{"id":6896,"date":"2024-06-27T16:21:22","date_gmt":"2024-06-27T20:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/?post_type=wpfc_sermon&p=6896"},"modified":"2024-06-27T16:21:23","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T20:21:23","slug":"lessons-from-naaman","status":"publish","type":"wpfc_sermon","link":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/?wpfc_sermon=lessons-from-naaman","title":{"rendered":"LESSONS FROM NAAMAN<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

There was a very famous person whose story is told in the Book of 2nd Kings.\u00a0 The story is historically true, but it is included in the Bible for much more than to recount biblical history.\u00a0\u00a0 As we will see, there are several important lessons that emerge from this story that God teaches us today.\u00a0 So, who was this famous man?\u00a0 The man\u2019s name was Naaman.\u00a0 He is not so familiar to us today, but back then, everybody in the Middle East knew about Naaman.\u00a0 He was a man of great power in the kingdom known as Aram located in what is now modern-day Syria.[1]\u00a0 In fact, Naaman was the top general in the Aramean army.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Many people don\u2019t realize it, but God worked behind the scenes to make Naaman and his army victorious in their battles.\u00a0 In fact, Naaman even led raids against Israel and successfully took into captivity Israelites who were scooped up by his raiders.\u00a0 Now, why would God let something like that happen to the people of Israel?\u00a0\u00a0 Why would he let a foreign general like Naaman be victorious over the Israelite? Well, we covered questions like this in a sermon a few Sundays ago.\u00a0 Remember what Paul said in Romans 8:28?\u00a0 He said: \u201cAnd we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.\u201d (NASB) \u00a0\u00a0That was what God was doing with Naaman.\u00a0 He was using him for the ultimate good of God\u2019s plan to teach people some very important things.\u00a0 To see this, let\u2019s consider the events as described in 2nd Kings, chapter 5:<\/p>\n

1 The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the LORD had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. 2 \u00a0At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman\u2019s wife as a maid. 3 \u00a0One day the girl said to her mistress, \u201cI wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.\u201d 4 \u00a0So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. 5 \u00a0\u201cGo and visit the prophet,\u201d the king of Aram told him. \u201cI will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.\u201d So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750\u00a0pounds of silver, 150\u00a0pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. 6 \u00a0The letter to the king of Israel said: \u201cWith this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.\u201d 2nd Kings 5:1-6 (NLT2) <\/p>\n

As you can see, Naaman had a problem.\u00a0 He had leprosy.\u00a0 Possibly, Naaman\u2019s disease was on the scale of those patients that Erin Horn treated on her mission trip to Nepal.\u00a0 Parts of Naaman\u2019s fingers and limbs may have begun to deteriorate.\u00a0 This dreaded disease of leprosy could have been eating away the skin on his face.\u00a0 Leprosy could prove fatal if allowed to reach advanced stages.\u00a0 We can safely assume that Naaman\u2019s leprosy was quite serious.\u00a0 Otherwise, he would have never submitted himself to the treatment of his ailments in Israel.\u00a0 Nevertheless, the King of Aram urged Naaman to give it a shot and take the advice of his wife\u2019s Israelite maid\u2014go to Israel and seek healing from the prophet, Elisha.\u00a0 As we read on, we find this:<\/p>\n

9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha\u2019s house. 10 \u00a0But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: \u201cGo and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.\u201d 11 \u00a0But Naaman became angry and stalked away. \u201cI thought he would certainly come out to meet me!\u201d he said. \u201cI expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me! 12 \u00a0Aren\u2019t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn\u2019t I wash in them and be healed?\u201d So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There can be little doubt about it\u2014Naaman was a prideful man.\u00a0 He loved displaying his great power for all the world to see.\u00a0 This becomes clear when we hear that he showed up on Elisha\u2019s doorstep \u201cwith his horses and chariots.\u201d\u00a0 In the Bible, whenever you hear about someone with a lot of \u201chorses and chariots,\u201d they were usually showing off in a prideful manner.\u00a0\u00a0 Typically, they did this to display what they deemed to be their superior power and prestige.\u00a0 But, apparently, Elisha wasn\u2019t impressed.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t even give Naaman a reception.\u00a0 Rather, he had someone go outside and deliver a message to Naaman containing Elisha\u2019s orders.\u00a0 But, Naaman was a general.\u00a0 He was the one accustomed to handing out orders.\u00a0 He certainly wasn\u2019t used to taking orders from anybody else\u2014particularly, when the order came from a mere servant of an Israelite prophet.\u00a0 Furthermore, when Naaman heard Elisha\u2019s instructions, it offended him even more.<\/p>\n

You see, Naaman had his own ideas as to how his healing should take place.\u00a0 He wanted things his way or no way at all.\u00a0 His way was the easy way.\u00a0 According to Naaman, all Elisha needed to do was wave his hand over his infected skin, say a few holy words to God, and presto, change-o: He\u2019d be magically healed.\u00a0 Now, Naaman had brought quite a bit of silver to give Elisha in the event he successfully cured his leprosy.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t intend to pay Elisha simply because Naaman was a nice guy.\u00a0 No\u2014his motivation in paying Elisha was to cut ties with him.\u00a0 As one commentator put it, \u201cHe wanted to get the product, get the bill, pay it, and move on in life.\u201d[2]\u00a0 Despite Naaman\u2019s wishes, Elisha had a different process in mind\u2014one that would take some faith on Naaman\u2019s part for the healing to take place.<\/p>\n

Elisha proposed a \u00a0cure that would require humility.\u00a0 And, if there was one thing that Naaman was short on, it was humility.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t like Elisha\u2019s remedy because this proud Aramean general would have to strip down to his loin cloth before going almost naked into the waters of the Jordan River.\u00a0 In doing so, his best attempts to hide his leprosy would be exposed for all the world to see.\u00a0 With that being the case, the proud Naaman strongly resisted.\u00a0 Naaman thought that if this was what Elisha had in mind, then he could have stayed home and bathed in his own rivers near Damascus.\u00a0 After all, the Jordan River in Israel was a shallow, muddy mess compared to those crystal, clear rivers back home\u2014or so Naaman thought.\u00a0 Rather than follow the instructions of this man of God, Naaman threw a temper tantrum and started to head back home.<\/p>\n

