Text: 2 Kings 5:15-27
Many Christians are very familiar with the expression—“your sin will find you out”. Those of us who have lived long enough know that this is true from our own personal experience. Moreover, the Bible clearly teaches this doctrine as well in the following passages: cf. Psalm 32:1-3; Proverbs 28:13; Galatians 6:7-8; 1 John 1:8-10; Revelation 14:13-14. In this particular text (2 Kings 5:15-27) we witness two very different responses to the grace of God—gratitude and greed. Naaman expresses gratitude for his healing from leprosy, and Gehazi indulges his greed when he longs for the riches of Naaman. In turn, both receive something that they did not expect—Naaman received compassion, and Gehazi received the consequences of his sin. There is an important lesson for us here! Let us all remember the necessary role that repentance plays within the Christian life.
WCF Shorter Catechism, Q. 87: What is repentance unto life?
A.: Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby the sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.
The Main Point of this Sermon:
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not proper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
1. Two Prisoners, (vs. 1-3)
§ The Leper Naaman
§ The Israelite Slave Girl
2. Two Kings, (vs. 4-8)
§ The King of Syria, Ben Hadad II
§ The King of Israel, Jehoram
3. Two Messages, (vs. 9-14)
§ The Necessity of Trusting God
§ The Importance of Humbling Yourself
4. Two Responses, (vs. 15-27)
§ Gratitude—which leads to Compassion (vs. 15-19a)
§ Greed—which leads to Consequences, (vs. 19b-27)
[podcast]http://www.download.covenantfamilychurch.net/2009/mp3/2009_7_19_hidden_plans_in_hopeless_situations_part_2.mp3[/podcast]