Elevating Others: The True Measure of Success

Devotional

Day 1: Redefining Success in God's Kingdom

Description:
The story of Elijah and Elisha challenges our cultural understanding of success. In a world that often equates success with personal achievement and recognition, Elijah's willingness to step aside for Elisha offers a different perspective. True greatness in God's kingdom is found in elevating others and preparing them to carry on God's work. Elijah's legacy was not in his own accomplishments but in how he invested in Elisha, enabling him to continue and even surpass his ministry. This is a powerful reminder that our legacy is not in what we achieve but in how we invest in others. [24:35]

Bible Passage:
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)

Reflection:
Think of someone in your life whom you can mentor or support. How can you invest in their growth and success this week?

###

Day 2: The Power of the Holy Spirit

Description:
Elisha's request for a double portion of Elijah's spirit underscores the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The same Spirit that empowered Elijah to perform miracles is available to us today. This teaches us that our abilities and achievements are not our own but are the result of the Spirit working through us. Elisha's ministry was marked by the power of the Holy Spirit, and this same power is available to us to fulfill our calling and mission. [31:56]

Bible Passage:
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection:
Identify an area in your life where you need the Holy Spirit's power. Pray specifically for the Spirit to empower you in that area today.

###

Day 3: Humility in Leadership

Description:
Both Elijah and John the Baptist exemplify humility by stepping aside to allow someone greater to take the lead. This is a crucial lesson for us, especially in a world that often glorifies self-promotion. True leadership in God's kingdom involves recognizing when to step back and let others shine. Elijah's willingness to pass the baton to Elisha and John the Baptist's role in preparing the way for Jesus are powerful examples of humble leadership. They understood that their roles were to elevate someone greater than themselves. [34:10]

Bible Passage:
"John answered, 'A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, "I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him."' (John 3:27-28, ESV)

Reflection:
Reflect on a situation where you can step back and allow someone else to lead. How can you support and encourage them in their role?

###

Day 4: The Mandate to Make Disciples

Description:
Jesus' final command to His disciples was to go and make disciples of all nations. This is not just a task for church leaders but for every follower of Christ. Our primary mission is to invest in others, helping them grow in their faith and equipping them to make disciples themselves. This mission is empowered by the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised would be with us always, guiding, comforting, and empowering us to fulfill our calling. [36:47]

Bible Passage:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

Reflection:
Who is someone in your life that you can disciple? What steps can you take this week to invest in their spiritual growth?

###

Day 5: Dependence on the Spirit

Description:
Jesus modeled a life of dependence on the Holy Spirit, even though He was fully God. This teaches us that we, too, must rely on the Spirit for guidance, comfort, and empowerment. Our effectiveness in ministry and discipleship is not based on our abilities but on the Spirit working through us. Jesus' life and ministry were marked by His reliance on the Holy Spirit, and He promised that the Spirit would be with us always, empowering us to fulfill our calling. [40:58]

Bible Passage:
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17, ESV)

Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to the Holy Spirit? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the story of Elijah and Elisha from 2 Kings 2, focusing on the transition of prophetic leadership and the deeper spiritual lessons it offers. Elijah, a powerful prophet, is about to be taken up to heaven, and his disciple Elisha is determined to stay with him until the end. Elisha requests a double portion of Elijah's spirit, symbolizing his desire to carry on and even surpass Elijah's ministry. This request is granted, and Elisha performs his first miracle by parting the Jordan River, just as Elijah did.

This narrative serves as a powerful metaphor for discipleship and the passing of spiritual legacy. Elijah's willingness to step aside for Elisha mirrors John the Baptist's role in preparing the way for Jesus. Both Elijah and John the Baptist exemplify humility and the understanding that their roles were to elevate someone greater than themselves. This is a stark contrast to the world's definition of success, which often focuses on personal achievement and recognition.

Jesus also modeled this principle by investing deeply in His disciples, preparing them to carry on His work. His final command to them was to go and make disciples of all nations, emphasizing that the mission of the church is not just personal spiritual growth but also the multiplication of disciples. This mission is empowered by the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised would be with us always, guiding, comforting, and empowering us to fulfill our calling.

In essence, the story of Elijah and Elisha, along with the examples of John the Baptist and Jesus, teaches us that true greatness in God's kingdom is found in elevating others and relying on the Holy Spirit. Our success is not measured by what we achieve for ourselves but by how we invest in others and depend on God's Spirit to work through us.

###

Key Takeaways

1. promotion. True leadership in God's kingdom involves recognizing when to step back and let others shine. [34:10]
4. The Mandate to Make Disciples: Jesus' final command to His disciples was to go and make disciples of all nations. This is not just a task for church leaders but for every follower of Christ. Our primary mission is to invest in others, helping them grow in their faith and equipping them to make disciples themselves.

