The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1922-02-24
!. Naaman's Fatal Defect ". D.

l. Naaman's Fatal Defect ". -.
He was a great man, but leper.
He was held in high esteem by the
king, because through him the Syrl-
ans had been delivered from their enc
mics. He was not only a --capaDle
general, but was very brave mar
yalorous. Every unregenerate man.
regardless of his gifts and possessions
has This one fatal defect. He may be
mighty warrior, great. orator.
gifted writer, man of profound learn
ing. an honorable statesman, but II ne
is an unbeliever liz Christ, he is lost
slnner-a leper Leprosy is a type OF
sin. Note it's characteristics:
Loathsome, hereditary, Infectious
separating, destructive, deceitful, III.
durable by man.
II. The Faithful Witness wv. 2-4).
This was q Jewish maid who had
been captured by marauding Syrian
troops who made frequent incurslons
into Israel's land for the purpose OF
plumber. Daniel at a later Gate was
carried away captive, and he likewise
was used of God to bless many. 10
seph is another example of one VINO
was put into a hard place, but became
a blessing to others, even to the saw
ing of his brothers, who sold him. Thls
Jewish maid pointed out to this great
man the One who could heal him.
| Many are the persons who have Deen
pointed to Christ as the Healer OF
souls by children.
III. Naaman Seeking the Healer wv.
5-9).
1. 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 TINS
case the value was perhaps S0O,OOO.
2. He goes to the wrong place wv
6. ~. The maid did not suggest thai
; If Naaman would be with the king he
would be. recovered of his leprosy, pu'
with the prophet of God. We shoulG
no very careful that we go to the
right place 9th our troubles and sins
Neither the kings power nor Naaman
money could avail anything in thl'
case. The prophet Of God can Drlhl
greater blessing than kings and rlcl
men.
] & Naaman at the door OF Elish
q wv. 8, 9) Elisha, upon learning 0
0 the kings embarrassment, sent to him
saving. LET him come now to me.
+ Naaman appeared before Elisha's doc
t in great splendor. He did not com
r as suppliant, but as one who coul
nav a goodly sum for healing.
: Nv. Naaman Healed wv. lO-l5).
I; 1. Elisha's message ". 100. y
b wash in Jordan seven times.
" 2. Naaman's anger wv. IL, 10. ID
thought that Elisha should have show
Difference to him. People today thin
that their rank and wealth entit
= them to different treatment by 60
r They turn away from the humble wa
d of the Cross. Gods method of salv'
ton. Rich and poor high and 10
u are alike In Gods sight. Reasoning
70 Of the flesh must be supplanted by tt
>" obedience of faith.
II 2. Naaman's obedience wv. IL, Ia
At Through the earnest entreaty of n
d servants his pride and prejudice we
Z overcome, end he did what the prop
OF commanded. The result of his OBJ
~ dience was that his flesh came aga
,e as the flesh of little child"
k a. Naaman acknowledges Jehov'
IN ". 15). After his cleansing he can
again to the prophet and said, No
I know that there is no God in all t
earth. but in Israel. The vital poi
40 of teaching IL, this lesson is how nea
ID ly Naaman missed being heale
r. The three enemies which almost Ike
no him from being healed were: ID Pr
~ ". I'D. He was insulted because t
man of God did not come out to su
he a distinguished man as he was. I
Preconceived opinion ". ~.
"a thought" Many sinners procrastlns
or because they have preconceived op
bo ions as to how God ought to save.
at Prejudice ". 12). Rivers OF Dam
Gus are better than Jordan. Cou
less thousands are lost by these el
r. miles. God has provided o8ly one W
an TO save men from their sins--the W