Times Two pt3—Miracles Amidst Insecurities

[2Ki 2:23-25 NASB95]

Too many people allow the enemy to stop them from accomplishing the purpose of God in their lives due to insecurities. Physical. Intellectual. Financial. Or other insecurities.

Elisha had to deal with this early on in his ministry.

How can we see God’s miracles in our lives amidst our own insecurities?

Here are three concepts that are important to see God’s miracles amidst insecurities.

Know that the enemy goes for our insecurities.

V. 23 - Baldness can be a point of insecurity for people. The enemy will go for the “jugular.” He wants to hit you in the place that hurts us the deepest. He wants us to cower. It can be things like here (physical appearance), intellect, finances, family connections, past sins, or any number of areas of insecurity.

To combat that, we need to grow in the fact that God has made us. [Psa 139:13-14 NASB95]

The Apostle Paul provides concepts for dealing with insecurities.

Get your worth and value by the grace of God only. [1Co 15:9-11 NASB95]

Early church fathers give a description of Paul in Greek as a “man of middling size, and his hair was scanty, and his legs were a little crooked, and his knees were far apart; he had large eyes, and his eyebrows met, and his nose was somewhat long.” (https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/bald-blind-and-single)

Scripture gives some confirmation to that fact. [2Co 10:10 NASB95]

Do not allow your insecurities to keep back from what God has called you to do. Allow God to heal them so you can used by God.

God wants us to learn to confront our enemies.

V. 24 – Elisha confronted the lads.

How to confront:

Stand up in boldness. Be healed and confront the issues.

Address this physically and spiritually.

There are times when you deal with the people directly.

Hermeneutics Principles:

Truth in tension: There are times when truth is understanding context. It is not whether you answer but how you answer. There is no guarantee they will listen. [Pro 26:4-5 NASB95]

OT & NT Interpretation – We do not offer bulls and goats because Jesus was the sacrifice. The NT gives progressive revelation over the OT. Jesus would say, “It has been said... but I say to you…” The NT gives progressive revelation for some things.

Descriptive vs. Prescriptive. Judas hung himself after sinning. (Matt. 27:5). Confess sins. (I John 1:8-9)

Prescriptive NT: [Rom 12:14 NASB95]

Descriptive NT:

[1Co 5:5 NASB95]

[1Ti 1:20 NASB95]

Deal with the demon spirits: Demons affect the people who are opposing God’s plan for us.

[Eph 6:12 NASB95]

[Act 16:16-18 NASB95]

Allow God to confront the enemies. [Rom 12:19-21 NASB95]

Trust that God will specifically help you.

V. 24 – Notice the specifics: 2 female bears tore up 42 lads. Given the fact that there are times when the Bible does not provide specifics, the specifics mean something.

[Psa 138:8 NASB95]

[Psa 34:19 NASB95]

God is working all things together for your good. Romans 8:28.

Your miracle may look like God taking care of your opponents.

God does not want you to allow the insecurities that the enemy uses against you to keep you from His purpose in your life as you appropriately confront your enemy and allow God to deliver you.

Times Two pt2—Miracles for the Dissatisfied

[2Ki 2:19-22 NASB95]

God cares about every aspect of our lives. We accept far below what God has for us.

What are some things we find in this story that will help us experience miracles?

Here are three important principles to miracles as seen in 2 Kings 2:19-22.

You can’t be ok with what is not ok.

V. 19 – they were not ok with things not being ok.

Dissatisfaction is good.

Balance: [Phl 4:12-13 NASB95]

[Mar 11:24 NASB95]

[Pro 16:26 NASB95]

We are to be at peace (not anxious or bitter or resentful) while we press in for what God has for us.

When it comes to getting a miracle, you have to want things to change.

You will do a prophetic act of obedience.

V. 20-21 – salt in the water usually will make water worse and surely not naturally produce lasting change.

New Bible Commentary – merely symbolic (prophetic). It was not the salt but the power of the Lord.

K&D – The use of natural means does not remove the miracle.

The tax was 2 days' wages. A fish is not enough. [Mat 17:24-27 NASB95]

It was not the salt. It was the act of obedience done in faith.

You will stand on the word of the covenant.

K&D – it was the power of the divine Word that made the water sound.

Eerdmans – the miracle was based upon the divine promise.

Moses – healing water - [Exo 15:23-26 NASB95]

[Heb 8:6 NASB95]

“death or unfruitfulness any longer.'" 22 So the waters have been purified to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.”

God is making some lasting miracles in your life.

God will cause a miracle to happen in places where we are not satisfied as we take prophetic steps of obedience based upon God’s promises.

Unsatisfied as we take prophetic steps of obedience based on

Times Two pt1—How to Increase in the Power of the Holy Spirit

[2Ki 2:1-14 NASB95]

This is very similar to Jesus’ statement about Him leaving and the church receiving the power of the Holy Spirit.

[Jhn 14:12 NASB95]

[Jhn 16:7 NASB95]

How do we increase the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

Here are four truths about walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Be fully committed.

V. 2, 4, 6, 12 (called him his father.)

[Luk 9:60-62 NASB95]

Become fully committed to Jesus Christ as Lord of your life.

Be willing to serve.

V. 3, 5

[2Ki 3:11 NASB95]

We serve God by serving in His church for the expansion of the Gospel of Jesus.

Be hungry.

V. 9-10

This gigantic request is made by someone who is hungry.

Randy Clark, “Most of the time, God anoints hungry people.”

[1Co 12:31 NASB95]

[1Co 14:1, 39 NASB95]

Hunger for God and the things of God makes you a candidate for the anointing.

Be active.

V. 13-14

[1Pe 4:10-11 NASB95]

Christianity is not just about you feeling better. It is a mission to help heal the world.

If you have nothing to do with the problems of others, you will have nothing to do the power to bring healing to others.

What are you going to do to help other people?

God wants to release the power of the Holy Spirit to hungry people who are fully committed to and actively serving Him.