I Know A Guy

I Know A Guy

2 Kings 5:1-4

Introduction:

Over the years I have gotten to know many people all over NC, many who are talented in different areas. So, when I need help in a certain area, I usually have someone I can call.

How many of us know a guy?

Know a guy who works on cars

Know a guy who knows every character of Star Wars

Know a guy who can tell you the price of that antique that your grandma had since she was a little girl.

Or, know a guy who can do it cheaper

There are times where it is good to know a guy. And that is what we find here in the passage we are about to read.

(Read Scripture)

This passage really is relatable with many of us today. I mean there is a lot of people who are going through some terrible sickness, some marital struggle, some workplace drama – raise your hand if that is you or you know someone.

A Man with a Problem (Explanation) (vs 1)

· That was Naaman. I mean if Naaman was here right now he would be looking everywhere to find the help he needed.

· He would be going to every doctor, every street pusher, he would be flying around the world, going into the darkest parts to find a cure.

· We are in a world right now where there are people searching for answers, trying to find the help to cure their problems.

· Drugs, Alcohol, Sexuality, - People are looking for help from the wrong people.

· We are surrounded by people just like Naaman. He was a respected man, but he didn’t know where to get the help he needed.

· Understand, that all people need help, and maybe that is you here today. You have a problem, you have been going to people but you are not finding the answer.

· You might be a respected person in society, in a high position in a company, financially well off, and from society’s point of view you don’t have problems.

· Naaman tried to keep his problems hidden. Covering them up. But under the disguise, he had a problem.

· And that is so many of us. On the surface we seem fine, but underneath there is this pain that seems uncurable. A sickness that plagues us.

· You know what the root of all our problems are? Sin. You see when sin entered into the world, it ushered in a host of other problems.

· For Naaman it was leprosy.

· For you it might be anxiety. For some it might be depression or anger.

· There are some today who are struggling to love, and others who are addicted to things you wished you weren’t.

· You see, at the root of all problems the common denominator is sin.

· And so we are all like Naaman, we are all affected by sin and if it is not dealt with it will bring death.

· Romans 6:23 “for the wages of sin is death…”

· Naaman had a problem, and that might be you as well.

The Maid Who Knew a Guy (Illustration) (vs 2-3)

Now here is when the story get interesting, a young girl, who is captive in the land of Syria, happens to find herself living in the home of Naaman.

Now some might say this is a coincidence that she is here in this home, but it is no coincidence, God had a purpose for her being there.

There she is in the room with Naaman’s wife, and they are talking about lady things.

Perhaps they were talking about what was on sale at the local Dollar General or maybe she is hearing Naaman’s wife complaining about the doctors and the medicines.

Or maybe she is hearing Naaman’s wife talk about how much she misses her husband, but the sickness is keeping them apart.

God put that little girl in that room at that time for such a time as this. And she speaks up. She knew a guy.

She Knew Who He Was

· This young girl knew that the God of all Creation had called Israel for a special purpose. They were to be an example to other nations.

· And she knew that God would use prophets to speak the words of God to the nation.

· Now this young girl, she knew the prophet, she knew who he was. His name was Elisha.

· Now who is Elisha an example of? He is an example of Christ. And this young girl knew who he was.

· Now listen closely, I believe our children ought to know who the Lord is as well. This girl lived in a place where she heard this man preach.

· We should bring them to church, raise them up in an atmosphere where the name of Jesus is taught. Otherwise they ain’t going to know a guy.

She Knew Where He Was

· She knew who he was but she also knew where he was. She says in verse 3 that he is in Samaria.

· This is the northern part of Israel, this is when the nation was divided politically and racially. And here is this man that she knows who lives in Samaria.

· I mean, here is a child and she knows where to go to find help. She is surrounded by adults, those who were older than her, but didn’t know where to find the help they needed, but this little girl knew where to go.

· When the adults didn’t know the little child knew. You know that is why I believe Jesus said what he said in Matthew 19:14 "But Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

· Let me ask you here today, do your children know where to go for problems in life?

· Do they know where the Lord is? Are you showing them where he can be found?

· This little girl knew and friends our children need to know where to find Jesus just like knowing 911.

She Knew What He Could Do

· And she knew what he could do, what does she say in verse 3 “…For he would recover him of his leprosy”

· She knew that God was working in this man, and she knew that God through him could recover Naaman from his sickness.

· When everyone else had failed Naaman, this little girl knew that God wouldn’t.

· Do you have that kind of faith today? Do you believe that God can heal the situation? I believe it. This little girl believed it. And Friend I want you to know that I have a God who can.

· She knew that God could heal this man, if I have a God who can part waters, calm the storms, restore sight, make the lame to walk, to raise the dead, I have a God who can heal sickness and save the sinful.

I Know a guy his name is Jesus (Application)

Now how does this passage apply to me? You might be the Naaman in this passage, you are battling sickness or a problem that seems incurable. You have searched everywhere and not found the answer.

It might be affecting your relationship; it might be causing you pain. Maybe you are trying to hide it. Its not that you’re a bad person, you just have been dealt a bad hand. Maybe that is you.

Well, can I say to you today, just like that little girl said to them then, I know a guy.

I know who he is

· Just like this little girl knew about the prophet, I know the High Priest, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

· Friend if you would only know Jesus. Just like she said if they only knew the prophet in Israel. Friend, if you would only know the savior of the world.

· I know him because I met him. I have a relationship with him, and friend I know him personally.

· His name is Jesus Christ and he saved me from my sins 33 years ago. I don’t just know about him I know him as my closest friend.

· And no matter what problem you are faced with, no matter what it may look like, if it seems impossible, incurable he can turn it around.

I know where he is at

· Now you might be here today and your like Naaman and your looking for the cure, well here is the good news, I can tell you exactly where Jesus is at.

· Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God

· Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

· He is here right now, he has come to you and he is ready to heal you, to restore you, to save you.

· He is moving on your heart right now, he is speaking to your inner self and he tugging on your heart to come to him and to know him as your Lord and Savior.

I know what he can do

· I know what Jesus can do! I know he can free the soul from sin. I know he can set you free from addictions.

· I know he can bring healing to hurt and to the sick. I know he can mend the brokenhearted.

· I have seen him restore homes, give joy, he can make the hardest of people feel loved again.

· Can I rephrase what the little girl said for us today. My God is with us today here in Branch Chapel, and he will save us from sin.

Understand friend, Jesus is the guy I know. He has never failed me, nor will he fail you if you would just give him a chance.

Naaman went to the prophet and he experienced a miracle in his life, when he was washed and made clean.

Friend you can experience that same miracle today as well, if you would just come to Jesus and be washed by his blood and made clean.

Naaman’s life was changed that day, and so can yours if you would just bring it to him.