THE REDEMPTIVE POWER OF GOD: ELISHA AND THE WIDOW'S JAR OF OIL – PART I: THE CRY OF DESPERATION: WHEN REDEMPTION BEGINS WITH A CRY

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THE REDEMPTIVE POWER OF GOD: ELISHA AND THE WIDOW'S JAR OF OIL –  PART 1: THE CRY OF DESPERATION: WHEN REDEMPTION BEGINS WITH A CRY 2 KINGS 4:1-3 Every true encounter with God’s redemptive power often begins at a point of human limitation. The story in introduces us to a nameless widow whose life had been pushed to the edge of collapse. She was not only grieving the loss of her husband but also facing the pressure of unpaid debt. The situation had escalated to the point where her sons were about to be taken into slavery by creditors. This was not just financial trouble—it was generational crisis. Yet, in the middle of her pain, something important happens: she cries out. “ Your servant my husband is dead… and the creditor is coming …” Her voice becomes the starting point of divine intervention. This widow teaches us a deep spiritual truth: redemption often begins when we acknowledge our need and cry out for help. Many people suffer in silence. Some internalize their pain until it ...
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RECOGNIZING AND DEVELOPING THE EVANGELIST WITHIN THE BELIEVER PART 3: NOAH’S ARK — THE FIRST GLOBAL PICTURE OF SALVATION

RECOGNIZING AND DEVELOPING THE EVANGELIST WITHIN THE BELIEVER
PART 3: NOAH’S ARK — THE FIRST GLOBAL PICTURE OF SALVATION


Genesis 6:5–8, Genesis 7:1–3


In Part 2, we discovered that evangelism did not begin in the New Testament. It began in creation itself. When God created humanity in His image and commanded them to multiply and fill the earth, His intention was that the knowledge of Him would spread across the world.

We also established an important truth: every believer is called to evangelize, even though not everyone operates in the office of the evangelist.

We also defined two important concepts:

Recognition – identifying what God has already placed inside you. This recognition may come personally or through others who notice the grace of God upon your life.

Development – nurturing and growing that calling into maturity.

Today we move further in Scripture to examine one of the earliest pictures of salvation and evangelism in the Bible.


The Corruption of the World

By the time we reach Genesis 6, the world had become deeply corrupt. The Bible says that the wickedness of humanity had increased greatly and that every imagination of the human heart was continually evil. Violence and corruption had filled the earth.

Yet even in the midst of such darkness, God still had a plan. The Scripture says that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

Noah was not just a man building an ark. According to Scripture, he was also a preacher of righteousness.

Even before the flood came, Noah’s life and message were already a testimony to his generation. This shows us something important: God always raises witnesses before He brings judgment.


The Ark as God’s Plan of Salvation

God instructed Noah to build the ark as a means of preservation and salvation.

The ark was not simply a boat. It was a divine refuge. Anyone who entered the ark would be saved from the coming flood.

This becomes one of the earliest biblical pictures of salvation. Just as the ark provided safety from the flood, salvation in Christ provides refuge from destruction.

The ark was therefore not just about survival; it was a message of hope. Every hammer strike Noah made on the ark was a silent sermon to the people around him.


The Animals Entering Two by Two

One of the most fascinating parts of the story is how the animals entered the ark.

God commanded that animals should enter two by two, male and female, including both clean and unclean animals. This detail carries deep spiritual symbolism.

The presence of both clean and unclean animals reminds us that God’s invitation to salvation is not limited. Salvation was not restricted to a select few.

Just as the ark accommodated different kinds of animals, God’s grace extends to different kinds of people.

Here we see God’s patience in action. Some animals, like snails, tortoises, and other slow-moving creatures, took their time entering the ark. Yet God waited patiently for each one to arrive. In the same way, God is patient with us, waiting for our response to His invitation of salvation. But let us remember: if we take this delay for granted and die in our sins, we will miss heaven, and there is no way we are not going to miss hell. We shouldn’t take this open invitation for granted.

The ark becomes a prophetic picture of the gospel: God inviting all humanity into His provision of salvation.


The Evangelistic Message in the Ark

Noah’s assignment reveals an important principle about evangelism.

God often calls one person to build something that becomes a message to many others. Noah’s obedience was itself a form of evangelism. Even though many people ignored the message, the opportunity for salvation was still presented.

In the same way, believers today may not always see immediate results when they share the gospel. But our responsibility is to remain faithful to the message God has given us.


Recognizing the Witness in Difficult Times

Another lesson from Noah’s life is that God often raises His witnesses in times of crisis.

When the world becomes dark, God positions light. When corruption increases, God raises voices of righteousness.

This reminds us that God may be positioning believers today in difficult environments, workplaces, families, or communities so that they can become witnesses.

Sometimes what feels like an uncomfortable place is actually a strategic position for evangelism. Hallelujah!


Prayer

Heavenly Father, We thank You for the powerful example we see in Noah’s life. Help us to recognize the opportunities You place before us to be witnesses in our generation. Give us the courage to remain faithful, even when others do not immediately respond to the message. Let our lives become living testimonies of Your grace and salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


Preview of the Next Message

In the next message, we will explore what happened after the flood.

We will look at how the nations began to spread across the earth and how God’s plan for humanity continued to unfold through the descendants of Noah.

This will lead us toward understanding how God strategically positioned certain nations and individuals in preparation for the spread of the gospel.

God is speaking, are you listening?



Prince Julius Nenebi-Darkson 

(EL-PJ God's penman)

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