Consider the path of the prophet Elisha. He is leading the nation, traveling through nondescript regions, guiding and directing. A Shunamite woman takes note of his anointing and presses Elisha to stop by her house. The scene is layered with meaning; expectation, honor, and blessing.
The scripture describes her keen insight into the anointed man of God, thus provoking her husband to “make him a room so that when Elisha passes by, he will stay with us.” Her house is rearranged, displaying a change in priorities. The reward comes in the form of a baby boy. It was the greatest of blessings.
However, a few years removed and we find the young boy in the field with his father. The beating sun has overtaken the young child and he dies of heat exhaustion. The “blessing” is now lifeless, taken from their hand. The Shunamite woman calls for her husband again 2 Ki 4:22 “Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I may run to the man of God quickly and return.”
A son is lost. The mother is desperate. The father is willing and the work of the Church is in full display.
The Word of the Lord has been given to us, for which we are grateful. We have the revelation of the Mighty God in Christ. However, the unsettling truth is that Kingdom work is buried beneath vacations, careers, or the pressing duties of our day. Eternal destinies are held in the balance. The Gospel must be delivered.
We have come today to worship the King of Kings. We have come to receive the Word. Jesus will be glorified and we will be filled with understanding. However, our purpose reaches beyond our own salvation.
The sanctuary is the “table” and it must be filled with people. The world is dying in sin and we are commissioned to bring them to Christ. The question is this: “Who is running to recover what has been lost?” The Great Commission has been reduced to a mediocre suggestion. Jesus said, “Go, teach, baptize.” These are the words of the Savior which we purport to serve. This is the heartbeat of the Master to Whom we lift our hands and sing our songs.
Our cry must be: Send me so I may run!
Who is running to find a lost, damaged life? Who is stretching themselves; giving of their time and energy to recover the prodigal or those who have no knowledge of Jesus? There are 106,000 reasons for our church to exist and as many reasons for us to sacrifice our lives for the cause.
All of this leads me to the call: 100 Soul-winner army. Are you in the Army? It will not come by way of verbal agreement or a positive attitude, though both are welcomed. This only comes by action. A cry must be heard in this house that echoes in the streets and neighborhoods. Homes must be filled with Bible studies. The waters of baptism is what qualifies the soldier in this army. Send me so I may run!
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole