“Bring Your Vessels…Not A Few!”

Pastor Timothy Hinkle

(Developed by Pastor Fonda Hinkle)

September 26, 2010

2 Kings 4:1-7 (New King James Version)

1 A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” 2 So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”

2 Kings 4:1-7 (New King James Version)

3 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. 4 And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.” 5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out.

2 Kings 4:1-7 (New King James Version)

6 Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” 7 And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”

Take A Closer Look

Verse 1 A certain woman of the wives of the sons

of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.”

It was the LAW that when a man died, his family must pay all of his debts, and that if they could not pay his debts, then his sons and daughters could be sold into slavery in order to pay the debts.

Take A Closer Look

Verse 2 So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you?

Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house… but… a jar of oil.”

Here we see that the woman didn’t think that she had anything…and then….a spark of HOPE caused her to look deeper and discover that she had “something of value”…even if just a little—that hope would produce FAITH!

MERCY (GRACE) was shown by the prophet—provision for her when she and her husband had not been diligent to arrange for it.

Take A Closer Look

Verses 3 & 4 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from

everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.”

We see here that God required OBEDIENCE. The woman had to put feet to her faith!

God wanted to bless her ABUNDANTLY. We also see that she had to compell her

neighbors to help her. She needed to GET ALONE WITH GOD (shut

the door)

Take A Closer Look

Verses 5 & 6 So she went from him and shut the door behind

her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased.

She obeyed. OBEDIENCE is better than SACRIFICE

God will not give you something that you are not ready for—she had no more vessels so the oil ceased.

Take A Closer Look

Verse 7 Then she came and told the man of God.

And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”

After the miracle, she still had to keep on being obedient

We have to keep on listening We have to keep on doing—working in the

kingdom of God.

Symbols & Examples

We saw an example of the LAW

We saw an example of MERCY (GRACE)

The action of borrowing from her neighbors showed a LITTLE FAITH, but God used that little to produce MUCH

Remember OIL always represents the Spirit of God.

Symbols & Examples

SHUTTING THE DOOR represents getting alone with God, where He causes you to release your faith and creates GREAT FAITH. We see that her faith grew as she poured the oil.

SELLING THE OIL represents continuing in obedience of sharing the Holy Spirit with others all the while having your own needs met……FREE FROM BONDAGE AND GUILT!

Vessels in Scripture

Rebekah used a vessel to draw water from the well for Abraham’s servant proving that she would make a good wife for Isaac. Only with Jesus, the Living Water, can we be whole and acceptable (Genesis 24: 45-46)

David had a broken vessel. He said he was a reproach and caused his acquaintances to fear when he was near. Still he put his trust in the Lord (Psalms 31:12)

Isaiah 66:20 tells of the Israelites’ return to Jerusalem with clean vessels. The Hebrew word is “TAHEWR” (TAW HEWR’). It means: clean, pure, moral, fair

Vessels in Scripture

Matthew 25:4 tells us of the five wise virgins whose vessels were full of oil, with trimmed wicks—they were READY (PREPARED).

Let’s read Matthew 25:1-13

Matthew 25:1-13

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

Matthew 25:1-13

8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Vessels in Scripture

Matthew 25:4 tells us of the five wise virgins whose vessels were full of oil, with trimmed wicks—they were READY (PREPARED).

The five foolish virgins were still virgins but they were not prepared, and thus, were left behind.

Matthew 9:17 talks about NEW VESSELS. This shows that we must be BORN AGAIN in order to have the HOLY SPIRIT.

Vessels in Scripture

2 Timothy 2:19-2119 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Vessels in Scripture

Acts 9:15 we see that God called Paul a CHOSEN VESSEL

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

Vessel of Honor

What type of vessel do I want to be? What will I be when He is through with me?Will I be a cup to bring water to the soul?

Or will I adorn the King’s table as a brightly colored bowl?

Will I be a pitcher that brings a never-ending stream…Or will I be a vase to hold flowers in the spring?

I may be large to draw water from a wellPerhaps I’ll be small

Only He can tellWhat I will be is perfect for this land

Why? Because I will be crafted by the Master’s own hand.

By Pastor Timothy Hinkle (His vessel)

Summary

I hope that you’re a vessel full of LIVING WATER!

I hope that you are a BROKEN VESSEL at times to allow the Lord to heal and fill you.

I hope you’re a clean, pure, moral, and fair vessel (TAHEWR) that can be used of God.

Summary

I hope that you’re a CHOSEN VESSEL.

I hope you’re a PREPARED vessel, filled with the HOLY SPIRIT and ready to meet God!

I hope that you are a VESSEL OF HONOR.

Whatever type of vessel God has called you to be, I hope that you are a WILLING VESSEL, so that He can perfect His will in YOU!