Unseen Forces 2 Kings 6:8-23

Sermon Nuggets Week of May 31

Sermon Nuggets Mon May 31

Theme Unseen Forces

Verses 2 Kings 6:8-23

Unseen Forces

The passage this week introduces us to the spiritual world that is often unseen. The Bible teaches us there are forces that influence and intersect in our lives. We are given some revelations into the world of demons and angels. But so much remains a mystery. It would be presumptuous for us to think we understand it all.

One of the more intriguing Christian novels in resent years is a book by Frank Peretti entitled, This Present Darkness. It was different than I anticipated. It is fiction. But the book address the Scriptural presentation of the heavenly warfare that goes on and shows how it invades our world in ways and manners that we may not know. We are graphically reminded of the Spiritual warfare that is going on between God and Satan, between angels and demons, between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. Of course, the power is the Lord's.

What is our part in this warfare? As Christians, God wants us to be aware of some things. We are presented with His Sovereignty. We are to believe in His power over all things. We trust His wisdom. We must understand His timing and purposes far exceed our limited insights. We prepare ourselves with faith, truth, and obedience. We are to be saved people who learn to love and trust God and follow Him in spite of our feelings, believing He will accomplish His purposes His ways. But especially prayer is an important part of our fellowship with the Lord and the prayer power is effective for the righteous.

The Bible does give us glimpses and for important reasons.

How God uses his heavenly messengers is a mystery. The fact that He does is to result in fully trusting Him in all situations. In spite of the attack by the evil one we are to take delight in the truth, “Greater is He than is in us that he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues June 1

Verses II Ki 6:8-23 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, "I will set up my camp in such and such a place."

9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: "Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there."

10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, "Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?"

12 "None of us, my lord the king," said one of his officers, "but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom."

13 "Go, find out where he is," the king ordered, "so I can send men and capture him." The report came back: "He is in Dothan."

14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

God Works amidst our Folly

I saw the excerpts from some TV advertising presentation. A real estate man was challenging his audience to set their goals high if it means working two extra evenings a week and an extra day a week-end, then you must stick to those goals. He went on to share, when kids programs, hockey games, fun recreational time must take secondary place to the goals of the business if you want to be a millionaire. He was telling the audience truth if you want to be a successful money maker. But that is not how to be a successful father, or husband, or even a Christian. God always wins and always will.

Notice the proud man in his folly who says, "I will set up my camp in such and such a place." He has the same misconception that believes the greatest military power and muscle will win. Whether it is the forces of Israel, the armies of United States, the power of China or the zeal of the middle East true power is not in how confident you are in carrying out your desires, but whether you seek to serve the Lord.

Now there is something to be said about those who have commitment and determination. Joshua was a courageous fighter who believed the Lord and through military strength God blessed him. The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us, "there is a time for war and a time for peace, a time for every purpose under heaven."

The King of Aram plotted against Israel and found that the King of

Israel was always prepared. He was convinced there must be a mole, a stool-pigeon, a spy revealing the secrets to Israel. But it was the Lord who revealed to Elisha, God's servant and prophet what the plans would be of the enemy. He told the King so they were adequately prepared.

Vs. 12,13 reveals his folly. He thinks that if he can eliminate the prophet of God, therefore he can win his little wars. He fails to understand that he is facing God, not Elisha. Even if he could get Elisha out of the way, God is seeking to display his glory and power. He cannot fight God.

How quickly one forgets. It was one of the generals of Aram who was healed of leprosy. What makes the King think he can fight God? It is folly to think that you can continue to cover up your activities. Friends, the all knowing God not only knows of your activities but also your very thoughts. You cannot fight God.

I am amazed with people who call themselves Christians thinking they are getting away with their sin, continuing to lie and cover up things that God will judge. It didn't work for King David trying to continue in his sin with Bathsheba, and it won't work with us. Sooner or later God will reveal all things before us, even those things done in secret and done again his name. God works amidst our folly.

