LESSONS FROM NAAMAN 2 Kings 5 During dark

LESSONS FROM NAAMAN 2 Kings 5

Ø During dark days for Israel and Judah – spiritually and nationally Ø Jehoram (Joram), son of Ahab is king of Israel (2 Kings 3: 1 -2) Ø Elisha is continuing the work of Elijah Background

Ø 2 Kings 5: 1, we are introduced to Naaman, command of the Syrian Army (under Benhadad). Described as great and honorable and by the hand of the LORD he had been given victory. Ø Naaman was a leper – an incurable, flesh eating disease that was contagious and made one unclean Background

Ø 2 Kings 5: 2, we are introduced to a servant girl taken captive from Israel. She tells her mistress about a prophet in Israel who could heal Naaman. Ø Naaman is sent to the king of Israel with gifts and asks to be healed. The king is upset knowing he is powerless and sees this as mocking him Background

Ø 2 Kings 5: 8, Elisha hears about what has happened and sends for Naaman Ø When he arrives at Elisha’s home, he sends his servant to tell him to dip in the Jordan 7 times and be healed (vs. 10) Background

Ø 2 Kings 5: 11 -12, Naaman is furious and insulted. He expected some grand performance or deed to heal him. He leaves in a rage Ø But his servants tell him that if he had been told to do something great he would have done it. So why not “Wash and be clean”? (vs. 13) Background

Ø 2 Kings 5: 14, When Naaman dips 7 times as told, his leprosy is gone, and his flesh was restored as that of a little child. Ø He returns to Elisha’s home and thanks him and praises God. He even offers him gifts (vs. 15) Ø Elisha declines the gift, but Naaman makes preparations to worship the LORD when he returns to his king (vs. 16 -19) Background

Ø Ø The disease of sin Sin is like a disease in many ways - It cannot be cured by man’s power – Romans 6: 23, 7: 24 It is loathsome and defiling like leprosy - Isaiah 1: 6, 64: 6 It is contagious like leprosy – 1 Corinthians 15: 33 It will separate you from God – Isaiah 59: 2, even eternal separation Matthew 13: 41 -42 Lessons From Naaman

The importance of telling the good news Ø The servant girl had a message of hope and shared it Ø How many today are wandering hopelessly looking for answers. We have the answer - Romans 1: 16, 17, 10: 9 -15 - will we share those answers with them? Ø Will we prepare? 2 Corinthians 5: 10 -11 Lessons From Naaman

The problem of looking in the wrong place Ø Naaman went to the king. Also he had preconceived ideas about how he would be cured Ø Many today are looking in the wrong place for answers to salvation. Proverbs 14: 12 Ø There are many false teachers who will deceive them – 2 Peter 2: 1 -2, 2 Thessalonians 2: 10 -12 Ø Will we help them find the truth? Lessons From Naaman

Sometimes answers are simple Ø Naaman wanted something spectacular. But the cure was simple. EVEN a servant could tell him what to do. Ø What God tells us to do is simple! NOT always easy, but simple, Available to all Romans 1: 16, John 3: 16, Titus 2: 11 Lessons From Naaman

Getting angry doesn’t make your problems go away Ø Anger most often complicates matters. BUT anger doesn’t change the truth! Ø You may get angry when someone says you are lost, but you are STILL lost until you take care of it! Ø Thankfully, Naaman finally listened Lessons From Naaman

Getting angry doesn’t make your problems go away Ø Consider this: Getting angry does not invalidate the truth. And when you finally accept the truth and respond in truth, God will do as He promised. He does NOT change! (Malachi 3: 6) Lessons From Naaman

Sin-cleansing requires humility Ø Naaman had to swallow his pride and do what he was told if he wanted to be cleansed Ø To obey the gospel, we must first humble ourselves – cf. Matthew 5: 3 -5, etc. Lessons From Naaman

Sin-cleansing requires we do what God says to do! Ø Naaman had to do what he was told to do! Ø There is only ONE way for our sins to be washed away – Mark 16: 16, Acts 2: 38, Romans 10: 9 -10, Acts 22: 16, Galatians 3: 27, etc. Ø Only 1 way to take care of our sins as Christians (1 John 1: 9, Acts 8: 22) Lessons From Naaman

Ø Ø Your sins are not washed away until you complete the process How many times did Naaman have to dip? What if he only did it 6 times? Our sins are not washed away until we complete the process Yet many today teach only PART of God’s plan – “only believe”, “the sinner’s prayer”, “believe, repent, confess and pray”, etc. Baptism does NOT nullify either faith or God’s grace – Ephesians 2: 8 -9 Lessons From Naaman

When you are cleansed, it is only the beginning Ø Naaman declared there is only 1 God and resolved that he would worship Him, though he still had other issues to deal with. Ø When we become Christians, it is only the beginning. Revelation 2: 10, Hebrews 10: 38 Lessons From Naaman

Have you obeyed God’s commands?

Let us pray!