DOUBLE PORTION OF THY SPIRIT

“Double portion of thy spirit”

2 Kings 2: 1And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. 3And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 4And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. 5And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 6And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. 7And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. 8And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. 11And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
13He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14And 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. 15And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

I would to God today that we could have the same desire that Elisha had to thrive and live in the fullness of the Spirit of God.

Many say that this has to do with an inheritance of the first born.

Elisha wants what Elijah had and a double portion at that!

I want to present this with three different types of Christians:

Saved yet so as by Fire type of Christian

1 Corinthians 3: 11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

I believe that the multitude of Christians today have no experience in the more abundant life that is there for their taking.

These are they that have done what is needed for entrance into Heaven, that is that they have believed upon Jesus Christ for salvation.

They truly have experienced salvation and their life has been changed….. these are those who know that they are saved but that is as far as they went with God.

They are still on the milk, they do nothing in service for God.

Hebrews 5: 12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

You might find these Christians at church on Sunday morning, and then again you might not.

Hebrews 10: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

These are generally the ones who just blend in wherever there at.

These only pray on occasion and that is mostly just to ask God for provisions.

These are they that can not handle the Truth of God’s Word because it cuts into the activity in their life.

They are carnal in their ways and have a hard time separating themselves from the secular world.

The Apostle Paul preached to many of these in his day.

1 Corinthians 3: 1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

These are they who, when they do come to church the do it only because they know it is the right thing to do.

Coming to God’s House is more like a chore to them than a blessing.

These are they who will complain about long services, and strong preaching.

They are the ones who like to rub their temples as if to say “Quiet down, your giving me a headache” or look at their watch as if to say “hurry up”.

These would only open God’s Word to read if they were in trouble.

This is not just limited to the church pews but sometimes even those that once thrived upon God’s Word and have been placed in areas of service have backslidden and went back to the baby bottle and stopped growing.

I personally believe that there will always be some kind of fruit in every believer’s life at least at some time after their conversion that proves their salvation to those around them.

Galatians 5: 7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.



Cumbered about much serving type of Christian

Luke 10: 38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Now Mary was at the Feet of Jesus but what about Martha?

The Martha-type Christians are a big help to the church.

They faithfully serve God in all areas and are always found in God’s House whenever the doors are open.

If it were not for these type of Christians they operation of the physical building would not work.

These are they who probably pray and ask God to bless every meal.

They witness sometimes, at least when they are around those in obvious need.

They will always identify themselves with other Christians.

They know what it means to feel conviction from God and they are even faithful to obey Him.

They read their Bible and maybe even faithfully on a routine basis.

And that is pretty much it…… All a routine to them.

These have fashioned their lives around good habits and good routines and have committed themselves to service.

These are those that serve God out of loyalty and obedience.

Acts 5: 29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

They understand sacrifice and they understand obedience.

1 Samuel 5: 22And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

These are they that go through the motions of Christianity and have learned how to look devoted in front of everyone but are still missing out on the more abundant life that Jesus wants them to have.

In Martha’s service she forgot to worship!

The Spirit filled Christian living the more abundant life.

John 10: 10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

This is where Elisha desires to be in our text.

2 Kings 2: 8And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

It is sad to say, but in today’s society it is a rare thing to find a person such as Elisha.

These are they who witness at every opportunity given to them, not just to those that look like they need it.

They are in a constant state of prayer and communication to God.

Ephesians 6: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

1 Thessalonians 5: 17Pray without ceasing.

Not only are they faithful in service but they love to do God’s Work and desire it in their life!

These are the ones who want to be called upon for service.

These are they who thrive upon God’s Word.

These are those who we would call on to pray for us for it is an obvious thing that they are in direct communication with God…..

We know that they can get in touch with God at any given moment for they have, with God’s Help, kept their sins confessed and their life clean.

They are not on a dial-up service with God but are in constant contact with Him.

The Power of Almighty God rests upon these.

They never, never compromise with sin in any situation.

These are not perfect people I am speaking about, but are led by the Spirit of God, and have committed themselves to walk in His Spirit and love Him.

These are they that have a desire to follow God and His Spirit’s every conviction as if they are a puppet and they have given God the strings.

These are the ones who have made themselves to be clay in the Potters Hands.

They have become a blank canvas and desire God to hold the Artist’s brush.

When the Holy Ghost brings conviction or instruction their way they are ready to move at His command.

1 Thessalonians 5: 19Quench not the Spirit.

Galatians 5: 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

These are they with an overwhelming burden to love Christ and bring others to Him.

These know how to answer every man because it is the Spirit that is feeding them the answers.

1 Corinthians 2: 9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1 Peter 3: 15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

They not only read God’s Word, but they have studied and are on strong meat!

2 Timothy 2: 15Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

These can be men, women, boys or girls and can be of any race, or nationality.

By the way, these are the ones that get made fun of by the world because they are so different.

1 Peter 2: 9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

These are of those who serve God, not just out of loyalty and obedience, but out of Love for Him.



Back To Elisha now….

He wasn’t asking for a better ministry than Elijah, He just wanted more of Elijah’s God!

Was his ministry greater than that of Elijah’s, well if you are miracle counting then Elisha’s was double than that of Elijah’s.

2 Kings 2: 9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

Elijah seen the request of Elisha as a hard thing…..

Maybe it seemed as such a hard thing to Elijah because God was so near him, and the Holy Spirit’s presence was so real that he couldn’t imagine a double portion.

We need to remember that nothing is impossible with God!

May we see the light in the Scriptures that we too can have this walk with God.

13He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14And 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. 15And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

It was evident to the sons of the prophets that Elisha had received the double portion that he had asked for.

May I say that it will be evident if you are filled with the Spirit of God!

No, you will not perform miracles but if you will submit the way God wants you to and Love Him then you will have a glow about you that shines from Heaven above!

It will be evident that you also have been with Christ.


If you haven’t noticed yet, this Scripture is also a picture of Christ and His Church.

Elisha did not receive the double portion of the Spirit until Elijah left.

While Elijah was here, he was the man for the moment, but now that he is gone the mantle, and the double portion has been given to Elisha.

John 16: 7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Also did you notice that greater works did Elisha than that of Elijah…. And this is not because Elisha was any greater of a man.

John 14: 12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.


What does all this mean to us?

Well, are you happy being a bottle fed Christian?

Are you happy being a routine Christian?

Wouldn’t you rather live the life of a Spirit filled Christian?

John 14: 13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Luke 11: 9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matthew 5: 6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Ephesians 5: 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;