2 KINGS 5
2 Outlines
HOME MISSIONARY
2 Kings 5:1-4
Generally, when we
think of missionaries, we think of those who go to foreign shores to share the
Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we think of home missionaries we think of
people sharing the Gospel in the
I call the girl we
know as Naaman's maid a home missionary. Even though she served in a foreign country,
she served as God's messenger to the people around her. It is in this sense, that I feel each and
every one of us who know Christ as our Savior should be a home missionary. Each of us comes in contact with a different
set of people who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. It is our job to serve as God's messengers,
sharing God's good news with those around us. Psalm 107:2, Colossians 4:5
Here are seven
things that made Naaman's Maid a good home
missionary.
1. SHE WAS
INSIGNIFICANT
Vs. 2 - At this time
This girl was
insignificant as far as the world was concerned. She was probably one of several girls
captured and brought back to be slaves.
She had no freedom. She had no
notoriety. Other than providing cheap
labor for the Syrians, she was of little worth.
She was
insignificant to the world, but she was not insignificant to God. God loved this girl. God knew who she was and had a very important
job for her to do.
You are not
insignificant to God. In fact God loved
you so much that his Son died for your sins.
When you trust the risen Son of God as the only way to forgiveness and
everlasting life, He forgives your sin, gives you new life now, and promises
you an eternity in Heaven. He also makes
you one of his children. You are no
longer insignificant.
John 1:12, Luke
12:6-7
The exciting thing
is that just as God used an insignificant maid thousands of years, ago, He
enjoys using insignificant people today. 1 Corinthians 1:16-29
God used an
insignificant slave. He can use you!
2. SHE WAS
RELOCATED BY GOD
Through no choice
of her own, Naaman's Maid was taken away from her
home, taken away from her family, taken away from her friends and all that was
familiar. Did she want any of this to happen?
Of course not! Does God approve
of slavery? Of course not! But God works
through bad situations to perform His good!
Romans 8:28
What's the point
for us today? God moves us. Sometimes He
moves us to a new home or a new state or even a new country.
God moves us.
Sometimes he moves us from job to job.
God moves us. Sometimes
He moves people out of our lives, and sometimes He moves people into our
lives.
God moved Naaman's Maid, and as we'll see in a moment, this maid was
used by God as a messenger from Him.
When God moves you
into new situations…
When God moves new
people into your lives…
When God makes
changes, even those you didn't want, it is time to look for people that He
wants you to be an influence in His behalf.
3. SHE WAS
SERVED THOSE AROUND HER
She ended up being
a slave girl to the wife of a very influential Syrian General named Naaman.
She was in a
strange situation.
She was in a
strange land.
She was working
for strange people.
So what did she
do? She did her job!
She served the
people that God had put in her life.
Wherever God has
placed you, serve!
Remember when a
lowly servant girl opened her mouth to speak, people listened! If she had not been a reliable servant,
chances are, people would not have listened.
If you serve those
around you well, when you speak for the Lord Jesus, it is more likely that they
will listen.
God has something
special to say to those who serve. Colossians 3:23
Jesus told his
followers in Matthew 5:14, Ye are the light of
the world…
In other words, if
others are going to hear about the Lord Jesus, they are going to hear it from
us. God has made us a light for them.
Jesus also said in
Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.
People must see
our good works before they'll listen to our good words.
4. SHE CARED
ABOUT THOSE AROUND HER
Vs. 1 - This slave girl worked in the home of Naaman,
who was a noted Syrian General. He was a
great man, a national hero. But Naaman was a sick man. He had the dreaded disease of
leprosy!
Eventually the
slave girl spoke up and mentioned a servant of God, named Elisha, who could
heal the leprosy. Why would she have
spoken? Because she
cared about Naaman's well being.
My friend, before
you will ever speak as a home missionary, you need to care about the spiritual
condition of those around you.
Most of you can
quote John 3:16
Have you ever
considered John 3:17-18 and John
3:36?