Now, there is a lesson in this for us.\u00a0 Naaman thought he knew what he needed and how he should get it.\u00a0 But, God had something in store for him that Naaman could have never anticipated.\u00a0 Certainly, from Naaman\u2019s perspective, jumping unclothed in the Jordan River was not a pleasant thought.\u00a0 But, God knew that this particular experience would be just the thing to address Naaman\u2019s real problem.\u00a0 And, his real problem certainly wasn\u2019t leprosy.\u00a0 No, what Naaman needed was to leave his pride behind and come to know the God of Israel.\u00a0 And, that\u2019s the first lesson we can glean from this story:\u00a0 We might think we know what our needs are, but only God knows what we truly need.\u00a0 Sometimes we pray for things, and we don\u2019t get what we want exactly when we want it.\u00a0 But, prayers that are in line with God\u2019s plan for your life will always be answered.\u00a0 If it appears to you that what you prayed for is not being addressed by God, remember how God met Naaman\u2019s needs.\u00a0 There is a good chance that God is working out things for you in a manner that you may not have wanted or on a timetable very different from your own.\u00a0 Nevertheless, God\u2019s remedy is always the sure one.\u00a0 You cannot force your plans on God.\u00a0 He is the one who knows what you need, how to bring it about, and what the timing of all things should be.\u00a0 In difficult times when the answers to your prayers may seem to be unanswered, remember Naaman.\u00a0 But, also remember David.\u00a0 For in the 27th Psalm, David said, \u201cWait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.\u201d Psalm 27:14 (NLT2) <\/p>\n

Now as Naaman\u2019s story goes on, it turns out that he did not immediately return to Syria.\u00a0 Rather, he stopped and reconsidered. \u00a0As the story goes on, it explains why:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

13 \u00a0But his officers tried to reason with him and said, \u201cSir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn\u2019t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, \u2018Go and wash and be cured!\u2019\u201d 14 \u00a0So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child\u2019s, and he was healed! 15 \u00a0Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, \u201cNow I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.\u201d 16 \u00a0But Elisha replied, \u201cAs surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.\u201d And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused. 17 \u00a0Then Naaman said, \u201cAll right, but please allow me to load two of my mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god except the LORD. 18 \u00a0However, may the LORD pardon me in this one thing: When my master the king goes into the temple of the god Rimmon to worship there and leans on my arm, may the LORD pardon me when I bow, too.\u201d 19 \u00a0\u201cGo in peace,\u201d Elisha said. So Naaman started home again. 2nd Kings 5:7-19 (NLT2) <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

God\u2019s hand was directly involved in all that transpired here.\u00a0 Just as God had influenced the Israelite maiden to suggest that Naaman visit Elisha, the LORD now touched the minds of Naaman\u2019s subordinates.\u00a0 They, like the maiden, appealed to wisdom and common sense as a means to overcome Naaman\u2019s pride.\u00a0 Naaman\u2019s officers pointed out that Elisha didn\u2019t ask him to do some great task but gave him a simple command instead.\u00a0 They realized that if Elisha had required him to do some impossible feat to be cured, it may have cured the physical disease of leprosy, but it would have only increased Naaman\u2019s spiritual sin of pride. Elisha could see what God intended because he realized that a faith lacking in obedience isn\u2019t any kind of faith at all.[3]<\/p>\n

Here, Naaman\u00a0 learned a second lesson which we need to understand as well.\u00a0 He finally could see that when God says something, as He did here through Elisha\u2014God means what He says.\u00a0 God\u2019s instructions and commandments are to be taken seriously.\u00a0 They are not optional, nor are they multiple choices\u2014where you choose to obey some, but not the others.\u00a0 If Naaman had dipped himself in the Jordan River once, twice, or 3, 4, 5 or 6 times, he would have remained a leper.\u00a0 He was directed to do it seven times\u2014not one time less, not one time more.\u00a0 And note this:\u00a0 Elisha was not the one who came up with the idea of having Naaman dip himself seven times in the Jordan River.\u00a0 It was part of God\u2019s plan for Naaman\u2019s life, just as it was God\u2019s miracle when Naaman was healed.\u00a0 Elisha was simply the instrument God used.<\/p>\n

Those who repent and submit to the LORD in faith, following His commandments to the letter, will experience healing of something far more deadly than leprosy.\u00a0 Once Naaman dipped himself that seventh time, his skin was as clean as the day his was born.\u00a0 That is a valuable lesson for Christians today when facing a culture that has largely rejected God\u2019s moral code.\u00a0 Those \u00a0commands found in God\u2019s Word must be followed without exception.\u00a0 When God said, \u201cThou shall not kill,\u201d[4] He meant it with respect to the taking of all human life\u2014including the lives of innocent, helpless, unborn babies.\u00a0 In today\u2019s culture, He didn\u2019t leave a loophole for abortionists. \u00a0The Bible teaches that human life begins at conception[5] and that all human life is sacred and made in the image of God.[6] \u00a0For this reason, purely elective abortions are both immoral and sinful. Granted, in those rare cases when the mother\u2019s life is threatened by complications of a pregnancy, we must prayerfully call upon the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance in those circumstances\u2014and err on the side of life, not death.\u00a0 But, the wholesale killing of unborn children we see in this country today is a total disregard of God\u2019s commandment.\u00a0 In the coming election cycle, voters will be going to the polls in at least 12 states to vote on legalizing abortion\u2013including murderous late-term and partial-birth abortions.\u00a0 Current polling indicates that pro-lifers are going to take a beating when the votes are finally counted.\u00a0 The other grim news is that, although 14 states have legislated abortion bans following the reversal of Roe v. Wade, abortions hit their highest rate in 12 years during last year.\u00a0 Pro-life advocate,\u00a0 Chelsey Youman with Human Coalition, recently urged churches to become more responsive to the abortion debate and said: \u201cWe have to understand that the church needs to engage more than ever on this issue [because]we are losing on every front.\u201d\u00a0[7]<\/p>\n

I do not condone violence or angry, ugly language to dissuade those who are considering abortion.\u00a0 But, I strongly stand with God\u2019s Word on this issue and urge Christians to publicly voice their dissent to such atrocities when going to the ballot box.\u00a0 Also, be peaceful, respectful and compassionate in private conversations with those you may encounter who face such difficult decisions.\u00a0 The same goes for our culture\u2019s rejection of God\u2019s specific commands against same-sex relationships, same-sex marriages, and the total lunacy of the transgender movement.<\/p>\n

Now, getting back to Naaman.\u00a0 Despite God\u2019s mercy upon him and the healing of his withered skin, Naaman\u2019s faith was only surface deep.\u00a0 His skin had been cleaned on the outside, but his heart needed a cleaning on the inside.\u00a0 What Jesus said to the Pharisees, He may well have said to Naaman:\u00a0 25b \u00a0\u201cYou are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy. . . First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.\u201d Matthew 23:25-26 (NLT2) \u00a0You see, Naaman\u2019s parting comments to Elisha indicated that the inside of his spiritual cup was still splattered with the disease of sin.\u00a0 Notice that when he left Elisha, Naaman said that he\u2019d never sacrifice offerings to any other god but the One True God of Israel.\u00a0 Of course, that decision on his part was a good thing.\u00a0 Naaman even scooped up some soil from Israel to carry back home with him.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Well, in ancient times, it was believed by pagan cultures that their national deities actually permeated the soil of the land of the nations that worshipped them.\u00a0 If you departed from that land, it was thought that you would leave that god behind.\u00a0 To Naaman\u2019s credit, he didn\u2019t want to leave the God of Israel behind.\u00a0 So, he made sure to take some Israelite dirt back with him when he returned home to use at his personal altar.[8]\u00a0 But, as a new believer, Naaman still had much to learn about \u201ccup cleaning\u201d when it came to his soul.\u00a0 He needed to learn that a true follower of God can\u2019t hide that Godly soil of a believer in a closet.\u00a0 Unfortunately, this seemed to be his plan when we consider his other remark to Elisha.\u00a0 He told Elisha that he would continue to bow down to the Aramean pagan god, Rimmon\u2014who was essentially the Canaanite god, Baal.[9] \u00a0Naaman was willing to bow down to a false god, simply to save face with the Aramean King.\u00a0 It was as if Naaman was saying: \u201cI may accept your God, but when I get back to Syria, I\u2019m going to be forced to live by the ways of my culture.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n

