Commitment Rewarded

2 Kings 5:1-27

2 Kings 5:1–27 NLT

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 At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. 3 One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” 4 So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. 5 “Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.” 7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, “Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? Why is this man asking me to heal someone with leprosy? I can see that he’s just trying to pick a fight with me.” 8 But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.” 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” 11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! 12 Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. 13 But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’ ” 14 So 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, and he was healed! 15 Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” 16 But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused. 17 Then Naaman said, “All 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 However, 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.” 19 “Go in peace,” Elisha said. So Naaman started home again. 20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the Lord lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.” 21 So Gehazi set off after Naaman. When Naaman saw Gehazi running after him, he climbed down from his chariot and went to meet him. “Is everything all right?” Naaman asked. 22 “Yes,” Gehazi said, “but my master has sent me to tell you that two young prophets from the hill country of Ephraim have just arrived. He would like 75 pounds of silver and two sets of clothing to give to them.” 23 “By all means, take twice as much silver,” Naaman insisted. He gave him two sets of clothing, tied up the money in two bags, and sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi. 24 But when they arrived at the citadel, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent the men back. Then he went and hid the gifts inside the house. 25 When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” “I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied. 26 But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants? 27 Because you have done this, you and your descendants will suffer from Naaman’s leprosy forever.” When Gehazi left the room, he was covered with leprosy; his skin was white as snow.

INTRODUCTION:

A- God always rewards commitment and obedience.

B- Failure to obey always leads to pain and suffering.

C- You and I need to be obedient:

1- Because God is God.

2- Because he is a wise God and requires only what is best for us.

3- Because of our love and devotion to God.

D- There are three possible answers to the question “are you doing what God wants you to do?”

1- Yes, I am doing all God wants me to do.

2- No, I am not doing what God wants me to do.

3- Yes, but I am not doing all God wants me to do.

a. There is no such thing as “sort of” obeying God.

b. Partial obedience is disobedience.

T.S.: Notice five principles from our text.

I- OUR NEEDS ARE OFTENTIMES GOD'S OPPORTUNITIES. (2 Kings 5:1-3)

2 Kings 5:1–3 NLT

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 At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. 3 One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.”

A- Successes do not erase our needs. (2 Kings 5:1)

2 Kings 5:1 (NLT)

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.

1- Naaman was successful and honored, but had a tremendous need.

a. Naaman needed healing.

(1) He had a disease for which there was no cure.

(2) The disease was destructive and fatal.

2- Success is great, honor is good, but needs cannot be met by such.

a. Notice all that Naaman had:

· Money

· Friends

· Family

· Servants

· Position

· Honor

3- In spite of all that Naaman had, he still suffered need - he was a leper.

B- Salvation can only come from God. (2 Kings 5:2-3)

2 Kings 5:2–3 NLT

2 At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. 3 One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.”

1- Naaman 's salvation could only come from God.

a- He could not save himself.

b- His king could not save him.

c- His friends and family could not save him.

2- Our deepest needs are God's opportunities to save us.

a- It is when we recognize our weakness and inability that God provides exactly what we need.

· When we recognize the depth of our own lostness, God takes the opportunity to save us from our sins.

· When we admit our own weakness, it is then that God displays his strength and power.

II- OBEDIENCE MAY OFTEN REQUIRE WHAT SEEMS TO BE IMPRACTICAL AND UNREASONABLE. (2 Kings 5:10)

2 Kings 5:10 (NLT)

But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.”

A- Sometimes God's solution is something we don't want to hear.

1- Sometimes the solution seems too simple.

a- The solution seemed too simple and impractical to Naaman.

· He thought that he needed something more spectacular.

o He thought that the prophet should have to come out and wave his hand over him or speak some type of magical incantation in his presence.

o He complained about the river by Elisha to affect his healing.

2- Sometimes this solution seems to me too difficult.

a. Our problems are sometimes the result of broken relationships.

· With God

· With others

b. It seems too difficult to deal with interpersonal issues as God commands.

