Overcoming The Fear Factor

IMAGINE:

“OVERCOMING YOUR GREATEST FEAR”

2 KINGS 5 - ©DR. LARRY L. THOMPSON (2005)

Introduction:

I want you to think of the greatest fear you face today. Your greatest fear my dominate your thoughts, your life, your days and your nights. For some, your greatest fear is an enemy that controls you and leads you according to its own design and desires. I want you to imagine today what you life would be like if that fear were gone. Would it would be like to have the victory and overcome your greatest fear? You don’t even have to IMAGINE it…It’s already possible in light of scripture.

Often Christians don’t like to think of their commitment to Christ in terms of rewards, however, scripture is clear about the Biblical principle concerning God’s response to His children’s obedience. The reverse side of the equation is that disobedience and rebellion is not rewarded but receives retribution with pain and suffering. The reward or retribution in our lives is NOT always immediate but make no mistake, they will come in due season.

We know as Christians that we do not serve the Lord because of the reward...it is not an end in itself. What is our motivation for obedience to God’s word?

• He is sovereign and therefore deserves our devotion and obedience

• He has the divine wisdom and knows what is best for our lives

• Our obedience should spring from hearts filled with love and gratitude.

If I were to ask you, "Are you committed to living in obedience to Christ?" There could be only one of three answers…

• "Yes, I am doing all that He has asked of me."

• "No, I am not doing what He has asked of me."

• "I am doing some of what He has asked of me."

Our scripture today supports the premise that partial obedience is NOT acceptable in the eyes of God. If we are going to imagine victory over our greatest fear then we must also imagine living a life in obedience to His word.

Biblical Background:

2 Kings 5 tells the story of a man that struggles with the question of obedience. He is a real life character and his journey in obedience certainly applies to our lives today. There are 5 basic principles that must be reviewed if we are to live a victorious life free from fear. Personal application of this message will not only break the bondage of fear in your life but it could also prevent pain and suffering that comes through partial of willful neglect of what God has directed in your life.

There are three main characters in today’s study:

• A MAN...Naaman, general in the Syrian Army

• A MAID...she has no name and certainly a hidden hero

• A MESSENGER of God...whose name is Elisha.

Let’s begin with some biblical exposition:

Verse 1:

“Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.”

Naaman was a brave, highly respected military man. He was a general in the Syrian army. Greatly decorated for his military genius, however there was one dark cloud over his life. He had leprosy. The disease that reduces an individual to a grotesque figure that if they lived could even be so bad they could not be recognized. Incurable and terminal; would be much like a terminal cancer or AIDS virus. It was frightening and overwhelming and was something you could not hide from others.

Verse 2-4:

“Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." 4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said.”

There was a maid that the Syrians had captured from Israel and brought to Syria. She still remembers her spiritual foundation and the one true living God, the Lord of Israel. She remembers His acts and tells the general’s wife about the prophet of God, Elisha. When you are in a helpless situation you will do anything to get relief, even if it means going to the enemy. At this point in the story the general’s hope is in a man and not in God.

Verse 5-6:

“By all means, go," the king of Aram replied. "I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: "With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”