Sermon Recap 08.07.11

 

Guest speaker, Don McClure, taught on 2 Kings 5, expounding on the character of Naaman. Namaan struggled with pride before finally submitting to the prophet Elisha’s instructions for healing. Don elucidated that, in order for God to accomplish his great work in our lives, we need to recognize our own hopelessness, as exemplified by Namaan. Secondly, we need to come to a place of humility before we are able to receive God’s transformative touch, as conveyed in 2 Kings 5:13-14, for “[Naaman’s] servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash and be clean?’” So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” Rather than placing our hope in our own achievements and strength, God desires us to humble ourselves and place all our hope and trust in His faithfulness. Don reminds us that even through the most arduous trials, our desperation for answers should be directed to God. When we experience seemingly unendurable hardships, we can pray “Lord I give it to you; I trust in you; I use this for your glory, and therefore I am yours.” 

Take it Further

Next week, we will begin our study with 1 Corinthians 4:14, where Paul explains to the church, “I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.” Please join us Sunday at 9am or 11am at the Linfield campus, where the pastor will expound on this text.