(1). It takes a willingness to set aside our pride to be the first to seek to make amends.

(2). God’s word give us his instructions.

(Matthew 6:12, 14-15)

Matthew 6:12 (NLT)

and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

Matthew 6:14–15 (NLT)

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

(1 John 4:20)

1 John 4:20 (NLT)

If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

III- FAILURE TO OBEY MAY COST US THE VERY THING WE DESIRE. (2 Kings 5:11-13)

2 Kings 5:11–13 NLT

11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! 12 Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. 13 But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’ ”

A- Problems that cause us to disobey:

1- Naaman’s response to Elisha’s directive are a perfect illustration of our responses to God’s direction.

a. Pride

b. Anger

c. Unbelief

B- Partial obedience is disobedience.

1- If Naaman had not gone down into the Jordan river seven times, he would not have been healed.

2- Key truth to remember:

“Obedience is doing

· what God says to do,

· when God says to do it,

· how God says to do it.”

3- God would rather that we obey than to make any type of offering.

(1 Samuel 15:22-23)

1 Samuel 15:22–23 (NLT)

22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”

C- Be careful of the counsel you seek. (2 Kings 5:13)

2 Kings 5:13 (NLT)

But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’ ”

1- Good counsel always encourages obedience to God and His word.

· Naaman received good counsel from one of his assistants.

· Rehoboam accepted bad counsel from his friends.

(2 Chronicles 10:8-12)

2 Chronicles 10:8–12 (NLT)

But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers.

“What is your advice?” he asked them. “How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?”

The young men replied, “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!

Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’ ”

Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to hear Rehoboam’s decision, just as the king had ordered.

IV- THE REWARDS OF OBEDIENCE WILL STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH AND ENCOURAGE FAITH IN OTHERS. (2 Kings 5:14-27)

A- Our obedience influences others. (2 Kings 5:14-17)

2 Kings 5:14–17 (NLT)

14 So 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, and he was healed!

15 Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”

16 But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused.

17 Then Naaman said, “All 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.

1- Naaman’s chain of influence:

His household - His servants - his troops - the king - the nation.

3- When we obey God, it has a powerful influence on people around us.

(Matthew 5:16)

Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

B- Our disobedience impacts others. (2 Kings 5:20-27)

2 Kings 5:20–27 (NLT)

20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the Lord lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.”

21 So Gehazi set off after Naaman. When Naaman saw Gehazi running after him, he climbed down from his chariot and went to meet him. “Is everything all right?” Naaman asked.

22 “Yes,” Gehazi said, “but my master has sent me to tell you that two young prophets from the hill country of Ephraim have just arrived. He would like 75 pounds of silver and two sets of clothing to give to them.”

23 “By all means, take twice as much silver,” Naaman insisted. He gave him two sets of clothing, tied up the money in two bags, and sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi.

24 But when they arrived at the citadel, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent the men back. Then he went and hid the gifts inside the house.

25 When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, “I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied.

26 But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants?

27 Because you have done this, you and your descendants will suffer from Naaman’s leprosy forever.” When Gehazi left the room, he was covered with leprosy; his skin was white as snow.

1- Gehazi, Elisha’s assistant disobeyed God and it impacted many.

a. Gehazi allowed sinful desires to lead him to sin.

He questioned the legitimacy of God’s leadership.

He allowed his reasoning to rationalize sin.

He acted in rebellion against God and His servant.

He lied to Naaman

He committed theft.

He lied to Elisha.

b. Gehazi’s sin was personally costly.

It cost him his position and respect.

It cost him separation from friends and family.

it impacted his relationship with God.

c. Gehazi’s sin left a negative impact on many people.

Elisha - Gehazi - Gehazi’s decendants - people who knew Gehazi.

2- When we choose to disobey God, it negatively impacts everyone around us.

a. Our mentors. - causes grief

b. Our family

c. Our friends

d. Lost people around us.

(Romans 2:21-24)

Romans 2:21–24 (NLT)

21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?

22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?

23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.

24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”

CONCLUSION: