Seeking Spiritual Power

II Kings 2.9-15

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. "You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours–otherwise not.” As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart.He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” 

Double portion = mouth

mouth (of man)

mouth (as organ of speech)

mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)

extremity, end

Let me speak even more powerfully

Let the opening in heaven for God's power be twice as large as it was when His Spirit is poured out on me.

Elisha was seeking the right thing, the higher blessing. He was not looking for any earthly benefits or advantages. He didn't ask for a servant like he had been. He sought the power of God now that he would be his spokesman to Israel.

He realized his deep spiritual need as the one who would take over the ministry of Elijah that day. God had called him to a greater place than he had ever been. He knew he was in need of God's power.

Anne Graham Lotz:

If all you ever attempt is that which you know you can do or have the resources for, how will you ever discover what He can do?

Elisha recognized his spiritual need. He was taking on an overwhelming task.

Jesus said, Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 

I always thought that meant they were going to heaven. But then I connected this other verse:

Matthew 16:18-19 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 

Humble yourself, recognize your need for God's power and He will give you the keys of the kingdom for accomplishing His work on earth. You will be in the middle of His will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

This is what is needed today in the church; the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, that second work of God in the believer's life. We need a double portion of His Spirit.

1. To do the work of God

Elisha understood he was moving into the forefront now. He  be on the front line. he was moving into a different position of servanthood.

2 Kings 3:11 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here, through whom we may inquire of the LORD?”An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.” 

No longer would he be serving Elijah. He was now going to be the voice of the LORD to Israel. He needed strength, power an enabling.

The main work of the prophet was to speak forth the Word of God. It wasn't only futuristic, although all scripture by its very nature has that element.

2 Peter 1:20-21 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 

The Word of God came through the power of the Holy Spirit moving upon men.

The work of God is done through this dynamic.

Take the rebuilding of the temple under Zerrubabel.

Zechariah 4:8-9 Then the word of the Lord came to me: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you."

Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. 

The building of this physical structure was done by human hands but they needed the Word of the LORD to do the work. So do we! And that Word was that the work would be done by His Spirit in them and among them.

*It empowers us.

*It enables us.

*It encourages us.

Look at Elisha's words:

2 Kings 3:13-14 Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Why do you want to involve me? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.”“No,” the king of Israel answered, “because it was the Lord who called us three kings together to deliver us into the hands of Moab.” Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you. 

He was moving from being an attendant of Elijah to filling the role of Elijah.

Elisha was about to take on great spiritual responsibility. He had been with Elijah and was content in that role.

When Hudson Taylor turned over the leadership of the China Inland Mission to

his successor, D.E. Hoste said, "Now I have no one, No one but God."                 

We need the power of the Holy Spirit

2. To do the will of God.

The will of God will never take you where His grace cannot keep you but His will can be overwhelming. Often He gives us more than we can handle. We cry out to Him for help.

God's will was for Israel to have a voice from heaven, a man who would speak the Word of God to the people. He used miracles to drive His point home. Elisha heard and saw. He knew he was going to need to possess similar abilities. He knew the LORD gave Elijah this ability. He asked Elijah for this double portion of his spirit. 

Elisha lived for the will and honor of God. The power of God enabled him to do so.

The awareness of the lack of spiritual power is humbling.

To carry out his call he would need the help of God. Fulfilling God's will is often a challenge. He empowers us with His Spirit.

3. To fulfill God's calling upon my life.

Luke 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.

Acts 1:4-5, 8 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

The message of truth is stronger than military might. armies cannot stop the church. Reformations and Revolutions have been started by a document.

The first verse of the Bible creates earthquakes among academia. It always has. Man, through his accomplishments, exalted himself high. But In the beginning, God... Go to the last verse of the Bible and there is God. He is above the heavens.

What is our greatest need today? Is it finances? Is it strategies? Is it a plan or program?

Our greatest need today in the church is to be filled with His Spirit and grounded in God's Word. With that in place, anything can happen!

If you had a request that a prophet would grant, what would it be?

Elisha's answer was the best, "Give me a double portion of your spirit."