Now, I can appreciate the bind Naaman was in, because once he was back in Syria, if he failed to worship the pagan gods of his homeland, he would face dire consequences. \u00a0He faced the prospect of being stripped of his rank as general.\u00a0 He might be imprisoned or even killed if he stood firm in his new-found faith in God.\u00a0 Standing up for God when the entire world around you is calling for your head is an extremely difficult thing to do.\u00a0 But, isn\u2019t that exactly what we are called to do?\u00a0 Years later, isn\u2019t that what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did when the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar, demanded that they worship the golden idol he\u2019d built?[10]\u00a0 Daniel was thrown in the lions\u2019 den for taking a similar stand on behalf of God.[11] The world turned bitterly against Jesus, and yet He was crucified for the sins of all humanity.\u00a0 But, before Jesus went to the Cross, didn\u2019t He tell His disciples:\u00a0 18 \u00a0\u201cIf the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 \u00a0The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.\u201d John 15:18-19 (NLT2)<\/p>\n

Now, despite this, there are some very good Christian scholars who praise Naaman as the equivalent of a New Testament \u201cborn again\u201d Christian.[12]\u00a0 They contend that Naaman\u2019s dipping himself in the Jordan River \u201canticipates the baptism of thousands of future Gentiles\u201d and that \u201cNaaman\u2019s baptism, like Christian baptism, also identified Him with God and His people.\u201d[13] \u00a0\u00a0But, I respectfully disagree with their conclusion.\u00a0 Rather, it would appear evident that if Naaman\u2019s plunge into the Jordan has any connection with Christian baptism, it is this:\u00a0 Those today who get baptized, but continue to willingly bow down to the \u201cgods\u201d of this world didn\u2019t accomplish anything by their baptism other than to get wet.\u00a0 So, what lesson can we take from this?\u00a0 <\/p>\n

This is the final lesson for us to consider\u2014ONE OF ETERNAL IMPORTANCE.\u00a0 The lesson is this:\u00a0 When it comes to believing in God, you are either \u201cALL-IN\u201d in terms of your salvation, or \u201cNOT-IN-AT-ALL\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 You can\u2019t be a saved believer if you merely acknowledge God with your mouth, but deliberately keep one foot firmly planted in the ways of the world.\u00a0 When Naaman told Elisha that he wanted God to excuse him in advance from bowing to false gods with the king, he was asking God to overlook sin.\u00a0 God did not do that for Naaman, and He certainly won\u2019t do that for you.\u00a0 Those Old Testament scholars who seem determined to make Naaman out to be a true believer do so apparently because of Elisha\u2019s parting words.\u00a0 As Naaman was leaving, Elisha told him \u201cgo in peace.\u201d\u00a0 I expect when Elisha said that, he had an exasperated look upon his face.\u00a0 For as Bible commentator, James Burton Coffman, stated: \u201cElisha answered, \u2018Go in peace,\u2019 without thereby either approving or disapproving the religious intentions just expressed by Naaman.\u00a0 The clause, \u2018go in peace,\u2019 merely means farewell. Elisha's words here, \u2018Go in peace,\u2019 should be taken simply as Elisha's parting wish that the peace of God would accompany Naaman on his way back to Damascus.\u201d [14]<\/p>\n

When we consider the story of Naaman, it is a wonderful story of God\u2019s grace. \u00a0William MacDonald puts it this way:\u00a0 \u201cIn the story of Naaman we find a classic illustration of the gospel of grace. He was an enemy of God, being the [general] of the Syrian army. Humanly speaking, his condition was helpless and hopeless, since he was a leper (see Romans 5:6-10 [15]). Being a Gentile, he was a stranger to the promises and covenants of God and had no claim on His blessing (Ephesians 2:11-12 [16]). \u00a0But God\u2019s grace reached out to touch human need. \u00a0All Naaman had to do was to humble himself and obey the word of the Lord. \u00a0He eventually washed himself in obedience to God's word and came up a new man, with new skin\u2026\u201d[17]\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Yes, even though Naaman was the ultimate \u201coutsider\u201d from the perspective of the Israelites, God\u2019s grace was still available to him\u2014just as it is available to everyone day, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality or one\u2019s social or economic status.\u00a0 God\u2019s grace is even offered to those who are currently misguided and stand with God\u2019s enemies.\u00a0 Yes, God\u2019s grace is open to them as well if they will only repent and accept His gracious offer. William MacDonald is right to say that Naaman left Israel as \u201ca new man, with new skin\u2026\u201d\u00a0 But, what he really needed was a new and transformed heart.\u00a0 That was something that he didn\u2019t have yet.\u00a0 It is true that Elisha told Naaman to \u201cgo in peace.\u201d\u00a0 But, for Naaman, and those today who are like him, there will be no real peace until they fully surrender their lives to Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

Although Naaman\u2019s parting words were not what Elisha may have hoped for, the Holy Spirit may have still worked upon Naaman if he truly continued his pursuit of God.\u00a0 For God promises all those who sincerely want to know Him: \u201cSeek and you shall find.\u201d[18] Perhaps one day, Naaman had the courage to stand up against the culture surrounding him and refused to bow down to idols.\u00a0 Who knows\u2014he may have grown to experience the kind of \u201ccostly grace\u201d Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke of, rather than the \u201ccheap grace\u201d Naaman had gravitated to when leaving Israel.\u00a0 I surely hope that one day Naaman had the courage to obey, not only Elisha\u2019s instructions, but also God\u2019s demands found in the 1st and 2nd Commandments that were handed down to Mose.[19]<\/p>\n

