Naaman's Cleansing 2 Kings 5:1-15

Sermon Nuggets Mon May 17

Theme- Naaman's Cleansing

Verses- 2 Kings 5:1-15

Influence

Some visitors were being shown through a large modern manufacturing plant. As they passed through the research building, their attention was drawn to a strange sight. A huge steel beam was suspended on a single chain stretching down from the ceiling far above. And against this beam one tiny cork was being bounced again and again.

They were told this is an experiment in the superimposition of force. After the cork has bounced against the beam thousands of times, the beam will move.

The visitor asked if he might go back later in the day to see what had developed. All afternoon he watched the tiny cork bouncing against the motionless beam. Then late into the night he noticed a small tremor in the beam. Almost imperceptibly it changed positions. An hour later he could see that it was now, in fact, swinging slowly back and forth. And one hour after that the huge beam was moving strongly at the end of its chain. Fascinated the visitor saw the mass of iron, weighing tons, gathering momentum with every minute and move through the windless air of the great laboratory room like a mammoth pendulum.

What is the influence of a cork over a huge beam of steel? Yet in a small, but consistent way its little power was felt.

This week we want to look at one of the important stories of the persistent influence of a young slave girl had on a great and powerful man. It is a favorite story in Sunday school of many children because it talks about the influence of a child that really affected a country. We will look more closely at the story of Naaman, the leper. The slave girl's witness of God brought about his God-encounter. This story also reveals the works of man seeking his own ways to bring solutions to his problems and the importance of trusting humbly in the works of God by faith.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues May 18

Verses- II Ki 5:1 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.

The Problem Position

Naaman the Syrian was a great man and had a lot of influence with the King of his country. In fact, he was probably number 2 man in the kingdom particularly because of his abilities in battle. Look at the things that helped make him great. He was a commander of the army of the King of Arman. He had a position of responsibility. Now I realize that some people have the position of responsibility but aren't capable of handling it. Some people are born kings and have no ability. Others inherit a great fortunate that industrious or gifted fathers and grandfathers, mothers and grandmothers worked hard to pass on to their offspring.

But that is not the case with an army officer. The experience of success and failure determines your ability and wisdom. Naman had to earn his way into being respected in his field and have success and victory by discipline, training and wisdom. He gained the respect of his soldiers and he was a great man in the sight of his master.

A self made man concentrates on his accomplishments. A self made man has rewards, bank accounts, and businesses that speak of his achievements in the eyes of the world. I can't help but think of the foolish statements that Ted Turner made as a self-made man. He has done well in this world. Speaking to a group of broadcaster,"Delegates to the United Nations are not as important as the people in this room. We're the ones that determine what the peoples' attitudes are. It's in our hands."

Although he is the cable TV magnate he told one religious group he is looking forward to going to hell because that is where he is headed. He has repeatedly called Christianity a religion for losers. A self-made man sees little beyond their immediate accomplishments.

There is a phrase in the verse however, we do not want to overlook. “Because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram.” In other words, it was not Naaman that was responsible for the strong army, it was the Lord. I would normally think that when Aram fought against Israel the Lord should have been with Israel instead of Aram, but that was not the way the Lord was working. Many prophecies of the Bible remind us that pagan nations and Gentiles and nations often more sinful and godless will be used of God to teach his people lessons and bring people to point of repentance.

One Christian businessman who was highly successful has a picture in his office of a turtle on a fence post. He looks at that often and remarks that you know he did not get there on his own. Someone put him up there. That is his reminder of God placing him in a place of responsibility. He was not a self-made man, but a God made man.

But Naaman was also a heathen. Self made men tend to look at their position and accomplishments. But God wanted to use Naaman to bear witness for His glory. Syria gave Naaman birth, fed him, educated him, amused him, honored him, played for him, entertained him, filled his life with gaiety riches and variety but there was one thing that with all his power he could not do--he could not heal himself of the disease of leprosy. He would be ostracized by all people, for it was considered unclean and infectious. He may have been a self made man, but greatness that is only in our achievements, soon fades away.

Sin is like that in our lives. It is a plague from which regardless of position we cannot cleanse ourselves. We are doomed to destruction.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds May 19, 2010

Verses- 2 Kings 5:2-7 Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife.

3 She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."

4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said.

Gentle Witness

A Prideful man soon realizes that he is not as much in control with his life as he once thought. It is often hard for independent self made people to receive help from others. It is hard for many people not to be in control of their lives.

No one in his country could cure an incurable disease. But he had a slave girl who was an Israelite. Aram raided Israel and kidnapped people for slaves. She was taken like many girls and used around the homes particularly to work in the fields or help with domestic work and in this case she was his wife’s helper. She served her family well, and showed concern for her master. I am guessing that she must have also been well treated, but it also shows that as a young girl she had been well trained in honor of the Lord and in the stories of the prophet of Jehovah and the prophet was Elisha.

She gave the gentle witness that if her master would go to Samaria there is a prophet that could cure him. The stories of the widow who had enough oil, the food that was plentiful the poison in the pot that was cured, the parting of the Jordan River and the raising of the widows son all stuck with this little girl and she was just as much an instruments of God will, as Elisha was in his way. Children can be used of God as witnesses.

It is important to teach children and instill the Biblical truths and lessons for when they are well taught children can be used as God's messengers in the right places and right times. Naaman had to become humble enough to listen to the wisdom of a little child.

