“The Place you can be Healed”
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Sermon Text: ;
Sermon Text: ;
Humility, Test of
Humility, Test of
“The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is” (Phillips Brooks).
The River of God’s Choosing
God, I have a confession to make. A part of me wants to escape from the dust and drudge of life in the local church. A part of me scorns the church because of her petty conflicts, her lack of vision, her perennial preoccupation with everything but that which is most necessary. That part of me is pure and holy, I tell myself. But the truth is, that part of me is proud. The local church is like the River Jordan, the only place where Naaman could be healed. Teach me, O God, to let go of my grim-jawed pride, to dip, to swim, to joy in the river of your choosing. Then I will be healed"
God, I have a confession to make. A part of me wants to escape from the dust and drudge of life in the local church. A part of me scorns the church because of her petty conflicts, her lack of vision, her perennial preoccupation with everything but that which is most necessary. That part of me is pure and holy, I tell myself. But the truth is, that part of me is proud. The local church is like the River Jordan, the only place where Naaman could be healed. Teach me, O God, to let go of my grim-jawed pride, to dip, to swim, to joy in the river of your choosing. Then I will be healed"
The Lord reminded His people of the relationship between forgiveness and repentance by stating His promise to heal their land in terms of a condition: “if … then” ().
the grace of God is free, but it is not cheap; it costs. The grace of God cost Jesus the agony of death on a cross, and it costs those who wish to receive God’s forgiveness the price of repentance, or turning from sin.
Forgiveness Follows Repentance
Forgiveness Follows Repentance
True repentance means turning away from wicked ways—from thoughts and acts that displease God—and turning toward a life that reflects godly ways.
God cannot bless evil, and will not reward those who practice evil. To do so would violate His very nature.
If we want God’s blessing, we must honor His character by pursuing His ways. “Be holy,” He urges us, “for I am holy” (; ).
If we want God’s blessing, we must honor His character by pursuing His ways. “Be holy,” He urges us, “for I am holy” (; ).
7:13, 14 If God’s people would do three things,
From beginning to end, the Old and New Testaments proclaim that the hand of God’s judgment falls upon those who commit wickedness. But here the Lord is declaring to both Solomon and the people: His hand of judgment could be stopped (v.13). If the people’s sin aroused God’s judgment to cause drought or loss of crops or some plague among them, they could stop the judgment.
They could be saved and delivered by taking four actions:
(1)They must confess the Lord, be His people (v.14).--- He is the only living and true God, the only Savior and Lord of the universe. Therefore, --- they must become His followers, part of the people who are called by His name and--- bear witness to His Name.
(1)They must confess the Lord, be His people (v.14).--- He is the only living and true God, the only Savior and Lord of the universe. Therefore, --- they must become His followers, part of the people who are called by His name and--- bear witness to His Name.
(2) They must humble themselves before the Lord (v.14). ---Instead of rebelling against Him, ---being obstinate and stubborn and ---insisting on living life as they wished, they must--- humble themselves to obey His commandments and to live as they should.
(2) They must humble themselves before the Lord (v.14). ---Instead of rebelling against Him, ---being obstinate and stubborn and ---insisting on living life as they wished, they must--- humble themselves to obey His commandments and to live as they should.
(3) They must pray and seek His face for forgiveness. They must also seek deliverance from the chastisement and discipline of the oppressive judgment (v.14).
(3) They must pray and seek His face for forgiveness. They must also seek deliverance from the chastisement and discipline of the oppressive judgment (v.14).
(4) They must repent, turn away from their sinful behavior and turn back to the Lord.--- Confessing and humbling themselves . ---Their sincerity and truthfulness would be proven only when they turned away from their sin.
(4) They must repent, turn away from their sinful behavior and turn back to the Lord.--- Confessing and humbling themselves . ---Their sincerity and truthfulness would be proven only when they turned away from their sin.
Thus, repentance is always necessary to receive the forgiveness and salvation of God.
The Promises for Obedience...forgiveness and healing(14)...God’s eyes would always be open and His ears listening to the prayers offered up in the temple (church)[15-16]...personal blessings(17-18)...
The Promises for Obedience...forgiveness and healing(14)...God’s eyes would always be open and His ears listening to the prayers offered up in the temple (church)[15-16]...personal blessings(17-18)...
the warning of judgment for disobedience (vv.19-22).
