March 28, 2005
30. A PROMISED MEASURELESS FLOW OF THE SPIRIT. The presence of the Spirit dwelling within the born again believer is positively an immense part of our inheritance. It is a privilege that supersedes all privileges. It is the office of the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ unto us. To make Him real and viable in our lives. Consider and evaluate the magnitude of the flow of the Spirit indicated in the words of the Lord Jesus. He said, that out of your innermost being shall flow rivers of water. John 7:38 It must be taken into consideration that the word river is in the plural, thus speaking of a number of streams and a huge flow of water. A flow that is literally inexhaustible.
WHERE IS THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH? The boldness, the audacity of the prophet Elisha to challenge the Lord is a demonstration of daring and confident faith. Elijah was commissioned to anoint Elisha to take his place as the prophet of the Lord. 1 Kings 19:16 Elisha was found plowing. 1 Kings 19:19 The Lord calls those who have a good work record, not the lazy. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen for a total of twenty-four. An interesting number for there are twenty-four thrones occupied by twenty-four elders around the throne of the Lord. Rev. 4:4 The twenty-four are the leaders of the body of Christ in the church age. They are New Testament elders. Elisha is a type of the Spirit filled and Holy Ghost anointed church. Elijah then went up to Elisha and threw his mantel around Elisha, denoting a change and an impartation of the power of the Lord that was upon Elijah to Elisha. Sound familiar? It should be, for the church has been commissioned of the Lord to wear the mantel of the Christ, the anointed one.
WITHOUT QUIBBLING, ELISHA IMMEDIATELY REACTED. He left his oxen and ran after Elijah. A beautiful response to the call of the Lord. The power of the mantel, the anointing, was most attractive to him. He was strongly desirous of responding to whatever the Lord had for him. 1 Kings 19:20 Every tie to family, work and manner of life was immediately severed. His one request was to bid his parents good-bye for he was a good son and knew that his sudden disappearance would cause them worry. The response of Elijah reveals the brusque nature of the man. 1 Kings 19:21 The completeness of the commitment of Elisha is noted by the sacrifice which he made. The yoke of oxen and the yoke or equipment used to harness the animals were used in an offering unto the Lord. Thus, making a complete separation between the old life and the new, the secular and the spiritual. His resolution to fully follow the Lord was one hundred percent, total and absolute. Interesting, he fed the people with the offering of his calling. He then left all to follow hard after Elijah. Note please, he ministered to the needs and wants of the prophet Elijah. He did not immediately become a prophet himself but learned to serve. 1 Kings 19:21.