He Makes the Iron Float - Benedict Allmand-Smith

Date: Sunday 31st August 2025

Location: Trinity Baptist Church Charlesworth

Title:  He Makes the Iron Float

Text: 2 Kings 6:1-7

Please listen to the audio of Benedict's sermon below:

https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/98251212306065

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He Made the Iron Float – A God Who Does the Impossible (And He Can Do It For You!)

In 2 Kings 6, we encounter an unusual miracle: a lost iron axehead is made to float by God through his prophet, Elisha. At first glance, it may seem like a small event, but it powerfully points us to a great truth – what is impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18:27).

This passage invites us to widen our view of what is possible. We often walk with spiritual blinkers on, limited by what we can achieve in our own strength. But God is not bound as we are. He is not limited by time, sin, or the laws of nature. He transcends all, and by His power, the iron floats.

This story takes place among the "sons of the prophets" – a community being trained in faithful worship and service. They were growing, and their dwelling had become too small, so they set about building. Each took up an axe to do their part, a beautiful image of God’s people working together to build His kingdom.

We, too, are called to build. Not buildings, but the church itself – through prayer, evangelism, giving, acts of love, faithful living, worship, and even small, unseen acts of service; God uses His people to build His church. And while not all are called to preach, the training of ministers remains essential for the church's long-term health. As Dr James Renihan puts it, “Who will pastor your grandchildren?”

In the act of building the new dwelling, disaster strikes for one of these sons of the prophets. The axehead of his axe flies off and sinks in the river. He is distraught – not only was it borrowed, but without it, he can no longer build. In this moment, Elisha intervenes, throwing a stick into the water and miraculously raising the iron to the surface.

This miracle points us to Jesus Christ in four powerful ways:

1. Christ can raise sinners from under judgement. Like the axe head sinking underwater, we too sink under the weight of sin. Spiritually, we are “dead in trespasses”, but Christ raises us. He sank into the depths of judgement so that we might be lifted up. The impossible – our salvation – has been made possible by Jesus.

2. Christ equips us to build His kingdom. The man needed his axe to work, just as we need strength, boldness, wisdom, and time to serve the Lord. Whatever you lack, Jesus can supply it. He can embolden the anxious, give wisdom to the unsure, and reorder our priorities when life feels too full.

3. Christ hears our cries in distress. The man cried out, and Elisha responded. So, too, Jesus hears when we face hardship in kingdom work – whether persecution, discouragement, or personal difficulty. He may not answer how we expect, but He will not forsake His people.

4. Christ will restore all that is lost. If you have faith in Christ, whatever you give up for Him – time, opportunities, reputation, or even relationships – will be restored; if not in this life, then in the next. His resurrection guarantees that nothing given for Him is ever truly lost.

So let us take heart. Jesus Christ, the one who rose from the dead, is still at work. He still does the impossible!