If these verses
are true, and they are, those around you without Christ are going to hell!
God said it! Do
you believe it? Do you care?
Do you care that
your brothers and/or sisters are going to hell?
Do you care that
your children, your parents, your aunts, uncles, and cousins are going to hell
if they don't know Christ as Savior?
Until you care,
you will remain silent.
Can you imagine
the person you didn't talk to about Christ confronting you after his own
condemnation before the throne of judgment?
What will he say to you? "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!"
5. SHE TOLD
WHAT SHE KNEW
Vs. 3 - Naaman's Maid told Naaman's
wife what she knew about Elisha the Prophet. Evidently she didn't know much, perhaps she didn't even know his name. But she knew that Elisha could help Naaman, and because she cared, she said something.
Let me ask you
something. Can the Lord Jesus help that
unsaved loved one or neighbor of yours?
Yes He can! He can give them
forgiveness and eternal life. He can give them a better life right now! 2
Corinthians 5:17
If Jesus can help that
unsaved friend or loved one, tell them what you know!
If you know that
Jesus has changed your life and made you ready for Heaven, tell them.
If you know that
Jesus died for their sins, tell them.
If you know that
Jesus rose from the dead, tell them.
If you know that
Jesus is the only way to Heaven, tell them.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT
WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW, TELL THEM WHAT YOU DO KNOW!
6. SHE DID WHAT
SHE COULD
This servant
girl's place was not to talk to her mistress's husband. She couldn't do that properly. She was a
slave.
But she could talk
to her mistress, and did.
God does not hold
you responsible for what you can't do, only for what you can do with his help.
You might not have
as many opportunities to share the Gospel as you like, but there are things you
can do, even if witnessing opportunities are sparse.
Who can you invite
to come with you to church next Sunday?
There's Sunday School.
There's Youth
Group.
There's church services.
Invite people to
join you!
Carry tracts with
you to share.
And pray for
opportunities to share your faith with others.
And pray for the
souls of others.
7. GOD DID THE
REST
Vs. 4 - Naaman's wife told Naaman. And it was probably Naaman
who went in and reported to the Syrian King.
The Syrian King sent Naaman to
The little maid
didn't do much, but there were great results.
You might not be
able to do much, but if you do what you can, God will save souls.
1 Corinthians 3:6
Do what you can,
let God do the rest!
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2 Kings 5
DIFFERENT KINDS OF FAITH
It is very easy to consider the story of Naaman as only a Children's Bible Story. However, in Naaman's
story I see all different types of faith demonstrated. Some are the right kinds
of faith, some are wrong.
1. THE FAITH OF NAAMAN'S
MAID WAS SIMPLE - Vss. 1-3
She had faith in the prophet of God who could heal Naaman.
2. THE FAITH OF THE KING OF
3. THE FAITH OF THE KING OF
Vs. 7 - He thought that this was a trick designed to
start a war!
4. THE FAITH OF ELIJAH WAS SECURE - Vs. 8 - He was
simply trusting God.
5. THE FAITH OF NAAMAN WAS
SHOCKED. - Vss. 9-12 - Elisha did not come out and meet Naaman.. This is not what Naaman expected, nor were Elisha's
instructions. Naaman's
pride was hurt.
6. THE FAITH OF NAAMAN'S
SERVANTS WAS SENSIBLE - Vs. 13 - They realized that what the prophet was asking
for was not unreasonable.
7. THE FAITH OF NAAMAN WAS
SUBMISSIVE - Vss. 13-19 - His whole attitude changed.
8. THE FAITH OF GEHAZI WAS
SELFISH - Vss. 20-27 - He used a miracle which he did not perform as a means of
personal gain. He received Naaman's leprosy as a
result.
(This would probably work best as a Bible class, or
Bible study Lesson. Why not prepare a
copy of the outline for each class member, leaving a blank for each
"S" word? Let the class fill in the blanks as you teach the lesson.)