Preacher: Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Text: 1 Kings 19: 11-17
While making a fire, when the fire is small, we shield it with our hands to protect it from the wind. As the fire grows, it gets to a stage where it forces your hands away and the wind fans it and makes it bigger.
The wind is going to blow the fire, and the fire will become very big.
God’s instructions to Elijah:
- Go and anoint Hazael as king over Judah
- Go and anoint Jehu as king over Israel
- Go and anoint Elisha to be a prophet
☆ By asking Elijah to anoint these kings, God was saying to him, “I will increase your area of influence.”
Why is influence important?
Influence is that which opens doors. Certain doors will only open for you if people know you’re a person of influence.
When Elisha took the mantle of Elijah and smote Jordan and called on the God of his father, Elijah, he used the influence of Elijah with God. 2 Kings 2: 9-15
- The Shunamite woman had influence, but she found Elisha’s influence to be greater, such that he could bless her with the fruit of the womb.
2 Kings 4: 8-17 - God’s instructions to Elijah to anoint the kings meant that Elijah would have the support of those kings, and he would no longer fight alone.
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12
By asking him to anoint Elisha, God was saying Elijah’s future would be secure. Isaiah 3:10
☆ Elisha had both an experience with both the fire and the wind.
2 Kings 2: 9-15
- Suddenly, the one who was one of the sons of the prophets became the leader of all the prophets.
- Elisha crossed Jordan by using the influence of his father. As soon as he arrived on the other side, the people of Jericho asked for his help to solve their problem, and it was so according to Elisha’s words.
- Elisha had so much influence that kings were calling him ‘father’.
2 Kings 2: 9-10
☆ The Disciples
The wind blew, the fire fell, and God spoke through men.
God spoke to Elijah alone, but here, God spoke through men.
Acts 2: 1-4
Tonight, you will make decrees and speak to whatever mountain before you and the mountain will move. Mark 11:23