(1) They would be cut off from the promised land (a symbol of heaven) (v.20).(2) They would see the temple (church) and worship rejected by God.
the warning of judgment for disobedience (vv.19-22).
(1) They would be cut off from the promised land (a symbol of heaven) (v.20).(2) They would see the temple (church) and worship rejected by God.
(2) They would see the temple (church) and worship rejected by God.
(3) They would be mocked and ridiculed by people because of their hypocrisy.(4) They would suffer terrible destruction, so much destruction that people would hiss and mock them; others would question and be appalled at the devastation of their land (v.21).
(3) They would be mocked and ridiculed by people because of their hypocrisy.(4) They would suffer terrible destruction, so much destruction that people would hiss and mock them; others would question and be appalled at the devastation of their land (v.21).
(5) They would bear the shameful testimony of apostasy and idolatry because they had turned away from the Lord who had saved them, embracing false gods and false worship (v.22).
(5) They would bear the shameful testimony of apostasy and idolatry because they had turned away from the Lord who had saved them, embracing false gods and false worship (v.22).
(3) They would be mocked and ridiculed by people because of their hypocrisy.
(4) They would suffer terrible destruction, so much destruction that people would hiss and mock them; others would question and be appalled at the devastation of their land (v.21).
SECTION OUTLINE THREE ()
(5) They would bear the shameful testimony of apostasy and idolatry because they had turned away from the Lord who had saved them, embracing false gods and false worship (v.22).
Naaman, the commander of the Aramean army, seeks out Elisha in order to be healed of leprosy. Naaman is healed when he obeys Elisha’s instructions, but Elisha’s servant Gehazi is struck with leprosy for his greed.
I. The Cleansing of Leprosy (5:1–19)
A. Naaman’s disease (5:1): Naaman is a highly successful commander of the Aramean army, but he suffers from leprosy.
B. Naaman’s determination (5:2–5)
1. The little girl (5:2–3): Naaman’s wife’s maid, a young Israelite captive, tells her mistress about Elisha’s ability to heal Naaman’s leprosy.
2. The large gift (5:4–5): Believing the young girl, Naaman travels to meet Elisha, carrying with him considerable amounts of gold and silver.
C. Naaman’s detainment (5:6–8)
1. The request by the king of Aram (5:6): The king of Aram addresses a letter to Israel’s king, requesting that Naaman be healed.
2. The response by the king of Israel (5:7): The king of Israel tears his clothes in frustration, concluding that the request is an excuse for Aram to attack Israel when it is not granted.
3. The reassurance by the man of God (5:8): Elisha tells the king of Israel to send Naaman to him; Naaman will learn that there is a true prophet in Israel.
D. Naaman’s displeasure (5:9–13)
1. The announcement (5:9–10): Naaman arrives at Elisha’s house, but Elisha simply sends him a message telling him to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River.
2. The anger (5:11–12): Naaman is furious, for he expects Elisha to come out and heal him personally.
3. The advice (5:13): Naaman’s officers convince him to obey the prophet.
E. Naaman’s deliverance (5:14): Naaman washes in the Jordan. He is healed of his leprosy, just as Elisha had said.
F. Naaman’s dedication (5:15–19)
1. His presents (5:15–16): Naaman attempts to give gifts to Elisha, but Elisha refuses them.
2. His promises (5:17–19): Naaman vows that he will worship the Lord from now on
Hindrances to Abundant Living
“But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.”
Most of the hindrances to abundant living are within us. Naaman discovered that such was the case in his own life. God had provided the means by which Naaman could be cured of his leprosy, but Naaman’s attitude proved to be his greatest hindrance to abundant living. Certain hindrances still prevent us from enjoying life as fully as possible:
Hindrances to Abundant Living1. Excessive Pride 2. A Jealous Spirit 3. A Deceitful Heart 4. Love of Strife
Hindrances to Abundant Living1. Excessive Pride 2. A Jealous Spirit 3. A Deceitful Heart 4. Love of Strife
1. Excessive Pride
2. A Jealous Spirit
3. A Deceitful Heart
4. Love of Strife
If we obey God, we will receive the blessings of God. (; ; ; ; Ja 1:25; ; ; )
If we obey God, we will receive the blessings of God. (; ; ; ; Ja 1:25; ; ; )
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock” ().
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock” ().
“For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother” ().
“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” ().
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” ().
“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (Ja.1:25).
“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” ().
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” ().
“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine” ().
“O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever” ().
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” ().