In A Committed Relationship

2 Kings 5:1–14 NIV84

1 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. 2 Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 5 “By all means, go,” the king of Aram replied. “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.” 7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” 8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” 11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage. 13 Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

1. The moment when commitment is challenged

The moment in time when the flesh wants to dominate the moment

This is when you consider doing what you said you would not do.

Handle the moment of temptation properly

Abraham chocked when he went with Hagar

Moses chocked when God wanted to use him to deliver Israel

The servants know what God wanted but in a moment they may compromise

The widow had a choking point moment when Elijah asked for the cake

2. The power of our choices

God is not in control of world - He is not running the world

If He is running everything then He is to be blamed

The perfect God created a perfect world and gave it to man and man made choices that damaged the world

Dt 30:19 “19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live”

Foreknowledge does not hold one responsible

Understand the power of your choices

Ezek 22:30 “30 “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.”

If God could do anything He wanted why is He looking for someone

The choice is mine

God will only get involved as much as I allow Him

Does righteousness work

Ps 37:35-37 “35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, 36 but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. 37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.”

You cannot make a long-term decision based on a short-term evaluation

You can’t make permanent decisions out of temporary situations

Any man can get with his skill what he can get but live the way God commands you to live and you will see blessing

3. Stages of deliberation that cause one to choke

Why do men choke?

1. Unwise assumptions

The prophet ordered that Naaman dip 7 times

Don’t make the assumption that after 1 dip you will be a little better

2. Unyielded anger - In your anger do not sin

spontaneous anger must be controlled

stagnant anger must be dealt with and move on

men are angry because they have been deprived, devalued...

the only reason to stay angry is because you do not trust God's forgiveness.

3. Untamed affections

do not give into the flesh, that is a choking moment -

confess the sin

Proclaim the blood of Jesus

4. Uncontrolled ambition

Got Absalom in trouble

Absalom wanted to be king

He listened to the wrong people

Gehazi in trouble

2 Ki 5:25-27 “25 Then he went in and stood before his master Elisha. “Where have you been, Gehazi?” Elisha asked. “Your servant didn’t go anywhere,” Gehazi answered. 26 But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money, or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants? 27 Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and he was leprous, as white as snow.”

5. Unnerving anxiety

Phil 4:6 “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

6. Unrighteous alliances

who are you running with

Lot got in trouble because he became like those in his town

Ps 1:1-2 “1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

Lk 22:1-6 “1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.”

7. Unsurrendered assets

we chokes because we don’t trust that God is able to bless His children

We chock because we place more value on possessions than our relationship with God

Jesus had a choking point moment in the garden of Gethsemane

4. Overcoming choking point moments

A choking point moment is a moment when the enemy wants to separate you from the supernatural

Mal 3:10-12 “10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.”

The reason we choke is because we do not trust God

The supernatural comes when you make the right choice

Lk 22:39-43 “39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.”

Whenever one passes the choking point moment with a righteous choice the supernatural comes

Naman had to make seven choices and for the first six choices nothing happened but when he completely obeyed the supernatural came down