I think of Jesus when he prayed, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father for so it seemed good in thy sight, (Mat. 11:25,26).

The children church worker in my home church trained an 8 year old girl to share her testimony and simple gospel presentation on how to get saved. When it was her time she stood up, with the other kids, some older, some younger, and said something like this. “Jesus Christ died on the cross for sin. I've sinned and you've sinned. He died so we can live forever if you accept Jesus as your savior. You have to believe and invite him into your hearts. O.k. now who wants to pray to accept Jesus?”

I watched Mr. Lipke, the worker, smiling. Then I saw his eyes get big as one little boy raised his hand. Then another raised his hand. Mr. Lipke came forward and said, “Now I don't want anyone fooling. If you mean it then come up here and well show you had to accept Jesus.”

He visited with these two afterwards to be sure they understood what it meant to give God their hearts and trust in Christ for their salvation. It was the witness of a little girl God used.

Jesus said, "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick." Mk. 2:17 The sickness of sin needs the prophet from God, Jesus Christ, to miraculously cure us and make us whole. It is provided by the blood of Jesus who died that we might live.

There are testimony of many who have successful careers and influential positions who with heart attacks, cancer and disease are placed on the beds of affliction that they might hear the word of God and the message of their need for salvation. We need to know the Lord often uses insignificant and humble people to give a gentle witness.

Now who is the really the great one? Was it Naaman or the little slave girl? God knew who.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs May 20, 2010

Verses- 2 Kings 5:5-8 "By all means, go," the king of Aram replied. "I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing.

6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: "With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy."

7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, "Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!"

8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: "Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel."

9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house.

10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed."

The Works of Man.

There are three ingredients of one’s make up that get in the way of God. Power, Pride and Prosperity. Jesus said it was harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter into heaven.

That is unbelievable! We admire the rich young rulers. We not only admire them but seek to be like them. They are the goal of success in this life. But after all is said and done all of works of mankind mean nothing to the Lord.

Naaman sought to go to this land witnessed to by his slave girl because when you are in need you will try anything. He knew he had to do it the right way. He sought money and position and power to persuade this rural prophet how important it was to give him special treatment.

People with money expect and even demand special treatment. Those who ride first class expect the best of treatment that money can buy. Those who have the best lawyer do not expect to go to prison or pay for their crimes. Money and power get them out of all their troubles, so they think.

When you see how much he collected to be healed it is an awesome amount. Money talks. He brought with him 10 talents of silver and 6,000 pieces of gold. This is in the tens of thousands of dollars. How much would you give to save a life?

He brought ten changes of garments. These were of the finest quality that were not only hand made, but hand woven, and spun on some kind of a spinning wheel to even get the thread. So, this would have been very valuable to any one of that culture.

Naaman goes to the king for political power and pressure on the king of Israel. It is phrased in a very polite way, but the message is also clear that a powerful king is demanding something of a nation that militarily isn’t as strong.

So the king of Aram sends letters of authority and introduction with him to give the king of Israel. For it is also the works of man that places importance in who we know. Those who know influential people get ahead in the world. Those who can persuade others to get things done are wise politicians with power. Status speaks as well as money talks.

The King of Israel is upset thinking this is a ploy to get Aram to invade them. He admits that he is not a god who can heal incurable diseases. He tears his clothes as a public sign of anguish and concern.

The word is spread around how upset the king of Israel is. Elisha heard about this public display and sends the message to have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.

Money and status means nothing to the man of God. In fact Elisha never even came out to greet this rich powerful commander of armies. He only sent him a word through his servant "Wash 7 times in the Jordan river.” How humiliating.

My friend, Dale Lundgren, makes some connections with how people use man’s ways to seek salvation and forgiveness of sin. All the money in the world cannot cure us of sin. All the power of man falls short of cleansing. Salvation can’t be bought, or earned. Actually, in the Scriptures, money and works are the same thing. That is, we earn money from our works, or wages is the result of what we do. Ephesians 2:8 & 9 tells us it is all a gift, and it’s solely by grace. God is the only source. If we were to do anything to get it, we as humans are prone to brag about what we did to get it. We cannot do that with a gift.

God has a plan of salvation for all men, no matter who they are or what they believe. We are to simply believe into the Lord Jesus Christ to save you, plus nothing- No works. It is by grace through faith in the one and true prophet of God, Jesus Christ. It is by believing in His works on the cross that saves us.

If you have no money and no power and no political influence and no status of importance, take heart! That is not important to the Lord. We all need healing. We receive spiritual healing the same way- by faith in the works of God and acting upon that.

That is the best of news because it points us to the works of God.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri May 21, 2010

Verses- 2 Kings 5:10-15 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed."

11 But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.

12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage.

13 Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!"

14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Please accept now a gift from your servant."

The Path to Cleansing

As I was listening to the Christian Radio Station K-LOVE the announcer stated that prideful people do not pray much because humility is the key ingredient to admitting need and reaching out to God.

The same can be said for Namaan and his need for cleansing. He can admit need when he seeks to solve the problem himself- his way. But to humble himself to go to a foreign country, a non government official, a servant of the prophet and to be humiliated to dip seven times in the dirty Jordan river, was too much for General Naaman.

The best that money could offer was not good enough.

