The healing of Naaman… (4 things)

• 1^st – The request of Naaman… vs. 1-7 Read: II Kings 5:1-7
  • 1^st – Naaman was the General of the Syrian army… vs. 1
    • He was adored by the King – because the Lord had given him MANY victories …
      • But in spite of all his success – Naaman suffered from Leprosy…
      • Leprosy is a disease that attacks the body’s nervous system so you can not feel…
      • It can be very dangerous because you do not know if you harm yourself…
      • Touch a hot stove – cut yourself on a blade – you would not know!
    • Leprosy carried with it a horrible stigma in Israel…
      • If you were diagnosed with leprosy you would be cut off from the community…
      • If anyone even walked close to you – you had to cry out ‘unclean!’
      • Because no one could touch you or they would also become unclean – infected…
    • Symbolically used to refer to sin…
      • Just like leprosy – sin takes away your sensitivity to what is right and wrong…
      • The first time you commit a sin (lying) is the hardest – you feel it was wrong…
      • But it gets easier and easier each time – you stop feeling the guilt…
      • Eventually you lose all feeling of guilt and remorse…
      • Causing you to be cut off and isolated from God – unclean!
  • 2^nd – Helping your enemy… vs. 2-4
    • The Syrians would frequently raid the nation of Israel – they were enemies…
      • In fact Jewish Rabbis say Naaman was the one who drew the bow that killed Ahab!
      • And in one of those raids a young Israeli girl was taken captive and made a slave…
      • She was given to Naaman – and she served as the maid for his wife!
      • It would be only natural for this little slave girl to be bitter – hate her captors…
      • But instead she faithful served them – and even tried to help them…
      • I wish my master would go and see Elisha – he could heal his leprosy!
    • Often we despise those who we work for – treat them like they are our enemies…
      • But we should work hard for our boss – letting them see something different in us…
      • Not just working hard as long as the boss is near by…
      • But the moment they walk away – assume it is break time till the boss returns…
      • I have worked for other people / and I have been in charge of workers…
      • A boss knows who the good workers are – and who just works for show…
      • If the boss comes back after an hour – you are busy – but not much has been done…
      • The true test of a character is not what you do when people are watching…
      • It is what you do when no one is looking – that is who you really are!
      • So be an Godly example – cause it might just be that it leads them to Jesus Christ!
  • 3^rd – The letter from the King… vs. 5-7
    • Naaman went to the King of Syria and told him about Elisha…
      • The King wrote a letter to the King of Israel – asking for him to heal Naaman…
      • He also sent P8 million in gold (75kg) / and P15,000 in silver (340kg)…
      • Along with 10 sets of very expensive (brand name) clothing!
    • When King Jehoram read the letter – he was outraged…
      • The letter was a bit generic – it only said to ‘heal Naaman’ – no mention of Elisha…
      • King Jehoram demanded to know if they King of Syria through he was God…
      • Leprosy was an incurable disease – and God alone had the power to help Naaman!
      • If men come to us looking for answers and help – it is easy to try and be the answer…
      • If someone needs food / money / or wise counsel – we can try to help them out…
      • And men would much rather look to someone they can touch and see…
      • Therefore they are much more inclined to trust in a man than God!
      • The problem is we are limited – and can not always help those who look to us…
      • Maybe we can help them once – but when they come back – again and again…
      • We have limited abilities and resources – only God has limitless!
        
• 2^nd – The cure for leprosy… vs. 8-14 Read: II Kings 5:8-14
  • 1^st – Elisha heard about the request of Naaman… vs. 8-12
    • He sent word to have Naaman come – and see there was a true prophet in Israel…
      • So Naaman came with all his horses and chariot to the house of Elisha…
      • But when he knocked – Elisha just sent word – go bath in the Jordan 7 times…
      • Naaman was FURIOUS – because Elisha had not even come to the door…
      • And because there were cleaner rivers than the Jordan in Syria!
      • It is true the Jordan River is a small – unimpressive – somewhat dirty river!
    • People have a hard time with the Gospel – because it is too simple…
      • They feel they have to suffer for their sin – they must do something great to be saved!
      • That is why people crucify themselves on Holy Friday – trying to earn forgiveness…
      • Men will make pilgrimages in an effort to be made clean before God…
      • But when they hear the Gospel message – they refuse to believe – because it is too easy!

• 2^nd – The servant of Naaman came to his master… vs. 13
  • If Elisha had asked a great feat from Naaman – he would have done it…
  • If he had been asked to climb a mountain / or defeat a mighty foe – not a problem…
  • So why not try the simple task the prophet had required!
  • Naaman could walk away – Elisha would not force him – then for sure noting would happen!
  • The Gospel message is simple – there is nothing you have to do – just believe…
  • We do not have to do anything to earn it – we just receive the free gift from God…
  • Ephesians 2:8 – “By grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God…”
  • God did not make salvation hard – because He wants everyone to be saved – II Peter 3:9
  • But at the same time – it is our choice – heaven or hell / life or death…
  • God does not make us go to heaven – He just provides the way!
• 3^rd – Naaman went and bathed 7 times in the Jordan – and was healed… vs. 14
  • Jesus picked up on this story when he was teaching in Nazareth – Luke 4:22-30

• The people there expected Jesus to do miracles for them – He was from Nazareth…
• In response Jesus reminded the people of two stories…

