Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1922-02-14
!. Naaman's Fatal pef.et ". y.

!. Naaman's Fatal Defsct ". ~.
He was a great man. but a leper.
He was held in high esteem by the
king. because through HIM the Syri-
ans had been delivered from their enc
mics. He was not only capable
general, but was a very brave man
TaIorous. Every unregenerate man.
regardless of his gifts and possessions,
has this one fatal defect. He may be
mighty warrior, a great orator, a
gifted writer, man of profound learn
Ing, an honorable statesman, but If he
Is an unbeliever in Christ, he is n lost
alnner-a leper. Leprosy is type of
sin. Note its characteristics:
Loathsome, hereditary, infectious,
separating, destructive. deceitful, in.
curable by man.
%. The Faithful Witness (vv. 2-4).
This was a Jewish maid who had
oeeH captured by marnuding Syrian
troops who made frequent incursisns
into lsrael's land for the purpose of
| plumber. Daniel at later date was
carried away captive, and he likewise
was used Of God to bless many. Jo-
Seph Is another example Of one who
was put into a hard place, but became
blessing to others, even to the saw
Ing of his brothers, who sold him. This
Jewish maid pointed out to this great
man the One who could heal him.
Many are the persons who have been
pointed to Christ as the Healer of
souls by children.
| ~. Naaman Seeking the Healer wv.
6-9).
l. He goes with a, letter of intro
duction and great gifts ". 81. In the
East valuable gifts are taken along
when In quest Of some favor. In this
case the value was perhaps $4,000.
2. He goes to the wrong place wv.
9, .. The maid did not suggest that
If N9amnn would be with the king he
would be recovered OF his leprosy, but
with the prophet OF God. We should
be very careful that we go to the
right place with our troubles and sins
Neither the kings power nCi Naaman's
money could avail anything In this
| case. The prophet of God can bring
greater blessing than kings and rich
| men.
wv. s, 81. Elisha, upon learning Of
tie kings embarrassment, sent to him,
saying, Let him come now to me-"
Nhaman appeared before Elisha's door
| In great splendor. He did not come
| as suppliant, but as one who could
pay goOdly sum for healing.
w. Naaman Healed wv. 10-15).
l. EhSha's message ". 10Y. Go
wash In Jordan seven times.
2. Naalnan's anger wv. IL 12). He
thought that Elisha should have shown
Difference to him. People today think
| that their rank and wealth entitle
them to different treatment by God
They turn away from the humble way
of the Cross, Gods method of saliva
ton. Rich and poor, high and lsw
| are alike In Gods sight. Reasonings
Of the flesh must be supplanted by the
obedience Of faith.
3. Naaman's obedience wv. 13, 14.
| Through the earnest entreaty of his
servants his pride and prejudice were
overcome, and he did what the proph.
ct commanded. The result Of his obe-
dience was that his flesh "came again
us the flesh of little child"
4. Naaman acknowledge Jehovah
". 15). After his cleansing he came
| again to the prophet and said, Now
1 know that there Is no God In all the
earth. but in Israel" The vital point
| Of teaching In this lesson Is how near
| ly Naaman missed being healed.
| The three enemies which almost kept
him from being healed were: Q) Pride
| ". 1D. He was insulted because the
man Of God did not come out to such
a distinguished man as he was. (2)
Preconceived opinion ". 11). 81
thought" Many sinners procrastinate
because they have preconceived opin.
ions as to how. God ought to save. (3)
Prejudice ". 12). Rivers Of Damas.
Gus are better than Jordan. Count.
less thousands are lost by these enc
mics. God has provided only one way
90 save men from their sins-the way