The Cost of Discipleship
Sermon June 29, 2025 2 Kings 21-2, 6-16 The Cost of Discipleship
Reverend Fred Okello
I had a conversation last week that made me think deeply about something: that we need to start preparing other people for our roles, especially in the church. The church’s biggest challenge right now is the making of disciples.
We serve with great commitment that we forget to pass what we have to reliable men and women. We faithfully carry out our duties as ministers, but when we are unavailable, even for a short period, everything seems to stop. This creates setback to our congregations and sends the message that God’s work depends on one or two people. The church is a group of people growing together in Christ.
We find a different example in our story today: Elijah, a powerful prophet of God, is about to die, and his apprentice Elisha is closely with him. The story we hear is about the passing of a mantle.
In 2 Kings 21, Elijah and Elisha’s friendship shows us what it means to walk closely with God. Elijah tells Elisha to stay behind many times because he knows his time is short. But Elisha promises to stay with him no matter what: “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
Elisha is resolved to be close to Elijah and the activity of God. He knows that you can’t have what you want if you don’t want to walk with it.
To be a good servant, you have to be close. It means being there. We need to be connected to the people God is using if we want to be utilized by Him. We have to learn by watching, listening, and helping.
Who are you going with? Who are you letting walk with you?
Elijah asks Elisha, “What can I do for you before I leave you?” after they cross the Jordan. Elisha says, “Please let me have twice as much of your spirit.”
The firstborn had the right to a “double portion” in Hebrew culture. This was a way of expressing, “Let me continue your legacy with full responsibility.” Elisha didn’t want authority; he wanted to be fully prepared for the calling that lay ahead.
Today’s task is to be brave enough to ask God for what we need, to do our job. Not just benefits, but spiritual power, wisdom, patience, and humility? Are we praying for God to get us ready?
Elijah is carried up in a whirlwind, which is an amazing and miraculous way to leave. But what really gets our attention is what occurs next: the mantle falls. That mantle stood for Elijah’s prophetic power and God’s blessing. And when it falls, Elisha grabs it. He then goes back to the Jordan and hits the water, asking, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And the waters separate. The same God who operated through Elijah now shows His strength in Elisha. Someone needs to be ready, available, willing to take on the role!
Many mantles have fallen, in our churches, homes, and communities. Have we taken them up? Or are they still where they fell?
As we’ve seen, Elisha’s journey was marked by faithfulness, courage, and a readiness to act when the moment came. The story ends with a question for us: “What will we do when the mantle falls before us?”
Brothers and sisters, mantles are tumbling all around us. Many groups, including ministries, missions, families, and churches, are going through changes right now. The question isn’t if God is still working. Yes, he is. The question is, are we ready to take on the job, sacrifice our time and resources?
You might have been strolling close to someone, like Elisha. You might have been viewing from a distance. God is asking you now to do more than just admire. He wants you to actively engage.
Let’s promise to get others ready, walk faithfully, and courageously follow what God is leading us to do. And when the mantle falls, let someone be there to continue the task!