• There were many widows in Israel in days of Elijah – I Kings 17:1…
  • When Elijah hid from Ahab in the home of the widow named Zarephath…
  • She only had enough food for one last meal – then she and her son would starve…
  • Elijah asked to eat first – then promised there would be enough left for them…
  • The Lord miraculously provided each day – just enough – till the rain came again…
  • A despised gentile – was the only widow Elijah ever helped in the famine!
• There were many lepers in Israel in the days of Elisha…
  • Yet only Elisha helped Naaman – the commander of the armies of Syria…
  • The enemy of Israel – was the only man Elisha ever cured of leprosy!
• The point Jesus was making – God does not have favorites…
  • Romans 2:11 – “For God does not show favoritism.”
  • There is no cutting in line with God – there are no special perks…
  • It does not matter if you are rich/poor – man/woman – short/tall – Galatians 3:28
  • God does not ignore anyone – and He has no favorites – we are all sinners!
  • And He freely gives to us all the same hope of salvation through Jesus Christ!
    

Because there will be a time for wealth – when we are home with our Father in heaven!

3^rd – Freely you have received… vs. 15-19 Read: II Kings 5:15-19

1^st – Naaman quickly returned and stood before Elisha… vs. 15

Naaman confessed that now he knew there was only one God in all the earth!

The first time Naaman had come – Elisha would not see him…

He would only tell him the cure for his leprosy (sin)…

But now because Naaman believed – and was clean – Naaman could now see Elisha!

When we are still lost in our sin – we cannot see the Lord…

We call on Him – and the only answer we get is – go get cleaned up…

It is only when we believe – when we receive Jesus – and are forgiven…

That we can come before the Lord and see Him face to face!

2^nd – Naaman offered all of the gifts to Elisha… vs. 16

But Elisha refused to take anything from Naaman – because the Good News is free…

In the same way you cannot earn your salvation / neither can you buy it…

But it is a shame that many preachers / pastors have lost sight of that truth…

Men who become ‘pastors’ because they think of it as a job – a way to make money…

These men are not there to love and provide from the people – they take from them…

Paul said it best – I would rather die than charge for the Gospel – I Corinthians 9:15

3^rd – Naaman dedicated himself to the Lord… vs. 17-19

He loaded up his donkeys with sacks of dirt from Israel…

He intended to use the dirt to build an altar in Syria so he could worship the Lord…

And he would ONLY worship the Lord – he would no longer worship the gods of Syria!

If you give you child a new toy – and they tell you they are SO thankful…

Only to set the toy down and leave it – makes you wonder how grateful they were!

A lot of ‘Christians’ say they are thankful for the work of Jesus on the cross…

Then set down their ‘new faith’ and run around like the sinners they used to be!

If we want to ‘repay’ the Lord for the wonderful gift of salvation…

The only way to do so – is to live our lives for Jesus – show Him we are thankful!

Naaman did ask Elisha for one pardon…

When the King of Syria went to worship – and he bowed down to his god Rimmon…

Naaman would also kneel – not in worship / but in respect of the King…

Elisha told him to ‘Go in peace’ – because he knew it takes time to grow!

We think of our walk in Jesus in terms of days / hours / minutes…

God understands takes takes more like years / decades!

We are not going to be great men and women of faith – we will make mistakes…

The important thing is to be willing to step out and try to follow Jesus!

4^th – The price of greed… vs. 20-27 Read: II Kings 5:20-27

1^st – Gehazi – the servant of Elisha – secretly went after Naaman… vs. 20-24

He thought Elisha was foolish for turning away the generous gift he had been offered…

He saw the gold / silver / and designer clothes – and he wanted them…

So Gehazi caught up with Naaman and told him an elaborate lie…

Two young prophets had just arrived from the mountains of Ephraim…

So ‘Elisha’ wanted to get a few sets of clothes / and some silver to give to them…

Naaman did not hesitate – he gave the clothes and 75kg of silver…

Gehazi brought them back to the house – and hid them away!

There are some who would take advantage of believers – God needs you money…

If you do not give us money – it is your fault people will go to hell…

Misrepresenting God – as if God who created everything – needs your money…

When in truth their motivation is nothing more than old fashioned greed!

2^nd – When Elisha saw Gehazi – he asked him where he had been… vs. 25

It was not a question – it was a test – to see if Gehazi would repent…

Elisha knew what his servant had done – he had ‘been there in Spirit’…

Chances are Elisha saw Gehazi sneaking into the house with his ‘prize’…

Though Gehazi denied it – the inevitable guilt on his servants face told the whole story!

We cannot hide our sin from God…

Like a child who denies eating the candy – with the evidence all over their mouth…

When we sin – we may think that no one noticed – we think we get away with it…

There may not even be immediate consequences – making us think God is OK with it…

God is patient – because he wants us to repent – admit to our sin…

But that does not mean that we will get away with our sin…

Numbers 32:22 – “Be sure your sin will find you out.”

As a result of his lack of repentance – Gehazi became leprous like Naaman had been!

3^rd – Elisha told Gehazi – this is not the time for wealth… vs. 26-27

Gehazi was tired of being a poor servant – he wanted to have servants…

He wanted to buy fields / to have lots of livestock / live the easy life…

But this is not the time to be wealthy – this is the time to share the wealth!

The time we have here is not to try to grasp at riches that will not last…

We are to use this time to share with others the Gospel – the wealth of Jesus Christ…