Lessons From A Leper The Pleasant Man Who

Lessons From A Leper The Pleasant Man Who Went Away in a Rage 2 Kings 5: 1 -14

Attitude and God’s Word n Proper attitudes are very important when it comes to dealing with God’s word n Many reject or misunderstand God’s word because their attitude is not right

Attitude and God’s Word n Who was he? A captain; honorable and mighty; leper; a caring servant; came to Elisha for healing n What can Naaman teach us? Let us consider his 5 attitudes toward the word of God

1. The “I’m Angry” Attitude n Naaman was angry because he heard something he didn’t want to hear n Like the Jews who heard Jesus (Lk. 4: 27 -29)

1. The “I’m Angry” Attitude n Like the prodigal’s brother (Lk. 15: 28) or the Gentiles who heard Paul (Acts 19: 28) n We must be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath (Jas. 1: 19 -20)

2. The “I Thought” Attitude n Naaman expected something different than what he was told n Like Abraham who “thought” it was o. k. to lie (Gen. 20: 11)

2. The “I Thought” Attitude n Like the Israelites during the period of the Judges (Judges 17: 6; 21: 25) n Like Saul who “thought” he should persecute Christians (Acts 26: 9)

2. The “I Thought” Attitude n Many today expect something different when it comes to salvation, worship, morality, etc. n Our thoughts stand in the way to obedience and they need to be removed (2 Cor. 10: 5)

2. The “I Thought” Attitude n God’s thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa. 55: 8 -9; Prov. 16: 25)

3. The “I Expect More” Attitude n Naaman thought dipping was too simple; he expected some type of special ceremony – expected something “great” n Like those who followed Jesus expecting more food (Jn. 6: 26, 66)

3. The “I Expect More” Attitude n Many today expect more or “great” things when it comes to religion and what the Lord’s church offers in preaching, plan of salvation, worship, in work, in organization, etc. n We must not expect more than what God offers (2 Jn. 9)

4. The “I’m Complaining” Attitude n Naaman had leprosy but he complained about having to dip in that old, dirty Jordan River as the cure; he wanted to substitute his own river and cure n Also called the “I’ve got a better way” attitude

4. The “I’m Complaining” Attitude n Today, many complain about the Lord’s cure for sin, Christian duties, etc. (1 Jn. 5: 3) n Today, many want to substitute their own religion (2 Tim. 1: 13; 2: 2; 3: 14; 4: 2 -3)

4. The “I’m Complaining” Attitude n We must do all things without murmuring and complaining 2: 14) (Phil. n What is the “better” way? “To obey is better” (1 Sam. 15: 22)

5. The “According to God” Attitude n Naaman finally stopped being foolish, humbled himself, and did “according to the saying of the man of God” and he was clean n Consider the role of the servant in v. 13

5. The “According to God” Attitude n Like Noah (Gen. 6: 22) or the Levites who bore the ark (1 Chron. 15: 15) n This attitude is a must if we are to be pleasing to God (Mt. 7: 21; Lk. 6: 46; 2 Thess. 1: 7 -9; Heb. 5: 8 -9)

What Is Your Attitude Today… n “I’m Angry”? n “I Thought”? n “I Expect More? ” n “I’m Going to Complain/Better Way? ” n “I’m Going to Obey According to God? ”