The Jasper news., 1922-02-16

I. Naanan's Fatal Defect ". ~.
He was a great man, but leper.
He was held In high esteem BY the
king. because through him the Syri-
ans had been delivered from their enc
niles. He was not only a capable
general, but was a very brave man
valOrous. Every unregenerate man,
regardless Of his gifts and possessions,
has this one fatal defect. He may be
q mighty warrior, a great orator, a
gifted writer, man Of profound learn
ing. an honorable statesman, but II he
is an unbeliever in Christ, he Is lost
slnner-a leper. Leprosy Is type OF
sin. Note its characteristics
Loathsome, hereditary, infectious,
separating. destructive. deceltful, In
durable by man
u. The Faithful Witness (vv. 24).
This was q Jewish maid who had
been captured by marauding Syrian
troops who made frequent incursions
into Israels land for the purpose Of
plunder. Daniel at q later date was
carried away captive, and he likewise
was used OF God to bless many. Jo-
seph rs another example of one who
was put into hard place, but became
a 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 Seeding the Healer wv.
o-9).
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 (vv.
8, -. The maid did not suggest that
II Naaman 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 nor Naamnn's
money could avail anything In this
case. The prophet of God can bring
greater blessing than kings and rich
men.
8. Naaman at the door OF Elisha
(vv. 8, %. Elisha, upon learning Of
the kings embarrassment, sent to him,
saying, "Let him come now to me-"
Naaman appeared before Elisha's door
In great splendor. He did not come
as a suppllant, but as one who could
pay a goodly sum for healing.
~. Naaman Healed (vv. 1919.
i. Elisha's message ". 10). Go
wash in Jordan seven times.
2. Naaman's anger (vv. 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
tIon. Rich and poor. high and lew
are alike In Coda sight Reasonings
Of the flesh must be supplanted by the
obedience OF faith.
8. 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
as the flesh Of a little child"
4. Naaman Acknowledges Jehovah
". 15). After his cleansing he came
again to the prophet and said. "Now
know that there is no God In all the
earth, but in lsreel." The vital point
of teaching in this lesson is how near
ly Naaman rissed being healed.
The three enemies which almost kept
him from being healed were: (1) Pride
". 1l). He was insulted because the
man Of God did not come out TO such
distinguished man as he was (2)
PrecOnceived opinion ". III. -
thought" Many sinners procrastinate
because they have preconceived opin'
ions as to how God ought to save (8)
Prejudice ". 12). Rivers of Damas'
Gus are better than Jordan. Count
less thousands are lost by these enc
miles. God has provided only one way
to save men from their siEs--the was
J OF the Cross.