Beggars Can’tBe Choosers

2 Kings 5

Naaman – beggar and chooser

Leper – yet does not jump at chance for cure

Naaman’s first reaction to God’s gift resembles ungrateful moderns

I. Naaman Missed It

1. Great man, 1 Greatness often leads to pride . . .

Accustomed to giving orders.Accustomed to getting his way.

despise others discard demands

Too much praise can destroy. Jn.12

Diseased man acts more like a boss…

2. Successful man (victories), 1-2 Success can blind one to his condition Ancients glorified brave soldiers

Modern misconception: “God blessed me, so I must be righteous”

3. Kind man, 3 Even his captive wants him cured Many think their good traits will save

Did kindness cure Naaman?Ac.10; Ro.5:7

4. Thought he couldbuy gift of God, 3-5

Acts 8 Rotten people may contribute the most

to charities

5. Went to wrong person, 6-7

Prophet – king? Organic food – Krogers Octagon soap – Piggly Wiggly Car repairs – Emergency room?

♦ Some go to priest to confess sins [1 Tim.2:5-6]

♦ Some go to OT for plan of salvation [Ga.3:22-27; 5:3-4]

6. After finding right person,angrily rejects prescription, 9-11

Naaman: “My way or the highway” Prejudice destroys souls

7. Prized his thoughtsabove God’s, 9-11

Isa.55:8-9 We may not understand why God says

something; we can understand what He says.

Prov.14:12

Faith obeys

“I thought” (Ac.26:9-11)

“I believed” (Mt.15:14)

“I was told” (Gn.20)

8. Thought he could behealed without water, 9-11

“Wave hand”: 1fewer / 2different terms God has this power (Lk.17)

Issue: What did God say? (Mt.4:4)Forgiveness, Ac.2

Washing, Ac.22Jesus’ death, Ro.6

Christ, Ga.3Regeneration, Tit.3

Salvation, 1 Pt.3

If in baptism you receive...

What is your condition

without it?

9. Argued as if powerwere in the water, 9-11

Baptismal regeneration Modern taunts against baptism recall

Naaman

10. Argued w. Word of God, 12 Desired substitution: “If I must dip, why

not in better waters of Syria?” “Water is water”; “a river is a river”

Logic is good tool in Bible study.When it replaces faith, a disaster.

Dip seven times in Abanah?

Dip six times in Jordan?

Sprinkle seven times in Jordan?

10. Argued w. Word of God, 12 Desired substitution: “If I must dip, why

not in better waters of Syria?” “Water is water”; “a river is a river”

Logic is good tool in Bible study.When it replaces faith, a disaster.

Nothing can replace faith in God’s word

Num.21, poleJosh.6, marching

John 9, poolAc.19:1-5, baptism

11. Left in anger, 12 Followed glands, not brain; emotions,

not Word Result: still leprous

I. Naaman Missed It

II. Naaman Found it

1. Advice of his best friend, 13

2. Acceptance of his own mind, 14

1. Advice of his best friend, 13

2. Acceptance of his own mind, 14

3. Action of his own body, 14 Illustrates salvation by grace thru faith

Cleansed by grace WHEN faith obeys

Grace is conditional

1. Advice of his best friend, 13

2. Acceptance of his own mind, 14

3. Action of his own body, 14 Comparison

Naaman, Lk.4:27 (not Israel)

People/Tax Collec., Lk.7:29-30

1. God can cure 1. Lord can cure sin2. Israel did not bel. 2. Phar. / lawyers…

3. Remained lepers 3. Remained sinners

1. Advice of his best friend, 13

2. Acceptance of his own mind, 14

3. Action of his own body, 144. Adoration, 14-16

Why return to Elisha at all?1. He is not an ungrateful leper, Lk.172. To express gratitude

Urge, prevail upon . . . (16) The beggar begs to give [2 Co.8:1-5]

1. Advice of his best friend, 13

2. Acceptance of his own mind, 14

3. Action of his own body, 144. Adoration, 14-16

5. Adherence, 17-19[Only one true God]

1. Exclusive attachment: God alone2. Naaman will not serve idols

Naaman’s attitude adjustment

Only when Naaman . . .

did he receive flesh like little child (14) Mt.18:3

believed a young girl (2)

and Israel’s prophet

at directions of servant

and advice of servants