Reference

2 Kings 4:8-37 (Selections)
Three Colorful Characters

Three Colorful Characters

Sermon Outline

  1. In his shadow
  2. Some things about Elisha
  3. Today's Story - Parallel to 1 Kings
    • My head hurts
    • Gehazi runs ahead with the staff
  4. The characters
    1. Elisha
      • He is a "holy man of god" 
      • He is alert and sensitive to the needs around him
      • He is generous, eager to bless and to help
      • He inspires trust
      • He is not the healer, but he knows and trusts God the Healer
    2. Gehazi
      • He is not as alert and sensitive as the older man
      • When Shuna comes near, Geheazi pushes her away rather than welcoming her
      • He has known her for a while, but has not won her trust - she refuses to share her problems with him
      • Beyond these things, God does not heal through Gehazi - not even when he carries Elisha's staff.  He offers no prayer and sees no miracle
    3. The Shunammite woman
      • Shuna
        • She is thoughtful and generous, going above and beyond the call of duty to show hospitality and care for the prophet
        • She is spiritually sensitive: recognizing Elisha as a prophet of the true God, discerning that she, not Gehazi, is the one she can trust to bring God's blessing
        • She demonstrates contentment, happy to give without grasping after a reward or seeking things that are not within reach
        • She is full of faith, taking her concerns to God's messenger and affirming that "It will be alright" even in the midst of the darkest and most painful circumstances.
        • She is thankful and quick to acknowledge the goodness of God expressed through Elisha
  5. So what?
    1. He gives us a picture of the character of God
    2. It gives us a picture of the character God desires