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Hear current audio messages by Pastor Scott Burr at:
http://sermon.net/dayspringchurchag

Thursday, September 5, 2013

"To Whom Much is Given Much is Required"

(Part 1)

 “Now Naaman was commander of the army of the King of Aram. He was great in 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 Kings 5:1

One cannot ignore the laundry list of adoration and praises that are heaped upon this man Naaman as you read through 2 Kings 5:1. However, all the accolades seem of little consequence with the addition of four little words at the end of the sentence… “But he had leprosy.”

Leprosy, in Biblical times, was a contagious, wasting disease that carried an almost inevitable death sentence. It seemed that this man, who was respected by so many, would have his life cut short if something miraculous did not occur.

One day, a young girl from Israel, who had been captured by Aram’s army, was serving in Naaman’s house. While she was attending Naaman’s wife she said: “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy!”

With no cure for the deadly disease, Naaman was desperate! He approached the King of Aram for permission to go find the man of God. Armed with a letter from the king, ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of clothing, Naaman set out for Samaria to find Elisha the prophet.

Upon arriving at Elisha’s house, the prophet sent a messenger out to speak to Naaman. He instructed Naaman to go down and dip seven times in the Jordan River and there his flesh would be restored and he would be cleansed. At first Naaman was reluctant. If fact, he was down-right mad! He expected Elisha, himself, to come out and do some mighty miracle before his eyes. He was so upset that he stormed away in a rage.

However, after some words of wisdom from his servants, Naaman obeyed the prophet of God and did exactly what he was instructed. When he came up out of the Jordan River the seventh time, he was made whole. Naaman returned to Elisha and declared in 1 Kings 5:15:

“Now I know that there is no God in the entire world except in Israel.”

Naaman became a believer in Jehovah! At this point, Naaman understands very little about the God of Israel as is evidenced by his initial response to his healing.

 Pastor Scott Burr                                                                    

http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/

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