Washington Heights Baptist Church
Who Will Take the Mantle?
1 Kings 19:19 and 2 Kings 2:13
A follow-along listener outline about surrender, responsibility, and carrying the work of God forward in our generation.
Opening Text and Introduction
The Meaning of the Mantle
1 Kings 19:19
So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
2 Kings 2:13
He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
In the Scripture, the mantle connected a man to the call, the responsibility, and the continuation of the work of God.
Key Thought: Every generation must decide whether it will only admire what God did through those before them, or take up the responsibility of walking with God for themselves.
Before we talk about the advantages and the cost of the mantle, we need to deal honestly with the objections that rise up when God begins putting His hand on a life.
Point 1
Objections to the Mantle
A. “I am too young.”
1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Key Thought: Youth does not excuse a person from obedience when God is able to put spiritual weight and holy conviction in a yielded life.
B. “I will miss out.”
Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Key Thought: Whatever is lost in surrender is never greater than what is gained in fellowship with God.
C. “I have my own plans.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Key Thought: The safest place for any future is still under the direction of the One who gave the life to begin with.
Once the objections are brought into the light, we are able to see that the mantle does not begin with loss, but with privilege.
Point 2
The Advantages of the Mantle
A. The Relational Advantage
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Key Thought: The greatest advantage of a surrendered life is that God lets us know Him, walk with Him, hear from Him, and live under the influence of His presence.
B. The Generational Advantage
2 Timothy 2:2
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Psalm 78:4
We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
Note: Somebody prayed, preached, sacrificed, stayed faithful, kept the doors open, taught the Bible, and carried the burden long enough for us to receive it.
Key Thought: Truth received must become truth preserved, truth lived, and truth passed on to those coming behind us.
The mantle carries great advantage, but we would be dishonest to preach the call without preaching the cost.
Point 3
The Cost of the Mantle
Luke 14:28
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
A. The Cost Seen in Elijah
1 Kings 17:1
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
Key Thought: Elijah’s mantle came with confrontation, separation, dependence, loneliness, spiritual warfare, and the burden of standing before men because he had first learned to stand before God.
B. The Cost Seen in Elisha
1 Kings 19:20-21
And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?
And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
Proverbs 18:1
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Note: There is a separation that is not rebellion, isolation, or pride, but a holy separation from anything that would keep the heart from fully pursuing the wisdom, will, and work of God.
Key Thought: Elisha’s response shows that the call of God may require a clean break from former securities, former identities, and former expectations.
After the objections have been answered, the advantages have been considered, and the cost has been counted, the only thing left is the appeal.
Closing Appeal
Who Will Take the Mantle?
2 Kings 2:13-14
He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
The mantle is before another generation, and the question is who will surrender to God, live clean in a filthy world, value the presence of God, preserve the truth, and count the cost without walking away from the call.
- Lost sinner, come to Jesus Christ for mercy, forgiveness, and salvation through His blood.
- Saved friend, surrender the part of your life God has been dealing with.
- Church family, let us carry the truth faithfully to those coming behind us.
Final Question
Who will take the mantle?
