One Way to the One God

Text: 2 Kings 5:1-19

Thesis: To prove that we must approach God only on His terms.

Introduction:

(1)   Some people want a god that they can approach on their terms.

(2)   Let us look at the account of Naaman to learn that we must approach God only on His terms.

Discussion:

I.                   We must acknowledge that we need help (2 Kings 5:1-4).

A.            Naaman was a great man.

1.                   He was captain of the host of the king of Syria.

2.                   He was called a great man.

3.                   He was honourable.

4.                   He was a mighty man in valour.

B.            However, Naaman was a leper.

1.                   Leprosy is to the body what sin is to the soul.

2.                   Every man was capable of being leper.

C.            Thankfully, there was a cure for leprosy if he would seek it.

1.              Naaman’s wife’s maid had heard of Elisha.

2.              She told Naaman of the possibility of finding the cure.

D.            Regardless of one’s position in life, all men are sinners.

1.              There has always been a cure for sin.

2.              It is possible for man to find the cure.

II.                We must go to the right source for help (2 Kings 5:5-7).

A.            Naaman went to the King of Israel.

1.              He went to a great man in his eyes.

2.              He brought money with him.

3.              The king did not have the cure.

B.            One must go to the right source to find God.

1.              One can’t go to man to seek God.

2.              One must go to God’s word to seek God.

3.              A prophet was God’s spokesman, and Naaman should have gone to him.

III.             We must accept the message that we receive (2 Kings 5:8-11).

A.            The message came to Naaman.

1.                He was told to dip in the river Jordan seven times.

2.                The message upset Naaman, and he went away angered.

3.                “Behold I thought.”

a.              He had it already worked out in his mind.

b.              The message disagreed with his wishes.

4.                Naaman would have done some great act.

a.              He was told to do some very simple act.

b.              He didn’t see the purpose of it.

B.            The message is available today for man.

1.                 We must see what we are told to do, and not have pre-conceived notions.

2.                 We must not be seeking to do some great act, but only seeking to do what God has said.

3.                 We must not always seek for everything to make sense to us, but rather do what we are told due to the fact that God has commanded it.

IV.             We must obey the message that we receive (2 Kings 5:12-14).

A.            Naaman wanted to use a different river.

1.              He suggested using the Abana or the Pharpar.

2.              He thought that they would be better since they were cleaner rivers.

B.            One must not be seeking to change what God has said.

1.              God’s way is the only way.

2.              We may think another way is better, but what did God say?

Conclusion:

(1)   Naaman was healed when he obeyed God (II Kings 5: 14).

(2)   We too will be healed when we obey God.

(3)   The truth is set before us, but will we say, behold I thought?