Which Way are We Headed 2Kings 5

Which Way are You Going?

INTRODUCTION:

• We have a tendency to live life with goals or objectives in mind, but how often do we consider the direction our life is headed?

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him. — Matthew 9:9 (CSB)

• 2Kings 5 is a story of two men, the problems of life, directions of life, a little girl, God’s intervention, and God’s judgment.

SCENE 1: A Man (1)

• Important to the King
• Liked by the people
• Successful
• Good at his job
• God was working in his life even if he didn’t know it

Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. — Matthew 10:29-31 (CSB)

• God loved Naaman
• “but he had a skin disease” Probably leprosy – perfect picture of sin “loss of feeling”

The disturbances that God allows in our lives, medical diagnosis, loss, hurt, pain, are all opportunities that God can use. He wants to sit down, “lets talk about the cookies.”

SCENE 2: An Unlikely (2-3)

• She had a lot of reasons to angry and Naaman or even God
• Elijah 14 miracles, double portion Elisha 28 miracles.
• To date no one healed of leprosy.

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. — Hebrews 11:1 (CSB)

Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. — Hebrews 11:6 (CSB)

Could it be that in life we need to spend more time asking God what He wants to do in the storm instead of asking Him to stop the storm?

• This young Jewish slave girl is the hero of the story, and we don’t even know her name.
• Be assured of this God does.

SCENE 3: The (4-10)

• Some things money cannot buy
• The prescription for healing

This is the message of faith that we proclaim: 9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. — Romans 10:8-13 (CSB)

SCENE 4: The Decision (11-19)

• A perceived offense

Many people are willing to God’s way, as long as God goes their way.

• Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23

1. Hard soil never changes direction
2. Rocky soil tuns back because of tough times
3. Thorny soil turns back because of pleasures of the world.
4. Good soil gets taken to places beyond your wildest dreams

God’s Plan does not always make sense

But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, and the rocks were split. The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And they came out of the tombs after his resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many. When the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was the Son of God! ” — Matthew 27:50-54 (CSB)

SCENE 5: The (11-end)

• Service to God is never intended to be vehicle for selfish gain

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. — Acts 20:28-29 (CSB)

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away ​— ​it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea. — Matthew 18:6 (CSB)

APPLICATION:

1.  Have you ever made the turn?

When he came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. Right away a man with leprosy came up and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. — Matthew 8:1-3 (CSB)

The single touch of Jesus will forever change the direction of your life.

2.  Is there anything in your life causing distraction from the direction God wants you to walk in?

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. — Hebrews 12:1-2 (CSB)