One man said he wanted to provide the best things for his family.

He went to school extra evenings. He was at work early, stayed late. He was able to get the nice house, automobile, cabin, boat, clothes. But he came to his marriage counselor a broken man asking what he did wrong. He was a failure. His wife was going to divorce him. In fact, he was not a failure he was a success. He accomplished his goals. He did provide for his family according to what he thought best.

Only he had the wrong goals. However, the most important thing in life is not to provide the best material things for ones family. It is more important to give of himself.

God made King of Aram the laughing stock of Israel and will eventually do that to all with the rebellious and selfish spirit.

Augustine said, "Let us not seek to bend the straight 5to the crooked, that is thy will to ours, but let us seek to bend the crooked to the straight, that is, our will to thine."

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds June 2, 2010

Verses- 2 Kings 6: 15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.

16 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

God works amidst our Fear.

When the King of Aram discovered where Elisha was staying, he surrounded the city. Elisha’s servant awoke that morning and saw the hills covered with enemy troops. He did what most people would do, what I'm sure I would do as well. He cried out, "Elisha, Oh Elisha, look, there is the enemy all around us." He was petrified, scared, and fearful!

Fear can be a normal reaction to that which is perceived as a physical, or emotional danger; or an emotional reaction to the unknown. Lots of times fear is experienced when there is lack of knowledge, or lack of trust. In this case, there is real human danger. It seems as if their lives are at stake and they are seemingly defenseless. He could not see what God was doing.

Fear can let our imaginations run away from us and gripe us to inactivity, or activity that is inappropriate. Extreme shyness is a form of fear. One doesn't put himself out because he's afraid of getting hurt, or appearing foolish. He is afraid of not being liked, or appearing incompetent before others.

Remember the lesson that Jesus was teaching his disciples on the sea in the middle of the storm. They left in the calm waters and Jesus fell asleep. It is easy to trust in the day than in the dark when you can't see and aren't sure of what is ahead. But at night when winds and waves became life threatening they panicked and awakened Jesus, who rebuked them for their lack of faith.

Jesus told them they were going on the other side of the lake. He didn't tell them they were going to the middle of the lake and then drown. They needed to trust that with Jesus in the boat they need not fear. But at a later time they were in the boat in a storm and Jesus was not with them physically, but he still saw them and knew of their situation. That’s the thing I like about Jesus. He keeps on eye on you and me and we are never outside of his knowledge and care for us.

Isn't it common that people with weak faith see problems and want to escape? God has not forgotten you. He works amidst our fears.

Perhaps we would fear less if we re-evaluated our main goals, and let Jesus take care of the successes. Can we remain in God's will even if it appeared to be failure in the eyes of others?

We need strength in our weakness. We need the supernatural eyes of faith. We need to learn what trust is. We need to focus our attention on the One who has the power to do whatever He wants and will.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs June 3

Verses- 2 Kings 6: 16 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

17 And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, "Strike these people with blindness." So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.

19 Elisha told them, "This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for." And he led them to Samaria.

20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, "LORD, open the eyes of these men so they can see." Then the LORD opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.

God works amidst our Faith

Elisha certainly was aware of what most are not. He saw God's heavenly protection and prayed that God would open the eyes of his servant so he would not fear. What he saw was a host of angels. What is invisible to man is how God works and the ways He chooses to work. Unseen angels are one of the facts of spiritual power and protection. No harm will befall Elisha. There are Biblical examples of angels and heavenly forces that keep and care and protect and strengthen God's anointed.

The added glory for the Christian is that now we have the Holy Spirit living within us. He never leaves!

Wallace said, "Faith sees what is invisible, It sees behind the visible alien forces all the heavenly resources and reinforcement of love and power that are there available for all who ally themselves with the causes of God. It sees in the darkest day the light of God's glory. It sees behind the very lilies and sparrows the Heavenly Fathers; promise of never-failing providence. To such a faith fear is to be thought of as folly to be pitied rather than as deliberate wickedness. How foolish not to believe that the love that has provided the infinitely costly gift will at the same time grudge to provide the paper and the wrappings that in comparison seem of no consequence."

