Conquering Fear… For Your Fresh Start
2 Kings 5:1-14
Let me ask… do you ever struggle with allowing fear to preoccupy your thoughts and attention? Well this morning I would like for us to take a minute and imagine what life could be like if we are able to subdue the fear that so often takes us hostage. I want you to think about what your life could indeed be like if you could learn how to overcome the fears that so often paralyze you. And you know… it is possible to overcome your fears. You don’t have to simply roll over and take it and continue to be a victim of your fears.
We are in a new series called “Fresh Starts” and we are looking at some principles that if applied can help us gain a fresh start in life. Perhaps you are in need of a fresh start as a husband or wife, a mom or a dad, or even in your commitment to Christlikeness. Last week we discovered that a Fresh Start begins by making a commitment to Personal Purity. It is my hope that you have looked at your life a little differently this week and you have made some adjustments that help you to more accurately reflect God with your life.
This morning it is my desire to help you take another step toward the fresh start that you both desire and need in your life. My hope is that you will see that God truly wants to rejuvenate your life with a fresh start, but the problem is we have to be willing to make adjustments in our lives. You see, last week we looked at making a commitment to purity. This week we are going to take a look at another commitment we have to make if we are going to press on in our journey for a new beginning. And making this commitment will not only help us to stay on track but it will also enable us to overcome the fears that sometimes cause us to settle for less than God’s best.
The commitment I am speaking of is a commitment to obedience. Please don’t forget that God blesses obedience. However, I don’t want you to think that our soul motivation for obedience is blessings. No we have so many other reasons to obey God. For example, we should want to obey simply because of who God is, and we recognize that He is worthy of our obedience. Second, we should want to obey because we trust that in His infinite knowledge God knows what is best for us. Finally, we should obey out of a deep love for the God who loves us without conditions.
This morning we are going to take a look at a man who struggled in making a commitment to obeying God’s message. This man was at a crossroad. Either he would courageously obey and discover a dramatically different life or he would cower in fear and never know what his life could be like, know God’s best for him.
Turn with me to 2 Kings 5 this morning and let’s begin reading at verse 1.
“Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.” (verse 1 ESV)
Let’s look at whom we are talking about here. Naaman, was a highly respected military officer in the Syrian army who led his armies to many victories. However, he did have one major problem in his life… he suffered from leprosy. A vicious disease that reduces an individual to a grotesque figure and causes him to become an outcast in society.
“Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” (vv. 2-4 ESV)
Now we learn about a young maid that the Syrians had captured. She obviously had a good upbringing because she never forgot the power of God, the Lord of Israel. This maid is certainly one of the unsung heroes of scripture because even as a slave she had a love for her captors and told Naaman’s wife of a prophet who could heal her husband. So Naaman, who probably felt helpless approached his king and sought his permission to go and see this prophet, Elisha.
“And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” (vv. 5-6 ESV)
It is obvious the king of Syria loved and respected Naaman and therefore sent him on his way with a letter of recommendation and the equivalent of $5 million dollars to take to this prophet.
“And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.” (v. 7 ESV)
Interesting reaction from the king of Israel because he thinks this is a trick that will lead to a battle between the Syrian Army and the Armies of Israel. Just don’t forget that his reaction is more of a reflection on how far his faith in God had dwindled more than anything else. So while the king is trembling, Elisha is preparing for a miracle.
“But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.” (v 8 ESV)
“So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” (vv. 9-10 ESV)
So Naaman finally makes it to the home of the prophet. Elisha expecting Naaman sends out a messenger with the instructions to go and wash seven times in the Jordan River, and his flesh would be healed of the leprosy. Cool right? Wrong! Let’s look at Naaman’s response…
“But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” (vv. 11-13 ESV)
Naaman was angry, some would even say furious. Not only did this prophet disrespect him by not coming out of the house but he asked him to do something that made absolutely no sense. What we learn about Naaman is that he is a lot like us. You see, like Naaman, we too desire God to work in our lives BUT we want God to do it OUR WAY. But thank goodness Naaman’s servants had good sense and talked him into following the prophet’s directions. After all, I bet they were saying, “Listen we have come this far… what can it hurt?”
“So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” (v. 14 ESV)
This is such an awesome story in scripture! Through it we learn that obedience is essential in order for God to move in our lives. But we also learn that obedience can be difficult! Let’s really consider the struggle that Naaman had and see if we can’t flesh out some principles that could help us to be more committed to obeying God in 2012.
First, Fear Can Influence Our Faith…Positively!
