I must be getting old. But I’ve been reflecting back and looking at the time that we’ve spent together as a family. Madeline is getting older. She’s a sophomore in college now. When I was at my brother’s wedding, it was scary to think that she might be the next one getting married in my family. I’m not sure I’m ready for that. I looked back at the summer and wondered, “What kind of memories did I make with Ruth and the kids? What did we do? What will they remember from this summer? From any of our trips?”
But I’m not sure that really matters. See, I want to leave my kids with something more than memories. I want to leave my kids with something that lasts, something that matters. I want my kids to stand at Jordan’s bank while the chariots of fire come forth to carry them home. I want Ruth to stand before Jesus to meet him. Memories in a camper are fun, but faith in Jesus is forever. I’ve been thinking about all of this as I meditated on the old prophet and the young one. Memories are fun, but faith is forever. So, let’s learn a few lessons from these two prophets and from the apostle Paul. First, let’s hold, chase, and pass on an eternal legacy.
Let’s hold it with Elijah. For what was probably years, Elijah had wanted to leave this earth. He had begged God out in the wilderness to take his life, but it wasn’t time. God still had to work for him to do. And to the very end of his time on earth – notice won’t you that Elijah never died – Elijah believed in God. He was down. He was discouraged. But he never quit. He never stopped believing. And he got to ride up to heaven in a whirlwind without ever even dying! Let’s hold what we believe.
Let’s chase it with Elisha. We don’t know a lot about Elisha’s upbringing, but when Elijah called – similarly to Jesus calling the disciples from the sea – Elisha chased him down. And especially, especially in these last days of Elijah’s life, Elisha was chasing him down so that he could learn as much as he could about God from his experienced prophet. He was hungry, diligent, and passionate about chasing down God through his prophet. Let’s chase the things that we believe in, always hungry to learn more, and grow more.
And let’s pass it on with Paul. He bridges the gap for us between Elijah and Elisha. He helps us understand the heart of the old man Elijah. He helps us understand the passion of the young man Elisha. See, Elijah and Elisha's story leaves out some details. But Paul doesn’t leave us to wonder what was going on in his mind when he got to his later days: 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. – Philippians 1:21-24. See, Paul was chasing chariots of fire, so-to-speak just like Elijah was. He wanted to get to heaven ASAP. “I desire to depart and be with Jesus! But I also want to stay and pass the faith on to you. It is more necessary and important for you, dear Philippians that I stay with you.” That’s what Elijah was saying to God. I desire to depart and be with you. And God was saying back to Elijah, “It’s more important for you to stay here.”
Let’s hold, chase and pass on an eternal legacy.
As we wrap up our sermon series this weekend, we want to ask two more questions: 1) Who is mentoring and discipling me in the faith? 2) Who am I mentoring and discipling in the faith? See, this is the way faith is passed on. This is the way that people are equipped for service. Yes, faith and Christian formation is a community project that happens by a community in a community.
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See you Sunday! Pastor Nate