2 Kings 5:1, 8-15

2 Kings 5:1, 8-15

Trust the Process

(Hook)

As a new driver, I had the first, initial experience of changing a tire on my own. This is not an instantaneous event. It’s a process. (go to my Reading List on my cell phone - “How to Change a Flat Tire”.

Introduction

God is not always a God of the instantaneous. God does not always do things in an instant. God does not do all things without delay. There are times that God makes us go through a process. And, God’s process involves delay. But know that divine delayal is not necessarily divine denial.

How many of us are willing to trust the process that God is using to get us to our deliverance? Let’s look at a process that God uses in the life of Naaman.

Who is this Naaman? Let’s peruse verse #1.

Commander

Great man in the sight of his master

He was highly regarded-conqueror

He was a valiant soldier

He was a CAPTAIN & a CONQUEROR

BUT, he had leprosy!

It was an incurable skin disease. It was a communicable disease.

Therefore, people did not really want to be around a person with leprosy.

Leprosy affects a person physically and socially.

One wrong thing can mess up what you have going right!

Naaman was not an Israelite, but he had issues. We all have issues!

In the PROCESS, God operates and orchestrates behind the scenes! (2-4)

In the PROCESS, there can be problems and interruptions! (5-7)

In the PROCESS, there are certain prerequisites. The process can require… a RIDICULOUS FAITH & a STRANGE OBEDIENCE (8-14)

Ridiculous Faith (8-13)

A messenger of Elisha was sent to give him directions in the process (8-10)

Pride and Arrogance can impede progress in the process (11-12)

To Naaman, the Jordan was a PLACE OF MUD

To Elisha, the Jordan was a PLACE OF MIRACLES

“Poor leadership sets a bad example and can negatively affect those who follow.” (Dr. Tony Evans) (13)

Strange Obedience (14)

Great Deliverance that Leads to a Declaration of Praise (15)