Grace Bible Church
Pastor-Teacher
Robert R. McLaughlin
Thursday
October 29, 2020
Pastor Rick Kabrick
Learn about The significance of the Prophets Mantle – Pastor Rick Kabrick
Again, what I want you to see is how this subject applies to us as believers now in the Church-age. Because as we will see, there is a sharing of this mantle a sharing of this power and authority and glory that occurred at the moment of our so great a Salvation.
Many people in the Bible wore a mantle representing that they were Prophets and leaders.
The prophet Samuel wore a mantle.
Moses wore a mantle.
Joseph wore a mantle.
The prophet Elijah wore a garment.
Even the Apostle Paul had a mantle.
The prophet’s mantle was an indication of his authority and responsibility as GOD’s chosen spokesmen. Notice authority and responsibility. These went hand in hand with each other.
The twelve Apostles initially appointed by Christ during HIS earthly ministry all possessed the necessary characteristics which qualified them to be Apostles:
Had to have accompanied Jesus (ACT 1:21-22; 10:39-41).
Had to be a direct appointment by Jesus. (LUK 6:12-13; ACT 1:23-26).
We are HIS Disciples, the message of the canon is complete, so our job is to spread the good news throughout the world.
There are two categories of Spiritual Gifts found in the Bible. Temporary spiritual gifts and permanent spiritual gifts.
It is a special ability that GOD gives to certain members of the body of Christ to identify the unmentioned needs involved in the local assembly and to do something about it.
In the book of ACT Barnabas was so good at this particular gift that he was called the Son of Encouragement. It was he who took John-Mark and departed from Paul and later reconciled the two.
When Elisha takes the mantle that had fallen from Elijah, it is similar to when Jesus received the Holy Spirit descended on Him at HIS baptism in the Jordan River.
The mantle can be seen as a symbol of the anointing of the Holy Spirit whom GOD so graciously gives to all Christians, the people of His choosing.
Remember the striking of the rock after he was told to only speak to the rock.
NUM 27:15-17, Let the LORD, GOD of the spirits for all flesh, appoint a man over the community, who will go out before them and to come in before them and who will lead them in and out on the march so that the LORD’s community may not be like a flock that has no shepherd.
We all need to hear that voice from GOD now and then in our lives when HE closes a door and after we try to kick it open a number of times maybe even go through eh window, and that is the final answer. We need to move on.
Only at the end of all that will there be a leader who will be able to carry the weight of all the people. Of course that individual will be the Messiah.
NUM 27:22-23, Moses did just as the LORD commanded him; and he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation.
Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the LORD had spoken.
We do not self-appoint ourselves to a mantle or a ministry. GOD uses those in oversight and authority to recognize and establish those in that calling at the right time. Here is another lesson we learn from Joseph. You must understand that your calling will be tested. Your mantle your life inside of the plan that GOD has for you will be challenged.
However, he valued his master’s trust, his purity and most of all the call of GOD—and so Joseph ran. But Potiphar’s wife grabbed his cloak his mantle and used it to accuse him. Not only was that cloak taken from him, it was used as evidence against him of a crime he didn’t commit.
HE wants to show you how HE is redeeming those trials, even the failures, and how HE is using them for HIS purposes for HIS glory.
Sometimes HE can show you, other times you must wait and see and trust in HE.
How long will you hesitate between the two choices. If the LORD is GOD, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word.
Subject for another day regarding non suicidal self-injury. But there are many today who are cutters and it is a terrible thing.
After that, alone in a cave, he is mad at how lonely he is. He said: look GOD I serve you, and yet I’m miserable.
Ever felt that way? It’s a terrible way to be. It is a giant pity party to be sure. And the only ones who go to a pity party is you the one holding the party.
Elisha’s call gives us the saying “take up the mantle,” its like next man up in sports or business. But here is the story of the passing of the mantle:
But remember the scene here, in the whirlwind Elijah was taken to Heaven, and out of that whirlwind He also passed the mantle of Elijah to Elisha as it fell to earth out of that whirlwind.
Moses and Jeremiah complained of their inability to speak. Isaiah knew he was a sinner with “unclean lips”.
Samuel hears the LORD but doesn’t know who HE is. And you gotta love Jonah, he simply runs away, or attempts to.
The thing is, passing of the baton so to speak was not accomplished when Elijah lets go of the mantle, but rather when Elisha picks it up.
The lesson we learn here is that a mantle is not ours for the choosing, it is determined ahead of time by GOD.
The desire GOD places in our hearts is just one indication, among other confirmations, of the calling that is ours.
GOD positions you with people and leaders that HE wants you to serve now. Serving with faithfulness and a teachable heart is a powerful means of being positioned to attain your GOD-ordained destiny.
When GOD took Elijah, Elisha took his own cloak—the one he had worn as a servant—and tore it in two indicating there was no turning back.
Like Joseph, Moses and Elisha, you stay faithful and committed and in the long haul, you will ultimately receive the mantle GOD has for you. And the ministry GOD has for you will be above and beyond anything you could ever have dreamed.
JOH 14:12, Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Notice you must take up the Mantle. Joshua had to, Elisha had to, and we as well have to.
We pick up that mantle, regardless of the situation we find ourselves in.