NAAMAN LEARNED TO WALK BY FAITH by Steven T. Eddy Text: 2 Kings 5:1-14 Aim: To trace the steps of Naaman's faith as an illustration of our own need to submit to God rather than let pride and presumption keep us out of the kingdom. Introduction: 1. Desire puts the energy into the work that brings success. a. Inventors, athletes, statesmen, heroes all have great desire. b. Eternal life should be our life's great desire. 2. Naaman desired to be free of leprosy. a. He may have tried other "cures." b. As the disease advanced, his future grew dim. 3. The words of a slave-girl gave him a hope that acted and finally triumphed in faith. 4. All souls need to take a lesson from Naaman in order to grow in faith. Discussion: I. NAAMAN HAD A GREAT NEED (2 Kings 5:1). A. Though great, he was a leper. 1. Leprosy would rob him of his high place. 2. He would become an outcast. B. Like leprosy, sin is a disfiguring and fatal plague (Rom. 3:23). 1. Sin invades families. a. Divorce b. Abuse c. Neglect d. Bad examples 2. Sin takes away happiness and our sense of worth. a. Guilt b. Suspicion c. Anger d. Hopelessness and depression 3. God's anger is towards the evil (Psa. 34:16). a. Sin's consequences are too horrible to imagine (Rom. 2:8). b. Left to himself, the sinner is hopeless. II. GOOD NEWS CAME BY AN UNLIKELY MEANS (2 Kings 5:2-3). A. The child may have lamented her captivity. 1. She had confidence in Elisha the prophet and Almighty God. 2. Her words changed the life of a great man. B. The lost souls around us are the reason we are still here. 1. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15). 2. Above all things, Christians should work together for good (Rom. 8:28). 3. Christians are examples of God's people (1 Tim. 4:12). 4. Be a pattern of good works (Titus 2:7-8). C. Unholy lives are a detriment to God's kingdom (Rom. 2:17-24). D. A little slave-girl recommended Elisha; would you recommend Jesus to your neighbor? III. NAAMAN MADE HIMSELF AVAILABLE TO GOD'S GRACE (2 Kings 5:4-9). A. Naaman took some necessary steps. 1. He reported his hope to the king. 2. He came prepared to pay his life's savings. 3. He endured disappointment before the king of Israel. 4. He pursued his hope all the way to Elisha's house. B. Are you open to God's grace? 1. The scriptures make us "wise unto salvation" (2 Tim. 3:15). 2. We access the knowledge of God's word from the scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15). 3. We need God and his word (Acts 20:32). C. Have no fellowship with the works of darkness (Eph. 5:11). 1. Naaman had to leave his heathen homeland. 2. God expects us to leave all evil companionships. D. The church is the context of the Christian's life (1 Tim. 3:15). IV. NAAMAN'S PRIDE AND PRESUMPTION CAUSED HIM TO STUMBLE (2 Kings 5:10-12). A. The message was plain and direct. 1. Wash seven times in Jordan. 2. You will be healed. B. Pride was offended when only a se
