'The axe does swim' - 2 Kings 6:1-7. John Funnell

Summary

Pastor John Funnell preaches on the often-overlooked miracle in 2 Kings 6:1–7, when a borrowed iron axe head falls into the Jordan River and Elisha makes it float. He uses the story to reflect on personal renewal and a leadership transition at the church.

The miracle and its message

Elisha is leading a growing community of prophets whose meeting place needs to be expanded. During the work, one man loses a borrowed axe head in the river. Because iron tools were valuable, the loss causes distress and embarrassment.

Elisha throws a piece of wood into the water, and the iron axe head rises to the surface. Funnell highlights the King James wording: “the iron did swim.”

Funnell interprets the Jordan as a biblical symbol of transition, renewal, and new life. He presents the lost axe head as an image of people weighed down by sin, guilt, shame, and sorrow. In his Christian application, the piece of wood points to the cross of Jesus: through Christ, people can be brought out of darkness and restored to a life of service.

Though the axe-head miracle may seem small beside other biblical miracles, Funnell says a single person’s transformation is cause for great joy. He likens this to the angels rejoicing when a sinner repents.

Lessons for the church

• The gospel, not the pastor, is the source of the church’s power. Pastors are finite, weak, and sinful; Christ is eternal, and the gospel is what saves and builds up the church.
• Churches and ministries go through change. Funnell connects the transition from Elijah to Elisha with the church’s own move from a one-person ministry to shared leadership.
• A pastorate does not last forever. The congregation is urged to keep its focus on Christ and to hold whoever occupies the pulpit accountable for faithfully preaching the gospel.
• Growth may involve consolidation. Funnell says the church had become overloaded and that the transition could bring an initial reduction in activity or attendance. It may also create room for healthier ministry and new forms of service. He invokes the biblical encouragement not to despise “the day of small things.”
• The church’s work should remain centred on the gospel, rather than becoming primarily a business or brand. Funnell argues that faithful gospel preaching can build up the church regardless of who is preaching.

The transition and future direction

Funnell returns after a three-month sabbatical and describes the moment as both painful and hopeful. He recalls the church’s past work, including its growth from a very small congregation, community meal provision during lockdown, public events, support for people in need, baptisms, and other ministry.

He explains that he is stepping aside from his current role to serve more broadly, while the church moves toward leadership shared among several people. He presents this as an opportunity to train preachers, support other churches, develop local ministries, and contribute to wider renewal in England and Wales. He introduces several church members involved in training or leadership and asks the congregation to support them.

The sermon closes by returning to its central theme: Christian life involves death giving way to life, renewal, and change. The congregation is invited to worship and share communion as a church family.

Speakers and sources featured

• John Funnell — the preacher and principal speaker.
• Unidentified welcome/closing speaker — delivers the church welcome and invitation to attend or contact the church; the subtitles do not identify this person.
• Biblical sources cited: 2 Kings 6:1–7 and Romans 1:16, with references to Genesis, Joshua, 1 Kings 17–19, and Zechariah.
• Other people referenced: Elijah, Elisha, Jesus, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and Ty Ebenezer. The sermon also mentions church members and ministry trainees, including José/Joseph, Richard, Owen, Griff, Isaac, Tyler, Ben, Ian, Mark, Andrew, and Dave. The transcript’s spellings and some names may be affected by automatic transcription.