I would have told you

1 Naaman, commander of the army for the king of Aram, was a man important to his master and highly regarded because through him, the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man was a valiant warrior, but he had a skin disease.

2 Aram had gone on raids and brought back from the land of Israel a young girl who served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his skin disease.”

4 So Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said.

- Do you really believe what Jesus Said?

How many of us here believe that Jesus truly means what He says?

Really?

I mean Really, Really?

Why do I ask this question?

Well, for many of us, when we find ourselves in times of unspeakable trials in life, the very first thing we do is question God!

Every one of us here has done that a time or two.

Do you know that is a sign of unbelief?

Think about it.

If someone told you they would be at your house at 7 am.

When they show up late, the first thing you want to do is remind them of what they said,

And couldn’t or didn’t achieve what they promised.

Then what happens?

The next time that person promises you they’ll be there for you, it comes with seeds of doubt.

Because the last time they promised you, it didn't happen.

Or they let you down in some way or another.

It is the same in a jilted marriage.

The one or both say they’ll never do it again

And before you know it, it happens again.

Now, I am not saying that it is going to happen again, I am merely pointing out that there will be a seed of doubt for a while at least.

But when we speak of the things of God,

- Did God actually say

We tend to confuse the things that God actually said He would do.

With the things We assume God will actually do for us.

When we have this disconnect, it's natural for us to feel slighted

Abandoned,

wronged,

or even betrayed

When things happen or don’t happen for us in life, it causes us to want to throw it in God’s face,

Where were you on that one Lord.

What happened?

I thought we had an agreement, etc.

When in reality, God never agreed to prevent you from

having a heart attack from eating a double bacon cheeseburger

Or getting caught in your secret sin,

or secret romance,

or whatever.

Actually, if you read and know scripture, He said in

Luke 8:17 (CSB)

17 For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and brought to light.

In other words, you are going to get caught and You “Will” reap what you sow.

Galatians 6:7 (CSB)

7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap,

- Naaman’s Time

In Naaman’s Time, we are told that he needed healing from leprosy.

In those days, Leprosy was their version of our cancer & Aids together in one

Like cancer: no one knew how or why some got Leprosy and others didn't

Like Aids: because it not only was it a death sentence, no one wanted to touch or even be around someone who was infected with it.

As we read earlier about Naaman needing healing,

We are told that he was indeed healed by the prophet Elisha who was in Samaria at the time by dunking himself several times in the Jordan river.

After his healing he returned to Elisha with gifts. He was so grateful

Can you imagine?

Being dealt a death blow to not only your health but self esteem.

He goes back to Elish and we pick it up in

2 Kings 5:17–19 (CSB)

17 Naaman responded, “If not, please let your servant be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will no longer offer a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but the Lord. 18 However, in a particular matter may the Lord pardon your servant: When my master, the king of Aram, goes into the temple of Rimmon to bow in worship while he is leaning on my arm, and I have to bow in the temple of Rimmon—when I bow in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord pardon your servant in this matter.”

19 So he said to him, “Go in peace.”

After Naaman had traveled a short distance from Elisha,

- When God speaks, things happen

Agh, but here, a Proven Prophet of the Lord answered Naaman and said “Go in Peace”

So, this occasion was a Real case of one being prevented a heart attack for eating that burger

A Prophet was the Lord’s mouthpiece,

So Naaman was permitted his request.

I don't know about you, but after asking the Lord to prevent any results from a any sins of mine, I’ve never heard a prophet tell me to go in peace.

Have you?

Then it’s really no wonder why we ended up with the results we did.

I remember hearing a song by the Rolling Stones years ago

What struck me were the lyrics to it that go something like this,

I was driving home early Sunday morning through Bakersfield Listening to gospel music on the colored radio station And the preacher said, you know you always have the Lord by your side And I was so pleased to be informed of this that I ran Twenty red lights in his honor Thank you Jesus, thank you Lord

https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/26508823/The+Rolling+Stones/Far+Away+Eyes

He heard that

“the Lord is always by your side So he ran twenty red lights in His honor.”

You see that thinking is wrong on so many levels.

the Lord never said he would relieve you from the consequences of sin on earth

He made God a criminal as an accessory to a traffic violation.

Isn't this what we do too sometimes?

We get resentful of God because we know He can intervene in our dilemma

But nowhere are we guaranteed that He Will.

Just Knowing He can, is not a license to expect He will.

