by Pastor Bobi Tayag

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-14

Thermodynamics is a branch of Physics that studies the effects of changes in temperature, pressure, and volume on physical system. That’s the official definition!

The 2nd law of thermodynamics basically states that “everything is moving towards the same temperature in the same environment, they’ll affect each other, and eventually level off to the same degree. So if you take a hot pan off the stove and plunge it into a sink of cold water, what happens? The pan cools down and the water heats up. Right? After only a few minutes they’re both at the same temperature. That’s thermodynamics! Then let’s say you put your ice-cold Coke in a pan of warm water. What will happen? The ice-cubes melt and your soda gets warm. Again, thermodynamics at work.

Now, that’s all very well and good, if you don’t care if your food’s cold and your Coke is warm. But if you like your food hot and your Coke cold… you’ve got a problem! The law of thermodynamics tells us that things quickly take on the temperature of their surroundings. The rule of “spiritual” thermodynamics works the same way. Christians, submerged in this ‘big problem world’, quickly take on the temperature of this world. To the point that they’re not really hot for God, and they are not really cold for God —they’re just kind of ‘lukewarm’! And Jesus (the Master ‘taste-tester’) has a problem with that! He tastes our lives and has a natural but violent reaction… a ‘gag reflex’. Jesus Christ wants us to be consumed with the passion that we may be hot or cold for His purposes, pleasure and glory.

What will enable us to identify and keep the fire of passion for Christ burning so that we are consumed in life and ministry?

1. Determination that shuns Distractions and Discouragement. —v. 1, 4 & 6

2 Kings 2:1, “And it came about when the Lord was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.”

2 Kings 2:4, “Elijah said to him, ‘Elisha please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they came to Jericho.”

2 Kings 2:6, “Then Elijah said to him, ‘Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Jordan.’ And he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not live you.’ So the two of them went on.”

As God called Elijah into different places, Elijah wanted Elijah to stay. If I were Elisha, I would have been discouraged by what Elijah would tell me. But Elisha was so determined that discouragement and distractions could not overcome him.

2. Dedication that shows Discipline and Desire for Double Portions. —v. 8-14

2 Kings 2:9, “When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.’ And Elisha said, ‘Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.’

Dedication is being wholly committed to a particular course of thought or action. And once you are committed to something it requires discipline in order to finish the job. And when you are really dedicated to something you are willing to accept even a double of it. Just like Elisha, he asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit so that he could continue serving God.

3. Devotion that senses Divine Duty and Destiny. —v.14

2 Kings 2:14, “He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, ‘Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?’ And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over.”

Because of the burning passion of Elisha, he sensed that after Elijah had gone, he had to continue the legacy that Elijah had left (to serve God).