5. Dependence on the Spirit: Jesus modeled a life of dependence on the Holy Spirit, even though He was fully God. This teaches us that we, too, must rely on the Spirit for guidance, comfort, and empowerment. Our effectiveness in ministry and discipleship is not based on our abilities but on the Spirit working through us.

### [34:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[21:34] - Olympic Glory and the GOAT Debate
[22:55] - Michael Phelps' Struggle with Success
[24:35] - Redefining Success in God's Kingdom
[25:59] - Elijah and Elisha: The Final Journey
[27:21] - Elisha's Request for a Double Portion
[28:53] - The Passing of the Prophetic Baton
[30:09] - The Significance of a Double Portion
[31:56] - The Power of the Spirit: Ruach
[33:09] - Elijah and John the Baptist: Preparing the Way
[34:10] - Humility in Leadership
[35:06] - Jesus' Model of Discipleship
[36:47] - The Great Commission: Making Disciples
[38:18] - The Promise of the Holy Spirit
[40:58] - Jesus' Dependence on the Spirit
[42:13] - Someone Greater Mindset
[43:54] - Encouragement to Rely on the Spirit
[45:40] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was Elisha's request to Elijah before Elijah was taken up to heaven? (2 Kings 2:9)
How did Elijah respond to Elisha's request for a double portion of his spirit? (2 Kings 2:10)
What was the first miracle Elisha performed after Elijah was taken up to heaven? (2 Kings 2:14)
According to the sermon, how did John the Baptist's role compare to Elijah's? [33:09]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit? What does this request signify about Elisha's understanding of his mission? (2 Kings 2:9)
How does the story of Elijah and Elisha challenge the cultural understanding of success and greatness? [24:35]
In what ways did Jesus model the principle of investing in others and preparing them for future ministry? [35:06]
How does the role of the Holy Spirit in Elisha's life compare to the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Jesus' disciples? [39:18]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you had to step aside to let someone else take the lead. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from that experience? [34:10]
Elisha's request for a double portion of Elijah's spirit shows his desire to continue and expand Elijah's work. Is there an area in your life where you feel called to ask God for more of His Spirit? How can you pursue this? [30:57]
Jesus' final command to His disciples was to go and make disciples of all nations. How are you currently investing in others to help them grow in their faith? What steps can you take to be more intentional about this? [36:47]
The sermon emphasized the importance of humility in leadership. How can you practice humility in your current roles and responsibilities? [34:10]
The Holy Spirit is described as our guide, comforter, and empowerer. How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit in your daily life? [40:58]
Think of someone in your life who could benefit from your spiritual guidance or mentorship. What practical steps can you take this week to invest in their spiritual growth? [37:37]
Reflect on the idea that true greatness in God's kingdom is found in elevating others. How can you apply this principle in your family, workplace, or community? [24:35]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I believe that God offers a better, a more fulfilling path, a more fulfilling story. And Elijah, as we're going to talk about today, models this perfectly." [24:35] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Do I spend more time elevating someone else or myself? Do I spend more time pouring into others? Or do I worry? About myself? Is my faith journey only about my spiritual well-being? Or am I bringing someone else with me?" [34:10] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We are not called just to consume, but to bring someone else with us, to make disciples. And even if we've just started following Jesus, if you've just started showing up at church, maybe you've just recently got baptized and you're like, is this for me? Like, am I supposed to be making disciples? I would say yes." [37:37] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Let me encourage you. It's not about your words. It's not about your cleverness. It's not about your charisma. It's about the Spirit that works through you." [43:54] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "It's about someone greater who is with us every step of the way. That we focus on making someone else greater. And we rely on the power of someone greater. That is Christ's model for the church. He says, Go and make disciples. And I will be with you always." [45:05] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Elijah models the idea of someone greater following him. Elijah gracefully steps out of the picture and passes the baton on to his disciple who has now become greater. His ceiling has become the ground floor to the next generation." [31:56] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "John knew that his role was to decrease so that Jesus could then increase. And so John steps out of the spotlight once Jesus comes down and he passes the baton off to Jesus, who then begins his ministry. And both John and Elijah. They model incredible humility." [34:10] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus spent the bulk of his ministry pouring into 12 guys who went everywhere with him. They did everything together. He starts out his ministry by finding these 12 pretty normal dudes. And he says, hey, come follow me. Come follow me and I'll teach you how to live, how to become fishers of men, how to really live." [35:06] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus focused his ministry on making disciples and modeled a dependence on the Holy Spirit. And so what does all this have to do with Elijah? It probably feels like we have chased a rabbit all this way. So if I can, if you'd let me try to tie some of my ramblings back together." [40:58] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I believe that discipleship is the engine of the church. And the Holy Spirit is the fuel that makes it happen. Because I think that's what Jesus modeled as he started his church. And so I want to finish with this encouragement. If you're hearing all of this and you're thinking, I don't know if I could do this. I don't know about this whole discipleship thing. I want to share something that encourages me." [43:05] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?