Evening Service April 3, 2005

Dare to Ask for Hard Things 2 King 2:9-15

Have you asked God for hard Things? We waste our prayer life asking god for easy things. Menial insignificant things when there is a world of hard things that need to be done.

A world lost & dying ..ask for our headache to go away,

The church in crisis …. ask for a few more dollars

families on life support … ask for a new car

My goal before I die is to see a church split over something important.

Elisha’s hard request – (Responsibility)

was asking for the birthright.

Deu 21:17 “But he shall acknowledge … the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.”

Anointing always comes with responsibilities attached –Anointing Comes in direct measure with obediance.

You got a double portion for a reason- You were the Clan Elder- Luke 15:31 “… Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine…” He had to deal with th betrayal, and help the family heal. (32) “It was Right to Celebrate” The elder had to chose what was right.

Gehazi was God’s First Choice- 2 King 5:25-27

James & John’s Hard request (Authority)

Mat 20:20-23 –“ Ye know not what ye ask:” Don’t understand the spiritual significance of the request-

James Martyrdom in Act 12:2

Spiritual authority doen’t come from a throne- but a bowl of dirty water.

Mat 23:11 –12 “The greatest among you will be your (Greatest) servant. & … all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Longer hours – greater demands and less appreciation- We are asking to be misunderstood and passed over.

Jacobs Hard request (Transformation)

Hosea 12:3-4 (Jacob) He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: 4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed:

Power with God Comes at a price- Mat 11:12 “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”

The great thing of God are not for the lazy and the willowy Jer 45:5 “…seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not…:”