In Billy Graham's book on Angels he tells of an experience his wife related concerning the Christian witness in China. 1942 after the Japanese had won the war with China. One morning around 9 am a Japanese truck stopped outside the bookroom of a Bible bookstore. The Christian shop assistant was all alone and realize with dismay the marines came to seize the stock. As soon as they started to enter a neatly dressed Chinese gentleman entered the shop just ahead of them. The shop keeper knew most of the customers and the people who traded there. This was a complete stranger. For some unknown reason the soldiers seemed unable to follow him. They loitered about looking in the larger windows. For 2 hours they stood around, until after 11 and never set foot inside the door. The stranger prayed and encouraged the clerk and at last the soldiers climbed into their army truck and drove away. The stranger also left without making a single purchase or even inquiring about any items in the shop. Ruth Graham’s father, Nelson Bell, noted this was certainly a God sent messenger for that time.

The Gospel Herald recorded the story of a minister who was threatened with his life. The missionary tells of being sent to someone on whom a tree had fallen. To reach the place he had to pass thought some rough area. All at once he was overwhelmed with fear and foreboding. He could not shake it off until he stopped and prayed. He went on. The next day the head bandit was shot and the missionary was summoned to his deathbed. The man confessed that on the previous night he had lain in wait in the cut-over land intending to kill him. But who were those men who rode with you? When he told him that he was alone, he was more agitated. You were not. Two men were with you. One on either side of you and in all my life I never saw such a horse as they rode. Who were they?

In the excitement the man had a hemorrhage and died. Oh that we might trust God and his forces to do what we cannot do and to obey in doing when we know he would have us do.

Was it not Job who was the object of debate with Satan and God. Satan was upset because God put a hedge of protection around him. God gave permission for Satan to tempt his faith only up to a point. Job showed his faith and trust in God in spite of the questions, doubts, and pain. Did God stop protecting Job? No, not at all. He still had Job in the palm of his hand; only he was using the experience of testing. The Psalmist tells us, "The angel of the Lord encampeth around about those who fear him and delivereth them."

Pastor Dale

Sermon nuggets Fri June 4 – Friendliness

Verses 2 Kings 6: 21-23 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, "Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?"

22 "Do not kill them," he answered. "Would you kill men you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master."

23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory.

God Works amidst Friendliness

Elisha calls for blindness on the troops and then adds insult to injury. One man leads them into the capital city of Samaria where the total forces of Israel are lodged. The man brings them all in to the king and their eyes are opened. They see they are captured. "Shall I kill them?", The king asks. God's angels are stronger than metal swords and spears, as well as tanks, nuclear weapons, radar computers.

It was not God’s will to kill them, only to show them His compassion. They ate and were allowed to return to their master. They had no more problems after that. Such kindness was as throwing burning coals on their heads. Mercy was show to the enemy. God did His work His way with His timing. Friendliness paid off.

Chuck Colson in a Christianity Today article talked of the persecution of the church. Not so much the physical dangers that our third world brothers and sister face, but the prejudice Christians here might face in our culture. The values of the Bible are considered offensive by various aberrant groups publicized in the media. We marginalized are attacked by homosexuals, abortionists, feminists, secularists, evolutionists, and many schools of higher learning. TV and movie scripts portray Christians as hypocrites, oafs, and imbeciles. All the while the public cries there is no place for religion in the secular world. IT should be restricted only to the places of worship and kept among those who already follow their faith. school prayer is banned, kids in public school sex-education classes are taught bout alternative lifestyles, the use of condoms, safe sex. It is open season for Christian bashing.

Being kind to those who treat us unkindly is the instruction Jesus gives to us in his Sermon on the Mount. To bless those who despitefully use us. It is not the same as showing defense or even standing up for our rights. It is not the same as to be kept quiet from the truth. It is to show kindness.