The Bible tells us that Elisha sent a letter to the king of Israel, instructing him to send this man to Elisha. Someone presents the good news of hope. Now he comes to Elisha’s house expecting the treatment he thinks he deserves. But he was offended when only the servant came out to give the message from the prophet.

The response of the proud man was anger than he would be treated in such a manner. It was only after the advice of his own servants that persuaded him to try it. They looked at the facts. He had leprosy. His life as he knew it was over. He was told to do something for free and there is no loss to try it.

The word of God came through Elisha. Now the real question was simply if he would be humble enough to believe to obey it.

So it is with salvation today. No one can come to the Lord his own way by his own works, or his own position. This is why Jesus highlights the faith of a child over the efforts of religious men. That is why Jesus is going from place to place without even a home or bed to lay his head. He came as the humble servant willing to give his life that we might be saved. The path to cleansing comes by the gracious gift of God and putting our faith in Him, Jesus Christ. Obeying him becomes the step of faith.

Lots of times the number seven in the Bible refers to completion. Seven days in a week became the pattern of God to show things were now completed.

This was God' way of meeting the man as a sinner. He needed to not only look at his need, but be brought to a point where he turned to God. Humility is needed when we turn to God. It shows that we are powerless and he is all powerful. Elisha became God's spokesman.

I came to knew a woman who was of financial means. She was used to getting her way. She was prideful. She knew little of the reality of God. Her world was full of things that she sought to make her happy.

When her husband left her and filed for divorce her neat world came crushing down. She asked me to go and speak to her husband telling him of his Christian duty to return God. But this experience was used to force her to look at the part she played and her own sinful behavior. She admitted that she didn't want to join the church or be baptized because she didn't want to do the work that was expected of members, and she certainly didn't want that embarrassment becoming all wet in front of a bunch of people. Baptism by immersion would ruin her hairdo and she would never want to be seen in public in such a condition. But God met her. At the point of brokenness and despair her world caved in. She submitted to God and cried out to Him for forgiveness of all her pride.

It didn't change her marriage as she hoped, but it changed her. She found the cleansing she needed. She came to the point of honestly praying, “Lord whatever you want me to do, I will do it. If Jesus could publicly go to the cross to die for my sin, I can go into the baptismal waters to tell people that I believe completely in you.” She did join the church and took up tasks and served to the best of her ability.

Cleansing came in response to humbly accepting the gift God gave.

Pastor Dale

Mighty Miracles 2 Kings 4:38-44

Sermon Nuggets Week of May 10

Sermon Nuggets Mon May 10

Theme Mighty Miracles

Verses 2 Kings 4:38-44

Mighty Miracles

The London Observer included this parable of a family of mice who lived all their lives in a large piano. To them in their piano- world came the music of the instrument, filling all the dark spaces with sound and harmony. At first the mice were impressed by it. They drew comfort and wonder from the thought that there was someone who made the music-though invisible to them above, yet close to them. They loved to think of the Great Player whom they could not see.

Then one day a daring mouse climbed up part of the piano and returned very thoughtful. He had found out how the music was made. Wires were the secret; tightly stretched wires of graduated lengths which trembled and vibrated. They must revise all their old beliefs; none but the most conservative could any longer believe in the Unseen player. Later, another explorer carried the explanation further. Hammers were now the secret, numbers of hammers dancing and leaping on the wires. There was a more complicated theory, but it all went to show that they lived in a purely mechanical and mathematical world. The unseen player came to be thought of as a myth. But the pianist continued to play."

We live in an age that has been scientific and mechanical. Science observes the how of creation, but it is not qualified to point to the unseen and unmeasured power of God. Sometimes we may understand how God works and sometimes we may not understand how God works, but that does not make it any less the work of God in our world and life. God is in control. The immanence of God means that he didn't just create our world and leave us to discover him, he is continually involved within creation and within our lives, if by faith you see his work.

Miracles need not be explained away. If God is God, He is not bound by his own earthly rules and manner of doing things. If God would be limited in power then He would not be God.

Miracles are simply a diversion from the ordinary earthly laws of nature. As He created the world, it stands to reason that He need not be bound by the very natural laws, or ordinary ways He choose to do things. The purposes of the miracles of Jesus were not to draw crowds to a magic show and keep everyone entertained. Jesus came to seek and to save that which is lost.

He came to redeem mankind and to show us the Father. He came to overthrow the power of sin and Satan in the world and the grip Satan has on mankind. There were miracles confirming Christ's message and his power. But whither God works supernaturally or naturally, it does not make him any more or less God.

Now admittedly we learn through the miracles of Jesus that the Kingdom of God is come. We understand why Jesus had the power that he did have. He was the Messiah the one send from heaven and It was proof that he was God. But what about the miracles that Elisha performed?
Clearly Elisha was not pointing to himself, but to the God he serves.

Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Tues May 11, 2010

Verses- II Ki 4:38-41
38 Elisha returned to Gilgal and there was a famine in that region. While the company of the prophets was meeting with him, he said to his servant, "Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these men."
39 One of them went out into the fields to gather herbs and found a wild vine. He gathered some of its gourds and filled the fold of his cloak. When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were.
40 The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, "O man of God, there is death in the pot!" And they could not eat it.
41 Elisha said, "Get some flour." He put it into the pot and said, "Serve it to the people to eat." And there was nothing harmful in the pot.


God Can Overcome Our Mistakes.


