Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-02-17

ELSIE Helping Foreigner.
vol NG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOfl'
How to overcome National and Raca
PrejLdices.
!. Naaman's Fatal Defect w. ~.
lie was a great man, but Il leper
He was held IN high esteem by Tie
King, because through him the Syrl'
ans had been delivered from their enc
mics. He was not only capable
general, but was very brave man-
lulorouS. Every unregenerate man.
regardless Of his gifts and possessions,
has this one fatal defect. He may be
Il mighty warrior, great orator, Il
gifted writer, a man of profound learn
INK, an honorable statesman but If he
is an uubcIirycr in Christ he is lost
sinner Il Icper LcproSy is a type OF
sin. Note It's characteristics:
Loatlsome, hereditary, infectious,
separating. destructive, deccitful, In
durable hy man.
IT, The Faithful Witness (vv. 2-D.
This WIS Jewish maid who had
been captured by marauding syrian
troops Who made frequent incursions
into Israel, land for tac purpose CT
pIuGdcr Though She VAS the victim
of u great Arous, she was not bitter
against Ter captprs. she, no doubt,
was lonely aud hGme.Sirk and perhaps
frightened, hut She trusted God for
her keeping and was thoughtful to
do GOOD. Daniel AT a later date WIS
carried away captive, ami he likewise
was used of God to bless many. Jo-
Scph Is another example of one who
was put into a hard place, but became
a blessing To others, even 10 the saw
Ing Of his brothers. who sold him,
Many times even children are placed
III positions OF hardship ana suffering,
but if they trust IN God and are faith
full to Him they can do good. This
Jewish maid pointed out to this great
man tie one who could heal him.
Many are the persons who have been
pointed 70 Christ as the Healer OF
souls by children.
TIT. Naanan Seeking the Healer wv.
j-W.
T. He goes with a letter of intro
duction and great gifts (v. -. In the
East valuable gifts are taken along
when in quest of some favor. In this
case the value was perhaps $4,000.
=. He goes to the wrong place wv.
8, y. The maid did not suggest that
if Naamun would be With the king he
would be recovered Of his leproSy but
Wi,A Tie prophet of God. We should
be very careful that W. 80 To the
right place With our troubles and sins.
Neither the kings power nor Naamans
money could avail anything in this
case Tie prophet Of God can bring
greater blessing than kings aud rich
men.
3. Naaman al the door of Elisha
wv. ), -. Elisha, upon learning Of
the Kings embarrassment, sent to him,
saying, Let him come now to me-
appeared before EliSha's door
in great splendor. lie did not come
as a suppliant, but as one who could
pay a goodly sum for healing.
W. Nasman Healed wv. 1919.
/. Elsla's message ". 100. Go
wash IN Jordan seven times.
.. Naanan's anger wv. IL, 12). He
thought that Elisha should bave shown
Difference to him. People today think
that their rank and wealth entltle
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 low
are alike in Gods sight. Reasonngs
Of the flesh must be suppauted by the
obedience of faith.
3. Naaman's obedience ivy. 10, 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 ODE
dicnce was that his flesh "came again
as the flesh Of little child"
4. Naaman acknowledges Jehovah
". ~. After his cleansing he came
again to the prophet and said, Now
| 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: ~ Pride
". III. He was lnsulted because the
man Of God did not come out to such
a distinguished man as he was. (2)
Preconcelyed opinion ". ~. ~
thought" Many sinners procrastinate
because they have preconcelved opln-
ions as to how God ought to save. (3)
Prejudice ". l2). Rivers of Damas-
Gus are better than Jordan. Count.
less thousands are lost by these enc
mics, God has provided only one way
to save men from their sins-the way
Of the Cross.