When soldiers were captured in World War two there were countless testimonies of how our soldiers were treated by the enemy and how we treated those prisoners of war. Compassion wins over.

Colson reminds us that Christians have encountered hostility from a secular culture, throughout the ages. There has not always been the host of angels who blinds the enemy. But there has been God's messengers, even heavenly forces, carrying out the advancement and establishment of God's kingdom, not man's way, but God's way.

Suffering and injustice were to be expected. We take as our example one who, when he was reviled, reviled not in return, but stayed the course in obedience to the Father. We are called to be a holy nation, loving one another and the world around us. We are called to do good deeds even as we are slandered as evildoers.

Aram and his forces are long gone, so is Nero and Herod and their empires. But the light of the gospel continues to shine brightly today. It is a light as our brothers and sisters from the persecuted churches of the East have proved, cannot be extinguished. How else can we explain that happened when only the Church was the significant opposition to atheistic communistic rule in spite of persecution? Who won? "Not by might, but by my spirit says the Lord."

God's forces are winning, they are heavenly forces. They make themselves occasionally evident, or most commonly continue with the shroud of mystery and invisibility. But the victory is the Lord. He works amidst our folly, our fears, our faith and our friendliness.

Don't fight God. Don't fear, but have faith. He is in charge.

Pastor Dale

Giving and Receiving - 2 Kings 5:15-27

Sermon Nuggets Week of May 24, 2010

Sermon Nuggets Mon May 24- Gifts

Theme- Gifts

Verses- 2 Kings 5:15-27

Gifts

Karl Rahner is quoted, "The number one cause of atheism is Christians. Those Christians who proclaim God with their mouths and deny Him with their lifestyles is what an unbelieving world finds simply unbelievable.

There has been repeatedly criticism of many Media ministers who use a high percentage of their time appealing for money. There are many people who believe many, if not most, ministers are doing what they do for money and benefits. It is easy to have the feeling that if you do not support a particular ministry that indeed you are not giving unto the Lord.

I read of an evangelist who took in 75 million dollars and showed all the property that he and his son owned. They had millions of dollars worth of assets. He claimed that all of it was received, not under false pretense, so he was entitled to do with as he pleased and how he spent his money was of no concern to his contributors.

I have reported in my blog, From Copes Computer, of the past investigation by Iowa Senator Charles Grassley into specifically six prosperity gospel ministries because of the opulent lifestyle of the ministers. The investigation is not so much how they use their money but whether there might be tax fraud. These ministers were Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn, Gloria and Kenneth Copeland, Paula White, and Creflo Dollar.

They receive generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities as private jets, Rolls Royces, several homes they live in during the year, but claiming all is legal because they do not own them, the ministry does.

Most have turned over financial accounting to the investigators but Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar refuse to cooperate and refuse to have any open files. Their tactic of stalling can buy years of court appeals while all the while they continue to plead for money on the air and have bizarre stories as to how God will bless you financially if you follow claiming and naming it principles.

Last week we looked at the healing of Namaan by God through the word that came to Elisha the prophet. This week I want to center on the gifts he wanted to give to Elisha and focus on four responses to gift giving.

The process of receiving and giving is part of our daily lives. Our hearts determine proper focus. How we look at and use money is a spiritual principle that also serves to enhance or block our growth in Christian maturity and trust.

Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Tues May 25, 2010


Verses -2 Kings 5: 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."
16 The prophet answered, "As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing." And even though Naaman urged him, he refused.


The Receiving of Grace.

We saw last week how God miraculously and marvelously healed Naaman of his disease of leprosy. As he searched for help it was found through the simple testimony of a little slave girl who shared what she knew of God and Elisha, the prophet of God.

With great wealth and influential letter he addressed the King of Israel. Elisha had the king send Namann over to him. But, instead of actually meeting Naaman, Elisha sent out his servant Gehazi to tell him to wash 7 times in the river Jordan. We talked about this important lesson in humility and submission to obedience and faith in God's word.

