1. Blessings Come After Obedience God has promised many blessings to us. God has appointed requirements for us to receive those blessings.

2. Introduction If you listen to the preachers of this world and from the denominations, you might get the idea that God showers His blessings upon everyone freely. That is not the case. While the grace of God is free, it does have certain conditions which are required of man to enjoy the gift of God’s grace.

3. Lessons Learned From 2 Kings 5:1-15 V1. Naaman a valiant warrior was also a leper. V.2 A servant girl from Israel had been captured and put into service to Naaman’s wife. V.3 Girl told mistress about prophet who could heal Naaman. Even as a captive, this girl had compassion upon another human being.

4. Lessons Learned From 2 Kings 5:1-15 V.4 The news was exciting, and Naaman told his master who was also excited. V.5,6 The king sent a letter of request for Naaman to be healed. The problem is that the request went to the wrong person. V.7 The king of Israel assigns a motive to the king of Aram.

5. Lessons Learned From 2 Kings 5:1-15 V.8 Elisha sent word to king to allow Naaman to come see him. V.9 Naaman came to the doorway. V.10 A messenger was sent out to Naaman with instructions. The instructions were clear and precise. V.11 Naaman was furious for several reasons.

6. Lessons Learned From 2 Kings 5:1-15 “Behold I thought” Naaman had the same problem that many in the world have today. His pride got the better of him because he was a mighty warrior and he demanded respect. It was an insult to send a servant to instruct him.

7. Lessons Learned From 2 Kings 5:1-15 Naaman was looking for a show or some great thing to happen. Such a simple command was really unreasonable for him. V.12 The reasoning continued and Naaman got madder as he thought about it. The rivers back in Damascus are much better than what the Jordan river was.

8. Lessons Learned From 2 Kings 5:1-15 Naaman went away in a rage. Why the Jordan? It was a filthy river and it did not make any sense. V.13 A servant makes sense and encourages Naaman to go ahead since they were already there by the Jordan river. What could it hurt to try?

9. Lessons Learned From 2 Kings 5:1-15 V.14 Naaman went ahead and did so, and the result was as the prophet said. Not sure that Naaman believed he would be healed, but he did what he was instructed. Many people today insist that belief is necessary for the blessing to come. Not really the case here. This was a demonstration of the power of God.

10. Lessons Learned From 2 Kings 5:1-15 V.15 Behold, now I know Naaman offered gifts for his cleansing. Elisha refused, but Naaman insisted, so Elisha agreed to accept a load of dirt. The dirt had no value to anyone. Elisha had done what God told him, and he did not feel that such obedience should be compensated with riches.

11. Obedience First We see that Naaman was healed only after he had done what he had been commanded. The blessing of clean skin was the result. So it is for us today. When we do what God commands, we will receive the blessings He has promised. That makes many passages of scripture vital.

12. Obedience First Matthew 7:21—he that does the will of My Father in heaven John 3:36—he who does not obey the Son does not have life. Hebrews 5:9—author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him. John 14:15—if you love Me you will keep My commandments.

13. Summary We need to obey God’s commands. Hearing the word Believing the word Repenting of our actions Confessing His name Being baptized for remission of sins. Revelation 2:10—be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life.

14. Conclusion Hopefully, you can see the necessity of obedience in your salvation. God has done His part by providing the soure of salvation. You must do your part by obedience to His commands to receive your salvation. Are you ready?