INTRO. Have you ever just seen someone that was a good man or woman, but knew they had a need that only God could meet. We go through lives, many times seeking for the things that will only satisfy for a brief time, and wonder why we are never content. In our text today, we see a great story of the Old Testament that displays the Power and Provision of God. Naaman was a good man, but he had a hopeless condition that only an encounter with a powerful God could correct.
I. An Unexpected Messenger - VS. 2-3
A. A Child that was a Stranger - Visualize the scene. One fair morning the peace of a little town was broken. The marching of a hostile army was heard in the land. The cruel army of the Syrians came and invaded the country and among the captives was one that was innocent, "a little maid.” She was given to the wife of the Syrian captain of the military. But Naaman was a hopeless leper.
1. She seemed Insignificant
- She was a hated Jew, Naaman was a Gentile
- She was but a “little maid”, He was a “great man”
- She was unnamed, He was “Naaman” - (means pleasant)
- She was a Captive, He was a Captain
BUT GOD WOULD USE HER! It has ever been God’s way to make use of the despised and feeble to do what seems impossible. He gets all the glory.
2. She was a Resident in a land that was not her home! Php 3:20 "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:" (Citizenship) I am a citizen of two worlds, and just traveling through this one!
B. A Concern that was Spiritual - "would God"
1. A Dilemma - Naaman was hopeless, no answers! (More later)
2. A Declaration - "If only by God’s grace he could be in Israel"
Israel was the place where you could find the Promises of God!!!!
How this little maid puts us to shame! A hopeless man was before her and she remembered HOPE! If only we would give them the Gospel.
If only others would hear of Jesus.
C. A Confidence that was Settled - vs. "he would recover"
Heb 7:25 "He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him," She could not heal Naaman, but she knew who could! We cannot save someone, but we can point them to who can. SHE REMEMBERED HOPE! She would not have understood her plight, but she still pointed to God’s promise!
II. An Unshakable Message - VS. 8-10 Naaman comes, and being political, comes to the king - the king was not spiritual, and panicked, thinking more war. And Elisha preached a simple sermon.
A. The Asking of a Question - vs. 8
1. Man’s logic will always lead to panic - "Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes?" The king did not believe God, or even acknowledge God!
2. Elijah had the Boldness to Stand - Let me talk to him, and he will know we serve the true God!
B. An Assurance of a Promise -vs. 10 Go and wash and you will be clean!
1. The Promise was not rational
2. The Promise was not negotiable
3. The Promise was plain: - vs. 13 the servants understood! “Wash and be clean. How much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
The Muddy Jordan River, a bloody Cross! Ac 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
III. An Unthinkable Misery
A. A Serious Condition - vs. 1 Leprosy - One description of this disease says it was the most loathsome and the most humiliating disease that could possibly disgrace a human being. Leprosy’s outside effects were only part of the suffering. Leprosy also effects the mucous membranes of the nose and lungs - absolute misery! No better picture of a hopeless Sinner. Re 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
Mark 10:26-27 "And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."
B. A Senseless Course - vs. 5
1. The Wrong Destination of the Letter - vs. 5 - 6
The world has no answers, no quick fix for our sin.
2. The Wrong Attitude - You can’t buy or be good enough to deserve God’s grace " And he departed, and took...." vs. 5b
C. A Stubborn Character - vs. 11
1. His Temper - vs. 11 If you do not know the Lord, do not be angry to be called a sinner! We are all sinners.
2. His Thinking! "I thought" Isa 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."
- The Uncommon Reception - Elisha did not come in person
- The Unacceptable Request - God’s Way or no way!
Not what was expected - No magic, no prophet, no formula - just obedience demanded and the grace and power of the true God - BOY, WAS ELISHA NARROW MINDED!
D. A Submission to Cleansing - vs. 13-14
1. The Wisdom of His Servants - vs. 13
- It’s not of yourself - do some great thing,
- It’s all in Obedience - Wash, and be clean?
The Servants could not make Naaman wash in the Jordan, We cannot make someone accept Christ.
2. The Product of Submission - vs. 14: "THEN WENT HE DOWN, The Seven dips ( Total Obedience - Must be according to God’s plan)
- He Accepted God’s Plan - 1-6 were not good enough! Had to be 7
Just to dip once - I believe in God (So do the demons!) James 2:19 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
2 times - I am not so bad
Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
3 times - I will wait until later
Ac 24:25 "And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." He was never saved, as far as we know.
4 times - I have a good family
1 Sam 2:12 "Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD."
5 times - I go to church (religious service)
Jer 5:26 "For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men."
6 times - I do good works
Tit 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"
7 times - I am a sinner and I need a Savior!
Luke 18:13 "And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner."
- An Amazement in Provision - flesh like a baby! Naaman found a new joy! It is God’s Way or No Way. He is the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Door. Here we see a great man brought down by his condition that he was powerless to change. (man cannot save himself) AND GOD CHANGED HIM! -vs. 14
CONCL. There is not a God like my God - vs. 15
1. Healed 2. Converted - Professed the one true God 3. Thankful
When you experience the Grace of God, you will realize the same!
SAVED - We must see the application that there are those who are hopelessly sick in their sin and need Jesus Christ. Remember what Jesus did for you: Jesus CAME to Me!
LOST - Admit that you need a Savior and Jesus will save you.
Disclaimer: A man once told me that if it is true, it is not new. If it is new, it is not true. We all know there is nothing new under the sun. With that said, I glean ideas for my sermons from God’s Word, my own thoughts and work, and many other sources. Any similarity to my sermons and others, where credit is not given, is either coincidental, or an unintentional mistake on my part. As none of us have a corner on the wisdom and teaching of God’s Word, it is my desire that any of my outlines be an encouragement, a help, and hopefully a motivation for others to preach God’s Word clearly. Please feel free to use any portion of my sermons if they can be of help to you and your ministry. It is all for His Glory.