As Naaman came out cleansed of leprosy, he recognized this is God's work. He is the only true God.

All money, influence, power and position didn't help this man one bit. He believed and accepted the terms of the healing. He knew he didn't have many options, so at that point he acted. Now he desired to worship God, for God had graciously met him at his point of need. We've talked about his before but grace is something given that one does not deserve. The sinner did not deserve to be cleansed of sin, but by grace of God forgives. Naaman didn't deserve to be cleansed of leprosy, but he was. He received grace from God.

You cannot pay for grace or it wouldn't be grace. Naaman wanted to pay Elisha. Elisha realized Naaman needed to know that God was not impressed with our gifts. Indeed we must desire God's gifts. But his gifts are given out of love.

That is a picture of salvation of course. The cross of Jesus is a gift from above. Jesus died for your sin and mine. We are full of sin and have nothing of interest to offer God, but by grace he desires to have us respond by faith and obedience to cleanse us from all our unrighteousness. It is the grace of God to have Jesus take our pain and suffering and make us candidates for heaven. We can't pay for our salvation, we can't do enough good deeds; we cannot pass the offering plate enough to earn our way. The poorest and the most simple of people come to the cross the same way as the most wealthy and intellectual. We come recognizing God's grace and we receive it by faith.

I read an illustration- Longfellow could take a worthless sheet of paper, write a poem on it and make it worth $6,000 that's genius. Rockefellow could sign his name to a piece of paper and make that worth a million dollars. That's capital. Uncle Sam can take gold, stamp an eagle on it and make it worthy hundreds of dollars, that's money. A mechanic can take material that is worth only $5.00 and make it worth $150.00 that's skill; and an artist can take a cheap piece of canvas, and paint a picture on it and make it worth $l,000s, that's art. But God can take worthless, sinful life, wash it in the blood of Christ, put his spirit in it and make it a blessing to himself and to humanity that is salvation by grace.

Money cannot attain such a blessing; money is so limited. It cannot buy sleep, brains, beauty, healthy, happiness, and most of all it cannot buy salvation. Heaven is a free gift. God gives us himself. We must accept Him by faith.

Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Weds May 26


Verses: 2 Kings 5: 15,17-19,23
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."

17 "If you will not," said Naaman, "please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the LORD.
18 But may the LORD forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I bow there also-- when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant for this."
19 "Go in peace," Elisha said. After Naaman had traveled some distance,

23 "By all means, take two talents," said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi.


The Response of Gratitude

It goes without saying that Naaman was grateful to Elisha for being the instrument God used for his healing. He wanted to express his thanksgiving by given money and clothes and fine gifts to him. Is there anything wrong for accepting a fee for religious services? Is it wrong to be paid for doing the Lord's work?

God got Naaman's heart. Thanksgiving and gratitude was real. He was sincere. Part of giving is not only worship, but a heart of gratitude to the Lord and others who help in teaching and ministering.

I remind you that Elisha saw himself as only a go-between and a voice of the Lord. He didn't even go out to meet Naaman. He only gave the message that God had given to him. To Elisha Namaan was only a leper needing the grace of God. Elisha was only the servant. He got his material rewards elsewhere.

Now don't misunderstand what I'm saying. Elisha and Elijah did receive gifts from people who offered them to the Lord. We saw that in the stories of widow and Shunamite woman; so it wasn't out of character for Elisha to accept a gift. Only it is important to realize that the acts of God and man are separate. God's gifts are free.

It is my conviction that the handling of money and gifts be carefully done because of high suspicion of financial abuse in our culture. Most ministers like myself are paid a salary voted on and approved by the church members. I do not know what anyone gives. Everyone member, or non-member, can look in the financial report and know what happens with the money. The handling of money is done solely by the elected officials of the church.

