:44.69
in their own language.
00:44:44.79\00:44:46.99
When God called
Elisha to cross the Jordan
00:44:47.19\00:44:50.40
he needed no bridge because
I Thessalonians 5:24 says...
00:44:50.60\00:44:55.28
it says: "He who called you is
faithful who will also do it. "
00:44:55.48\00:45:00.46
I want you to notice this quote
quote on the screen. It says:
00:45:01.57\00:45:03.84
Friends, today we are called
to go on and serve the Lord
00:45:23.79\00:45:27.10
in the spirit
and power of Elijah.
00:45:27.20\00:45:29.78
Today God is looking
for a movement of people,
00:45:29.99\00:45:33.15
a generation who will
faithfully carry on the task
00:45:33.35\00:45:36.68
that others before us
have faithfully carried on.
00:45:36.88\00:45:40.24
As I look back on the
history of our movement
00:45:40.54\00:45:43.50
I think of these
people here on the screen.
00:45:43.70\00:45:45.98
In 1832 a middle-aged
farmer... he began preaching
00:45:46.19\00:45:50.92
about the second
coming of Jesus Christ.
00:45:51.12\00:45:53.21
His name was William Miller.
00:45:53.41\00:45:54.94
In 1844 one
frail teenage girl...
00:45:55.14\00:45:58.86
she related her first
vision given to her by God.
00:45:59.06\00:46:02.54
In 1846 one
retired sea captain...
00:46:02.74\00:46:06.71
he published a little book
called The Seventh Day Sabbath.
00:46:06.91\00:46:10.88
On the
seventh-day Sabbath, sorry.
00:46:11.08\00:46:12.44
In 1849 one
penniless itinerate preacher...
00:46:12.64\00:46:16.88
he created an 8-page pamphlet
that was to spread the light of
00:46:17.08\00:46:21.77
truth around the world.
00:46:21.87\00:46:23.89
Friends, God used ordinary
people like these people here
00:46:24.09\00:46:28.00
to pioneer a movement
that would grow and spread
00:46:28.20\00:46:32.48
around the world. It
is a movement committed
00:46:32.69\00:46:35.72
to proclaiming God's message
to the world in this generation.
00:46:35.92\00:46:39.56
But why is it that it doesn't
seem so exciting here anymore?
00:46:39.76\00:46:43.86
Why is it that the movement
sometimes seems like it's
00:46:44.10\00:46:46.67
not really moving? A
pastor... he went overseas
00:46:46.77\00:46:51.68
to an overseas
country. And while he was there
00:46:51.89\00:46:53.83
he saw an
evangelist preaching in a hut
00:46:54.03\00:46:57.31
there in the middle of nowhere.
00:46:57.51\00:46:59.20
And as he was
preaching the people came out.
00:46:59.40\00:47:01.64
The pastor
watched that evangelist.
00:47:01.84\00:47:04.07
And that evangelist... he worked
hard and labored for souls.
00:47:04.27\00:47:07.96
He raised money.
He trucked in goods
00:47:08.27\00:47:11.32
and he managed to build a church
there in this remote location.
00:47:11.42\00:47:15.16
And before long there
was a large congregation
00:47:15.36\00:47:18.52
meeting in that church
to worship and honor God.
00:47:18.72\00:47:22.49
And he - the pastor who
saw this - he was thrilled
00:47:22.69\00:47:25.41
by what he saw.
00:47:25.61\00:47:26.73
But some years
later the same pastor...
00:47:26.93\00:47:29.53
he visited that church
back out there overseas.
00:47:29.73\00:47:32.97
And when he did, he
discovered that a new generation
00:47:33.17\00:47:36.67
had arisen and they
were worshiping in it.
00:47:36.87\00:47:39.54
And to this new generation
the stories of their past
00:47:39.74\00:47:42.68
were just stories to them.
00:47:42.88\00:47:44.72
And this new generation...
they were finding it difficult
00:47:44.92\00:47:48.59
to pay the heating bill.
00:47:48.79\00:47:50.50
It's incredible, isn't it?
Why... why the big difference?
00:47:50.53\00:47:54.44
You know why? Because
the sacrificial spirit
00:47:54.64\00:47:59.25
that prompted the
pioneers is lacking today.
00:47:59.45\00:48:02.97
We are lacking
that sacrificial spirit.
00:48:04.41\00:48:07.80
Friends, today's
generation needs bridges...
00:48:08.00\00:48:10.69
but they had faith.
00:48:10.89\00:48:12.61
Today's generation needs
resources... but they had trust.
00:48:12.91\00:48:17.15
And friends, let us never
forget that the Elijah movement
00:48:17.35\00:48:20.14
is a movement that
is ever based on faith
00:48:20.34\00:48:23.23
because there are
never any visible bridges
00:48:23.43\00:48:26.39
across the Jordan.
00:48:26.59\00:48:27.74
When God created
this world, friends,
00:48:27.94\00:48:29.86
He started with nothing!
00:48:30.06\00:48:31.68
When Jesus came to this
world He came as a little,
00:48:31.88\00:48:35.25
helpless babe... as an infant.
00:48:35.45\00:48:37.82
But He grew to be a Man
who would deliver this world...
00:48:38.02\00:48:42.30
deliver the human race
from the grasp of demonic forces
00:48:42.50\00:48:46.11
and establish
God's kingdom forever.
00:48:46.21\00:48:48.81
Friends, when God challenges us
00:48:49.01\00:48:50.89
He empowers us. And let
us take courage in that.
00:48:51.09\00:48:54.26
Friends, God has
brought you and I here today.
00:48:54.46\00:48:57.45
God has brought us -
His people - successfully...
00:48:57.65\00:49:01.13
He has brought us this far.
00:49:01.34\00:49:03.32
But God did not bring you
this far to leave you here.
