II Kings 2:12-18
Talk the Talk or Walk the Walk

Introduction
1. Show me what you do and I will tell you what you believe about God.
2. It’s easy to talk the talk, but do you walk the walk?
3. In II Kings 2:12-18 through Elisha God was going to do exceedingly, abundantly above all
you can ask or think. We see two that represent each of us.

You talk the talk, but do you walk the walk?
I. WALK THE WALK…A LIFE OF COMMITMENT 2:12-14
A. His Perspective…He saw it
1. He saw the chariots and horses of fire. He saw the whirlwind that took Elijah.
2. The sons of the prophets view afar off. (v. 7)
3. The sons of the prophets said Elijah was leaving today. (vss. 3, 5)
B. His Proclamation…He said it
“My Father, my Father, the chariot of Israel…and its horsemen.”
1.No one else in Israel saw in Elijah (who he was) as Elisha did.
2.Israel was too carnal to see what they were losing in Elijah. The chariot of Israel was being taken from them. Its horsemen mean war chariot. The horsemen were the nations protection and power. Elijah was Israel’s greatest protection and power.
3.Elisha saw God behind a man. It was God’s hand that was upon this man.
4.Those who walk the walk can see and sense what God is doing. They see beyond the seen. They interpret the here and now in light of the God of eternity.
C. His Pain…He sorrowed (12c)
1. Elisha experienced a severe loss and a heavy heart (vss. 3, 5)
2. Tearing his clothes was a sign of sorrow, and the loss of not having Elijah.
3. What he did next shows his heart. He did not sit down in despair and wring his
hands.
4. Our darkest hour is a great time to see what we believe about God! Man’s extremity
is God’s opportunity.
5.Even those who walk the walk will suffer loss and at times hurt deeply.
D. His Predicament 13…He stood
1. Elisha faced many obstacles just getting back to Jericho. It was real. It was
formidable.
2. He went back and stood at the bank (the lip of the Jordan). Elisha can no longer
look to Elijah.
3. Standing there with Elijah’s mantle in hand, God brings Elisha to the end of himself.
It’s not in the mantle. God always calls us to do the impossible! This assignment
was ‘God size’!!
4. Show me what you do and I’ll tell you what you believe about God.
E. His Performance 14…He showed
1. His Test What use would he make of his master’s mantle?
He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and smote the water.
*He used what God had used before. He used what God had given to him.
*Everything God gives us will be tested. How will you use what God has given
to you?
2. His Trust Where is the Lord God of Elijah?
*I believe he said this as he was striking the water.
*Only God can do this…Lord God is the God of power and holiness.
*Elisha is having a ‘crisis of belief’. He could have stood there all day with the
mantle in his hand.
3. His Triumph The water parted from one side to the other.
*Elisha went over…he just enjoyed what God did.
*Who gets the credit? Who gets the glory?

You talk the talk, but do you walk the walk?
II. TALKED THE TALK…A LIFE OF COMPROMISE 2:15-18
These are the sons of the prophets from Jericho.
A.Their Profession 15
They say and do the right thing. They have an outward form.
1.Confirmation The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha.
*This is God’s man. He is a man of God.
*He speaks the word of God.
2. Consecration They came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before
him.
*In honor of the one who received the double portion.
*They are showing reverence and respect to the God of Elijah. God’s hand is
upon this man!!
B.Their Practice 16-18
Show me what you do and I will tell you what you believe about God. What did they do next?
1.Concentration 50 men, strongmen…let them go and seek thy master. God did not take him away. Elisha (God’s prophet, God’s man, God’s spokesman) is lying!
2.Concern Lest the spirit of God has taken him up and cast him into a valley. Elisha: You shall not find him. You cannot separate the message from the man. If they do not like your message, they will soon not like the one delivering the message.
What is their view of God? A low view of God promoted their behavior. God is cruel and not worthy of trust.
3.Consternation They urged him until he was shamed.
*They put Elisha in an awkward spot. They brought constant demands to search for Elijah. In one breath Elisha was a man of God who spoke for God.
*They made Elisha look bad. It looks like he is afraid that they might find Elijah.
*If found, Elisha would be second string once again. It looks like the students have more compassion than Elisha. Elisha looks selfish, hard hearted, uncooperative, and he lacks compassion.
*Did I say, “Don’t go.” Sometimes people have to learn the hard way. If they will not learn in honor, they will learn in dishonor.

Show me what you do and I’ll tell you what you believe about God. God was at work.
OBSERVATIONS…
WHEN GOD WORKS: Very few know what He is doing.
WHEN GOD WORKS: Very few see or sense what He is doing.
WHEN GOD WORKS: Very few are willing to adjust their lives and join Him.
WHEN GOD WORKS: Sons of the prophets…Their view of God will be exposed.
WHEN GOD WORKS: Sons of the prophets…should have been Elisha’s greatest
supporters and encouragement. These doubt the word of God
and discourage the work of God.
WHEN GOD WORKS: Following God can be a mighty lonely job.

Show me what you do and I will tell you what you believe about God…
regardless of what you say.
Do you talk the talk and walk the walk?
Do you merely Talk the Talk?
May we talk the talk and walk the walk…then we may be believed!!