Elisha – Learning to Stand Up for Our Own Personal Faith: 2 Kings 2

2 Kings 2:11-12 (NLT) 

    As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between them, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven. [12] Elisha saw it and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and charioteers of Israel!" And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his robe in two.

1.  God often removes the channels of grace, in order for us to stand up on our own faith in order to build our own foundation.

2 Chron. 32:31 (NLT) 

    …God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart.

John 16:7-14 (NLT) 

    But it is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Counselor won't come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you…When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.  He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from me.

1 Cor. 3:2 (NLT)

    I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you couldn't handle anything stronger. And you still aren't ready,

Hebrews 5:12 (NLT)

    You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food.

Hebrews 5:14 (NLT)

    Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right.

Build the ultimate foundation of our personal faith on Jesus and not on our churches, friends, pastors, and teachers even if learn from, and honor them.

1 Cor. 3:11 (Msg) 

    Remember, there is only one foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ.

Psalm 33:20 (NLT) 

        We depend on the Lord alone to save us.  Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield.

Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) 

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

2 Kings 2:13-14 (NLT) 

    Then Elisha picked up Elijah's cloak and returned to the bank of the Jordan River. [14] He struck the water with the cloak and cried out, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.

2.  It is only when we take the risk to personally step out by faith that we see the power and miracles of God released into our lives.

2 Kings 2:19-22 (NLT) 

2 Kings 2:9-10 (NLT)

    When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, "What can I do for you before I am taken away?"  And Elisha replied, "Please let me become your rightful successor."

    [10] "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah replied. "If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won't."

2 Kings 2:9 (NIV)

    When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"  "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.

3.  Be ambitious for God and if the motives of our heart are right before God, He will release His power and miracles into our lives.