Today, we are faced with cultural pressures similar, in many ways, to those faced by Naaman.\u00a0 In his culture, it was expected that he would bow down to the same worldly idols like everyone else.\u00a0 He would have faced great risk if he refused to bow down. \u00a0It\u2019s pretty much the same in America today.\u00a0 Our society has many \u201cfalse idols\u201d to which it demands everyone to bow.\u00a0 When Christians refuse, they too are beginning to pay a price.\u00a0 We don\u2019t know what Naaman ended up doing upon his return to Syria.\u00a0 When he escorted the king to the pagan temple, perhaps he bowed.\u00a0 But, maybe not.\u00a0 Just maybe his faith grew enough to buck the system.\u00a0 Maybe he poured out that soil he taken from Israel, fell to his knees in it and worshipped the God of Elisha\u2014thanking God for His mercy and grace in not only healing his leprosy, but for saving his soul in the process.\u00a0\u00a0 We can learn a lot from Naaman\u2019s story.\u00a0 But, most of all, it teaches us that there is a God who will heal us in His own way, in His own time, if we will only give Him the chance to do so.<\/p>\n

This morning, you may be like Naaman when he first arrived at Elisha\u2019 doorstep.\u00a0 You too may be in need of healing.\u00a0 Our God who healed Naaman knows exactly what you need for your restoration as well.\u00a0 And what you need is faith in Jesus Christ.\u00a0 We all suffer from the leprosy of sin, but only Jesus has the healing touch.\u00a0 His blood shed on the Cross is your true miracle cure.\u00a0 Come to Him today.\u00a0 Only then can you truly \u201cgo in peace\u201d!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Darvin Satterwhite, Pastor<\/p>\n

Forest Hill Baptist Church<\/p>\n

June 23, 2024<\/p>\n

\u00a92024 All Rights Reserved as follows:<\/p>\n

Anyone is at liberty to use this sermon or any portions thereof for educational or religious purposes, with or without credit. The pastor believes the material presented herein to be true to the teaching of Scripture, and desires to further, not restrict, its potential use as an aid in the study of God\u2019s Word. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Forest Hill Baptist Church in Louisa, Virginia.<\/p>\n

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Visit us on our Face Book page at https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/4409sspotswoodrdgordonsvilleva.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[1] Tim Turnham, Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ed. Chad Brand, Charles Draper, Archie England (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), s.v. \u201cARAMEAN or ARAMAEAN,\u201d WORDsearch CROSS e-book.<\/p>\n

[2] \u00a0Eli Lyzorkin-Eyzenberg, \u201cThe Syrian in Israel\u2019s War Story (Naaman & The Gospel), Preach It Teach It,<\/p>\n

https:\/\/preachitteachit.org\/articles\/the-syrian-in-israels-war-story-naaman-the-gospel\/ (September 2, 2013).<\/p>\n

[3] Warren Wiersbe, Be Distinct (2 Kings and 2 Chronicles), (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 523.<\/p>\n

[4] Exodus 20:13 \u201cThou shalt not kill.\u201d (KJV)<\/p>\n

[5] Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13-16, Isaiah 44:2, Luke 1:41.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[6] Genesis 1:27\u00a0 \u201cSo God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.\u201d (NLT2) <\/p>\n

[7] Brody Carter, \u201cPro-Abortion Blowout Warning for 12 States in November: \u2018The Church Needs to Engage,\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Christian Broadcasting Network, https:\/\/www2.cbn.com\/news\/politics\/pro-abortion-blowout-warning-12-states-november-church-needs-engage (June 20, 2024).<\/p>\n

[8] Warren Wiersbe, Be Distinct (2 Kings and 2 Chronicles), (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 523.<\/p>\n

[9] Ibid.<\/p>\n

[10] Daniel 3:16-18 16 \u00a0\u201cShadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, \u201cO\u00a0Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 \u00a0If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 \u00a0But even if he doesn\u2019t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.\u201d (NLT2)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[11] Daniel 6:13, 16 \u00a0\u201cThen they told the king, \u2018That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day...\u2019\u201d \u00a0So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, \u2018May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.\u2019\u201d (NLT2) <\/p>\n

[12] Warren Wiersbe, Be Distinct (2 Kings and 2 Chronicles), (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 523.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[13] Merida, Tony. Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.<\/p>\n

[14] James Burton Coffman, Coffman Commentary: 2 Kings: Vol. 10, (Abilene, Texas: ACU Press, 1993), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 9.<\/p>\n

[15] Romans 5:6-10\u00a0 6 \u00a0When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 \u00a0Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 \u00a0But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 \u00a0And since we have been made right in God\u2019s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God\u2019s condemnation. 10 \u00a0For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. (NLT2)<\/p>\n

[16] Ephesians 2:11-12 11 \u00a0Don\u2019t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called \u201cuncircumcised heathens\u201d by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 \u00a0In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. Ephesians 2:11-12 (NLT2) <\/p>\n

