Some Lessons We Can Learn From the Story of Naaman

Text: 2 Kings 5:14

Introduction: This is a familiar story to most of us, yet 
there are some valuable lessons that we can learn from it.

Body:
   I. Naaman was a great man but he had a problem.
      A. Let us look at Naaman a minute, verse 1.
         1. He was a:
            a. captain of the host of the king (in charge 
               of the army).
            b. a great man with his master.
            c. a mighty man of valour.
         2. But he had a problem.
            a. “But” is a little word but it is a powerful 
               one.
            b. He had leprosy.
      B. Leprosy is a type of sin.
         1. Leprosy
         2. Sin
            a. Definition:
               (1) lit., a missing of the mark. Vine’s
               (2) a failing to hit the mark. Thayer
               (3) 1 John 3:4; 5:17; James 4:17; Romans 
                   14:23
            b. The results of sin.
               (1) Death
                   (a) Genesis 2:16-17 (Spiritual)
                   (b) Romans 6:23
               (2) This is the second death in Revelation 
                   20:14
            c. All have sinned. Romans 3:23
            d. The prayer of Christ in the garden.

  II. The concern of the Little Maid.
      A. Syria was the enemy of Israel.
         1. Syria would launch raids into Israel to get 
            booty and slaves.
         2. On one such raid they captured a little maid – 
            verse 2.
      B. Lessons we can learn from her.
         1. She remembered her God (verse 3), like Joseph.
            a. “no one around here knows me.”
            b. in a land of idolatry
         2. She had concern for her master. Verse 3
            a. Natural reaction would be to react with glee 
               about her master’s misfortune.
            b. Yet she still had concern for her master and 
               enemy.
            c. We should follow her example.
               1. Romans 12:14, 19-21
               2. Ephesians 4:31-32
               3. 2 Corinthians 12:20 (read New American 
                  Standard Version)
         3. The influence of one person. Verse 15

 III. Elisha’s statement to the king of Israel.

  IV. The word of God sometimes makes people mad.
      A. When Naaman heard the instructions, he “was 
         furious.” Verse 11 (Did not change things)
      B. The man at Big Spring who left during a sermon on 
         church history.  Also, his reaction about 
         mechanical instruments of music.
   V. God’s way is not enough for some people.
      A. “He will surely come out to me…” verse 11 (This 
         shows the danger of preconceived ideas and then 
         excepting the Word of God to confirm it.)
      B. This is true today.
         1. Worship.
            a. Music (Colossians 3:16)
            b. Lord’s Supper (how often – Acts 20:7)
         2. Work of the church.
            a. Edification, evangelism, benevolence
            b. Yet see church engaged in reaction, 
               sponsoring scouts, etc. (macramé classes).
            c. Letting other organizations do its work.

  VI. His cleansing was conditional.
      A. His cleansing was conditional. Verse 10
      B. Our cleansing from sin is conditional.
         1. Hebrews 5:9; Matthew 7:21
         2. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:36-38
         3. 1 John 1:7, 9; Acts 8:22, 24

 VII. He wanted to substitute his way for God’s way.
      A. 5:12
      B. People want to do this today.
         1. Plan of Salvation.
         2. Organization of the church.
         3. The worship of the church.

VIII. He was willing to do something great (be great).
      A. 5:13
      B. This is true today.
         1. People want to do something big.
         2. yet,…
            a. Matthew 25:35-36; 10:42
            b. widow with 2 mites
            c. Matthew 26:7-10

  IX. He had to do what God said in the way He (God) says.
      A. 5:14
      B. We have to do what God says in the way He (God) 
         says.
         1. Leviticus 10:1-2
         2. Colossians 3:17
   X. This shows what walking by faith is as opposed to 
      walking by sight.
      A. Naaman could see no sense in having to dip in the 
         Jordan River seven times.
      B. 2 Corinthians 5:7
         1. Some people can not see any sense in baptism.

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