Don Graham Revival Ministries

Powerlessness

II Kings 4-5

Part One: The Problem of Powerlessness

II Kings 4:18-37

Following our series on The Pathway to Revival I now wish to share a two-part study on the subject of powerlessness as classically illustrated in the life of Gehizi, the servant of Elisha, successor to Elijah. The Shunammite woman, who had been blessed by Elisha's prophetic announcement that she would bare a child out of her extended barrenness, now watches this child die in her lap. She puts her son's corpse on Elisha's bed in the prophets chamber, jumps into a chariot and rushes to Mt. Carmel to find Elisha.

Now abreast of the critical need Elisha gives his staff to his servant Gehazi, instructs him to proceed immediately and without hindrance to Shunem and lay his staff upon the dead boy. He did as he was instructed, "but there was neither voice nor hearing." (v.31) Exasperated he returns to Elisha and exclaims "The child is not awaked." What a portrait of spiritual impotence, utter powerlessness.

What an apt illustration of the powerlessness that persists in the pulpits and pews of our churches. The problem of Gehazi's spiritual impotence underscores the fact that...

I. Proximity with the man of God does not insure power.

Gehazi was remarkably blessed and privileged. He walked daily with the man of God—and he watched closely. He was in such close concert with Elisha sharing intimately all of life and all of ministry. Yet being in such close proximity to Elisha had no guarantee within itself that he would be endowed with the same power.

Whenever preachers gather, conversation quickly arises about our spiritual heroes, great men of the faith, those living here and those living in heaven. While this is good there is subtle danger involved if we think that proximity with mighty men will cause their might to automatically rub off on us. Gehazi knew Elisha but he didn't know Elijah. Elisha knew what his greatest need was—a "double portion of the Spirit" and he tenaciously sought that. We must seek His face in His fullness, not His hands to hold His gifts! (God's power doesn't pass by osmosis!)

II. Possession of the man of God's staff does not insure power.

Watch Gehazi wave Elisha's staff! But nothing happened. Perhaps he waved it more fervently and furiously—but still nothing happened. Now behold the contemporary church scene as preachers and parishioners froth at the mouth over Elisha's staff and wave it feverishly hoping for better results. We make a fetish out of the staff and assume our possession of the staff will bring success. That long awaited degree... that larger parish... that new staff member... the latest program... that eagle award... final recognition for being in the top ten, etc., ad infmitum! ad nauseum!

We can easily depend on religious relics, religious tradition or religious programs but the more we wave these over the death around us the more dead the dear are... and what do we do? We just change the relics and think if we can only change our style of worship, market ourselves more professionally and be more casual about church then all will turn around. And yet the boy is dead! And yet death prevails all around us!! Oh, that the death in our churches and communities could drive us to our face before a holy God in brokenness, humbleness and contrition to ask of Him how we have offended Him and then repent!

III. Position on the man of God's staff does not insure power.

Gehazi enjoyed a prominent position. He was on Elisha's staff, FBC, Mt. Carmel! Wow!! That'll really look good on the resume! He's arrived. Rubbing shoulders daily with the big names and serving a "prominent pulpit." By the way, for the life of me, I can't figure what makes one pulpit more "prominent" than another. If your pulpit is manned by a God-called preacher who preaches in love fearlessly and boldly the inerrant Word, yours is a prominent pulpit.

All the prestige that goes with being on the staff of a prominent church was enjoyed by Gehizi but in a time of critical need he was spiritually impotent. Only Elisha's God can endue with power. Watch as he stretches himself over the dead boy and prays. The boy sneezes, opens his eyes, and is presented alive to his mother. Resurrection life can only flow through the truly revived church. That's what the world is waiting to see from us—unmistakable resurrection power pulsating through a people absolutely clean before a Holy God. Resurrection power or relic reliance—which do you want?