Recently, the Barna Group surveyed Americans who attend church to discover what they say about their experiences. In the survey, they determined that 66% feel they have had "a real and personal connection" with God while attending church. The following message on CONNECTEDNESS was taught on a Wednesday night, December 28, 2011 here in Baltimore. We all look to be connected. The text is 2 Kings 4:8-37. The message had a powerful impact on the assembly.
Let's consider how God changes us:
1. A woman without children recognized that a "Man of God" is passing by her home. She suggests to her husband that they should make a room available for him to stop in their home if he so desires. Meaning: she is not afraid of being "DEEPLY SEEN." People are good at hiding. We hide on the surface among others. For real change in life, I must be willing to be transparent. You, the representative of God, are invited into my life. God's word, God's people, and God's purpose are invited into where I live. I run the risk of being discovered, but choose this over hiding.
2. Elisha's entry into the home resulted in her and her husband's vulnerability. God has made us to relate to each other honestly. Our fears of being discovered are reflected in the Bible story of Adam hiding from God. We overcome this when we recognize God's message, God's man, God's men, God's people, God's work and draw near. Shame and the fear of discovery keeps one detached from the ULTIMATE element for change - God Himself. God has ordained agents. If they receive you, they receive ME (John 13:20). We are willing to risk all in order to walk with God.
3. God honors the woman's faith and desire for 'CONNECTION.' The connection leads to more. Elisha asks his servant if there is anything he can do for the couple. They do not have children, he answers. Elisha said "...about this season according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son." In this part of the story, the now "connected" woman and her husband are given something exceptional, yet normal. They have a child by the grace of God. The result is that they became fully convinces of Elisha's ministry. WHOLEHEARTEDNESS in a relationship with God and His work is a great gift. The heart is caught up with that which deeply satisfies. With all our hearts, we believe, embrace and live. Connection with God and His ways always leads to wholeheartedness. Wholeheartedness leads to more.
4. The story continues. The child dies, as we read in 2 Kings 4:18-20 "And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. And he said unto his father, my head - my head. And he said to a lad, carry him to his mother. And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died." We continue to look at the unfolding plan of God. I realize I am imperfect; God's world is imperfect and I am not in absolute control. The child has died. But I persist in faith. My experience and growing confidence becomes my COMPASS. My compass says God is dependable. My child by promise has died, I am not in control but I know Who I have believed. According to Jewish law, the child should be buried before night fall; but she puts the child in Elisha's bed because she knows that Elisha could raise him from the dead. Wholeheartedness in faith is powerful. Her eyes are not on the problem, they are on Elisha and his God.
5. She then left the dead child. "Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee" (verse 24). This woman continued to relate to the ultimate authority in her life. Even in despair she knew what to do. She decided to fight a good fight. She made a 'B-line' to Elisha. There was no discussion, no excuses, no extra talk. She simply kept her quiet focus. We should fight for our marriages, our homes, our children by keeping our focus on God, His way, His teaching, His work. His work is seen in the Word and the local church where it is preached. When she was asked, "is it well with they husband? Is it well with the child? And she answered, it is well" she was willing to relate to her problem through the highest authority only. No small talk to people who can not really change the situation. Stay God centered.
6. Elisha realizes that there is a problem but admits "the Lord hath hid it from me..." Sometimes, we look for support from God's people but they may not realize our need. Nevertheless, we see God's faithfulness in raising the child from the dead by the ministry of Elisha. The story ends with the resurrected child with his family and a woman changed. She has a deep appreciation for God and His ways. She not only has a child but a story of God's faithfulness to her. This God centered experience is never forgotten. It has built in us the personal knowledge of God.
www.barna.org/congregations-articles/556-what-people-experience-in-churches
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