[17] William MacDonald, Believer's Bible Commentary: A Thorough, Yet Easy-to-Read Bible Commentary That Turns Complicated Theology Into Practical Understanding, ed. Arthur Farstad, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 396.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[18] Matthew 7:7\u00a0 \u201cAsk and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.\u201d (NIV) <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[19] Exodus 20:3-5a\u00a0 3 \u00a0\u201cYou must not have any other god but me. 4 \u00a0\u201cYou must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5a \u00a0You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.\u201d (NLT2)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There was a very famous person whose story is told in the Book of 2nd Kings.\u00a0 The story is historically true, but it is included in the Bible for much more than to recount biblical history.\u00a0\u00a0 As we will see, there are several important lessons that emerge from this story … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","wpfc_preacher":[],"wpfc_sermon_series":[],"wpfc_sermon_topics":[],"wpfc_bible_book":[],"wpfc_service_type":[7],"sermon_audio":"","sermon_audio_duration":"","_views":"205","bible_passage":"2nd Kings 5","sermon_description":"There was a very famous person whose story is told in the Book of 2nd<\/sup> Kings<\/em>.\u00a0 The story is historically true, but it is included in the Bible for much more than to recount biblical history.\u00a0\u00a0 As we will see, there are several important lessons that emerge from this story that God teaches us today.\u00a0 So, who was this famous man?\u00a0 The man\u2019s name was Naaman.<\/em>\u00a0 He is not so familiar to us today, but back then, everybody in the Middle East knew about Naaman.\u00a0 He was a man of great power in the kingdom known as Aram located in what is now modern-day Syria.[1]<\/a>\u00a0 In fact, Naaman was the top general in the Aramean army.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Many people don\u2019t realize it, but God worked behind the scenes to make Naaman and his army victorious in their battles.\u00a0 In fact, Naaman even led raids against Israel and successfully took into captivity Israelites who were scooped up by his raiders.\u00a0 Now, why would God let something like that happen to the people of Israel?\u00a0\u00a0 Why would he let a foreign general like Naaman be victorious over the Israelite? Well, we covered questions like this in a sermon a few Sundays ago.\u00a0 Remember what Paul said in Romans 8:28?<\/em>\u00a0 He said: \u201cAnd we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.\u201d<\/em> (NASB)<\/em> \u00a0\u00a0That was what God was doing with Naaman.\u00a0 He was using him for the ultimate good of God\u2019s plan to teach people some very important things.\u00a0 To see this, let\u2019s consider the events as described in 2nd<\/sup> Kings, chapter 5<\/em>:\r\n\r\n1 <\/sup><\/em>The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the LORD had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. 2 <\/sup>\u00a0At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman\u2019s wife as a maid. 3 <\/sup>\u00a0One day the girl said to her mistress, \u201cI wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.\u201d 4 <\/sup>\u00a0So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. 5 <\/sup>\u00a0\u201cGo and visit the prophet,\u201d the king of Aram told him. \u201cI will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.\u201d So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750\u00a0pounds of silver, 150\u00a0pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. 6 <\/sup>\u00a0The letter to the king of Israel said: \u201cWith this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.\u201d<\/em> 2nd<\/sup> Kings 5:1-6 (NLT2) <\/em>\r\n\r\nAs you can see, Naaman had a problem.\u00a0 He had leprosy.\u00a0 Possibly, Naaman\u2019s disease was on the scale of those patients that Erin Horn treated on her mission trip to Nepal.\u00a0 Parts of Naaman\u2019s fingers and limbs may have begun to deteriorate.\u00a0 This dreaded disease of leprosy could have been eating away the skin on his face.\u00a0 Leprosy could prove fatal if allowed to reach advanced stages.\u00a0 We can safely assume that Naaman\u2019s leprosy was quite serious.\u00a0 Otherwise, he would have never submitted himself to the treatment of his ailments in Israel.\u00a0 Nevertheless, the King of Aram urged Naaman to give it a shot and take the advice of his wife\u2019s Israelite maid\u2014go to Israel and seek healing from the prophet, Elisha.\u00a0 As we read on, we find this:\r\n\r\n9 <\/sup><\/em>So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha\u2019s house. 10 <\/sup>\u00a0But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: \u201cGo and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.\u201d 11 <\/sup>\u00a0But Naaman became angry and stalked away. \u201cI thought he would certainly come out to meet me!\u201d he said. \u201cI expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me! 12 <\/sup>\u00a0Aren\u2019t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn\u2019t I wash in them and be healed?\u201d So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. <\/em>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThere can be little doubt about it\u2014Naaman was a prideful man.\u00a0 He loved displaying his great power for all the world to see.\u00a0 This becomes clear when we hear that he showed up on Elisha\u2019s doorstep \u201cwith his horses and chariots.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 In the Bible, whenever you hear about someone with a lot of \u201chorses and chariots,\u201d<\/em> they were usually showing off in a prideful manner.\u00a0\u00a0 Typically, they did this to display what they deemed to be their superior power and prestige.\u00a0 But, apparently, Elisha wasn\u2019t impressed.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t even give Naaman a reception.\u00a0 Rather, he had someone go outside and deliver a message to Naaman containing Elisha\u2019s orders.\u00a0 But, Naaman was a general.\u00a0 He was the one accustomed to handing out orders.\u00a0 He certainly wasn\u2019t used to taking orders from anybody else\u2014particularly, when the order came from a mere servant of an Israelite prophet.\u00a0 Furthermore, when Naaman heard Elisha\u2019s instructions, it offended him even more.\r\n\r\nYou see, Naaman had his own<\/em> ideas as to how his healing should take place.\u00a0 He wanted things his way<\/em> or no way at all.<\/em>\u00a0 His way was the easy way.\u00a0 According to Naaman, all Elisha needed to do was wave his hand over his infected skin, say a few holy words to God, and presto, change-o:<\/em> He\u2019d be magically healed.\u00a0 Now, Naaman had brought quite a bit of silver to give Elisha in the event he successfully cured his leprosy.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t intend to pay Elisha simply because Naaman was a nice guy.\u00a0 No\u2014his motivation in paying Elisha was to cut ties with him.\u00a0 As one commentator put it, \u201cHe wanted to get the product, get the bill, pay it, and move on in life.\u201d[2]<\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/em>\u00a0 Despite Naaman\u2019s wishes, Elisha had a different process in mind\u2014one that would take some faith<\/em> on Naaman\u2019s part for the healing to take place.\r\n\r\nElisha proposed a \u00a0cure that would require humility.\u00a0 And, if there was one thing that Naaman was short on, it was humility.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t like Elisha\u2019s remedy because this proud Aramean general would have to strip down to his loin cloth before going almost naked into the waters of the Jordan River.\u00a0 In doing so, his best attempts to hide his leprosy would be exposed for all the world to see.\u00a0 With that being the case, the proud Naaman strongly resisted.\u00a0 Naaman thought that if this was what Elisha had in mind, then he could have stayed home and bathed in his own rivers near Damascus.\u00a0 After all, the Jordan River in Israel was a shallow, muddy mess compared to those crystal, clear rivers back home\u2014or so Naaman thought.\u00a0 Rather than follow the instructions of this man of God, Naaman threw a temper tantrum and started to head back home.