The Miracle is in the House | Pastor Greg Ford Sermon | One Church Columbus
The Miracle is in the House | Pastor Greg Ford Sermon | One Church Columbus
ICEBREAKER:
What is one of your favorite childhood memories?
MESSAGE NOTES:
Series: Next is Now
Sermon: The Miracle is in the House
In - Out - Up
Text:
[II Kings 4:1-7]
One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.”
2 “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”
“Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied. 3 And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. 4 Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.”
5 So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. 6 Soon every container was full to the brim!
“Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons.
“There aren’t any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing.
7 When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.”
[II Kings 4:3]
And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors.
[II Kings 4:3] NIV
Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few.
Observations from II Kings 4
You find yourself in a situation you never thought you would be in
You think you shouldn’t be in
She probably expected health and wealth, but she ended up with death and debt
“Served you” & “feared the Lord”
Feelings of helplessness and inadequacy
She can’t even bring herself to ask for help
[II Kings 4:1]
“My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.”
Ill. All Staff Meeting-LifePoint Church
- This is how this feels…not necessarily doing
- Other parents…feel like I was better…this is how it feels
Helpless-Powerless-Defenseless-Vulnerable-Feeble
Strength-backbone-fortitude-durable
What can I do to help you? You’re not helpless
Her limited view of herself was her greatest limiting factor.
You need to see what you and God are capable of.
[II Kings 4:2]
“What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”
“Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.
So often we are focused on and consumed by what we DON’T have that we look right over what we DO HAVE.
Don’t have the job you want, but you have a job
Don’t have all the experience you want, but you have some experience
Network - Money - Influence
She underestimated what she had.
Don’t let what you don’t have keep you from doing what you can with what you do have.
Pattern in Scripture…Gideon (Least tribe, mighty hero, 300) - Loaves & Fish (John 6)
You might not have enough to finish the job, but you have enough to start the work
[Luke 21:1-4]
While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Greek two lepta [the smallest of Jewish coins].
Her generosity caught Jesus eye. She should’ve been proud of yourself. Put your name on it.
5 Lessons from the II Kings 4 Widow…
She started with what she had
She did her part
She asked people for help
She trusted God for miracles
She maximized the miracle
She underestimated what God would do
It’s too big for me. It’s too big for you. It’s not too big for God.
So, it’s not too big for us.
Pray for Miracles
The miracle is in the house
God will supply our needs
She learned who she was
Her sons got to witness it
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
QUESTION 1:
Think back to week 2 of the series, we have to be careful that in the process of looking in for the miracle rather than out, that we don’t create an idol of what we do have. God still provides the miracle. When in your life have you started something when you didn’t have all the answers and God showed up? What was your response after?
QUESTION 2:
God filled the jars, but she still had to do the work to provide the jars. Looking at God showing up in your life. How did God partner with you to provide?
QUESTION 3:
Last week we talked about bringing your reality with you to church. God knows you deeper than anyone else even yourself. In your current reality, how could you bring that to God, and thank God for what you do have? Where have you gone to God about things you don’t have?
GUIDED PRAYER:
God thank you for your faithfulness. God thank you for everything we do have. Everything we do have is provided by you. God we pray that you show up in our lives. Help us bring what we do have to you. You provide the miracles God and we believe you will provide for us. Thank you God. we love you, praise you, and worship you. In Jesus name - amen.