Sermon Summary: The Shunammite Woman (II Kings 4:8-37) by Alexandra Yanes
The following is a written summary of a sermon initially delivered by Alexandra Yanes.
Lesson 1: Service and Hospitality
Served everyone regardless of her background and notability.
Her service was a pestering kind of one. In verse 8 we read, “There was a notable woman, and she persuaded him [Elisha] to eat some food.”
We must also be ready and willing to provide service for others.
Lesson 2: Recognising the Spirituality of Others
When the Shunammite woman saw Elisha, she said to her husband “I know that this is a holy man of God.”
She was so enmeshed with the service of God, that she was able to perceive a man of God even though he may have been deemed normal in the eyes of others.
It is okay to acknowledge the spirituality of the people around us. This in fact can help us with the development and growth of our spiritual lives.
Often in our weakness, we refrain from acknowledging that someone might have a deeper connection with God.
We must see the beauty within others and recognise the characteristics of our modern-day saints – the people we interact with daily.
Ultimately, our spiritual lives should not be experienced by ourselves. But rather it is something that should be shared.
Lesson 3: Contentment
Upon serving the Shunammite woman serving Elisha, Elisha asked her what he could do for her in return. However, she answered “I dwell among my own people.”
This demonstrates that she was a simple woman and did not expect anything in return.
Despite her desire to bear a child, the woman was content with her life and submitted her life to the will of the Lord regardless of her circumstances.
Lesson 4: A gift given, then taken away, roots our real faith.
After the Shunammite woman gave birth, it happened one day her son had passed.
However, before mentioning the death of her son to her husband, she sought to “run to the man of God” and speak to Elisha.
We must seek God with faith immediately.
After the death of her son, the Shunammite woman went on with life very carefully and methodically.
If something is taken away from us, we need to stand fast and understand that God is always good, and that there is meaning behind His works.
This is congruent with the example of Abraham whereby he was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Her ability to carry on with her life attests to her strong faith in the doings of the Lord.
Lesson 5: Joy Amid the Struggle
In verses 23 and 26, we read the Shunammite’s firm stance that “it is well”.
She had a firm stance and believed that all was well – this was a testament to her faith.
She did not seek empathy from others but rather mustered up enough courage to return to the man of God.
Return to the source of your joy which is Jesus.
God is the constant amid the shakiness of the world.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Lesson 6: Forward and Never Back
On the way to see Elisha, the Shunammite woman told the man to “drive and go forward; do not slacken the pace for me” (verse 24).
Never let doubt, fear, or anxiety make you look back.
Instead, we should look to the author of our lives – He constantly wipes the slate of our lives clean by forgiving our sins.
2 Timothy 4:7 - “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
The Shunammite woman experienced this internal warfare between her fear and strength, she was tested between her doubt and faith, yet she ultimately overcame her fear and chose to turn to God.
Lesson 7: The Lord reads the deepest parts of our heart (Helping others in their time of need).
The Lord is all knowing and knows our innermost being even though we may hide it from others.
Nobody but the Lord can experience the pain that we are experiencing.
Jesus understands pain, He himself was sweating blood prior to being crucified.
We must learn that our struggle is a blessing given to be able to help others in the midst of their own problems.
God is able to turn our pain into a brotherly love that we can share with others.
I Corinthians 1:3-4 - “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Lesson 8: Question God in Prayer
She came to God honestly – “So she said, “Did I ask a son of my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”” (verse 28).
When we are placed in situations where we may be angry, rather than raging, we should use our voice to converse with God.
Psalm 4:4 - “Be angry and do not sin”. It is okay to experience these frustrated emotions, but we must turn to God with these emotions lest we start to sin.
We need to understand the relationship with God and come to him honestly, come to him with your heaviness.
Matthew 11:28-29 - “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”.
Cling to God with your prayers and you shall experience His peace and stillness.
Lesson 9: Humility in Thankfulness
After her son opened his eyes, “she went in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground” (verse 39).
In humility we should bow to the Lord in gratitude and thankfulness.
When we have experienced immense joy after a weight has been removed from our shoulders or a problem of ours is solved, our initial reaction should be to glorify God in prayer and give thanks.
Lesson 10: New Life and New Beginnings
As we endure through struggles, we should look forward and continue with our life – “she picked up her son and went out” (verse 37).
Job 17:9 - “The righteous keep moving forward and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.”
One of the ways the devil can affect us is by making us dwell on our sins and our past.
C.S Lewis - “The future is, of all things, the thing least like eternity. It is the most temporal part of time – for the past is frozen and no longer flows and the present is all lit up with eternal rays.”
In our very present moment, we have to realise that we cannot change the past and we cannot control the future, it’s up to us to make the most of our present.
Summary:
Serve others wholeheartedly with a persuasive and pestering kind of love.
Recognise the purity of people’s spirituality and use it to motivate yourself in your own spiritual growth.
Be content and submit your will to the will of the Lord’s for it will always be good.
True faith is evident in the presence of adversity.
Be joyful even amid your troubles.
The Lord still understands us at our weakest moments.
Come to God honestly and ask your questions in prayer. As you would tell your heart’s desires to your friend, likewise, adopt a friendly relationship with God.
Above all, humble yourself before the Lord and you shall see His hand in your life clearly.
