Elijah and Elisha Series

Elijah and Elisha: Empowered by the Holy Spirit

 

Elijah and his successor, Elisha, were prophets who served God faithfully in a time when most of God’s people had turned to idol worship.

In the Bible, nothing is revealed about Elijah’s life before he warned King Ahab of an upcoming famine in 1 Kings 17. But the accounts of his ministry and miracles in 1 Kings 17–2 Kings 2 illustrate the magnitude of Holy Spirit power that rested on Elijah.

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the temple, he told Zechariah that his son, John, would “go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). Later, Elijah appeared with Moses when Jesus was transfigured (Luke 9:30). These two passages indicate that Elijah was a godly servant worthy of emulation.

Yet James reminds us in his letter to first-century churches that Elijah was “a human being, even as we are” (James 5:17). The prophet plummeted into despair and entertained suicidal thoughts. He wrestled with loneliness and the futility of ministry (1 Kings 18–19).

Then God sent Elijah a coworker and friend—Elisha. When God took Elijah to heaven, Elisha asked for and received “a double portion” of his mentor’s spirit (2 Kings 2:9). In the biblical record, Elisha did perform twice as many miracles as Elijah.

These two servants of God stood firm and proclaimed God’s truth in a hostile culture. Join us as we examine their lives and explore how the Holy Spirit longs to empower us as he empowered them. God’s call for us is no different than his call for Elijah and Elisha: stand firm against evil, pray about everything, speak truth without apology, and lead others toward God’s best for their lives.

Empowered to Depend on God

Empowered to Facilitate Healing

Empowered to Pray Boldly

Empowered to Be Still

Empowered to Worship the True God

Empowered to Do Even Greater Works

Empowered to Take Risks

Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Empowered to Bless Others

Empowered to Offer Support

Empowered to Declare God’s Greatness

Empowered to Give an Eternal Perspective

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