Conversion of the Lost 2 Ki 4: 18-37 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

In 2 Ki 4:18-37, the passage about Elisha raising the son of the Shunammite woman from the dead, we see a powerful text on being used of God to bring others to Christ.  We are not sent into the world to do things that are possible.  We are sent by God so that he may perform the impossible… the resurrection of the dead [salvation of those dead in trespasses and sins].  Concerning the conversion of the lost:

2 Ki 4:27, 30 Seek help.  She sought help for her son, immediately, when she realized that his condition was more than she could handle.  If you are concerned for the soul of a loved one, don’t hesitate to get some help to deal with his soul.

2 Ki 4:29 The matter is urgent.  The fields are already white to harvest.  Souls are in dire straits.  While we don’t want to get ahead of the Spirit, certainly, we can be guilty of not responding when he is leading.  We can wait too long.

2 Ki 4:31 Impersonal truth is not sufficient.  Gehazi’s staff wasn’t enough.  There’s no life in it.  This doctrine, that truth, this program, that method, if they haven’t personally affected us, if they are not part of our very being and life, are not enough. Tracts are good but often they are not enough.  You have to get personally involved.

2 Ki 4:31-32 The souls of the lost are truly dead.  Gehazi said, the child is not awaked.  No, he wasn’t asleep; he was dead.  Sinners without Christ are not on a journey.  They are stone cold dead.

2 Ki 4:33 This work requires earnest prayer.  We must pray.  This is God’s work.  Shut the door and pray.  Pour out your heart as Christ did in Gethsemane.

2 Ki 4:34 You must be personally involved.  Elisha tried something less with the staff.  Elisha knew from Elijah’s example that he would have to become personally involved [1 Ki 17:19-22].  Look what Paul wrote in Phil 4:9 and 1 Thes 2:8.  A dying man is needed to raise dying men.  We must be crucified with Christ and feel the pang of death for lost souls.  Paul said, “I could wish myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren,” [Rom 9:3].  He said, “I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart,” [Rom 9:2].  Elisha had to get eye to eye, mouth to mouth and hand to hand with that boy.

2 Ki 4:34 Don’t stop short of conversion.  The boy waxed warm.  Elisha paced the floor, like a dad waiting on the birth of his child.  He was anxious for the soul.  He stretched himself upon the boy.  You must stretch yourself to your limit sometimes.  Give it all you got.

Conclusion: The child opened his eyes.  What a beautiful picture of a newborn child of God.  Elisha said to the woman, “Take up thy son.”  Many a praying mother would love to have you witness this way to her child.  The Shunammite woman wouldn’t leave the man of God until he had done his part.  So, do your part.

Note: the general idea for the exposition of this text came from Spiritual Parenting, C.H. Spurgeon, Whitaker House, p. 161-175.