Let’s take a look at Naaman’s life and ask the question, “What was his greatest struggle?” What do you think consumed his thoughts? Do you think he was preoccupied with fears of losing his reputation or position of stature in life? I don’t think that is what he struggled with the most. I think his greatest struggle was wrestling with a disease that threatened his life. After all, when a person was diagnosed with leprosy back then, it was a death sentence because it was truly terminal.
You see, I think whenever Naaman evaluated his life he wasn’t thinking, “I need more money, that would do the trick” or even “if I could just get more power from the king… that would take care of my problems.” You see what Naaman needed more than anything else was outside the scope of his authority and abilities. Naaman needed a cure. Therefore, if Naaman was going to find a cure he had to get to the point of realizing that he was in a situation where no amount of money, respect, power or prestige could make a difference. Naaman was getting to the end of himself, and therefore was willing to go see the prophet.
I think that is often how God works in our lives. We have to get to the end of ourselves and our abilities before we will truly respond positively toward God. Before we will turn to Him in faith and seek His power and His work in our lives. Therefore, we need a change of perspective. We have to stop seeing our problems as obstacles to happiness and start seeing them as an opportunity for God to stretch our faith and work powerfully in our lives.
Second, OBEY Even if God’s Request Seems Unreasonable.
Naaman, was furious and had no desire to follow the prophets instructions. First, because he felt dissed by the prophet because he stayed in his house. Second, because the instructions were unreasonable. After all, why should Naaman go wash in a dirty river whenever there were sparkling clean waters back in Syria? I can understand that! That is why I would never go Hillbilly Hand Fishing!
We have to understand one truth that scripture often teaches, “that God will often ask us to do what seems to us to be unreasonable and impractical. But you will never understand the true joy that comes with obedience if you just stand around and debate God about His instructions as if you actually know what is best for your life.
I’m not exactly sure why Naaman was so bent out of shape. Perhaps his pride was getting the best of him because Elisha didn’t rush out to greet the foreign dignitary. Maybe Naaman’s anger got the best of him because his expectations about what Elisha would do weren’t met, and besides that Elisha asked him to bathe in a dirty, filthy river. Or maybe it was just a simple case of unbelief. It may have been that he was so beaten up by his disease that he just could believe that the God of Israel could actually heal him. I don’t know the exact reason… perhaps it is a combination of all of these reasons.
But I do know this… if he hadn’t dealt with these obstacles he would never have found the healing that he desperately craved. And you know… if we don’t learn to deal with our obstacles to obedience (pride, unbelief, anger, fears) we too will never find God’s best for our lives. You see, the key to Naaman’s healing was obedience. The key to overcoming the plague on his life was obedience. The key to finding God’s miraculous best for his life was obedience. And this same truth applies to us today.
Let me ask, “Have you done what God has asked you to do regarding that area of life in which you need a fresh start?” You can debate till you are blue in the face but you will never win. It is my prayer and hope for all of us that we will get to the end of ourselves and obey God’s directions for our lives.
Third, Your Obedience Will Always Encourage Others
Think about this for just a second… What kind of ripple effect do you think Naaman’s obedience made? You see, Naaman’s healing not only impacted his own life, but the life of his servants, the king of Syria, and (since he was a well respected leader) most likely an entire nation. Just think about it… the obedience & healing of Naaman was a great testimony to the power of God that had a far-reaching effect!
In 2012, it is my hope that the mighty work of God will be felt in your life and that your testimony to God’s greatness will create a vast ripple effect. And you know, in today’s world that can happen. How many of us routinely see on social media sites stories of God at work in places that we have never heard of or can even pronounce?
You see, obeying God is not just about you, it is about glorifying God in your life, and allowing your life to become a part of His great plan. The more you obey, the more you glorify God and the more God uses your life to encourage others to obey and experience God’s blessings.
Conclusion
Let me ask again “are you doing what God has asked you to do?” If not, then you really can’t expect God’s power and blessings in your life. So let me ask again “are you doing what God has asked you to do?” Are you doing what God is asking you to do as a husband or a wife? Are you doing what God is asking you to do as a parent? Are you doing what God is asking you to do as a servant of His, a child of God so you can grow in His likeness? These are all legitimate questions if we are going to truly experience God’s best.
This morning, if you are not doing what God asks in any or all of these areas I want you to remember that your fear doesn’t have to be terminal… it can inspire you to turn to God and obey His instructions even if they don’t make sense to you. Because when you do it will not only impact your life but it will encourage others to obey God as well.
This morning, I want to ask you to make a commitment to Obedience… in all things and let’s watch God work!