\r\n\r\nNow, there is a lesson in this for us.<\/em>\u00a0 Naaman thought he<\/em> knew what he needed and how he<\/em> should get it.\u00a0 But, God had something in store for him that Naaman could have never anticipated.\u00a0 Certainly, from Naaman\u2019s perspective, jumping unclothed in the Jordan River was not a pleasant thought.\u00a0 But, God knew that this particular experience would be just the thing to address Naaman\u2019s real problem.\u00a0 And, his real problem certainly wasn\u2019t leprosy<\/em>.\u00a0 No, what Naaman needed was to leave his pride behind and come to know<\/em> the God of Israel.\u00a0 And, that\u2019s the first lesson we can glean from this story:\u00a0 W<\/u><\/em><\/strong>e might think we know what our needs are, but only God knows what we truly need<\/u><\/em><\/strong>.<\/em>\u00a0 Sometimes we pray for things, and we don\u2019t get what we want exactly when we want it.\u00a0 But, prayers that are in line with God\u2019s plan for your life will always be answered.\u00a0 If it appears to you that what you prayed for is not being addressed by God, remember how God met Naaman\u2019s needs.\u00a0 There is a good chance that God is working out things for you in a manner that you may not have wanted or on a timetable very different from your own.\u00a0 Nevertheless, God\u2019s remedy is always the sure one.\u00a0 You cannot force your plans on God.\u00a0 He is the one who knows what you need, how to bring it about, and what the timing of all things should be.\u00a0 In difficult times when the answers to your prayers may seem to be unanswered, remember Naaman.\u00a0 But, also remember David.\u00a0 For in the 27th<\/sup> Psalm, David said, \u201c<\/em>Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.\u201d<\/em> Psalm 27:14 (NLT2) <\/em>\r\n\r\nNow as Naaman\u2019s story goes on, it turns out that he did not immediately return to Syria.\u00a0 Rather, he stopped and reconsidered. \u00a0As the story goes on, it explains why:\r\n\r\n\u00a0<\/sup>\r\n\r\n13 <\/sup><\/em>\u00a0But his officers tried to reason with him and said, \u201cSir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn\u2019t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, \u2018Go and wash and be cured!\u2019\u201d 14 <\/sup>\u00a0So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child\u2019s, and he was healed! 15 <\/sup>\u00a0Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, \u201cNow I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.\u201d 16 <\/sup>\u00a0But Elisha replied, \u201cAs surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.\u201d And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused. 17 <\/sup>\u00a0Then Naaman said, \u201cAll right, but please allow me to load two of my mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god except the LORD. 18 <\/sup>\u00a0However, may the LORD pardon me in this one thing: When my master the king goes into the temple of the god Rimmon to worship there and leans on my arm, may the LORD pardon me when I bow, too.\u201d 19 <\/sup>\u00a0\u201cGo in peace,\u201d Elisha said. So Naaman started home again. 2nd<\/sup> Kings 5:7-19 (NLT2) <\/em>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nGod\u2019s hand was directly involved in all that transpired here.\u00a0 Just as God had influenced the Israelite maiden to suggest that Naaman visit Elisha, the LORD now touched the minds of Naaman\u2019s subordinates.\u00a0 They, like the maiden, appealed to wisdom and common sense as a means to overcome Naaman\u2019s pride.\u00a0 Naaman\u2019s officers pointed out that Elisha didn\u2019t ask him to do some great task but gave him a simple command instead.\u00a0 They realized that if Elisha had required him to do some impossible feat to be cured, it may have cured the physical disease of leprosy, but it would have only increased Naaman\u2019s spiritual sin of pride. Elisha could see what God intended because he realized that a faith lacking in obedience isn\u2019t any kind of faith at all<\/em>.[3]<\/a>\r\n\r\nHere, Naaman\u00a0 learned a second lesson which we need to understand as well.\u00a0 He finally could see that when God says something<\/u>, <\/em><\/strong>as He did here through Elisha\u2014God means what He says<\/u>.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 God\u2019s instructions and commandments are to be taken seriously.\u00a0 They are not optional, nor are they multiple choices\u2014where you choose to obey some, but not the others.\u00a0 If Naaman had dipped himself in the Jordan River once, twice, or 3, 4, 5 or 6 times, he would have remained a leper.\u00a0 He was directed to do it seven times<\/em>\u2014not one time less, not one time more.\u00a0 And note this:\u00a0 Elisha was not the one who came up with the idea of having Naaman dip himself seven times in the Jordan River.\u00a0 It was part of God\u2019s plan for Naaman\u2019s life, just as it was God\u2019s miracle when Naaman was healed.\u00a0 Elisha was simply the instrument God used.\r\n\r\nThose who repent and submit to the LORD in faith, following His commandments to the letter,<\/em> will experience healing of something far more deadly than leprosy.\u00a0 Once Naaman dipped himself that seventh time,<\/em> his skin was as clean as the day his was born.\u00a0 That is a valuable lesson for Christians today when facing a culture that has largely rejected God\u2019s moral code.\u00a0 Those \u00a0commands found in God\u2019s Word must be followed without exception.\u00a0 When God said, \u201cThou shall not kill,\u201d[4]<\/strong><\/a><\/em> He meant it with respect to the taking of all human life\u2014including the lives of innocent, helpless, unborn babies.\u00a0 In today\u2019s culture, He didn\u2019t leave a loophole for abortionists. \u00a0The Bible teaches that human life begins at conception[5]<\/a> and that all human life is sacred and made in the image of God.[6]<\/a> \u00a0For this reason, purely elective abortions are both immoral and sinful. Granted, in those rare cases when the mother\u2019s life is threatened by complications of a pregnancy, we must prayerfully call upon the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance in those circumstances\u2014and err on the side of life, not death.\u00a0 But, the wholesale killing of unborn children we see in this country today is a total disregard of God\u2019s commandment.\u00a0 In the coming election cycle, voters will be going to the polls in at least 12 states to vote on legalizing abortion\u2013including murderous late-term and partial-birth abortions.\u00a0 Current polling indicates that pro-lifers are going to take a beating when the votes are finally counted.\u00a0 The other grim news is that, although 14 states have legislated abortion bans following the reversal of Roe v. Wade, abortions hit their highest rate in 12 years during last year.\u00a0 Pro-life advocate,\u00a0 Chelsey Youman with Human Coalition, recently urged churches to become more responsive to the abortion debate and said: \u201cWe have to understand that the church needs to engage more than ever on this issue [because]we are losing on every front.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0[7]<\/a>\r\n\r\nI do not condone violence or angry, ugly language to dissuade those who are considering abortion.\u00a0 But, I strongly stand with God\u2019s Word on this issue and urge Christians to publicly voice their dissent to such atrocities when going to the ballot box.\u00a0 Also, be peaceful, respectful and compassionate<\/em> in private conversations with those you may encounter who face such difficult decisions.\u00a0 The same goes for our culture\u2019s rejection of God\u2019s specific commands against same-sex relationships, same-sex marriages, and the total lunacy of the transgender movement.\r\n\r\nNow, getting back to Naaman.\u00a0 Despite God\u2019s mercy upon him and the healing of his withered skin, Naaman\u2019s faith was only surface deep.\u00a0 His skin had been cleaned on the outside, but his heart needed a cleaning on the inside.\u00a0 What Jesus said to the Pharisees, He may well have said to Naaman:\u00a0 25b <\/sup>\u00a0\u201cYou are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy. . . First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.\u201d<\/em> Matthew 23:25-26 (NLT2)<\/em> \u00a0You see, Naaman\u2019s parting comments to Elisha indicated that the inside of his spiritual cup<\/em> was still splattered with the disease of sin.