I am glad for the practices such as the Billy Graham evangelistic association that have strict record keeping requirements when it comes to money. It seems to be a waste to have expensive audits by outside firms, but if it assures integrity and openness then it's worth it.

I feel that if gratitude is sincere it will show itself in wanting to give. I believe each person touched by grace should give to the Lord as a means of worship and to carry on the work. Many Bible verses talk about that clearly, but let us not confuse receiving grace for payment.

In giving his life to God Naaman did not have any more desire to worship the false idols and pagan deities. He wanted the dirt so he might have a spot in Syria on which he would be able to worship and offer sacrifice to the God of Israel. Naaman knew the Lord now and wanted to worship Him. He didn't want to even acknowledge idols, but he did have an unusual request. Naaman wanted the privilege of taking back some dirt so he could worship the Lord God Jehovah of Israel. He wanted dirt from Israel thinking that somehow that represented the soil that belonged to God. You can't believe all the artifacts that are still sold from the Holy Land making these trinkets of more value because they are from the land on which Jesus walked. He shared with Elisha the awkwardness of being with the King while the King worshiped the gods of Syria. I realize that in the world in which Naaman lived he paid respect to the King and respect to the culture of the kingdom by having to bow before the pagan God when in the presence of the King. He asked forgiveness in advance and Elisha told him to go.

Personally I am more impressed with the commitment of Shaddrach Meshach and Abendego I am more in keeping with the faith of Daniel that refuses to compromise even before kings they actions, not to mention their heart. But they had a spiritual maturity and lived as the people of God in Israel before their captivity. They would not do what Naaman requests, but weak faith saves too. Namaan did not believe in the deity, but part of his job was to stand and bow with the king in his official duties. I think new believers are in process, but so are we all. There are things I did in my early years that I would not do now. God is gracious. He knew the heart of this new believer.

God is gracious. I hope that 10 years from now I would be a stronger follower of Jesus and His spirit will work on other areas of my life because God isn't finished working with me yet. That too is exciting.


Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Thurs May 27



Verses -2 Kings 5:20-24 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, "My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him."
21 So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. "Is everything all right?" he asked.
22 "Everything is all right," Gehazi answered. "My master sent me to say, 'Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.'"
23 "By all means, take two talents," said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi.
24 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left.


The Reaction of Greed.

The focus today is on the greedy reaction of the servant Gehazi. He decides secretly to go to Naaman and gets something from him. He schemed, lied, stole the money, and hid it. It is almost sacrilegious to say, "As surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him." He makes that sound like a vow and brings the Lord's name in his activity that is personal deception. Deceivers do that. Unfortunately, that action destroys the message that Elisha wanted to leave with Naaman.

Gehazi did wrong because it involved a serious injury to the cause of God's will. Elisha didn't want Naaman to think the blessing was related in any way to Namaan’s gift or works. He didn’t want to him to think it was because of his position, status or power. He needed to receive grace that he could not buy.

The material temptation became too much for Gehazi. It is easy to see what other people have, and desire more for yourself. It is easy to want more things.

This is true in our culture, which places so much attention on material goods and the value of being rich. Look at all sales of lottery tickets. The motivation is desire of lots of money with little investment. The more the winnings the greater number of people seek to get. Megabuck lotteries appeal to our greed. The world tells us we can have it all and do nothing to get it. It is a game. But friends it capture our desires and centers our hearts on the lust of money. I am continually fighting the personal battle of temptation of what I want and what I need. I need to ask is this how the Lord would have me spend my money? And many times, the wisdom of the world wins over contentment with what God has given to us.

Whatever we have, we think we need a little more. Our desire to get some thing is never fulfilled. Once we have purchased that great thing we thought would make us happy, soon or attention is on something else that we feel we must have. Desire is never satisfied. There is always something within that spirit of natural man that causes him to be unwholesomely competitive. We want more- a bigger house, better car, nicer neighborhood, another certificate or degree yet people are still unhappy.