The story is told of a woman who prepared a meal for some guests. The meat was old and she was not sure if it was safe or not. She decided to first feed it to the dog and see if there were any ill effects. Seeing none she completed the meal and served it.
She was about to serve dessert when her son came running into the house crying, “The dog just died. ‘

Panic struck the embarrassed wife who explained the problem to her guests and they all took an unexpected trip to the hospital to have there stomachs’ pumped. Feeling none the better for the episode she insisted they return to her house.

Now she recognized the sorrow of her son for the loss of the dog and inquired more. He told her Fido ran in front of a car and was hit and killed.

Sometimes things are not as they appear.

There is a famine, the sons of the prophets, or some call them seminary students, prepared a community dish by looking for vegetables and other spices to be included in the stew. One person wants to do his share. He gathers wild gourds, cuts them up, puts it in the stew and cooks it with the rest of the food. As the men were eating they begin to choke and realized the food in the pot is poisoned. They cry out to Elisha who sprinkles flour into the pot and the food is made good again.

The commentaries surmise that the wild gourd was probably a melon called a colocynthus which grows by the Dead Sea. It looks and smells pleasant, but is a poisonous wild fruit. The young man was not familiar with the fruit and out of ignorance, made a grave mistake. Such a mistake could have cost many lives and many very sick people, but God in his grace can overcome the mistake. God is able to take what is bad and make it good.

Innocence and ignorance are not guarantees of immunity from problems, or consequences. Innocence and ignorance according to the law are no excuse. It is also no excuse concerning God's laws. If someone mistakes some poison for food the natural law of chemical reaction in our bodies result in sickness and possibly death. If a child innocently and ignorantly plays with fire he can get burned.

Many people in innocence and ignorance believe religious activity will get them in heaven. They may worship in church Sunday after Sunday and think by their attendance or baptism, or some superficial confession they are saved when, in fact, they are lost.

Do not think I am saying God overlooks innocence and ignorance and intervenes always to make it right. Prov. 14:12 "There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end are the ways of death."

But praise the Lord He has given us His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins, and miracle of miracles the resurrection overcame death. By faith and acceptance of Jesus, God brings salvation to all who believe. This is a saving act of God and his grace.

Elisha applied flour to the pot. That was God's way to bring intervention and salvation in that incident and Elisha by faith and obedience responded and the people were saved.

There are consequences for mistakes, but I also have an assurance that God can help me overcome my mistakes and carry out His good will. I do not always expect God to create a miracle, but I do have the promise of Romans 8:28 "All things work together for good to those who love God and called according to his purpose." I can have confidence that as my life is in God's hand He can overrule my ignorance, well intended, but mistaken actions and make things right. I can have the assurance that if He does not choose to bring about the results I want or pray for, He is still in charge and is worthy of my trust praise and love. Faith in God is faith that God can overcome our mistakes and bring results that praise His name.


Pastor Dale



Sermon Nuggets Weds May 12, 2010

Verses- II Ki 4:42-44 A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. "Give it to the people to eat," Elisha said.
43 "How can I set this before a hundred men?" his servant asked. But Elisha answered, "Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have some left over.'"
44 Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.


God Can Supplement our Shortcomings

The second miracle has some similarity to the feeding of the 5,000. In this context it is only 100. During the famine there was not enough food. There wasn't enough barley bread. A man came with a sincere and honest offering unto God by giving it for the prophets. "Give it to the people to eat." says Elisha. When the servant received such instruction he was bewildered; there wouldn't be enough. Elisha was aware that this was a command by the Lord, for the Lord says, "They will eat and have some left over." and of course it happened according to the word of the Lord.

Christ had compassion on the multitude not only to teach them but to feed them. He took what little was offered and used that for a banquet in which all had their fill, and saw the glory of God. There have been other miraculous incidents of similar provision by God, even the
experiences of Elijah and Elisha and the widows. God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.

There are many illustrations of the provisions of God at times of specific need that point only to the miraculous intervention of God.

I am reminded of George Mueller, the man of faith who ran the orphanage in England of the last century. One morning with no money and children to feed he sat them all down and prayed. A milkman came to the door right after the prayer informing Mueller that his milk wagon broke down and he did not have the means to preserve the milk could he use it for his children. Between morning and noon money came through special gifts in the mail which was immediately used to buy food for the orphanage. God knows our needs and as we are faithful provides in a variety of ways.

He had compassion on His servants who were doing God's work. Faith is trusting that God will supplement our shortcomings and provide for our needs whether naturally, or supernaturally. He will give us what He wants us to have to do what He wants us to do. The offering of bread was given in good faith, only it wasn't enough. Yet, God supplemented the shortcomings and all had what they needed.

What do you have to offer God? The death of Christ reminds us of the extent of his love. But there isn't anything that you have or I have that God needs. We are puny in His eyes, but loved. What he wants is that we still take our puny gifts and offerings and give them to him to be used and then watch and see what He does with them. Gifts can be money, talent, time, or ministry. Whatever we have it is the Lord’s. He wants us to be faithful with what we have and he will supplement our shortcomings according to His will.

Therefore as it is written. "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." Isn't that great? God supplements our shortcomings for the very reason that He receives glory. We cannot boast about how much we give, or how much we do for God, or what talents or gifts we bring. They are not enough; they cannot accomplish much for God unless His spirit works and supplements when we fall so short.

