May 31, 2026 - 10:30 am
Morning Worship Service
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.
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;
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Who will take the mantle?
Sermon Audio Coming Soon
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(Speaker's Notes: PW Protected)
(Speaker's Notes: PW Protected)
Questions and Answers
Quick sermon takeaways from Who Will Take the Mantle?, a KJV sermon from 1 Kings 19 and 2 Kings 2 on Elijah, Elisha, surrender, service, and answering the call of God.
What is the main message of the sermon Who Will Take the Mantle?
The main message of this sermon is a call for believers to consider whether they will take up the responsibility of faithful service when God places a mantle before them. Using Elijah and Elisha, Pastor Gary Caudill points to the seriousness of surrender, the need for generational faithfulness, and the call to follow God even when it carries a cost.
What does the mantle represent in 1 Kings 19 and 2 Kings 2?
In the outline, the mantle represents the call and responsibility of God upon a servant's life. 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. Later, Elisha takes up Elijah's mantle after Elijah is gone, showing that the work of God must continue through willing servants.
What objections do people often raise when God calls them to serve?
The sermon outline identifies three common objections: feeling too young, fearing that obedience will cause someone to miss out, and holding onto personal plans. These objections are answered with Scripture. 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. Psalm 84:11 teaches that the Lord withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly, and Proverbs 3:5-6 calls believers to trust the Lord with all their heart.
What are the advantages of taking the mantle in Christian service?
The sermon outline highlights two advantages: the relational advantage and the generational advantage. Jeremiah 9:24 teaches that true glory is found in understanding and knowing the Lord. 2 Timothy 2:2 shows the importance of committing truth to faithful men who can teach others also. Psalm 78:4 reminds believers to show the next generation the praises, strength, and wonderful works of the Lord.
What does it cost to take up the mantle and follow God?
The sermon outline teaches that the mantle carries a real cost. Elijah stood before Ahab with the Word of the Lord, and Elisha left the oxen, sacrificed them, and followed Elijah. 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? The closing appeal connects this cost to the words of Jesus. 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.