00:49:03.52\00:49:06.95
He brought you this far because
He intends to take you home.
00:49:07.25\00:49:11.67
He intends to fulfill
and keep His promise to you.
00:49:11.88\00:49:15.94
God is still looking for
a people who will take up
00:49:16.17\00:49:18.84
the mantle of Elijah.
Who will take on the message
00:49:19.04\00:49:21.85
and proclaim it to the world.
00:49:22.05\00:49:23.99
Can God see that person in you?
00:49:24.19\00:49:27.39
Can He find that
people in us today?
00:49:27.59\00:49:31.13
Do you want to receive a
double portion of God's Spirit
00:49:31.33\00:49:34.20
in your life? Do you want
to witness the power of God
00:49:34.30\00:49:37.36
working for you? Well friends,
then we need to turn to God.
00:49:37.46\00:49:41.68
We need to trust Him and we
need to step forward in faith.
00:49:41.88\00:49:44.94
In closing, a father...
he left his daughter home
00:49:45.34\00:49:49.12
one day to go
and visit the bank.
00:49:49.22\00:49:51.06
And as he did he
went down to the bank.
00:49:51.26\00:49:53.59
And while he was there at
the bank, all of these sirens
00:49:53.79\00:49:57.22
started going down the road.
00:49:57.32\00:49:59.09
And so he stepped outside
the bank to look to see where
00:49:59.29\00:50:03.61
they were going because they
were heading in the direction
00:50:03.71\00:50:06.03
of his house. And
to his shock and horror
00:50:06.13\00:50:08.86
he looked and down the
end of the road he saw his
00:50:09.06\00:50:11.71
two-story home in flames.
00:50:11.81\00:50:14.26
He dropped
everything. Ran down the street.
00:50:14.46\00:50:17.08
And when he got there
a fireman detained him
00:50:17.28\00:50:19.65
and said: "No, don't come any
further; don't come any closer.
00:50:19.75\00:50:22.25
It's too
dangerous and it's no use. "
00:50:22.45\00:50:24.41
He said: "My
daughter's in there! "
00:50:24.61\00:50:25.98
He said: "No, listen...
we've got it under control. "
00:50:26.01\00:50:28.30
Well the father wasn't
going to be satisfied with that.
00:50:28.50\00:50:31.13
And so he walked around the
side of the house yelling out
00:50:31.34\00:50:33.83
to his daughter, and
there seemed to be no response.
00:50:34.03\00:50:36.47
And suddenly he
heard a familiar voice...
00:50:36.67\00:50:39.33
a little faint voice
just above him there.
00:50:39.53\00:50:42.40
And he looked up from the
window on the second story
00:50:42.60\00:50:45.04
and there she was. He
could just make her out
00:50:45.24\00:50:47.51
through the smoke. And
he said to her: "Honey,
00:50:47.71\00:50:49.90
jump! I'll catch you. "
00:50:50.10\00:50:51.91
She said: "Dad,
Dad, I can't see you. "
00:50:52.11\00:50:55.25
And he looked
at her and he said:
00:50:55.65\00:50:58.05
"That doesn't matter.
I can see you. Jump! "
00:50:58.25\00:51:02.07
And so she did, and
he braced to catch her.
00:51:02.30\00:51:05.03
And he caught her and saved
her from that burning house.
00:51:05.23\00:51:08.03
Friend, you cannot
always see a way across
00:51:08.33\00:51:11.40
but God sees the
way that you cannot see.
00:51:11.61\00:51:14.15
He is there to deliver you.
00:51:14.36\00:51:16.00
He is there to
make a way for you.
00:51:16.20\00:51:18.01
And today He asks you to
trust Him, to believe in Him.
00:51:18.21\00:51:21.34
Because Jesus asked
Thomas, He said to Thomas -
00:51:21.58\00:51:24.24
doubting Thomas. He said:
"Thomas, do you believe? "
00:51:24.45\00:51:26.19
Friend, do you believe today
00:51:26.49\00:51:28.67
that God is able to deliver you
from anything and everything?
00:51:28.87\00:51:31.98
Let's close with prayer.
00:51:32.28\00:51:34.07
Our Father in heaven,
00:51:34.47\00:51:36.42
we thank you, Lord, that
even though there is no visible
00:51:37.42\00:51:40.42
bridges across the Jordan...
00:51:40.52\00:51:42.12
there are no visible bridges...
that You are there for us,
00:51:42.32\00:51:45.04
And that we do not need
a bridge when we have You
00:51:45.24\00:51:47.86
because You make a
bridge when we step out in faith
00:51:48.06\00:51:50.91
and trust you.
00:51:51.11\00:51:52.18
Lord, for all of us today
You have brought us to the edge
00:51:52.38\00:51:55.43
of the River
Jordan. And for all of us,
00:51:55.54\00:51:57.68
that Jordan River
means something different.
00:51:57.88\00:52:00.59
For some it is some secret
sin which others do not see.
00:52:00.79\00:52:04.41
For others it is a destroying
addiction that is threatening
00:52:04.71\00:52:09.21
to destroy our faith.
For others it is our pride.
00:52:09.31\00:52:12.19
For others God is
calling us to do other things
00:52:12.39\00:52:14.67
and we have been
too afraid to do them.
00:52:14.77\00:52:17.10
But today, Lord, we come
to the Jordan River again
00:52:17.30\00:52:19.63
and we ask that You
would help us to trust You
00:52:19.84\00:52:22.44
to make a way for us
00:52:22.65\00:52:23.91
and that You will lead us
just as You have brought us
00:52:24.22\00:52:26.51
here today. Bless us now I pray
00:52:26.61\00:52:29.01
in Jesus' name, Amen.
00:52:29.12\00:52:31.38