ELISHA'S 4-FOLD SECRET OF SUCCESS

Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

I KINGS 19

Pastor Rick Jackson

Elisha is certainly one of the great prophets of Israel. He's one of those who had the distinction of following a great man and NOT staying under his shadow. He was not Elijah, he didn't try to be Elijah, but he was the best Elisha he could be! How did he do it? What can we learn from this man in order to do our best for God?

I. DON'T BE AFRAID TO WORK! [I Kings 19:19]

1. Work is NOT part of the curse [Gn. 2:15-17]

2. Work is satisfying to body and soul [Pr. 12:11-14, 27; 13:4, Eccl. 5:12]

3. Work is a part of Christian testimony [II Th. 3:10]

II. DON'T BE ASHAMED TO SERVE [I Kings 19:21, II Kings 3:11]

1. Joshua had no problem exclaiming service [Joshua 24:15]

2. Paul had no problem explaining service [Colossians 3:17-25]

3. Jesus had no problem exemplifying service [John 13:12-17]

Some people think certain jobs are beneath them. After being the 17th President of the US Andrew Johnson became a US senator again. One someone asked him if that wasn't a step down from being president he replied, "It's never step down to serve your country."

III. SEEK GOD'S BEST [II Kings 2:2-6]

1. Be Prayerful [Lk. 11:1-4]

2. Be Persistent [Lk. 11:5-13]

3. be Pleasing [Lk. 18:1-8]

IV. SEEK GOD'S POWER [II Kings 2:9, Lk. 11:13, Acts 1:4-8, 14]

1. It won't bring ease but it will bring satisfaction

2. It won't bring fame but it will bring results

3. It won't bring harmony but it will bring joy

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;