Beggars Can’t Be 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. Accustomed to giving orders. Accustomed to getting his way. despise othersdiscard 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 Did kindness cure Naaman? Ac.10; Ro.5:7

4. Thought he could buy 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] ♦ 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 thoughts above 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 be healed without water, 9-11 /  “Wave hand”: 1 fewer / 2 different terms  God has this power (Lk.17) What did God say?  Issue: What did God say? (Mt.4:4) Forgiveness, Ac.2 Washing, Ac.22 Jesus’ death, Ro.6 Christ, Ga.3 Regeneration, Tit.3 Salvation, 1 Pt.3 If in baptism you receive... What is your condition without it?

9. Argued as if power were 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” Too much praise can destroy. Jn.12 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” Too much praise can destroy. Jn.12 Logic is good tool in Bible study. When it replaces faith, a disaster. Nothing can replace faith in God’s word Num.21, pole Josh.6, marching John 9, pool Ac.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, Acceptance of his own mind, 14

1. Advice of his best friend, Acceptance of his own mind, Action of his own body, 14 bythru Illustrates salvation by grace thru faith Cleansed by grace WHEN faith obeys Grace is conditional

1. Advice of his best friend, Acceptance of his own mind, Action of his own body, 14 Comparison Naaman, Lk.4:27 (not Israel) People/Tax Collec., Lk.7: God can cure 1. Lord can cure sin 2. Israel did not bel. 2. Phar. / lawyers… 3. Remained lepers 3. Remained sinners

1. Advice of his best friend, Acceptance of his own mind, Action of his own body, Adoration, Why return to Elisha at all? 1. He is not an ungrateful leper, Lk To express gratitude  Urge, prevail upon... (16)  The beggar begs to give [2 Co.8:1-5]

1. Advice of his best friend, Acceptance of his own mind, Action of his own body, Adoration, Adherence, [Only one true God] 1. Exclusive attachment: God alone 2. 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