AT THE DOOR
Crossing the threshold of blessing

Text: 2 Ki 4:8–17; Ps 1:1–3

8 One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. 9 And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. 10 Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”

11 One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there. 12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him. 13 And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’ ” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.” 14 And he said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” 15 He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16 And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.” 17 But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.

(2 Ki 4:8–17).

The Shunammite woman was materially blessed, yet her soul was longing. Reminder that just because a person seems to have it made on the outside, doesn’t mean they don’t hurt deeply on the inside.

She says to her husband, let’s make room for the move of God.

Two Quick Thoughts:

- We must make Room for the move of God to Rest & Remain
- The Husband and Wife partnered to make room for the move of God

She blesses Elisha.

Principle in Scripture - (Gal 6:7) God is not mocked whatever a man sows he reaps.

Want to be blessed… learn to bless.

Elisha calls her to the room and she is now standing AT THE DOOR of blessing..

Many are standing at the threshold. Not in or out. At an open door with great blessing before you or retreat to the status quo behind you. Move forward in faith or retreat in fear.

So what prevents us from moving into a place of blessing and more importantly how do we step forward?

David offers an answer in Psalm 1

Psalm 1:1 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

A blessing is divine favor upon a person, place, or thing. It is a supernatural endowment that invites prosperity.

Vs 1 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked”

1) WALKING WITH THE WICKED

David said, those who take their cues, get their advice from a wicked world around them… are outside God’s blessing. Who are you listening to?

Could say it this way, “Blessed is the man whose way of life is not conformed to the pattern of this world.”

When you fill your mind with worldly thoughts, worldly wisdom, worldly entertainment … don’t be surprised when you starting walking away from heavens blessing.

Ro 12:2 Do not be conformed (outside pressure) to this world, but be transformed (inward metamorphosis) by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Difference in kingdoms, the kingdom of the world forces you to conform. The Kingdom of God invites you to transform

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked nor stands in the way of sinners”

2) STANDING WITH SINNERS

Note the progression… from walking in the advice of the ungodly to now standing in their way. A way of sinful thinking has become a sinful lifestyle. The man or woman has stepped away from righteousness and is now standing in unrighteousness. David says, they are not blessed.

God told Joshua I set before you life and death, blessings or curses therefore choose life, choose blessings!

O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Mt 6:30–33)

Do the right thing and you’ll be blessed


Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

3) SITTING WITH SCOFFERS

Again… note the progression. First taking council from the world, then standing with the world. Now come to rest, sitting down with the scoffer.

Scoffer means mocker

If you are sitting down at the table and everyone around you is cutting, critical, complaining… likely you’re sitting at a table where the blessings of God are no where to be found.

John Maxwell - Only thing more contagious than a good attitude is a bad attitude.

10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
(Tt 3:10–11).

* If you are the most positive person in your circle, you need a new circle
* IF you are surrounded by negative people… or people come to you to complain
Why do they think your ear is open to their complaining?

Remember the progression… listening to the ungodly voice, then standing in sin, now sitting… you’ve come full circle, now your the voice speaking unrighteousness

David says, if you’re not experiencing blessing it’s likely you’ve been walking, standing and sitting with the ungodly… then he turns… the blessed man

2 … his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Ps 1:1–3).

4) THE BLESSED MAN WALKS, STANDS AND SITS IN A DIFFERENT ROOM

Note the contrast:

- WALKING in the word!
- STANDING by the streams of life!
- SITTING in a place of blessing!

"all that he does, he prospers." THATS CALLED BLESSING!!!

Remember the Shunammite woman… Elisha calls her… and she is now standing at the threshold.

At the threshold of the room she prepared for the Lord. She had made room for a move of God and at the same time was preparing a room to be blessed. That room changed her life, changed her home, changed her legacy… she made room for the move of God, and the move became a blessing.

Two keys to the door:

Silence the Voice of Unrighteousness
Amplify the Voice of Righteousness




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