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The Miracle of Working God’s Way. James A. Cress. Just a kid’s story?. 1 And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us."
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The Miracle of Working God’s Way James A. Cress
Just a kid’s story? • 1 And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us." • 2 "Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell." So he answered, "Go." • 3 Then one said, "Please consent to go with your servants." And he answered, "I will go." • 4 So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees.
Just a kid’s story? • 5 But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, master! For it was borrowed." • 6 So the man of God said, "Where did it fall?" And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. • 7 Therefore he said, "Pick it up for yourself." So he reached out his hand and took it. -- 2 Kings 6:1-7
What a story! • Bible story of “the ax head which swam.” • Elisha rescued an embarrassed student who had borrowed/lost a valuable tool. • As a kid, proudly possessing a genuine “Davey Crockett Tomahawk,” I easily envisioned a hatchet which sprouted arms and fins as it propelled its way to the river’s shore.
More than a story • Why this curious story in Scripture? • What’s the story behind the story? • Leadership principles of how to move any project forward. • 7 short verses . . . 9 leadership secrets
Define your need • And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha “See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us.” (verse 1) • Expansion – this place is too small • No situational analysis = paralysis • Cannot go forward if you don’t know where you start from
Design your plan • Please let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell, (verse 2a). • Specifics – new location, new place • All involved – “let us” • Details – each man a beam
Defer to God’s will • So he answered, “Go.” (verse 2b). • Make your plans, asking God to help. • Await God’s permission • “Go” = God endorsed
Determine your support • Then one said, “Please consent to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.” (verse 3). • Recruit your team. • Followers request leader to participate. • Advance stronger together than individually. • Don’t go it alone.
Direct your action • So he went and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. (verse 4). • Once you’ve met the conditions for success – DO SOMETHING! • God’s people had been at Jordan before – set up camp and waited. God intervened. “Get these people across this river Jordan.” • Go to work. Nothing happens by dreams alone.
Describe your trauma • But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water, and he cried out and said, “Alas, master! For it was borrowed.” (verse 5). • Trauma, not lost tool. “It was borrowed” • Even God-endorsed plan doesn’t eliminate trauma. Trauma is not tragedy. • Even tragedy can lead to triumph. Darkest just before dawn.
Delight in your miracle • So the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. So he made the iron float. (verse 6). • When you have done your best – allow God to settle the rest. If God is with us – more than they who are against us! • Miracle: iron swims? Young man = miracle! • This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Designate your responsibility • Therefore he said, “Pick it up for yourself.” (verse 7a). • Appropriate response to God’s miracle? • Do what you can do. • Pick it up for yourself. Don’t wait for it to jump onto shore. • The miracle is the iron floats, not that it crawled up onto the river bank and jumped into your pocket.
Decide to obey • So he reached out his hand and took it. (verse 7b). • Take it and claim it. • Choose to obey. • Appropriate consequence of miracle = faithfully following in obedience.
End of the Story? Just the beginning . . . How you choose to work!
Delineate • Declare • Divide • Destroy • Develop • Deploy • Derive • Delay • Depend • Defend