In one study by Louis Harris and Associates they polled more than 5,000 children in public, private and parochial schools. They discovered that 65% of American high-school students say they would cheat on an important exam, while 53% would lie to protect a friend who vandalized school property. Unethical practices motivated by greed fill the philosophies around us.

Greed is on respecter of persons be it an unethical pastor, teacher, politician, or common thief. We see the abuse of greedy power with bankers and CEO’s of companies, not to mention the entertainment and sports field.

Psalm 37:4 is an often quoted verse "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." What prosperity gospel preachers fail to point out is the rest of this chapter is devoted to tell believers not to fret about the accumulation of things that evil people possess. The context of Psalm 37 indicates that God in his own good time will see that justice is done. "For the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous" (v.17.

The actual desire of the godly heart is totally different than the desire of the worldly heart. Do you know what the desire of a heart is, if they delight in the Lord? The desire is more of God!! If I delight in God then I want more of God. I will want more of His will, His ways, His love, His power, His peace, and His wisdom.

Beware of how greed for worldly things captures your attention.

Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Fri May 28


Verses 2 Kings 5: 25 Then he went in and stood before his master Elisha. "Where have you been, Gehazi?" Elisha asked. "Your servant didn't go anywhere," Gehazi answered.
26 But Elisha said to him, "Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money, or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants?
27 Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever." Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and he was leprous, as white as snow.


Retaining Guilt

Elisha knew the secret the Jesus taught. We gain by giving. One who had no place to lay His head wasn't concerned for acquiring worldly wealth. He gave His life. There have been so many people who have been spiritually ruined by the pursuit of material gain.

So many want to make it rich and ignore their spirit and soul. Many are like the rich man build greater and larger barns, but he was called the fool for unexpectedly he died and had to meet the Lord. His soul was required and He was unprepared to meet God. He was living a selfish life and not a Christ centered life. God has given some people advanced warning, but for others there is no advanced warning. Jesus asks, "What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world, but lose his own soul?"

Friends, our goal in life is not to have God and have all the blessing of this world also. All we have belongs to the Lord. It is His before we came and His after we leave this world. The TV set belongs to God. Are you using it the way he wants? Your computer is His. Your children are His. Your library and magazines are God’s. Do you read what He wants you to be reading? Do you look at your gifts that way?

One problem of stealing is the failure to understand our sin is against God. It is the lack of trust on Him and the lack of understanding that He choose to give something to someone else.

The guilt we can carry is not just thinking things are ours, but the desire to accumulate without thought or appreciation of our dependency on what God provides as an outreach of His mercy and grace.

God did not give to Gehazi the money and clothing. He took it unto himself under false pretense. It does not come with the blessing of God, but the manipulation of man. He is guilty. He did not steal from Namaan. Namaan gave it as a gift. He did not steal from Elisha. Elisha knew it wasn’t his. Gehazi stole from God. He did not provide that as a blessing to Gehazi. God was robbed of His glory.

God blesses us that we might be a blessing to Him and to others. The important thing is not what we have, but how we use it.People who eat, sleep, talk and live for their possessions will die by them. "Where your treasure is there is your heart also." Someone said, "Be careful what you go after in life, chances are you'll get it--but that may be all you get."

Gehazi got what he wanted and something more. Judgment fell. He got leprosy. Gehazi believed that he could carry out his selfish plan and it would be forever kept a secret. He left God out of the reckoning. He did not take into account that the living God who had healed Naaman of his leprosy could also reveal his sin to the prophet. He that covers his sin shall not prosper, but he who forsakes his sin and confesses it, and finds forgiveness for his sin thorough Jesus Christ, shall be saved.

There are people like Gehazi who can work in the very center of religious activity but whose heart is not really for God but on gold silver, position, and fame. How many in the church lust after something that is not God's best?

There is a place we can come with our guilt and our shame. It is also at the foot of the cross. What He has to give is so far greater. It awaits you today.

Pastor Dale

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