2 Kings 5:1-14
Let me ask… do you ever struggle with allowing fear to preoccupy your thoughts and attention? Well this morning I would like for us to take a minute and imagine what life could be like if we are able to subdue the fear that so often takes us hostage. I want you to think about what your life could indeed be like if you could learn how to overcome the fears that so often paralyze you. And you know… it is possible to overcome your fears. You don’t have to simply roll over and take it and continue to be a victim of your fears.
We are in a new series called “Fresh Starts” and we are looking at some principles that if applied can help us gain a fresh start in life. Perhaps you are in need of a fresh start as a husband or wife, a mom or a dad, or even in your commitment to Christlikeness. Last week we discovered that a Fresh Start begins by making a commitment to Personal Purity. It is my hope that you have looked at your life a little differently this week and you have made some adjustments that help you to more accurately reflect God with your life.
This morning it is my desire to help you take another step toward the fresh start that you both desire and need in your life. My hope is that you will see that God truly wants to rejuvenate your life with a fresh start, but the problem is we have to be willing to make adjustments in our lives. You see, last week we looked at making a commitment to purity. This week we are going to take a look at another commitment we have to make if we are going to press on in our journey for a new beginning. And making this commitment will not only help us to stay on track but it will also enable us to overcome the fears that sometimes cause us to settle for less than God’s best.
The commitment I am speaking of is a commitment to obedience. Please don’t forget that God blesses obedience. However, I don’t want you to think that our soul motivation for obedience is blessings. No we have so many other reasons to obey God. For example, we should want to obey simply because of who God is, and we recognize that He is worthy of our obedience. Second, we should want to obey because we trust that in His infinite knowledge God knows what is best for us. Finally, we should obey out of a deep love for the God who loves us without conditions.
This morning we are going to take a look at a man who struggled in making a commitment to obeying God’s message. This man was at a crossroad. Either he would courageously obey and discover a dramatically different life or he would cower in fear and never know what his life could be like, know God’s best for him.
Turn with me to 2 Kings 5 this morning and let’s begin reading at verse 1.
“Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.” (verse 1 ESV)
Let’s look at whom we are talking about here. Naaman, was a highly respected military officer in the Syrian army who led his armies to many victories. However, he did have one major problem in his life… he suffered from leprosy. A vicious disease that reduces an individual to a grotesque figure and causes him to become an outcast in society.
“Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” (vv. 2-4 ESV)
Now we learn about a young maid that the Syrians had captured. She obviously had a good upbringing because she never forgot the power of God, the Lord of Israel. This maid is certainly one of the unsung heroes of scripture because even as a slave she had a love for her captors and told Naaman’s wife of a prophet who could heal her husband. So Naaman, who probably felt helpless approached his king and sought his permission to go and see this prophet, Elisha.
“And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” (vv. 5-6 ESV)
It is obvious the king of Syria loved and respected Naaman and therefore sent him on his way with a letter of recommendation and the equivalent of $5 million dollars to take to this prophet.
“And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.” (v. 7 ESV)
Interesting reaction from the king of Israel because he thinks this is a trick that will lead to a battle between the Syrian Army and the Armies of Israel. Just don’t forget that his reaction is more of a reflection on how far his faith in God had dwindled more than anything else. So while the king is trembling, Elisha is preparing for a miracle.
“But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.” (v 8 ESV)
“So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” (vv. 9-10 ESV)
So Naaman finally makes it to the home of the prophet. Elisha expecting Naaman sends out a messenger with the instructions to go and wash seven times in the Jordan River, and his flesh would be healed of the leprosy. Cool right? Wrong! Let’s look at Naaman’s response…
“But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” (vv. 11-13 ESV)
Naaman was angry, some would even say furious. Not only did this prophet disrespect him by not coming out of the house but he asked him to do something that made absolutely no sense. What we learn about Naaman is that he is a lot like us. You see, like Naaman, we too desire God to work in our lives BUT we want God to do it OUR WAY. But thank goodness Naaman’s servants had good sense and talked him into following the prophet’s directions. After all, I bet they were saying, “Listen we have come this far… what can it hurt?”
“So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” (v. 14 ESV)
This is such an awesome story in scripture! Through it we learn that obedience is essential in order for God to move in our lives. But we also learn that obedience can be difficult! Let’s really consider the struggle that Naaman had and see if we can’t flesh out some principles that could help us to be more committed to obeying God in 2012.
First, Fear Can Influence Our Faith…Positively!