\u00a0 Notice that when he left Elisha, Naaman said that he\u2019d never sacrifice offerings to any other god but the One True God of Israel.<\/em>\u00a0 Of course, that decision on his part was a good thing.\u00a0 Naaman even scooped up some soil from Israel to carry back home with him.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Well, in ancient times, it was believed by pagan cultures that their national deities actually permeated the soil of the land of the nations that worshipped them.\u00a0 If you departed from that land, it was thought that you would leave that god behind.\u00a0 To Naaman\u2019s credit, he didn\u2019t want to leave the God of Israel behind.\u00a0 So, he made sure to take some Israelite dirt back with him when he returned home to use at his personal altar.[8]<\/a>\u00a0 But, as a new believer, Naaman still had much to learn about \u201ccup cleaning\u201d<\/em> when it came to his soul.\u00a0 He needed to learn that a true follower of God can\u2019t hide that Godly soil of a believer in a closet<\/em>.\u00a0 Unfortunately, this seemed to be his plan when we consider his other remark to Elisha.\u00a0 He told Elisha that he would continue to bow down to the Aramean pagan god, Rimmon\u2014who was essentially the Canaanite god, Baal.[9]<\/a> \u00a0Naaman was willing to bow down to a false god, simply to save face with the Aramean King.\u00a0 It was as if Naaman was saying: \u201cI may accept your God, but when I get back to Syria, I\u2019m going to be forced to live by the ways of my culture.\u201d \u00a0<\/em>\r\n\r\nNow, I can appreciate the bind Naaman was in, because once he was back in Syria, if he failed to worship the pagan gods of his homeland, he would face dire consequences. \u00a0He faced the prospect of being stripped of his rank as general.\u00a0 He might be imprisoned or even killed if he stood firm in his new-found faith in God.\u00a0 Standing up for God when the entire world around you is calling for your head is an extremely difficult thing to do.\u00a0 But, isn\u2019t that exactly what we are called to do?<\/em>\u00a0 Years later, isn\u2019t that what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego<\/em> did when the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar, demanded that they worship the golden idol he\u2019d built?[10]<\/a>\u00a0 Daniel was thrown in the lions\u2019 den for taking a similar stand on behalf of God.[11]<\/a> The world turned bitterly against Jesus, and yet He was crucified for the sins of all humanity.\u00a0 But, before Jesus went to the Cross, didn\u2019t He tell His disciples:\u00a0 18 <\/sup><\/em>\u00a0\u201cIf the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 <\/sup>\u00a0The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.\u201d<\/em> John 15:18-19 (NLT2)<\/em>\r\n\r\nNow, despite this, there are some very good Christian scholars who praise Naaman as the equivalent of a New Testament \u201cborn again\u201d<\/em> Christian.[12]<\/a>\u00a0 They contend that Naaman\u2019s dipping himself in the Jordan River \u201canticipates the baptism of thousands of future Gentiles\u201d<\/em> and that \u201cNaaman\u2019s baptism, like Christian baptism, also identified Him with God and His people.\u201d[13]<\/strong><\/a> <\/em>\u00a0\u00a0But, I respectfully disagree with their conclusion.\u00a0 Rather, it would appear evident that if Naaman\u2019s plunge into the Jordan has any connection with Christian baptism, it is this:\u00a0 Those today who get baptized, but continue to willingly bow down to the \u201cgods\u201d of this world didn\u2019t accomplish anything by their baptism other than to get wet.\u00a0 So, what lesson can we take from this?\u00a0 <\/em>\r\n\r\nThis is the final lesson for us to consider\u2014ONE OF ETERNAL IMPORTANCE<\/em>.\u00a0 The lesson is this:\u00a0 When it comes to believing in God, you are either \u201cALL-IN\u201d in terms of your salvation, or \u201cNOT-IN-AT-ALL<\/u>\u201d.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>You can\u2019t be a saved believer<\/em> if you merely acknowledge God with your mouth, but deliberately keep one foot firmly planted in the ways of the world.\u00a0 When Naaman told Elisha that he wanted God to excuse him in advance from bowing to false gods with the king, he was asking God to overlook sin.\u00a0 God did not do that for Naaman, and He certainly won\u2019t do that for you.\u00a0 Those Old Testament scholars who seem determined to make Naaman out to be a true believer<\/em> do so apparently because of Elisha\u2019s parting words.\u00a0 As Naaman was leaving, Elisha told him \u201cgo in peace.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I expect when Elisha said that, he had an exasperated look upon his face.\u00a0 For as Bible commentator, James Burton Coffman, stated: \u201cElisha answered, \u2018Go in peace,\u2019 without thereby either approving or disapproving the religious intentions just expressed by Naaman.\u00a0 The clause, \u2018go in peace,\u2019 merely means farewell. Elisha's words here, \u2018Go in peace,\u2019 should be taken simply as Elisha's parting wish that the peace of God would accompany Naaman on his way back to Damascus.\u201d<\/em> [14]<\/a>\r\n\r\nWhen we consider the story of Naaman, it is a wonderful story of God\u2019s grace<\/em>. \u00a0William MacDonald puts it this way:\u00a0 \u201c<\/em>In the story of Naaman we find a classic illustration of the gospel of grace. He was an enemy of God, being the [general] of the Syrian army. Humanly speaking, his condition was helpless and hopeless, since he was a leper (see <\/em>Romans 5:6-10<\/em><\/a> [15]<\/strong><\/em><\/a>). Being a Gentile, he was a stranger to the promises and covenants of God and had no claim on His blessing (<\/em>Ephesians 2:11<\/em><\/a>-<\/em>12<\/em><\/a> [16]<\/strong><\/em><\/a>). \u00a0But God\u2019s grace reached out to touch human need. \u00a0All Naaman had to do was to humble himself and obey the word of the Lord. \u00a0He eventually washed himself in obedience to God's word and came up a new man, with new skin\u2026\u201d[17]<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 <\/em>\r\n\r\nYes, even though Naaman was the ultimate \u201coutsider\u201d<\/em> from the perspective of the Israelites, God\u2019s grace was still available to him\u2014just as it is available to everyone day, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality or one\u2019s social or economic status.\u00a0 God\u2019s grace is even offered to those who are currently misguided and stand with God\u2019s enemies.\u00a0 Yes, God\u2019s grace is open to them as well if they will only repent and accept His gracious offer. William MacDonald is right to say that Naaman left Israel as \u201ca new man, with new skin\u2026\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>But, what he really needed was a new and transformed heart<\/em>.\u00a0 That was something that he didn\u2019t have yet.\u00a0 It is true that Elisha told Naaman to \u201cgo in peace.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 But, for Naaman, and those today who are like him, there will be no real peace<\/em> until they fully surrender<\/em> their lives to Jesus Christ.\r\n\r\nAlthough Naaman\u2019s parting words were not what Elisha may have hoped for, the Holy Spirit may have still worked upon Naaman if he truly continued his pursuit of God.\u00a0 For God promises all those who sincerely want to know Him: \u201cSeek and you shall find.\u201d<\/em>[18]<\/a> Perhaps one day, Naaman had the courage to stand up against the culture surrounding him and refused to bow down to idols.\u00a0 Who knows\u2014he may have grown to experience the kind of \u201ccostly grace\u201d<\/em> Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke of, rather than the \u201ccheap grace\u201d<\/em> Naaman had gravitated to when leaving Israel.\u00a0 I surely hope that one day Naaman had the courage to obey, not only Elisha\u2019s instructions, but also God\u2019s demands found in the 1st<\/sup> and 2nd<\/sup> Commandments<\/em> that were handed down to Mose.[19]<\/a>\r\n\r\nToday, we are faced with cultural pressures similar, in many ways, to those faced by Naaman.\u00a0 In his culture, it was expected that he would bow down to the same worldly idols like everyone else.\u00a0 He would have faced great risk if he refused to bow down. \u00a0It\u2019s pretty much the same in America today.