God Wants Your Heart
Faithful Living in Faltering Times • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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God Wants Your Heart
God Wants Your Heart
2 Kings 5:15–27 (ESV)
15 Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.” 16 But he said, “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused. 17 Then Naaman said, “If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the Lord. 18 In this matter may the Lord pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon your servant in this matter.” 19 He said to him, “Go in peace.” But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 21 So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” 22 And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’ ” 23 And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. 24 And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25 He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26 But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? 27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.
Today’s text is the concluding narrative of Naaman, whom we met last week. It also includes the story of Gehazi the servant of Elisha. These two men give of contrasting views of what happens to men who meet God and experience God’s Grace.
This passage is really about God’s grace. We know this because we recall how God orchestrated the meeting of Naaman and Elisha through the life of a little girl. Naaman was healed of his leprosy.
This my friends is the work of God’s Grace. God not only wanted the hearts of Israel to turn toward Him but God also wanted the remaining world to know that He is the one true God.
Naaman was no more special than any other but he was healed and would be used by God to lead others to know God. That is the essence of grace. It is not earned nor can it be bought. It is a gift given by God.
That’s where our text opens today, with Naaman learning this lesson. Naaman has returned to Elisha and now wishes to repay him for his healing but Elisha refuses.
Elisha refuses because he wants Naaman to know that God has healed him and this was not something He could buy from God this is the Grace of God. He was not entitled to it nor did he earn it. It is God’s Grace. God delivered him from his leprosy. God’s deliverance is Grace in action.
So we find that Naaman has a new attitude and a new perspective toward God. We recall previously that he was angry because he felt like the Jordan river was not the right river to dip and wade in to be healed.
Now, Naaman returns from the Jordan with a testimony and a proclamation that every person who experiences the grace of God should have.
Naaman says, 2 Kings 5:15 “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel;”
DT: When we experience the grace of God our hearts should be aimed toward God.
Aim: Our lives will reflect our gratitude for the Grace of God.
Transition: Naaman teaches us a lesson about the heart God desires from His people.
The Heart God Desires from Us (vv. 15-18)
A heart that honors God (v. 15)
“15 Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.”
There is no other God but the God of Israel. Naaman now knows that there is no god that Can do what God can do. He has been a leper for so long and after experiencing this change who else deserves the credit. You do know that is what honor is, right? It is giving credit where credit is due! God desires a heart that honors Him a heart that gives Him the credit He is due!
A heart that is grateful (v.16)
“16 But he said, “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused.”
Naaman attempted to insist that Elisha accept the gift. Naaman felt he was indebted to the prophet for healing him. Elisha helps him realize that he cannot pay for God’s grace. You can be grateful and thank Him but you cannot pay for it. Gratefulness is knowing you owe and acting like you know you owe. You may not be able to pay it back but you can certainly act like you know you owe.
A heart that worships God (v. 17)
“17 Then Naaman said, “If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the Lord.”
Naaman asks for two mule loads of dirt to take back with him so that he can worship God and no other God. He planned on building an altar to The God of Israel in his home land.
He also explains that when he gets back home that there are going to be some moments when he has to escort his master to the house of Rimmon that be cause of his position he often has to bow with the King.
Naaman says, I need you to pardon me for that. I’m just doing my job but just know that my allegiance and worship is to God. Elisha assures him that he will be alright. God don’t want you to quit your job but he does want your worship. Here’s a man who had the wherewithal to take ownership of his heart toward God. He is determined to make sure God is worshiped without any reservations.
Application: The heart that God desires is one that centers around Him. Honor God in you life. Give God credit for the things He is doing in your life. Express your gratitude toward God. Live thankfully. Tell God thank you for what He is doing in your life. We are not entitled to any of the blessings we receive. We owe God thanks! Worship God with your whole heart. Do not allow people, things and problems interfere with the worship God deserves. If it had not been for God’s grace we would not have what we have. We would not be where we are. Worship Him!
Transition: Naaman made up his mind to give his heart completely to God. Does God have your whole heart? Our text shows us the heart that God does not Desire from us.
The Heart God Does Not Desire From Us (vv. 19b-27)
Meet Gehazi, the servant of Elisha. He has walked with Elisha we have seen him when Elisha helped the widow and when the men at the school of prophets needed food. Gehazi has seen God’s grace in action. He has experienced God’s grace. Gehazi knew the works of the Lord and knew God’s abilities yet Gehazi proves to have an issue within that will cause him problems.
His heart in contrast to the heart of Naaman is:
A Heart that Dishonors God (v.20)
“20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”
Gehazi dishonored God when he made the issue a personal issue. He failed to exalt God for the miracle of change in Naaman’s life. Gehazi attempted to negate the Grace God gives by making it about his own greed. He took God’s credit and decided Naaman needed to pay for it.
A Heart that Lies (vv. 22)
“22 And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’ ”
Gehazi lied to himself - He claimed he was doing it for the benefit of the group but it was really about himself.
Gehazi lied to Naaman - He told Naaman that he was speaking for Elisha and collecting for two young men from Ephraim. He requested a talent and two change of clothes.
Elisha takes the talents and the clothes back to his place. The heart that covets and filled with greed will never be a pleasure to God.
Gehazi later lies to Elisha - Elisha asks Gehazi where has he been and he says he has not been anywhere.
A Heart that Deceives (vv.25-26)
“25 He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26 But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants?”
Gehazi thought he could pull the wool over Elisha’s eyes. But Elisha reminded him that God has already shown him. Deception causes many to believe they can get away with things because they believe they have hid it and tucked it away. But the reality is that God sees everything. The heart that deceives only brings destruction to itself.
Gehazi was cursed with leprosy and suffered from his own greed. This was not what God desired for him but it was what Gehazi chose. See, Gehazi could have chosen to be excited about the work of God’s Grace in Naaman’s life. He decided he would take advantage of Naaman and be greedy.
When God uses us to bless others leave it there. Let God get the glory. You don’t need a reward. You don’t need a pat on the back. You don’t need your name on a marquee. Give the glory to God. Whatever God has for you will come when God is ready.
God wants our total heart that says we will do what He requires and give Him all the credit. We will let his grace flow and work without our resistance. We will be praisers and not plotters. We will be Pray-ers and not players. Our whole heart means that we will server God and not ourselves.
Why? Because His Grace has made it possible. What grace you ask? Think about it!
Calvary! A Cross! Jesus! I can’t take credit for it! It was on a hill far away.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross
The emblem of suffering and shame
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross (rugged cross)
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true
It's shame and reproach gladly bear
Then he'll call me some day to my home far away
Where his glory forever I'll share
And I'll cherish the old rugged cross (rugged cross)
Till my trophies at last I lay down
And I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown