Why Sit We Here (II Kings [7]1-20)
Why Sit We Here?
Text: II Kings 7:1-20
Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)
Date Preached - (09/27/98)
Introduction:
Decisions we make often have a great impact upon our lives, our family, and many others.
The same is true of choices made by the four lepers in this story.
My purpose is to show what motivated the four lepers to make certain important decisions.
Tell the story of chapter seven.
Desperate times. Ch. 6:24-33
1. The Syrian Siege
2. The Famine
3. A Death Warrant on God’s Man.
Elisha’s Prophecy Ch. 7:1-2
1. Prophecy of Amazing Plenty
2. The Scoffing Lord or Noble
3. The Prophesied Demise of that lord Vs.2
“You will see it, but you will not eat of it!”
Many see the hand of God and the blessing of God, but do not partake of it.
Why? – Because of unbelief – a terrible sin – call it what it is!
Eg. Judas Iscariot
Romans 2:4-6 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
The Four Lepers
Now here a group of unlikely characters enter the story.
Speaks to us…
That God is interested in individuals.
The impact of their decisions
They never thought their decisions would determine the welfare of an entire city.
1. Why Sit We Here? Vs.3
They were motivated by self preservation. (Natural Motive)
Not necessarily a wrong motive.
They realized they were dying. Vs.3
Sooner or later, and in their case sooner than later.
As sinners we must all come to that realization.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
They evaluated their options. Vs.4
a). We can go into Samaria & die
b). We can stay here & die
c) We can place ourselves at the mercy of the Syrians.
Your options are not much different as a sinner
(Illus: woman at Garage sale – “I’ll go to hell either way”)
a) Live in sin & die
b) Attempt to live a righteous life & die
c) place yourself at the mercy of God.
2. Their entrance into the Syrian’s camp vs.5-8
They went at twilight vs.5
They found no man there vs.5
Explanation of the empty camp vs.6-7
A leper’s feast vs.8
John 10:9-10 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
3. “We do not well”. (or once again “Why sit we here?”) vs.9
Motivated by the need of others. (supernatural motive)
Phil. 2:3-5 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
A day of good tidings (Gospel)
Let us go tell the king’s household
The Message is relayed to the king. Vs.10-11
The King’s Response vs.12-16
1. He is skeptical vs.12
2. He sends out a scouting expedition vs.13-14 “Go and see!”
3. The leper’s report is verified vs.15
4. The people partake in the bounty vs.16
The Demise of the Scoffer vs.17-20
Conclusion:
Do you need to make a decision based on self-preservation?
Do you need to make a decision based on the needs of others?