19
Jun '24
Losing Your Cutting Edge
19
Jun '24
Text: 2 Kings 6:1-7
“And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye. And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go. So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.”
Introduction: Ever been discouraged? I got a call yesterday from a man, 73 years old, that said he felt, “DOWN in the DUMPS!” I asked him why. He responded, “While watching the news – the decision to open up our communities so soon, really bothered me.” So… we talked, read Scripture, and PRAYED together. Finally, he regained his “CUTTING EDGE” even though he couldn’t control things. In the days of Elisha, a problem occurred but a solution was found. There are (3) ways to get back your CUTTING EDGE:
1. ADMIT we’ve got a problem (v. 5)! – “But as one was felling a beam, the axe head FELL into the water.”
- It’s hard to admit when we are wrong or when we have a problem!
- In the end, it’s LIBERATING!
2. After ADMITTING we’ve got a problem, take our PROBLEM to JESUS (v. 6)! – In this case, His man Elisha. “Where fell it!”
- When did we lose it (fellowship with God, anger and resentment toward people, BAD DECISIONS that effect others)?
- Where was it lost?
3. Get your CUTTING EDGE back (v. 6-7)! – “And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did SWIM… take it up… and he put out his hand, and took it.”
- God honors humility.
- He will make a way.
Conclusion: I love the story of the strong, young woodsman who was hired with a logging firm along with an older man. The younger man was faster and could cut more trees than the older man without stopping to rest, unlike the older man who stopped to rest while SHARPENING his chainsaw. After several days of this, the older man OUT-CUT the younger man – to his surprise. The young man asked, “How can it be? The older man replied, “I learned a lesson from the BIBLE.”
“If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct” (Ecclesiastes 10:10)
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese
26
Apr '20
Don’t Give Up Hope
26
Apr '20
Text: Hebrews 10:35-37
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”
Introduction: Do you ever feel like “GIVING UP”? We’re not home yet! God is not finished with you. God reminds us through Paul (I believe the author – inspired by Holy Spirit), do not go BACKWARD but PRESS FORWARD to maturity in Christ. There are (3) ways to PRESS on:
1. Don’t give up your “CONFIDENCE”! (Heb 10:35)
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.”
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.”
• Some things NEED TO be thrown away – clutter
• Some things DO NOT need to be thrown away- “confidence” (par-rhay-see-ah, which means freedom, boldness)
• Pay back on the way – rewards
• Some things DO NOT need to be thrown away- “confidence” (par-rhay-see-ah, which means freedom, boldness)
• Pay back on the way – rewards
2. Don’t forget to hold on to “PATIENCE”! (Heb 10:36)
” For ye have need of PATIENCE, that after ye have done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.”
” For ye have need of PATIENCE, that after ye have done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.”
• To know the will of God -“PATIENCE” (hupomene – means endurance, steadfastness, to remain under)
• To do the will of God
• To do the will of God
3. Remember, JESUS is coming soon! (Heb 10:37)
” For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
” For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
• Keep Looking Up
• Keep Looking Out
• Keep Looking Out
Conclusion: It is easy to get discouraged theses days. Constant focus on “The BIG picture” – God’s purpose and plan – will keep us motivated to not GO BACK but to PRESS ON loving, serving, and waiting for JESUS to come again. That will be worth it all!
PRESS ON!!
Love y’all ,
Love y’all ,
Dr. Randy Reese