Main points from today's message, which was taken from II Kings 5.
Jesus commented on this passage in Luke $: 27-28 and his reference infuriated those listening.
Naaman -
Fearless - says Bring him to me.
Naaman arrived with large amount of money, some estimate it to be worth $14 million today. He was angry & surprised when he was met by a servant and even angrier when told to wash in the Jordan. His expectations were not met. He appeared to have faith, BUT his heart was proven by his reaction to Elisha's directions.
Sometimes it is humiliating to come to the Lord. Naaman felt humiliated. Again it was a servant who spoke wisdom when Naaman's servants reminded him that if Elisha had asked him to do a great thing, he would have done it. Why not do something simple? Naaman had to step past his pride.
After being healed, he wanted to pay Elisha, but Elisha wanted him to understand the gift of God cannot be purchased. Jesus would later say, "Freely you have received, freely give."
Next Naaman wanted to take dirt with him from the country of the true God. He also asked Elisha to forgive him when he had to help the King bow to worship the god Rimmon. Elisha did not respond because now Naaman has a relationship with God. Was it the Spirit already pricking his conscience?
The story ends as Elisha's servant Gehazi follows Naaman and asks for the reward. He returned to find that Elisha already knew what he had done. Gehazi was then stricken with the leprosy that had plagued Naaman.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. I Corinthians 1:18.
Jesus commented on this passage in Luke $: 27-28 and his reference infuriated those listening.
Naaman -
- He was great in the eyes of his earthly master.
- He was a foreign enemy of Israel
- He was a leper - no matter how "great" we may be, we all are lacking in at least one thing
- offered grace instead of judgement, forgiveness instead of hatred
- simple faith changed lives
- Received the letter from Syrian king
- Reaction of panic, fear, suspicion
- Knew of God and healing, but did not have faith in God
Fearless - says Bring him to me.
Naaman arrived with large amount of money, some estimate it to be worth $14 million today. He was angry & surprised when he was met by a servant and even angrier when told to wash in the Jordan. His expectations were not met. He appeared to have faith, BUT his heart was proven by his reaction to Elisha's directions.
Sometimes it is humiliating to come to the Lord. Naaman felt humiliated. Again it was a servant who spoke wisdom when Naaman's servants reminded him that if Elisha had asked him to do a great thing, he would have done it. Why not do something simple? Naaman had to step past his pride.
After being healed, he wanted to pay Elisha, but Elisha wanted him to understand the gift of God cannot be purchased. Jesus would later say, "Freely you have received, freely give."
Next Naaman wanted to take dirt with him from the country of the true God. He also asked Elisha to forgive him when he had to help the King bow to worship the god Rimmon. Elisha did not respond because now Naaman has a relationship with God. Was it the Spirit already pricking his conscience?
The story ends as Elisha's servant Gehazi follows Naaman and asks for the reward. He returned to find that Elisha already knew what he had done. Gehazi was then stricken with the leprosy that had plagued Naaman.
- What does this lesson tell us?
- Where do we turn first?
- Has Jesus "disappointed" us?
- Are we willing to be humbled?
- Do we trust in the world's wealth?
- Will we be cleansed or cursed?
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. I Corinthians 1:18.