BROADCASTS.com

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run\xa0with perseverance\xa0the race marked out for us\u2026 Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Remember your leaders,\xa0who spoke the word of God\xa0to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate\xa0their faith.\xa0Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:7-8 (NIV)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak\xa0around him.\xa01 Kings 19:19-21 (NIV)\xa0

Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. \u201cLet me kiss my father and mother goodbye,\u201d\xa0he said, \u201cand then I will come with you.\u201d \u201cGo back,\u201d Elijah replied. \u201cWhat have I done to you?\u201d 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NIV)

So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen\xa0and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NIV)

Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant. 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NIV)

1. Faith begins in EVERYDAY FAITHFULNESS.

So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair\u2026 1 Kings 19:19 (NIV)

Be very careful, then, how you live\u2014not as unwise but as wise,\xa0making the most of every opportunity,\xa0because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)

If we can\u2019t be faithful with small things, our faith will never rise for the big things.

1. Faith needs RELATIONAL INPUT and OUTPUT.

He replied, \u201cI have been very zealous for the\xa0Lord\xa0God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left,\xa0and now they are trying to kill me too.\u201d 1 Kings 19:14-16 (NIV)

Isolated faith can quickly turn into irrational fear.

The\xa0Lord\xa0said to him, \u201cGo back the way you came\u2026 1 Kings 19:14-16 (NIV)

\u2026and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael\xa0king over Aram.\xa0Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha\xa0son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah\xa0to succeed you as prophet. 1 Kings 19:14-16 (NIV)

\u2026Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak\xa0around him.\xa01 Kings 19:19 (NIV)

1. Faith requires RECKLESS ABANDON.

Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. \u201cLet me kiss my father and mother goodbye,\u201d\xa0he said, \u201cand then I will come with you.\u201d \u201cGo back,\u201d Elijah replied. \u201cWhat have I done to you?\u201d 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NIV)

So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen\xa0and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NIV)

Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant. 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NIV)

As they were walking along the road,\xa0a man said to him, \u201cI will follow you wherever you go.\u201d Jesus replied,\xa0\u201cFoxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man\xa0has no place to lay his head.\u201d Luke 9:57-62 (NIV)

He said to another man,\xa0\u201cFollow me.\u201d But he replied, \u201cLord, first let me go and bury my father.\u201d Jesus said to him,\xa0\u201cLet the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.\u201d Luke 9:57-62 (NIV)

Still another said, \u201cI will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.\u201d Jesus replied,\xa0\u201cNo one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.\u201d Luke 9:57-62 (NIV)