Who Craves Your Spirit? Part 2of5, Pastor Phil Sessa

2Kings 2:15, “The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him”,

Elisha was like the vice-president prophet in the days of Elijah. He was chosen by Elijah, and through the time spent together he craved the spirit that was upon Elijah. Before being taken up in a chariot of fire by a whirlwind of God, Elijah asked to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” To which Elisha replied, “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit.” Elisha didn’t want a material possession of Elijah. He wanted that which can only come through impartation, Elijah’s spirit.

Elijah is taken up by God, and Elisha picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Vs. 14. “Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over. WOW! He wanted to know if God was going to be with him, in the power that God was with Elijah. He craved Elijah’s spirit and wanted to know if he had received the double portion that he desired. He had a cloak in is hand (tangible), but did he have the spirit (intangible)? At one time Elijah had placed the cloak upon Elisha when he first chose Elisha to follow him as his disciple (1Kings 19:19-21). The cloak (mantle) was once placed symbolically upon him, but now it would be upon him permanently.

Elisha retraces the steps of his master and goes back to Jordan to perform the exact same miracle that Elijah had done by parting the waters of the Jordan (2Kings 2:8). He strikes the water with the cloak and the water divided. Then the company of prophets who were watching said, “THE SPIRIT OF ELIJAH IS RESTING UPON ELISHA. And they went to meet him and BOWED TO THE GROUND.” Elisha wasn’t trying to make a spectacle of himself, he was just exercising by faith the “proof” of the spirit that was upon him by putting his faith to the test. If the spirit was truly upon him, it would be evident. Elisha didn’t brag or boast, he simply asked and believed. The impartation was clearly recognizable to the prophets that knew Elijah. They bowed in reverence to the chief prophet Elisha

1. Whose spirit do you have upon you? Are there things in you good or bad that you have received from someone else imparting into you. Do you like that character that you currently have?
2. Whose spirit do others recognize to be upon you? Is that spirit godly? If the spirit upon your “Elijah” was godly, then the spirit imparted should reflect their spirit in you. The phrase “I am with you in spirit,” certainly has some truth to it. Just be wise as to the spirit that is upon you.
3. Who are you imparting your spirit to? Is there someone that is craving the spirit that is upon your life. The greatest form of emulation is imitation. Who is imitating you, a child, a friend, a student, a co-worker, a disciple of your, etc…?

Until the nets are filled….
Blessings,
Phil <><