Sunday, May 9, 1999   

INTRODUCTION:

II Kings 4:8 says: "And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem..." The town of Shunem...." The town of Shunem is primarily known for two women mentioned in scripture who lived there. One of these was a beautiful woman named Abishag. The nurse who cared for David just before he died. The other woman is simply known as the Shunamite, which is the feminine form of Shunem in Hebrew. Notice also in verse eight that God's Word calls her a great woman. As we shall see, the things that made the Shunamite woman great are characteristics of a godly Christian woman.

I. Verse 8, SHE WAS KIND

     A. The Bible says: "She constrained him to eat bread."

          1. She insisted that Elisha come in and eat at her home.

          2. So great was the hospitality of this woman that Elisha came often to her home. He made a stop at the Shunamite's home a regular habit.

          3. Every time he passed by the city of Shunem, Elisha had a meal with this dear woman and her husband. When he was in town, he knew where to go.

     B. It is always right to be kind and generous.

          1. God blesses those who give out of a heart of love (Luke 6:38).

          2. Ladies, don't be hard hearted and mean, be kind. Ephesians 4:32: "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

          3. Have a right attitude toward your children.

II. Verse 8, SHE WAS DEPENDABLE

     A. Elisha trusted this great woman enough to visit her on a regular basis in time of need.

          1. Ladies, you need to be dependable. You husband and children need you to be there in time of need.

          2. Learn to be consistent and dependable. There are some folks that I just can't depend on. I don't know what mood they are going to be in.

     B. The Proverbs thirty-one woman was dependable.

          1. Proverbs 31:11-12, "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in here....."

          2. Because of her dependability, the Bible says: "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."

III. Verse 9-10, SHE WAS PERCEPTIVE

     A. Notice what she says to her husband, "I perceive that this is an holy man of God...."

          1. She had discernment.

          2. Because of her pure heart, she could see God in the prophet Elisha. Matthew 5:8 says: "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."

     B. This great woman recognized godliness and respected it. She had enough perception to recognize that Elisha was God's man.

          1. Women who are weighed down and oppressed by sin are led astray by those who are not true prophets (II Timothy 3:5-6).

          2. The Shunamite woman had a keen sense of spiritual discernment because she sat at the feet of God's man and was taught the truth as is indicated in II Kings 4:23. a. The new moon and Sabbath speak of the days designated for worship.

               b. One of the reasons that the woman wanted Elisha in her home was so he could teach the Word of God.

               c. Ladies, it is important that you attend church.

               d. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). Train up your children by coming with them to church.

IV. Verse 13, SHE WAS CONTENT

     A. When Elisha pressed the woman for a favor he might do to show gratefulness for her hospitality, she responded: "I dwell among mine own people."

          1. She lived in peace and had no appeal to the king.

          2. She was so content that Elisha had a hard time finding away to repay her.

     B. Ladies, learn to be satisfied and content with your present circumstances, with what you have.

          1. I Timothy 6:6: "Godliness with contentment is great gain...."

          2. Philippians 4:11, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

               a. The number one cause for divorce is financial problems.

               b. Learn to live within your means. Learn to tithe and God will bless.

               c. The grass isn't greener on the other side.

V. Verses 14-17, SHE SAW HER DREAMS COME TRUE

     A. The Shunamite was not looking for a favor, and she was not looking for a dream to come true through her service to Elisha.

     B. God honored her kindness with a boy.

          1. "And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant" (Matthew 20:27).

          2. "And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman" (II Kings 4:8).

          3. Many today give to get. She didn't.

VI. Verses 18-23, SHE KNEW WHERE TO GO WHEN HER FAITH WAS TESTED

     A. Verses 18-19, Sun stroke.

     B. Verse 20, On a mother's knees.

     C. Verses 21-23, She knew where to go in time of need. She went to the place where the man of God was.

          1. It is sad that so many today run away from the place where the man of God is in time of trouble.

          2. Do you know where to go when you need a boost in faith?

VII. Verses 24-26, SHE WAS A BELIEVER

     A. Verse 26, When she was asked: "Is it well with the child?" She answered: "It is well."

          1. It is easy to say, "It is well," while all is going well. It takes faith to say, "It is well," in the storm.

          2. Job said: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him...."(13:15).

     B. "When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll: Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well; It is well with my soul." C. Dear lady, do you have faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Lord?

VIII Verse 30, SHE PERSEVERED

     A. "I will not leave thee."

     B. She had faith and would not leave.

     C. Friends, Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. Let us be faithful to Him.

     D. The godly woman determines to stay faithful.

IX Verse 36 - 37, SHE WAS THOUGHTFUL

     A. She was blessed, yes; but she was not so taken up with the blessing as to forget the blesser.

     B. Mother, beware lest you get too tangled up with the material success of your family and forget to honor your Lord and Master (Matthew 6:33).

CONCLUSION: Ladies, be willing to be out of step with this world, but in step with the Word of God.