Breakthrough: What Do You See: 2 Kings 6:24-7:20

 

1. Optimism

Some time later, King Ben-hadad of Aram brought all his military units together and marched up and laid siege to Samaria. So there was a severe famine in Samaria, and they continued the siege against it until a donkey’s head sold for thirty-four ounces of silver, and a cup of dove’s dung sold for two ounces of silver.
2 Kings 6:24-24 (CSB)

Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Lord says: ‘About this time tomorrow at Samaria’s gate, six quarts of fine flour will sell for a half ounce of silver and twelve quarts of barley will sell for a half ounce of silver.’…”
2 Kings 7:1 (CSB)

2. Skepticism

Then the captain, the king’s right-hand man, responded to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?”
2 Kings 7:2 (CSB)

3. Evangelism

So the diseased men got up at twilight to go to the Arameans’ camp. When they came to the camp’s edge, they discovered that no one was there, 6 for the Lord had caused the Aramean camp to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a large army. The Arameans had said to each other, “The king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to attack us.” So they had gotten up and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents, horses, and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had fled for their lives.
2 Kings 7:5-8 (CSB)

Then they said to each other, “We’re not doing what is right. Today is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until morning light, our punishment will catch up with us. So let’s go tell the king’s household.”
2 Kings 7:9 (CSB)

4. Favortism

Then the people went out and plundered the Aramean camp. It was then that six quarts of fine flour sold for a half ounce of silver and twelve quarts of barley sold for a half ounce of silver, according to the word of the Lord.
2 Kings 7:16 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/breakthrough-what-do-you-see-2-kings-624-720/

Breakthrough: When Breakthroughs Break Down: 2 Kings 4:8-37

When the Breakthroughs Breakdown…

1. STAY IN PURSUIT

She summoned her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, so I can hurry to the man of God and come back again.”23 But he said, “Why go to him today? It’s not a New Moon or a Sabbath.”  She replied, “It’s all right.”24 Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Go fast; don’t slow the pace for me unless I tell you.” 25 So she came to the man of God at Mount Carmel…   
2 Kings 4:22-25 (CSB)

Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize… 26 So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. 27 Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (CSB)

2. STAY IN FAITH

When she came up to the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone—she is in severe anguish, and the Lord has hidden it from me. He hasn’t told me.”28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not lie to me?’”
2 Kings 4:27-28 (CSB)

3. STAY IN TOUCH

When Elisha got to the house, he discovered the boy lying dead on his bed. 33 So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he went up and lay on the boy: he put mouth to mouth, eye to eye, hand to hand. While he bent down over him, the boy’s flesh became warm. 35 Elisha got up, went into the house, and paced back and forth. Then he went up and bent down over him again. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.
2 Kings 4:32-35 (CSB)

He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/breakthrough-when-breakthroughs-break-down-2-kings-48-37/

Breakthrough: Stay Sharp: 2 Kings 6:1-7

 

The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Please notice that the place where we live under your supervision is too small for us. 2 Please let us go to the Jordan where we can each get a log and can build ourselves a place to live there.” “Go,” he said.  3 Then one said, “Please come with your servants.”  “I’ll come,” he answered.4 So he went with them, and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Oh, my master, it was borrowed!” 6 Then the man of God asked, “Where did it fall?”  When he showed him the place, the man of God cut a piece of wood, threw it there, and made the iron float. 7 Then he said, “Pick it up.” So he reached out and took it.
2 Kings 6:1-7 (CSB)

If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 (CSB)

How Can I Stay Spiritually Sharp?

1.    Admit It

But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. “Oh, sir!” he cried. “It was a borrowed ax!”
1 Kings 6:5 (CSB)

2.   Return To It

Then the man of God asked, “Where did it fall?”  When he showed him the place, the man of God cut a piece of wood, threw it there, and made the iron float.
2 Kings 6:6 (CSB)

3.   Believe It

Then the man of God asked, “Where did it fall?”  When he showed him the place, the man of God cut a piece of wood, threw it there, and made the iron float.
2 Kings 6:6 (CSB)

4.   Take It

Then he said, “Pick it up.” So he reached out and took it.
2 Kings 6:7 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/breakthrough-stay-sharp-2-kings-61-7/