Don’t Lose Your Edge

Sunday’s sermon was full of meat.  I suppose it’s appropriate since today is Memorial Day.  Traditionally, people have family reunions over the holiday weekend.  They gather for fellowship…and food.  Lots of it.  Get your plates, forks, knives and napkins out ya’ll.  The sermon recap will have you chewing on this meat for a while.

We are continuing our journey through II Kings with the prophet Elisha.  The sermon highlighted II Kings 6:1-7.  Forget reality TV.  We have “The Real Prophets of the Old Testament.”  Today’s text lands us smack dab in the middle of a dilemma.  The sons of the prophets (remember them from earlier in the season with the poisoned stew drama….if not, go back to previous sermon recaps) talk to Elisha. 

Their ministry is growing, and they’ve outgrown the place that they are living in.  Let’s park right here for just a minute.  I applaud these men for recognizing that their present atmosphere is too small.  It’s incredibly easy to get complacent.  Ask all of the too little clothes that I’ve attempted to squeeze into.  I acknowledge the need for change in clothing size, but I’m reluctant to purchase the size that will be a better fit.  Getting clothes that fit properly makes so much sense, but I would have to accept that I’ve outgrown my current situation.  Thankfully, the sons of the prophets are wise.  After recognizing the tight fit, they make an informed decision to consult with the man of God about their next move.  Although they had outgrown the space, they had not outgrown the need for covering.  Elisha tells them that they can go and honors their request that he go with them.

The work is just beginning.  They all get to the Jordan River and begin cutting down trees to help build their new home.  Each man has a role.  Each man matters.  As one man was cutting, his axe head fell off.  And this was no ordinary axe head.  This was an iron axe head….which means it was valuable.  So what did he do when his axe head fell off while he was working? How did he respond when he realized that he just wasn’t cutting it anymore?  He stopped swinging.

Clearly, this son of the prophets had some good sense.  He didn’t look around to see if anyone would notice that his axe head fell off.  He didn’t continue to sing the tree chopping song with everyone else while he beat his tree with a stick.  His axe was not effective.  He couldn’t get his work done.  He had lost his edge.

I don’t think he’s alone.  Many times in ministry, we stop being effective.  We do the same thing the same way…even when it’s not reaching the lost.  Even when it’s not reaching the found.  We become complacent and forget the value of our anointing and our callings.  Honey, our axe heads fall off and we just keep swinging.  Making lots of noise and no progress.

As soon as the axe head falls off, the man calls out to Elisha.  He’s lost the axe head, and he needs it back.  See, not only has the axe head fallen off, but it wasn’t his in the first place.  He borrowed it and wants to return it whole.  Listen, that alone will preach.  Ya’ll the gifts and anointings that we have aren’t ours anyway.  They’re given to us by God.  So, it’s imperative that we take great care of them.  If your ministry is falling off, don’t just keep swinging.  Pray about it.  Seek Godly counsel.  Don’t just keep doing the same thing when you see no results.  We serve a God of miracles, signs, and wonders.  He didn’t reserve those for Bible days.  They are promised to us right now.  But are we sharp enough to believe God for them?

Elisha did what Elisha does when introduced to a dilemma.  The man of God used the power of God to make the iron float.  The axe head came to the surface of the river.  The man picked it up for himself.  His edge was restored.  He could get back to work.

When we accept Jesus Christ, He gives us our axe.  He wants us to be hearers AND doers of the Word.  There is plenty of work to be done.  And the world is waiting for you to pick up your axe and get to swinging.  What is your axe head looking like today?  Is it dull from striking objects that it was never meant to hit?  Is it as sharp as the day that you got it because you’ve never used it?  Do you even know where it is?  We can’t afford to lose our edge.  Eternity is at stake.  #wepreach

Since you’re already eating, chew on these questions:

•  Are you an active member of a ministry? Ministry does not necessarily mean a formal group within a church. You may volunteer at the soup kitchen once a month or knit blankets that you give to nursing homes. Your ministry is whatever God called you to do and can cover the boardroom to the grocery store.
• How many people have accepted Christ as a result of your ministry?
  • If the answer is none, have you taken time to evaluate your ministry? Are you open to constructive criticism?
  • If the answer is one or more, how do you deal with people after they accept Christ? Do you check in with them periodically?
• Are you intentional about sharing Jesus Christ with others? Why or why not?