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Naaman : A Lesson in Humility & Faith 2 Kings 5:1-15

Naaman : A Lesson in Humility & Faith 2 Kings 5:1-15. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) - We live by faith, not by sight. We live by faith in God – the Creator of everything in the Lord Jesus Christ – our Saviour in the assurance of eternal life  this is the “theological” side of faith.

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Naaman : A Lesson in Humility & Faith 2 Kings 5:1-15

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  1. Naaman: A Lesson in Humility & Faith2 Kings 5:1-15 • 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) - We live by faith, not by sight. • We live by faith • in God – the Creator of everything • in the Lord Jesus Christ – our Saviour • in the assurance of eternal life • this is the “theological” side of faith. • Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

  2. The “practical” side to faith: • Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. • Genuine faith is demonstrated though our actions and behaviours. • Living by faith takes courage but it also requires humility.

  3. 1. Naaman’sCondition • 2 Kings 5:1 (NIV) - Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier • Naaman had everything going for him – Power – Prestige - Wealth • But… “he had leprosy” • Leprosy was a deadly disease in Bible times. • Sometimes WE like to hide behind things to conceal the real condition of our own hearts.

  4. 2. A Slave Girl’s Concern • 2 Kings 5:2a (NIV) - Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife.” • 2 Kings 5:2b (NIV) - She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” • What a testimony of faith in this young girl! • She had lost her freedom but NOT her faith! • Do you take opportunities to plant seeds of faith, in the hearts of your unsaved friends, neighbours, co-workers, fellow students?

  5. 3. The King’s Wrong Conclusions • 2 Kings 5:4-7 (NIV) - Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 5 “By all means, go,” the king of Aram replied. “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”

  6. 7As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” • The Syrian general came seeking healing from the God of Israel but the king of Israel refused to consider turning to God for help.

  7. How sad it is when we are faced with a crisis and we forget to take it to the Lord. • What did Jesus teach us? • Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV) 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

  8. 2 Kings 5:8-9 (NIV) 8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house.

  9. 4. Elisha’s Simple Command • 2 Kings 5:10 (NIV) - Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” • 2 Kings 5:11-12 (NIV) But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.

  10. Naaman’s pride hindered him from exercising faith and obeying Elisha’s simple command. • Obedience to God begins with humility. • Isaiah 55:8 (NIV) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. • We need to trust that God knows what’s best for us. God wants our obedience more than anything else. • Elisha knew that Naaman needed to be humbled before he could be healed.

  11. God wants submission first before he provides a solution. • 2 Kings 5:13-14 (NIV) - Naaman’sservants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. • Naamanfinally surrendered.

  12. 5. Naaman’sConversion • Naaman was healed because of his faith. • 2 Kings 5:15 (NIV) - Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. • That testimony shows us the real healing that took place in Naaman– a spiritual healing.

  13. Living by faith is about dealing with real life challenges. • Are you responding to these difficult situations in a godly way? • Naaman faced a crisis in his life but Elisha knew that he needed to be humbled before he could be healed. • Let’s also learn to humble ourselves before God as we live out our faith with godly actions and attitudes, coming to God ready to surrender before we demand a solution.

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