\u00a0 Our society has many \u201cfalse idols\u201d<\/em> to which it demands everyone to bow.\u00a0 When Christians refuse, they too are beginning to pay a price.\u00a0 We don\u2019t know what Naaman ended up doing upon his return to Syria.\u00a0 When he escorted the king to the pagan temple, perhaps he bowed.\u00a0 But, maybe not.\u00a0 Just maybe his faith grew enough to buck the system.\u00a0 Maybe he poured out that soil he taken from Israel, fell to his knees in it and worshipped the God of Elisha<\/em>\u2014thanking God for His mercy and grace in not only healing his leprosy, but for saving his soul in the process.\u00a0\u00a0 We can learn a lot from Naaman\u2019s story.\u00a0 But, most of all, it teaches us that there is a God who will heal us in His own way, in His own time, if we will only give Him the chance to do so.\r\n\r\nThis morning, you may be like Naaman when he first arrived at Elisha\u2019 doorstep.\u00a0 You too may be in need of healing.\u00a0 Our God who healed Naaman knows exactly what you need for your restoration as well.\u00a0 And what you need is faith in Jesus Christ<\/em>.\u00a0 We all suffer from the leprosy of sin<\/em>, but only Jesus has the healing touch.\u00a0 His blood shed on the Cross is your true miracle cure.\u00a0 Come to Him today.\u00a0 Only then can you truly \u201cgo in peace\u201d!<\/em>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nDarvin Satterwhite, Pastor\r\n\r\nForest Hill Baptist Church\r\n\r\nJune 23, 2024\r\n\r\n\u00a92024 All Rights Reserved as follows:\r\n\r\nAnyone is at liberty to use this sermon or any portions thereof for educational or religious purposes, with or without credit. The pastor believes the material presented herein to be true to the teaching of Scripture, and desires to further, not restrict, its potential use as an aid in the study of God\u2019s Word. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Forest Hill Baptist Church in Louisa, Virginia.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nVisit us on our Face Book page at https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/4409sspotswoodrdgordonsvilleva<\/a>.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[1]<\/a> Tim Turnham, Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary<\/em>, ed. Chad Brand, Charles Draper, Archie England (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), s.v. \u201cARAMEAN or ARAMAEAN,\u201d WORDsearch<\/em> CROSS e-book.\r\n\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n[2]<\/sup> \u00a0Eli Lyzorkin-Eyzenberg<\/a>, \u201cThe Syrian in Israel\u2019s War Story (Naaman & The Gospel), Preach It Teach It,\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/preachitteachit.org\/articles\/the-syrian-in-israels-war-story-naaman-the-gospel\/<\/a> (September 2, 2013).\r\n\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n[3] Warren Wiersbe, Be Distinct (2 Kings and 2 Chronicles)<\/em>, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003), WORDsearch<\/em> CROSS e-book, 523.\r\n\r\n[4]<\/a> Exodus 20:13<\/em> \u201cThou shalt not kill.\u201d (KJV)<\/em>\r\n\r\n[5]<\/a> Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13-16, Isaiah 44:2, Luke 1:41.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[6]<\/a> Genesis 1:27\u00a0 \u201c<\/em>So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.\u201d (NLT2) <\/em>\r\n\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n[7] Brody Carter, \u201cPro-Abortion Blowout Warning for 12 States in November: \u2018The Church Needs to Engage,\u2019\u201d\r\n\r\nChristian<\/a> Broadcasting Network, https:\/\/www2.cbn.com\/news\/politics\/pro-abortion-blowout-warning-12-states-november-church-needs-engage<\/a> (June 20, 2024).\r\n\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n[8] Warren Wiersbe, Be Distinct (2 Kings and 2 Chronicles)<\/em>, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003), WORDsearch<\/em> CROSS e-book, 523.\r\n\r\n[9]<\/a> Ibid.\r\n\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n[10] Daniel 3:16-18 <\/em>16 <\/sup>\u00a0\u201cShadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, \u201cO\u00a0Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 <\/sup>\u00a0If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 <\/sup>\u00a0But even if he doesn\u2019t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.\u201d (NLT2)<\/em>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[11]<\/a> Daniel 6:13, 16 <\/em>\u00a0\u201cThen they told the king, \u2018That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day...\u2019\u201d \u00a0So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, \u2018May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.\u2019\u201d (NLT2) <\/em>\r\n\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n[12] Warren Wiersbe, Be Distinct (2 Kings and 2 Chronicles)<\/em>, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003), WORDsearch<\/em> CROSS e-book, 523.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[13]<\/a> Merida, Tony. Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings<\/em>. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.\r\n\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n[14] James Burton Coffman, Coffman Commentary: 2 Kings: Vol. 10<\/em>, (Abilene, Texas: ACU Press, 1993), WORDsearch<\/em> CROSS e-book, 9.\r\n\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n[15] Romans 5:6-10\u00a0 <\/em>6 <\/sup>\u00a0When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 <\/sup>\u00a0Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 <\/sup>\u00a0But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 <\/sup>\u00a0And since we have been made right in God\u2019s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God\u2019s condemnation. 10 <\/sup>\u00a0For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. (NLT2)<\/em>\r\n\r\n[16]<\/a> Ephesians 2:11-12 <\/em>11 <\/sup>\u00a0Don\u2019t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called \u201cuncircumcised heathens\u201d by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 <\/sup>\u00a0In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. Ephesians 2:11-12 (NLT2) <\/em>\r\n\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n[17] William MacDonald, Believer's Bible Commentary: A Thorough, Yet Easy-to-Read Bible Commentary That Turns Complicated Theology Into Practical Understanding<\/em>, ed. Arthur Farstad, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), WORDsearch<\/em> CROSS e-book, 396.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[18]<\/a> Matthew 7:7\u00a0 \u201c<\/em>Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.\u201d (NIV) <\/em>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[19]<\/sup><\/a> Exodus 20:3-5a\u00a0 3<\/sup> \u00a0\u201cYou must not have any other god but me. 4<\/sup> \u00a0\u201cYou must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5a<\/sup> \u00a0You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.\u201d (NLT2)\r\n\r\n ","sermon_video_embed":"","sermon_video_url":"","sermon_bulletin":"","_featured_url":false,"sermon_date":1719159682,"_sermon_date_auto":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/wpfc_sermon\/6896"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/wpfc_sermon"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/wpfc_sermon"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6896"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/wpfc_sermon\/6896\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6897,"href":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/wpfc_sermon\/6896\/revisions\/6897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6896"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"wpfc_preacher","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fwpfc_preacher&post=6896"},{"taxonomy":"wpfc_sermon_series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fwpfc_sermon_series&post=6896"},{"taxonomy":"wpfc_sermon_topics","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fwpfc_sermon_topics&post=6896"},{"taxonomy":"wpfc_bible_book","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fwpfc_bible_book&post=6896"},{"taxonomy":"wpfc_service_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foresthillbaptistva.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fwpfc_service_type&post=6896"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}