Do you ever question when you see others with their talents and gifts, "How can God possible use me? Lord what can I do for you?” Then I am reminded of God's heroes who give what they can and let God do the rest. Divine power is exercised and Elisha more than anyone is fully aware of his humble position before the Lord. He knows he is only the tool; God is the God of miracles. God providentially supplies their need.


Pastor Dale



Sermon nuggets Thurs May 13


Verses- II Ki 6:1-7 The company of the prophets said to Elisha, "Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to live." And he said, "Go."
Then one of them said, "Won't you please come with your servants?" "I will," Elisha replied.
And he went with them. They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. "Oh, my lord," he cried out, "it was borrowed!"
The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float.
"Lift it out," he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.

God Can Correct our Accidents

Mistakes are out of ignorance; accidents are out of carelessness. The situation with this prophet could have possibly been avoided if he was more careful about the axe-head being more secure.
The company of prophets was large enough they needed a bigger place. They invited Elisha to assist in the carpentry work. There is a sense of excitement with the project. All people can work together, sort of like work day at the church or the many hands that help with kitchen remodeling.

While they were working on the project, one man was cutting down a tree and the axe head was loose. It fell off and dropped into he nearby river. He was concerned because it was borrowed. He confessed it before all others that he was in trouble. Elisha asked where it was and threw a stick into the water. The miracle of God caused it to float and the fellow got it and repaired the axe head.

In this situation we see that God intervenes even in an accident. He personally allowed the man to be spared the embarrassment of going to the individual from whom he borrowed the axe and explain the situation to him. Maybe that was one the few axes and the job was stopped. But one thing for certain it was useless on the bottom of the river and not useful again until it was in the rightful place. God took the accident and made it a praiseful incident.

God tells His disciples to commit themselves to obey His guidance and His command in a way that requires complete faith in His word. Being faithfulness to our working and trusting God He works His will in His ways and in His time- Sometimes miraculously, most often naturally.

I think that we need to realize that God has given us natural laws and spiritual laws we cannot break. If we do then there are consequences for Christian and for non-Christian alike. We need to be careful and not careless. We need to do our best in all this, but we also must realize that the work is not ours. I do not think I am misrepresenting the text when I say that there are times in our service and work of God we will innocently make mistakes. Remember God can take those and overcome them.

We have a God that is worth praising and serving. We can take our failures and our weaknesses and not be afraid of using them, but boldly go out and when we fail let Him pick up the pieces. He may do so in either in small or great ways. Remember He accomplishes what He wants and the ways he chooses to do it. Faith is learning to trust the situations to Him and watch Him perform. And sometimes we witness a miracle.

How have you seen God act in your situations in surprising ways? Do you see this as a personal mans of His intervention in your daily life? Do you always expect God to work in the same way? Sometimes He surprises us.


Pastor Dale



Sermon Nuggets Fri May 14, 2010

Verses- 2 - Kings 6:1-7 The company of the prophets said to Elisha, "Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to live." And he said, "Go."
Then one of them said, "Won't you please come with your servants?" "I will," Elisha replied.
And he went with them. They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. "Oh, my lord," he cried out, "it was borrowed!"
The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float.
"Lift it out," he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.


The God of Compassion and Concern

While I look at the 3 miracles of this week I am reminded of the concern and the compassion that is shown in all three incidents. First it was demonstrated by the participation of the individuals for the group. They were a team. Those making the stew worked together to do their part for one another. Those bringing bread were willing to share it. Those building a building worked together to accomplish something better for the whole. It was in fellowship with one another we see and celebrate the cooperation of Elisha. Elisha was the voice and mantle of the Lord. He was the one God chose to demonstrate is word and power. That spiritual gift was not given to anyone and everyone. He as willing to participate also with the group as an expression of his concern and compassion.

And the greatest part of the lessons shows a God who is concerned even in our daily lives.
The fable is told- Once upon a time there were four men named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. But Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it. But Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about it, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, and Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody and Nobody did the job that Anybody could have done in the first place. (anonymous)

During Elijah’s day the prophets were in hiding. Now they are building and eating and in lager groups out in the open. Since the conflict at Mount Carmel things have gone easier for the people of God. Baal had proved false. The Lord was the power greater than any other. But the miracles were not of the grander of fire from heaven with 100s of non believers, these miracles were ways to demonstrate to a caring people of God the caring nature of their leader and especially of the Lord.

Elisha was with the prophets in humility willing not onlyh to teach but work along with them. Eat with them and serve with them. It was an opportunity for on-the-job training and an opportunity to study these men in their work. He demonstrated concern for these young men.
When Elisha stepped forward, inquired concerning the place where the axe head went into the water, and made the iron swim with the stick he cut, he was giving this entire school of prophets a wonderful illustration of the sovereign care and providence of God.

One main lesson in these miracles is how God demonstrates concern for us. He is interested and cares about even the small and trivial incidents in our lives. He tells us to pray about everything and to cast all our cares on Him. Why? He cares for us. So Peter in his epistle tells us we can cast all our cares upon Him.

Note that God provides in cooperation with everything else that one does. The men did not sit back and just pick up their food. They worked for it. Elisha worked. The building did not automatically materialize. The ax was a tool to be used by the men provided by the Lord to accomplish their tasks.

