September 18, 19, 2004, 2 Kings 6:1-7, Selected

RECONNECTING THE POWER!
WHEN YOU’RE IN A SPIRITUAL SLUMP!

*** Psalm 71:12 “God, don't just watch from the sidelines. Come on! Run to my side!” [Message Bible]
*** Psalm 10:1 “O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I need you the most?” [New Living Translation]

1) OUR FIRST REACTION: BLAME GOD!
2) OUR PROPER REACTION: TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND TAKE ACTION!

*** Psalm 40:3 “He has given me a new song to sing, of praises to our God.” [LB]

*** 2 Kings 6:1-7 “One day the prophets said to Elisha, "The place where we meet with you is too small. Why don't we build a new meeting place near the Jordan River? Each of us could get some wood, then we could build it." "That's a good idea," Elisha replied, "get started." "Aren't you going with us?" one of the prophets asked. "Yes, I'll go," Elisha answered, and he left with them. They went to the Jordan River and began chopping down trees. While one of the prophets was working, his ax head fell off and dropped into the water. "Oh!" he shouted. "Sir, I borrowed this ax." "Where did it fall in?" Elisha asked. The prophet pointed to the place, and Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. The ax head floated to the top of the water. "Now get it," Elisha told him. And the prophet reached in and grabbed it.” [Contemporary English Version]

THE AXE HEAD REPRESENTED THE MAN’S SPIRITUAL POWER!

HOW TO GET OUT OF A SPIRITUAL SLUMP!

1. YOU ADMIT YOU’VE LOST IT!
*** 2 Kings 6:5 “While one of the prophets was working, his ax head fell off and dropped into the water. "Oh!" he shouted. "Sir, I borrowed this ax." [CEV]

A. HE COULD HAVE USED IT AS AN EXCUSE TO QUIT!
*** Psalm 71:14 “But I will keep on hoping for you to help me; I will praise you more and more.” [NLT]
*** Phil. 1:9 “I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding.” [NLT]

B. HE COULD HAVE PRETENDED THAT HE STILL HAD IT!

How do you know if this is happening to you?

1. YOU LOSE YOUR LOVE!

WHAT WAS ONCE A DELIGHT HAS BECOME A DUTY!

*** Rev. 2:5 “Look how far you have fallen from your first love!” [NLT]

2. YOU LOSE YOUR VISION!
*** 2 Tim. 4:10 “Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone” [NLT]

2. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE WHERE YOU LOST IT!
*** 2 Kings 6:6 “Where did it fall in?" Elisha asked. The prophet pointed to the place….” [CEV]
REASONS YOU CAN LOSE YOUR CLOSENESS:
A. DISTRACTIONS!
B. DISOBEDIENCE!
*** Isaiah 59:2 “Your sins are the roadblock between you and your God. That's why he doesn't answer your prayers or let you see his face.” [CEV]

GUILT DRIVES A WEDGE BETWEEN YOU AND GOD!
C. SELF- RELIANCE!
*** Proverbs 16:18 “First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.” [Msg]
D. SELFISHNESS!
*** Deut. 6:12 “Be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you….” [NLT]
E. SLOTHFULNESS!
*** Hebrews 2:1 “So we must listen very carefully to the truths we have heard, or we may drift away from them.” [Living Bible]

3. YOU EXPECT GOD TO RESTORE IT!
*** 2 Kings 6:6 "Where did it fall in?" Elisha asked. The prophet pointed to the place, and Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. The ax head floated to the top of the water.” [CEV]
*** Luke 1:37 “For nothing is impossible with God." [NIV]

MY GOD SPECIALIZES IN IMPOSSIBLE RECOVERY!
*** Psalm 40:2 “He lifted me out of the pit of destruction, out of the sticky mud. He stood me on a rock and made my feet steady.” [New Century Version]
*** Jeremiah 15:19 “The Lord replied, "If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me.” [NLT]

EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE IS BORROWED!

4. YOU REACH OUT AND RECEIVE!
*** 2 Kings 6:7 "Now get it," Elisha told him. And the prophet reached in and grabbed it.” [CEV]
*** Rev. 2:5 “Look how far you have fallen from your first love! Turn back to me again and work as you did at first.” [NLT]

HOW TO REACH OUT AND RECEIVE SPIRITUAL VITALITY:
A. REMEMBER!
B. RETURN!
C. REPEAT!
*** Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me again the joy of your salvation….” [NLT]

YOU ARE JUST AS CLOSE TO GOD AS YOU WANT TO BE!