Homilist 2 Kings 6:1-6 And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with you is too strait for us.… If there was a church in Israel at all, the school of the prophets undoubtedly constituted a part of that church. They were a communion of godly men. I. This church-extension enterprise was STIMULATED BY THE PRINCIPLE OF GROWTH. The old sphere had become too narrow for them, they had outgrown it. This is a principle on which all church-extension should proceed, but in these modern times it is not only ignored, but outraged. Although statistics show that the churches and chapels in England fall miserably short of the accommodation necessary for the whole population, it is three times greater than is required for the number of attendants. II. This church-extension enterprise was CONDUCTED IN A MANLY MANNER. 1. The best counsel was sought before a step was taken. 2. Each man set to honest work in the matter. "Take thence every man a beam." III. This church-extension enterprise ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTIES UNEXPECTED. "And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. But as one was felling a beam, the axe-head fell into the water: and he cried and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed." IV. This church-extension enterprise OBTAINED SUPERNATURAL HELP WHEN NEEDED. When the man who had lost his axe and was crying out in distress, Elisha, the "man of God" said, Where fell it? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it." (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. |
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