His concern is also to give us the tools to take our journey of faith. Sometimes those tools are common, like bread, and axe-heads, sometimes very uncommon like floating axe heads and multiplication of food to be passed out to demonstrate His glory and provision.

Jesus tells us not to be anxious about this life. The Kingdom of God is our priority and He will take care of our needs. That does not mean we do not work and plant and water and grow, or whatever else is needed to be done in the process of eating and living. But times of intervention when we know that in all thing he cares for us.

Jesus says in Matthew 6 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”

These miracles do not cause me, like so many others, to wonder how they happened. Many will try to explain away the mighty power of the Lord to explain how the meal made the stew good again, how the bread multiplied or how the axe head floated. But it is enough to know that the God who is concerned about us did it His way, at His timing, for His purposes.

God is able to do super abundantly above all we are able to ask or think no matter how small or how large the problem. He does so in natural and normal ways. But at times demonstrates to us his special concern that only He can do in cooperation with other concerned Christians who become tools in his hands.


Pastor Dale

Trials 2 Kings 4:17-37

Sermon Nuggets Mon May 3

Theme – Trials

Verses 2 Kings 4:18-37

Trials

I share a devotional by Ruth Graham as an introduction.

“I was swimming in the choppy Mediterranean Sea when suddenly my arm felt as if it had touched a high-voltage wire. Spinning around, I saw a tiny blue jellyfish swimming away. It seemed an eternity before I was able to make it the short distance back to the beach, petrified that I might be stung again. Before long, ugly welts rose on my forearm and back.

Later, as I compared notes with a friend who had suffered the same fate, he said to me, "I hope you won't let this keep you from going into the water."

I hadn't the heart to tell him I'd lost all taste for the sea.

But two painful days later, assured by other beach-bathers that the water was clear, I ventured another swim. My friend's familiar voice boomed, "Good for you! Keep it up!"

Long after the jellyfish attack, I remembered those words.

Life is a lot like the sea: full of venomous creatures that attack without warning. I think of baby Christians who, after their first painful encounter, call it quits unless a stronger Christian offers a word of advice, a shout of encouragement.

Has anyone around you been stung lately?”

There are times in our life when we will get stung. Maybe that sting will come from people with whom we have made close friendships and that relationship will all of the sudden seem to turn on you. Maybe that sting will come with a job or ministry, when you have done your best and something surprisingly unfortunate occurs. Maybe there is an act of kindness that you intended that was misunderstood. Maybe there is a new relationship with Jesus and something happens to cause you to wonder if indeed God can be trusted and is listening to your prayers.

In our joys and sorrows the power of God is at work. Our faith grows as we see Him at work.

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

This week we will see the continuation of the story of the Shumenite woman and her husband who befriended Elisha and showed him great hospitality. In answer to the prayers of her heart God arranged the miracle of birth. But her faith is put to the test through an unexpected trial.

Trials will come. May they be learning experiences to mature your faith.

Pastor Dale.

Sermon Nuggets Tues May 4 –

Verse 2 Kings 4:17-24 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. 19 "My head! My head!" he said to his father.
His father told a servant, "Carry him to his mother." 20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. 21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out.

22 She called her husband and said, "Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return."

23 "Why go to him today?" he asked. "It's not the New Moon or the Sabbath."
"It's all right," she said.

24 She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, "Lead on; don't slow down for me unless I tell you." 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.

Tested Faith

The words of the contemporary song reminded me of a question that tests our faith, “God didn’t take us this

far to leave us.”

Last week we looked at the reward and blessing God gave to the woman and her husband for their humble hospitality. Without requesting Elisha declared they would have a son and so he was born. This was the desire of her heart.

Now some years later we read tragedy occurred. Her only son died unexpectedly. What would test our faith more than a death of a child?

There are different views as to how old the boy is. I will propose that he is still young, perhaps elementary age. Being that they family was wealthy and had many servants, perhaps the father was overseeing many of the reapers and took his son along for a ride. Then the boy complained about not feeling well and having severe pain. The father told a servant to take the child home. As he was being taken care of by his mother he kept getting worse and died.

I take Scripture to mean what it says. I do not believe he only fainted, or went into a sleep. He died. He was not resuscitated like many claim experiences today in near death situations. We are grateful for many who are brought to recovery through medical procedures, CPR, and medications. Some conclude the boy was still alive and appeared to be dead or in a coma. I think he died, just as the Bible said.

I noticed the woman's response to the husband and to the servant when asked what is up; she replied that it is all right. Peace? Could she have been in shock and couldn’t face the fact. Could she have been experiencing the trauma of emotion that was in denial? She did not want to face the facts until she could see Elisha.

We will also experience difficult times that will test our faith. We will struggle to make sense of out situations where the pieces don’t seem to neatly fall together. Some will trust the Lord believing completely He will answer one way only to discover being forced to fact a path we did not expect and question why.

Like the Centurion with a sick boy this mother reach out to the one she thought could help. She prepared to leave to visit Elisha for it is through him that God speaks.

People turn to God when they have no place else to turn. Even when our faith is tested, look up! The last chapter isn’t revealed to us yet.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds May 5 – Tempted faith

Verses 2 Kings 4:22-28 She called her husband and said, "Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return."

23 "Why go to him today?" he asked. "It's not the New Moon or the Sabbath." "It's all right," she said.

24 She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, "Lead on; don't slow down for me unless I tell you."

25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, "Look! There's the Shunammite!

