The Jasper news., 1922-02-09

unto yOu,i the hOiir Ia coming, ana now, Is, |
when the dead shall hear the voice OF the /
Son of God; and they that hear shall
| live.-John 5:25
REFERENCE MArERIAL-John II:
| i-l6.
PRIMARY r6f1c Z ELISHA Brings a
/ Boy to Life. T ~
JUNIOR ToPIc-IIow Elisha Brought
| 4 Boy TO Life.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR TOPIC |
Elisha Helping in a Home.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC |
Our Ministry OF Comfort and Help,
1. The shunammlte's Hospitality to
Elisha wv. SID.
1. It's occasion ". 81. A wealthy
woman of Shunem, observing that
Elisha passed continually by her house
! IN his journeys, was moved with com
passion toward him.. She determined
according to her ability to supply his
needs. -
Q It's nature (vv. SID. "She,
constrained him 10 eat bread" (vv. 81
e). AS a result of her earnest enc
treaty, as often as he passed by her
house he turned in to eat bread. She
received a prophet in the name OF
prophet. +.is.
II. Elisha Endeavors to Repay Her
Kindness wv. 12-1T).
1. He, offers TO ask favor from the
king or head OF the army ". 13). This
offer implies that Elisha had influence
at the royal court. The woman's re-
ply shows her truly to be great
woman. She did not desire to change
the calm and quiet OF her home for a
place even in the royal court. Her
answer also shows that her motive
4 In extending generosity to the prophet
was entirely unselish, purely because
he was Gods propher.
2 Elisha announces the giving OF
son. to her wv. 10, 40. Through
inquiry of Gehazi it was discovered
that this woman was childless, So
the prophet made known TO her that
in about a year from that time she
should experience the joy Of mothers
~. The Coming Of Sorrow TO the
shunammite's Home wv. 1S-2D.
The child which brought joy TO
her home was suddenly taken away.
How many homes are like thlsl Scarce
ly do we begin to enjoy life until
death enters and snatches away some
IlVved one. The cause OF his death was
probably sunstroke, for the heat OF
the sun at harvest time In this country
Is very intense. When the boy com.
plained Of his head, the father sent
him home to his mother. By noon
the child died and the mother laid
him upon the bed of the man OF
God. Faith prompted her to do this.
She did not make preparation for
burial, but for restoration to life
(Heb. 11;35).
~. The Mother Goes TO Elisha
wv. 22-2S).
When one is In trouble or SORROW
the best place to go is to the man OF
God who is able to give counsel and
comfort. Happy is the one who In the
days of prosperity and sunshine has
50 related himself to God and His
: prophets that he can have help and
sympathy In time Of trouble.
i. She took hold Of Elishas feet
", 27). This was the eastern way Of
enforcing petition. She passed by
Gehazi. she would not be content with
the servant when the master could be
reached.
2. She chided the prophet ". 2s).
did / desire a sonf' This implies
that 1t would have been better not to
have had q child than to have lost
him SO soon.
v. The Child Restored wv. 29-37).
/. Gehazi's fruitless errand (vv. %
31). He hurried away and placed the
prophets stan upon the child's face,
: but 1t did not revive. Perhaps the
fault lay In Gehazi--his lack of faith.
The woman seemed to perceive his
lack; she would not trust him. She
would not go until Elisha was will
ing 10 go along. This fruitless errand
Of Gehazi shows the worthlesspess OF
the forms Of religion when used by
those who have no faith in them.
: 2. ElIsha's efficient service (vv. 32-
so. He went to the house where
the dead child was. (1j He prayed
". 33). He knew that no one but God
could help, so he closed the door,
shutting all others out. Our service
TO men should be preceded by prayer.
(2) He stretched himself upon the
child ". 34). He brought his warm
: body into touch with the cold body
Of the child. God blesses and saves
through the warm tonch Of those who
are In touch with Him After we pray
- akouId pef into nefual talieh Will