Sunday Mornings Message: 1st of September 2024
Ps David Jones
citywest YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhYM0eaNwgo
Aim
To encourage people in your group to press into God and allow God to open their eyes spiritually to see what God has done, is doing and can do.
Use parts or sections of this study that best works for your group and fit the timeframe for conversation. Have fun Jesus people
Read
2 Kings 6:13 - 22
Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.
20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.
21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?”
22 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.”
Summary
The King of Aram sends a force to capture Elisha, who is surrounded by the enemy. Elisha’s servant panics, but Elisha assures him of divine protection and prays for God to open the servant’s eyes. The servant then sees the heavenly army surrounding them. Elisha prays for the enemy to be struck with blindness, leads them to Samaria, and then instructs the king of Israel to feed and release them.
The Servant’s Fear
Natural site: Imagine waking up to find your city surrounded by enemy forces. The initial reaction is fear and despair. This illustrates how we might feel overwhelmed by problems or challenges, but God’s perspective is different.
The Prophet’s Role
Spiritual Insight: Prophets represent a different kingdom and bring Gods insight and often speak against worldly values. Elisha’s role here shows how God provides guidance and perspective beyond immediate circumstances. We live under God’s authority even in worldly situations.
As believers, we also represent, speak and represent a different kingdom. – the Kingdom of God. As believers we all have the Holy Spirit living in as and can hear from God, receive insight and see as prophetic people.
Discuss
What are the things that surround you today? (e.g., personal struggles, fears, temptation How do you react when you feel overwhelmed or surrounded by difficulties?
In what ways can you shift your perspective to see God’s provision and protection, like Elisha’s servant did?
Reflect on how you handle situations where you feel surrounded or outnumbered.
How can you shift from a victim mentality to one of faith?
Thanksgiving, Praise, and Worship
Acts 16:25-34
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household
– Paul and Silas where singing hymns in prison in even when the situation looked dire, they chose to worship God. To remain thankful and grateful in all situations.
Prayer
Biblical Example: Elisha’s prays for his servant’s eyes to be opened, and he sees how great his God is. (2 Kings 6:16-17)
Read and Discuss:
Romans 8:31
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Consistent prayer changes our outlook on seemingly hopeless situation. This helps to open our eyes and see GOD IS ABLE. We can pray for our own eyes to be open and ask for fresh faith.
Look Again
Biblical Example: 1 John 4:4 – “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”
When we begin to feel overwhelmed and are struggling to see, Look again. Take a good long look at what Jesus has done. Remember the victories and the wins you have had in the past. Enjoy listening to other people’s testimonies of their “God is Able stories”
Conclusion
Remember that God has a bigger picture and that God’s power, provision, purposes, plans and ability surpasses our immediate problems. Stay strong in the face of adversity and maintain your faith, keep your eyes open to God’s work, and trust in His grace and mercy for you.
Final Prayer
Close with a prayer asking our Father to open our eyes, increase our faith, and help us to see His hand in every situation. Help us to see as he sees.
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