26 Run to meet her and ask her, 'Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?'" "Everything is all right," she said.

27 When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, "Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me why."

28 "Did I ask you for a son, my lord?" she said. "Didn't I tell you, 'Don't raise my hopes'?"

Tempted Faith

Tempted faith is faith under trial, faith that is being tested to make us strong, but there are times when we are tempted to give up. We are tempted to turn our backs on God. Anger, frustration, grief tempts us to sin. When Job experienced the worse of trials his wife said, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"

Job replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2:9-10

The temptation is to give in to your feelings instead of clinging to your faith. The anger and hurt of the woman is seen today in her response to Elisha. She is a grieving mother.

When she leaves home to go to see Elisha she refused to talk to anyone. She was holding her grief inside. Denial was turning into anger which can lead to bitterness. She is set to go to Elisha not just to tell him of her loss but how he and the Lord had failed her! She wanted him to know how unfair it was. It would have been better if the son was never born than experience the pain of his death. It hurts so badly.

She ran to Elisha and hung at his feet in spite of the protests of the servant Gehazi. Elisha has not been revealed the source of the problem, but sees she is in bitter distress. Her words are sharp and clear, "Did I ask you for a son, my lord?" she said. "Didn't I tell you, 'Don't raise my hopes'?"

Sometimes God gives us answers and sometimes He doesn’t. When the request of blessing came to the woman years earlier she asked for none. She felt she had all she needed. But when the subject of being childless came up she didn’t feel she should ask for such a miracle. It was not her idea, but Elisha’s and Gehazi’s idea. She had been many times in despair for being barren. Her hopes many times were dashed by trying to have children and not able to do so. She finally relegated herself to the fact that she would have no child. But when the claim came to her she was going to be a mother, her fears of having those hopes dashed again surfaced. She didn’t want to experience that extreme disappointment again. “Don’t raise my hopes only to have them dashed again”. For her it would have been better to not have a son than to have that son taken from her.

Now those fears were realized. The joy and excitement and hope were overwhelming as God gave her the desire of her heart. Satan was to take it away. She was fulfilled, but now she was to be barren in her heart again with the love of her life gone. The temptation to curse God and die was probably there when she felt the fault lay on Elisha for interceding on her behalf for a child. Now see where it ended up- in greater grief.

There are situations always around us that cause us to question, and happening we that we do not understand. We have our faith tested, but we do something that we believe is of God and we keep on doing it,

What is faith for? Years ago Merv Griffen had a popular talk show and his guest was a body builder. During the interview Merv asked, “why do you develop those particular muscles?”

The body builder simply stepped forward and flexed a series of well-defined muscles from chest to calf. The audience applauded.

“But what do you use all those muscles for?” Merv asked.

Again the muscles specimen flexed and biceps and triceps sprouted into impressive proportions. "But what do you use those muscles for?" Merv persisted-the body builder was bewildered. He didn't have an answer other than to display his well-developed frame.

I was reminded that our spiritual exercises-Bible study, prayer, reading Christian books, listening to Christian radio and CD tapes are also for a purpose. They are meant to strengthen our faith. They are to gain a greater love and devotion to the Lord. They are to be used by God through us to build God's kingdom, not to simply to improve our posture before an admiring audience. Our faith is not just to show our piety, but to be used when times of testing and temptations come. Satan will tempt us to quit. He will tempt us to hold grudges and we can become bitter people. There are many empty pews that once were filled with people who believed but the tempter came and in our despair thought God did not keep up His end of the bargain. He did not do what we wanted him to do. Or someone hurt us in some way. The results are the same. Our faith is sidelined instead of used to help us through.

How might your faith be tempted recently? Where does your feelings overshadow your faith?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thus May 6, 2010

Verses- 2 Kings 4:29-31 Elisha said to Gehazi, "Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand and run. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff on the boy's face."

30 But the child's mother said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So he got up and followed her.

31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy's face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi went back to meet Elisha and told him, "The boy has not awakened."

Trusting Faith

Elisha was given the facts as hard as it was to accept. The boy died. But God had something else in mind in this trial. He was not done showing His glory and power.

There would be nothing wrong to accept that fact that the boy died. We would accept that as God’s will. But trusting faith does something. It looks to God not only in grief to support and sustain, but also in hope to restore and provide.

They prayed for restoration. Elisha trusts in God to go and send Gehazi to the boy and trusts in the power of God to use the staff. Surely the staff was not magical we know that. We also are aware that the servant didn't have any power. Maybe it was the double portion of Elijah’s spirit that fell on Elisha and not anyone else. God wanted to use Elisha and Gehazi was the instrument chosen.

I think of a similar story when the disciples met Jesus coming down from the Mount of Transfiguration. They were trying to get a demon to come out from a boy. They did what Jesus taught them but nothing happened. They were used in the past to heal from disease and spiritual oppression and possession. Why not now?

Jesus saw something they didn’t. He saw the evil power stronger than the desires and abilities of pious men. He reminded them that this situation required much prayer and fasting. There was blessing and power only up to a point of our ability to be used of God. Also we have to be very sure we are not idolizing the tools used so that they might think they had the power. There was no power in the staff. Nor would there be any value in Gahazi the person, who later showed how he gave into temptation of gaining money for the work of God.

I do get upset with all the religious relics sold, touched and displayed as if they were holy or provided some power from God.

