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Let us make a small upper room

Text: Galatians 6:9-10; 2 Kings 4
19 November 2006

(I) MAINTAINING ZEAL IN DOING GOOD WORKS

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” Galatians 6:9-10

1. Fending off weariness

“And let us not grow weary while doing good” Galatians 6:9a

2. Keeping faith

“For in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” Galatians 6:9b

3. Seizing every opportunity

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all…” Galatians 6:10a

4. Focusing on the household of faith

“Especially to those who are of the household of faith” Galatians 6:10b

(II) A CLASSIC EXAMPLE (2 Kings 4:8-37)

1. Simple introduction of the Shunamite lady

“There was a notable woman” 2 Kings 4:8a

2. Kindness of heart displayed

a) Provision of food (initial)

“She persuaded him to eat food” 2 Kings 4:8b

b) Provision of good (perpetual)

“So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food” 2 Kings 4:8c

c) Provision of shelter (escalation)

“And she said to her husband,

‘Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly.

Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.” 2 Kings 4:9-10

(III) A SPECIAL BLESSING OFFERED

1. The Offer of Elisha

“What can I do for you? Do you want me to speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?” 2 Kings 4:13a

2. The Declining of the Offer

“She answered, ‘I dwell among my own people” 2 Kings 4:13b

3. The suggestion of Gehazi, Elisha’s servant

“Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old” 2 Kings 4:14

4. The promise of a son

“About this time next year you shall embrace a son” 2 Kings 4:16

(IV) HE SHALL BY NO MEANS LOSE HIS REWARD

“He who receives you receives me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward.

And he who received a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward. Matthew 10:40-42