How can I say this?

Because He never “Said” He would!

God called into existence the entire universe when He spoke

In the beginning God, “Said” and there it was

The Chicken came before the Egg because God “Said” it did, when He spoke the first Chicken into existence.

When the tempter came to Jesus in the wilderness and tried to tempt Him those three times,

Jesus responded with “It is Written”

The written word is more powerful than any human mind can comprehend.

In the 1700’s Voltaire the famed French existentialist, proclaimed that in 100 years the Bible would be forgotten.

Today, his mansion houses a Bible printing Business that floods the world with the Spoken word of God Himself to men.

So, in all this, we are assured, that God’s words matter.

So, if he was to speak right now to the disease of cancer and say “Be gone away into history”

It would vanish at that moment.

Or if He was to say to HIV and Aids, “Be gone you filthy tool of the devil”

It would be gone that instant.

The problem that you and I face every day, is that up to now He just hasn’t done it yet.

And no one but God Himself knows or even understands why He hasn’t yet

How can I say this? Because He never “told” us He would.

So, back to my opening question to all of you

- What did Jesus actually say?

Do you really believe the words that Jesus said to us?

John 14:2 (CSB)

2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?

Then according to these words, if what He is saying about our destiny as believers weren't true,

He would have told us!

You see, He never told us he would heal all of us.

He never told us He would heal our sick little innocent babies.

He never told us you would pass that needed exam, especially if you didn’t Study all that well for it in the first place

He never told us that some of us won’t die in crashes or accidents either young or old

So we can’t very well justify our anger and resentment toward Him when He doesn't

He did say, however, that in this world we would have trouble

John 16:33 (CSB)

33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

So, regardless of what we might be going through right now

Or what we may go through in the future,

No matter how it ends, Jesus has already overcome it.

Remember, the worst that this world can throw at us is Death

Whether it be because of the

cheeseburger,

car crash,

Sickness,

No matter at what age either, Jesus has gone to a place to prepare it for us.

And if it were not so, He Would Have Told Us!

- His words should give you peace.

Now, if you truly believe this, then this should give you peace, and a life more abundant

As Jesus told us in

John 10:10 (CSB)

10 A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

You should be able to look at your life’s problems and laugh

Haha, you thought this was going to ruin me!

Haha, All you are doing is taking me to that place Jesus has been preparing for me for over 2,000 years already

And God forbid that some of our babies will get there before us

But if they do,

Remember, they are going to warm a spot for you right next to them in heaven

Because although, in this life, our time was cut short

We will make up for all the lost time in heaven where we will be together For eternity.

That ought to get somebody shouting Hallelujah!

How can I say this you ask?

Because We are told, by God Himself, through His Spoken and written Word.

- He promised to be with you always

That’s what He’s been doing all this time

And that even when we feel like it's all over and we are defeated He says no!

Matthew 28:20 (CSB)

20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

So, if you are angry with God for any reason

Measure it against His written Word,

Did He really abandon you?

Did He say he would prevent that tragedy in life?

No, He didn’t But, He did say He would be with you while you go through it.

And that these life’s problems, though they may be many,

This is not the end,

Your problems never win, problems always lose in the end

You either find a way out of it God Does decide to intervene and save you from it

This is always possible, that’s why we are to pray without ceasing

Don't forget that part

Just because God doesn’t always step in,

It doesn’t mean He won’t Sometimes,

And probably more than we are aware, He does!

Or He doesn’t and it ends in death to this world’

Then the problem loses you to eternity with God

So, Problems always lose,

No matter what we may go through it’s only temporary

And Praise God for that Amen!

And remember

If it were not so, He would have told us!

Invitation / Altar Call

You are not alone in this journey; we are all flawed, but Jesus' grace and forgiveness offer a path to renewal and spiritual growth. Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior grants you the gift of eternal life and an unbreakable connection with the Creator. It is an opportunity to be washed clean of past mistakes, to find purpose, and to experience peace beyond human understanding.

Through prayer and reflection, you can invite Jesus into your heart, accepting Him as your personal Savior. Surrendering your life to His guidance will lead you on a transformative journey, transforming your life in ways you could not have imagined.

At this time we invite you to put your reservations aside, and come on down to the altar. Myself, Pastor Zach, and Sharon are here at the altar to receive you, and to help you pray for salvation.

If there be anyone here wishing to rededicate themselves to the Lord, I also invite you to come down the isle to the altar.

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