Nothing happened through Gehazi even though he was obedient to the commands of his master. What was God trying to teach? Elisha could have been discouraged and questioned why God didn't answer according to his action. Trust involves perseverance. The woman wasn't going to leave Elisha because she believed God presence and power what with the prophet. The woman proclaimed, "As surely as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you." As surely as God is alive I will trust, and that was a faith that sought to lay hold and to keep hold, not only of the promises, but of the promiser.

John Killinger tells a story from Atlantic Monthly."A little burro sometimes would be harnessed to a wild steed. Bucking and raging, convulsing like drunken sailors. The two would be turned loose to proceed out onto the desert range. They could be seen disappearing over the horizon, the great steed dragging that little burro along and throwing him about like a bag of cream puffs. They might be gone for days, but eventually they would come back. The little burro would be seen first, trotting back across the horizon, leading the submissive steed in tow. Somewhere out there on the rim of the world that horse would become exhausted from trying to get rid of the burro, and in that moment, the burro would take mastery and become the leader.

"And that's the way it is with the kingdom and its heroes, isn’t it? The battle is determined, not to the outraged but to the committed, not to those who are merely dramatic." It is to those who have trusting faith, Not giving up on God, but believing and obeying and if something isn't working the way we think it should, we pray and trust and keep at it again.

This sickness and death was a spiritual battle in my opinion. It was Satan seeking to attack the miracle of God and causing the faith of the woman to turn from God. Works of man, even pious and well meaning men were not going to change anything around. This kind needed the special intervention from God. Elisha represents, not just Gods’ servant, but the touch from God Himself.

Keep trusting, not in our abilities,or even in our piety, but preserve in trials to see and wait for the hand of God to move.

Pastor Dale

Sermon nuggets Fri May 7, 2010

Verses- 2 Kings 4:32-37 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch.

33 He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the LORD.

34 Then he got on the bed and lay upon the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out upon him, the boy's body grew warm.

35 Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out upon him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.

36 Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, "Call the Shunammite." And he did. When she came, he said, "Take your son."

37 She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out.

Triumphant Faith

I was talking with Thelma Olds last night. Her daughter and son-in-law have been asked by the Conference to lead up work of supporting and planting a church movement in Estonia. It was under the communistic rule for 70 years when the Christians were being persecuted. Now there is a rising up of the churches in new ways.

Over time the suffering church changed the face of Eastern bloc. They had no power based as such, none but he power of love and prayer. The church was banned from many religious activities, such as radio and television broadcasting. They devoted themselves instead to serving the least and the weakest.

According to Chuck Colson, East Germans look back on Oct.9, 1989 as the turning point that led to a change in government, consummating the peaceful revolution. Four churches in Leipzig held weekly prayer meetings every Monday evening. Gradually the prayer meetings began to swell including not just faithful Christian but also political dissidents and ordinary citizens. Secret police phoned in death threats and posted lookouts around the churches. Then on Oct. 9 police and army units moved in the Leipzig in force, and East German lead Erich Honecker gave them instructions to shoot the demonstrators.

When time came for the prayer meeting, 2,000 Communist party members rushed inside to occupy all the seats. The church simply opened its seldom-used balconies and 1,000 protesters also crowded inside. Party members who attended with the intention of disrupting realized for the first time that the church was indeed working for peaceful change and not violent challenge. No one knows for sure why the military held their fire that night. Everyone credits the prayer vigils in Leipzig for kindling the process of momentous change. In the end 10,000s marched peacefully through downtown Leipzig which brought down a government.

The New Republic a secular magazine said, "Whether or not prayers really moved mountains, they certainly mobilized the population of Leipzig. To hear them sing "A Mighty Fortress Is our God' is enough to make you believe it," Several weeks after the October 9 turning point, a huge banner appeared across a Leipzig street "Wir danken Dir,Kirche (We thank you, church). Indeed in should have read Wir danken See, Gott". For God is the power being triumphant faith.

Triumphant faith is seeing God do things man cannot do and believing an trusting in His sovereignty. It happens in nations and it happens in personal lives.

We gathered yesterday for the National Day of prayer to pray for our nation and God’s sovereignty. And we pray for individuals and families that they faith will be played out in victory as God allows.

There is victory in the miraculous manner of the son of the Shunamite woman being raised to life again. It is triumphant to know that God is at work and at times answers special prayer in special ways, but ultimately triumphant. Jesus has won the battle and when we put our faith in Him we cannot lose. Don't misunderstand. We can face discouragements, failures, and sin-but triumphant faith is the confidence that we are in the center of God's will and care and we have nothing to fear.

Elisha lays on the boy I'm sure with prayer, nothing happens. He walks around and lays on him a second time and the boy sneezes seven times. Perhaps this is symbolic of completion.

How can we bring about life to death? Simply speaking we cannot. This is an act of the grace of God and nothing else. He did it to show his glory through his servants.

Revival is the same way. We pray for aliveness to spiritual deadness, but the grace of God responds at his will and time; Our trails will test us and tempt us to quit. But as we continue to trust we will see the triumph of God. It may not be as we hope and plan in our temporary world and short sighted understanding. It may not be by our timetable, but the hope of the believer is that we will see the work of God in ways we cannot imagine.

Satan was defeated that day. And will be in The Day to come. Put your faith in the only One who can do that.

Pastor Dale