Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1939-08-10

GOLDEN TEXT-Be vs - o;tlo
another.-Ephesians 4:32 'u one
Loving kindness and tender MAJ
cies" Cps. 103:N are among ~ As =,
rious attributes Of our God and NJ, ~
sequently characteristic Of ,hoI
who love and serve Him. Tho wo S
mas all but forgotten these virh,o
for in its brutal determination ~
achieve results there is only an ~,
ward veneer Of courtesy and consi1
Grafton which extends itself primar
ly to those from whom some adv.,
tage may be obtained or who n
highly regarded because Of tboi
wealth or position. The DOOR All
needy. the aged and afflicted !,
quickly brushed aside as unforh|
nate hindrances in the path Of pro1
ress.
In all times Gods people hsy
been those most considerate Of ot
ers. It Is they who have given tim
and effort and means to HELM thu,
in need. The life Of Elisha is we
characterized as life Of heluhI
ness. It is surprising to find bol
many Of his miracles were for b
purpose Of helping others. Cod
servants are called to be leaders AM
to be preachers, but they are nouj
theless called to carry on a life 1
helpful service. Elisha's experienc
with Naaman suggests how we ma
exercise such a ministry. Withcl|
seeking to designate verses in ID
text. shall we observe that we mu
1. Find the One In Need.
It Is not always that the one wt
the deepest need makes himse
known. In fact, it is commonly tru
that those who have the create.
need and are possibly the mo-
worthy of help keep their sorrow
to themselves. Certainly it is trI
that those afflicted with the lepros
Of sin do not often come to chuct
We must 60 out and seek them an
bring them in.
One Of the weaknesses Of man
churches today is that they q
through their regular service
which may include preaching d
gospel, and then they lament ID
fact that sinners do not come to D
services to hear and be saved. u
US be reminded that il is our bus, .
ness to 60 out into the highway
and the byways to find those in nee
Naaman's experience illustrates h0t
the simple word of 4 little slaV
girl was instrumental in bringing ID
leper in touch with the man Of Co
Had she failed in her responsibility
the prophet would have missed b
opportunity to minister. Even b
humblest believer has his Imperial
work, seeking out the lost az
needy, and may thus be the mean
Of bringing about great blessing.
II. Locate and Diagnose the Coz
ditiOn.
Naaman knew that he had leprosl
but he did not know that he had
blight Of soul called pride. ~
prophet. acting under the suidanc|
and control Of God, struck right I
the heart Of things when he directel
Naaman to crush his pride and \
show his faith by obeying Coo
command to wash seven times in "a
Jordan.
The story has many important az
plications. Let US be sure that
our efforts to help people physician
or socially. we get through to tne1
real need, the need Of Christ. "A
US also be careful not to modify \
change Gods requirement. Tnel|
is one way Of salvation-throusI
faith in Christ; there is no otns|
remedy for sin. A man must .
born again" or ''he cannot eng
the kingdom of God" (see Jonn Y
SD. If men are too proud 70
that way, they cannot be saVe1
Observe also that there was no !
spect Of persons on the part OF ~
sha. Naaman was a great and ai1
tinguished man, ready to bestoI
rich gifts, but the man Of God na'
no interest In those things. he wan
ed only to give Gods message
III. Apply the Remedy.
One would be quick to condehiI
the trained physician who, havmI
found his patient and having s,V'l
his attention to his need, maue
careful and accurate diagnosis an
then sent him away without Apply
ing the cure which was in MS ri
session. AS the servants Oh Cni,
the great Physician, engaged In
cure Of souls, we need to be equanI
wise. It Is commendable to ehsS
in a discussion of the problems
needy men and women, express"
our heart interest in that need
is desirable that we clariIy II
knowledge Of their need ana Az y.
rately understand the truth o. Nv,
gospel which meets that need nU i1
ever, all of these things are :, gu =,
meaningless unless they resuH u n :
bringing Of the gospel to bear Oh i
I1.x~s - klA~ TN a0NnUaPtnd.