Victory Gospel Church | Bringing Hope Helping and Healing | Southampton's Local Church| Spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ

Texts: 1 King 19: 15-21, 2 King 2: 1-15

Deut 21:17
"But he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; to him belongs the right of the firstborn.

Exodus 4:22
Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD, "Israel is My son, My firstborn.

Isaiah 61:7
Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, Everlasting joy will be theirs.

Genesis12:3
And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

James 1:18
In the exercise of His will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

Elijah replied Elisha's request for double portion of his spirit by saying "Thou hast asked a hard thing". Note, he did not say it is impossible. Why is it a hard thing? I believe it is because a double portion is meant for the firstborn sons.

Israel is God's first son hence he gave unto them a double portion instead of their shame.

Elisha was not entitled to a double portion as he was not a first son. First sons have special privileges within the family. But he claimed the benefit of the firstborn.

We are different. In James 1: 8, we see we are His first fruit and we have Abraham's blessing. If  Israel is entitled to a double portion so are we.

No matter the position you find yourself, as long as you are a child of God, you too could claim the double portion.

A. POSITIONING - Elisha was in the right place at the right time.

We noticed that the Lord instructed Elijah to anoint Hazel as King over Syria, Jehu as King over Israel and Elisha as prophet in Elijah's place. Instead Elijah anointed Elisha first before the others. The reason lies in verse 19 - So he departed thence, and found Elisha. It means Elisha was readily available. POSITIONING is important. Elijah was well placed and his anointing was not delayed. Please note that he was found on the field ploughing and not in the school of prophets. He was in the right place at the right time. We do not have to be a pastor or minister to receive a double portion of anointing. We may actually be on the soup run, driving the church bus, directing traffic, cleaning the church etc. The most important thing is to be in the right place at the right time. To enable a double portion of anointing in our life we need to pray to God to help us to be in the right place at the right time.

B. DILIGENCE - Elisha was hardworking and not idle

In verse 19, we were made to know that Elisha was ploughing on the field. He was not idle. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all thy  might. The bible also says the hand of the diligent makes rich (Prov. 10:4)

Ecclesiastes 9: 10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Prov 10:4
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Proverb 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

The disciples of Jesus were fishing when they were called to become fishers of men. The Lord will not call an idle or lazy man talk less of impacting double portion of the anointing.

C. HUMILITY - Elisha was humble.

Before Elisha was called, he was rich and a great man. Why did I say this? Look at 1 King 19:21. He made feast with a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. For him to slaughter the oxen without any notice, the twelve yoke of oxen, field and the servants must have belonged to him. Despite his greatness he humbled himself to get involved in ploughing. He could have sat in the shade and instructed the servants from there. He also left this comfortable position to take the call. We found out later that he became servant to Elijah, pouring water on the hand of Elijah.

The Lord will not use a proud hand. 

D. PERSISTENT / DETERMINATION / PERSEVERANCE

Elisha was determined in the face of adversity. He knew his master will soon be going and the source of his strength will depart, he did not loose hope. He was determined to receive the double portion. Elijah's determination to shake Elisha off was matched with Elisha's determination to cleave to him.

Ruth - Ruth 1:16
Persistent widow Luke 18:1-6

Jacob wrestling with God and his name was changed from Jacob to Israel. Jacob signifies a supplanter while Israel means "a prince with God". He said, I will not let you go unless you bless me. Persistence and determination to be blessed turned a supplanter into a prince of God. Genesis 32:22-28

Hezekiah's life was extended (Isaiah 38 1-6)

How do we develop the ability to persevere and be persistent in the face of adversity or negative report?

Determination and persistence are possible in the face of FAITH, which comes with the word of God. This is made possible by knowing the will of God. God will honour determination and persistence.

Read the passage below and compare Joash the King of Israel with the above people. What can we learn from this King of Israel?

2 Kings 13: 14-19

Joash, King of Israel was half hearted and not persistent despite knowing the spiritual meaning of his actions in verse 17.

E. WILLINGNESS TO SERVE

Elisha was willing to leave all to serve God. He was prepared to serve man in order to serve God.

1 King 19: 19 & 20 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.  And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

Elijah did not try to convince or persuade Elisha. Elijah found a willing heart. Elijah passed by him after casting his mantle on him and he moved on because the bible made us believe that Elisha had to run after Elijah to give him his reply. Elisha did not require persuasion to quit his profitable job and gave himself to service.

Psalm 110: 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power (KJV) Thy people offer themselves willingly in the day of thy power (American standard version)