Let’s take a look at Naaman’s life and ask the question, “What was his greatest struggle?” What do you think consumed his thoughts? Do you think he was preoccupied with fears of losing his reputation or position of stature in life? I don’t think that is what he struggled with the most. I think his greatest struggle was wrestling with a disease that threatened his life. After all, when a person was diagnosed with leprosy back then, it was a death sentence because it was truly terminal.
You see, I think whenever Naaman evaluated his life he wasn’t thinking, “I need more money, that would do the trick” or even “if I could just get more power from the king… that would take care of my problems.” You see what Naaman needed more than anything else was outside the scope of his authority and abilities. Naaman needed a cure. Therefore, if Naaman was going to find a cure he had to get to the point of realizing that he was in a situation where no amount of money, respect, power or prestige could make a difference. Naaman was getting to the end of himself, and therefore was willing to go see the prophet.
I think that is often how God works in our lives. We have to get to the end of ourselves and our abilities before we will truly respond positively toward God. Before we will turn to Him in faith and seek His power and His work in our lives. Therefore, we need a change of perspective. We have to stop seeing our problems as obstacles to happiness and start seeing them as an opportunity for God to stretch our faith and work powerfully in our lives.
Second, OBEY Even if God’s Request Seems Unreasonable.
Naaman, was furious and had no desire to follow the prophets instructions. First, because he felt dissed by the prophet because he stayed in his house. Second, because the instructions were unreasonable. After all, why should Naaman go wash in a dirty river whenever there were sparkling clean waters back in Syria? I can understand that! That is why I would never go Hillbilly Hand Fishing!
We have to understand one truth that scripture often teaches, “that God will often ask us to do what seems to us to be unreasonable and impractical. But you will never understand the true joy that comes with obedience if you just stand around and debate God about His instructions as if you actually know what is best for your life.
I’m not exactly sure why Naaman was so bent out of shape. Perhaps his pride was getting the best of him because Elisha didn’t rush out to greet the foreign dignitary. Maybe Naaman’s anger got the best of him because his expectations about what Elisha would do weren’t met, and besides that Elisha asked him to bathe in a dirty, filthy river. Or maybe it was just a simple case of unbelief. It may have been that he was so beaten up by his disease that he just could believe that the God of Israel could actually heal him. I don’t know the exact reason… perhaps it is a combination of all of these reasons.
But I do know this… if he hadn’t dealt with these obstacles he would never have found the healing that he desperately craved. And you know… if we don’t learn to deal with our obstacles to obedience (pride, unbelief, anger, fears) we too will never find God’s best for our lives. You see, the key to Naaman’s healing was obedience. The key to overcoming the plague on his life was obedience. The key to finding God’s miraculous best for his life was obedience. And this same truth applies to us today.
Let me ask, “Have you done what God has asked you to do regarding that area of life in which you need a fresh start?” You can debate till you are blue in the face but you will never win. It is my prayer and hope for all of us that we will get to the end of ourselves and obey God’s directions for our lives.
Third, Your Obedience Will Always Encourage Others
Think about this for just a second… What kind of ripple effect do you think Naaman’s obedience made? You see, Naaman’s healing not only impacted his own life, but the life of his servants, the king of Syria, and (since he was a well respected leader) most likely an entire nation. Just think about it… the obedience & healing of Naaman was a great testimony to the power of God that had a far-reaching effect!
In 2012, it is my hope that the mighty work of God will be felt in your life and that your testimony to God’s greatness will create a vast ripple effect. And you know, in today’s world that can happen. How many of us routinely see on social media sites stories of God at work in places that we have never heard of or can even pronounce?
You see, obeying God is not just about you, it is about glorifying God in your life, and allowing your life to become a part of His great plan. The more you obey, the more you glorify God and the more God uses your life to encourage others to obey and experience God’s blessings.
Conclusion
Let me ask again “are you doing what God has asked you to do?” If not, then you really can’t expect God’s power and blessings in your life. So let me ask again “are you doing what God has asked you to do?” Are you doing what God is asking you to do as a husband or a wife? Are you doing what God is asking you to do as a parent? Are you doing what God is asking you to do as a servant of His, a child of God so you can grow in His likeness? These are all legitimate questions if we are going to truly experience God’s best.
This morning, if you are not doing what God asks in any or all of these areas I want you to remember that your fear doesn’t have to be terminal… it can inspire you to turn to God and obey His instructions even if they don’t make sense to you. Because when you do it will not only impact your life but it will encourage others to obey God as well.
This morning, I want to ask you to make a commitment to Obedience… in all things and let’s watch God work!
