PastorTeacherEvangelistVisionary Dr. Janice Gilbert Senior Pastor Sermon Title “The Power of One” 2 Kings 5:1-4,13

1 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, but he had leprosy. 2 Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife.

3 She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." 4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 13 Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it?

But his servants caught up with him and said, "Father, if the prophet had asked you to do something hard and heroic, wouldn't you have done it? So why not this simple wash and be clean?

PastorTeacherEvangelistVisionary Dr. Janice Gilbert Senior Pastor Sermon Title “The Power of One” 2 Kings 5:1-4,13

Praise the Lord! It is great to gather once again to fellowship and to connect as the body of believers to hear and worship our Lord and Savior. Once again this is a familiar passage of scripture, where the story is told of a great captain who had leprosy.

As the story unfolds although this soldier is great his weakness is also pervasive. Leprosy was a disease that carried a stamina and people were afraid to be around individuals with this disease. Much like many of the diseases today there were varied forms of this disease and everyone viewed this as a terrible disadvantage. The passage doesn't say what type, how long he had it or if it was just beginning.

However we can infer that this disease carried with it a societal stigma and Naaman wanted to be healed. Although Naaman is one of the major characters in this story, I want to lift up one character in particular who made a significant difference in Naaman's life. The little captive girl. This person is not named nor does the writer say much about her. But what we do know is that she spoke a word that helped to heal Naaman and turn a people around.

Friend, we forget about the power of one! All it takes is one person to operate in faith to set the stage, one person to encourage, one person to plant a seed of encouragement, one person to believe in you, one person to act in confidence. This little girl who was captive in the master's house, had the power to help this great man learn about humility and faith. Sometimes just one word spoken in due season can make all the difference in our lives. And Naaman was ready to hear and receive.

I believe that this little girl spoke to the little faith that Naaman had in his desperation. I say this in all fairness because it is not enough to have the word spoken, but that one is in a place to act in faith even when they don't understand faith. This little girl didn't push the envelope so to speak. Out of her confident, seceret heart she spoke hope and direction not even to him but to Naaman's wife. It was at this juncture,

One word orchestrated by the Lord even from an insignificant person can change your life. The girls' brief word to her mistress brought healing ad faith in God to a powerful Aramean captain. God had placed her for a purpose and she was faithful.My friend, where has God put you? Are you using the opportunities to make a difference in others life? Are people moved and confident in the words that you speak? he told his master the words of this little girl. Wow! I hope you get it! One word orchestrated by the Lord even from an insignificant person can change your life. The girls' brief word to her mistress brought healing ad faith in God to a powerful Aramean captain. God had placed her for a purpose and she was faithful. My friend, where has God put you? Are you using the opportunities to make a difference in others life? Are people moved and confident in the words that you speak?

Are you able to help others even in your perceived disadvantages? This little slave girl not only seized the opportunity to suggest help, but her word carried with it the transformative power for a man and a kingdom.

The power of one person can and does set the stage in the lives of many. God still moves through the power of dedicated, unknown obedient individuals. The power of one person can and does set the stage in the lives of many. God still moves through the power of dedicated, unknown obedient individuals.

1. God positions individuals where he can bring his best results. 2. God uses individuals who are confident in using every opportunity to spread his word and to help others. 3. The power of one can be a powerful force that God uses to speak in building your faith