mySundaySermons

Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. [NRSV]

What Mantle Are you leaving?

1. The prophet Elijah is leaving the work to Elisha.
   1. “It will take two of me to equal one of you.”

1. Inheritance vs. Passing the Torch
   1. Money and possessions are valuable
   2. How to use these resources is most valuable.
2. What is a Mantle
   1. The touch-point of the witness of faithfulness.
3. What to hand on to the next generation?
   1. Letters, stories, photos. or songs
   2. Art, crafts, textiles, or garments.
   3. Tokens, Tools, Table, or

Samples of Mantles that have shaped me and my faith:

• Pocket Watch – Story of Family and Generations of faith
• Cheese Biscuit Recipe – love of cooking and feeding people
• Guitar – love of music and craftsmanship
• Round Kitchen Table – Everyone has a place at a round table
• Bible – Treasure of knowledge
• 6oz Coke – Less is More

What is we leave nothing?

The next generation will have to start fresh with our mistakes and their own.

Not assuming that the next generation will figure out what our mantle means, we have to attach the meaning and lesson to the token itself.