Date: SUN 7:00pm 14th September 2025
Preacher: Rev. Fred Greenfield
Bible Reference: 2 Kings 5:10
And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
Sermon Summary: The Salvation of a Stranger (2 Kings 5:1-15)
The sermon begins by directing the congregation to 2 Kings 5, a well-known passage recounting the story of Naaman, a Syrian general referred to as “General Naaman” when teaching children. The preacher frames the narrative as “the salvation of a stranger,” highlighting Naaman’s status as a Gentile, distinct from the Jewish Naaman mentioned in Genesis 46:21. The sermon draws on Jesus’ words in Luke 4:27, noting that among many lepers in Israel during Elisha’s time, only Naaman, a foreigner, was cleansed, underscoring God’s grace extending to all, regardless of background—Jew or Gentile, rich or poor.
The preacher structures the sermon around three uses of the word “behold” in the text, using them to explore Naaman’s journey and its spiritual implications for salvation:
1. Behold the Misery in Naaman’s Life (Verse 6)
Naaman is introduced as a highly esteemed figure: a captain of the Syrian army, honourable, victorious, and valorous. Yet, the critical detail is that “he was a leper” (verse 1). Leprosy, in biblical times, was a devastating, incurable disease, a “death sentence” that marked Naaman’s life with misery despite his achievements. The preacher compares this to the universal human condition: all are sinners, having “come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Just as Naaman’s leprosy overshadowed his greatness, sin afflicts everyone, regardless of status or accomplishments, and leads to spiritual death (Ezekiel 18:20).
The sermon highlights the role of a young Israelite slave girl, captured by the Syrians, who served Naaman’s wife. Despite her captivity, she remained faithful to God and suggested that Naaman seek the prophet in Samaria (Elisha), who could heal him. Her faith and courage serve as an example of sharing God’s hope even in adversity.
2. Behold the Mistakes in Naaman’s Life (Verse 11)
Naaman’s journey to healing is marked by several mistakes, reflecting common human errors in seeking salvation. First, he goes to the wrong person. Misinterpreting the slave girl’s advice, he approaches the king of Israel with a letter from the Syrian king, expecting the king to heal him. The king of Israel, distressed, tears his clothes, fearing a diplomatic ploy (verse 7). Elisha intervenes, directing Naaman to him, showing that only God’s appointed means can bring salvation, not human authority.
Second, Naaman comes with the wrong price, bringing 10 talents of silver, 6,000 pieces of gold, and 10 changes of raiment (verse 5), believing he can buy his healing. The preacher likens this to the mistaken belief that salvation can be earned through wealth, good deeds, or religious observance, citing 1 Peter 1:18-19, which states that redemption comes not with corruptible things like silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ.
Third, Naaman has the wrong expectations about the procedure. He expects a dramatic healing ritual, imagining Elisha would “stand and call on the name of the Lord his God and strike his hand over the place” (verse 11). Instead, Elisha sends a messenger instructing him to wash in the Jordan River seven times, which Naaman finds insulting, preferring the cleaner rivers of Damascus (Abana and Pharpar). His pride and preconceived notions lead him to leave in a rage. The preacher compares this to modern resistance to the simplicity of the gospel, where people rely on their good works or expect salvation on their terms, not God’s.
Naaman’s servants, like the slave girl, offer wise counsel, urging him to obey the simple command. They reason that if Elisha had asked for a great feat, Naaman would have complied; how much more should he follow a simple instruction? This challenges Naaman to humble himself and obey.
3. Behold the Miracle in Naaman’s Life (Verse 15)
Naaman eventually obeys, dipping himself seven times in the Jordan as instructed. His flesh is restored “like the flesh of a little child,” and he is cleansed (verse 14). Returning to Elisha, he declares, “Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel” (verse 15). This miracle transforms Naaman’s life, leading to confidence in God, confession of his faith, and consecration to the true God, turning from his idols.
The preacher draws a parallel to salvation: just as Naaman’s obedience led to physical cleansing, faith in Christ’s atoning blood cleanses from sin. Naaman’s story illustrates that salvation requires humility, obedience to God’s way, and trust in His provision, not human effort or expectations. The sermon references the hymn, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus,” reinforcing that only Christ’s sacrifice saves.
Application and Gospel Call
The sermon concludes with a passionate call to salvation, urging listeners to respond to God’s offer of grace. The preacher cites scriptures like Romans 10:13 (“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”) and 2 Corinthians 6:2 (“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation”). He warns against delaying repentance, as no one knows when Christ will return or when life will end (Revelation 22:12). Using the example of blind Bartimaeus, who called out to Jesus and was healed, the preacher invites the congregation to call on Christ for salvation.
The sermon also shares a personal anecdote about a Roman Catholic woman and her Protestant husband who came to faith through their children’s witness, illustrating that God often works in unexpected ways, contrary to human plans. Naaman’s story serves as a reminder that salvation is simple yet requires surrender to God’s method, not human reasoning or pride.
Closing Prayer
The sermon closes with a prayer thanking God for the gospel’s simplicity and power, as demonstrated in Naaman’s cleansing. The preacher asks for sinners to come to Christ, for backsliders to be restored, and for God’s blessing on His people. He invokes the grace, love, and fellowship of the Triune God to abide with the congregation until Christ’s return.
Key Themes
- Universal Need for Salvation: Naaman’s leprosy represents sin, a universal condition that affects all, regardless of status, and requires God’s intervention.
- God’s Grace to All: As a Gentile, Naaman’s healing shows that God’s salvation is available to everyone, not just the chosen people.
- Humility and Obedience: Naaman’s pride nearly prevented his healing, but his obedience to God’s simple command brought a miracle, mirroring the need to trust Christ alone for salvation.
- Simplicity of the Gospel: The sermon emphasises that salvation is not earned through works, wealth, or rituals but received through faith in Christ’s sacrifice.
- Urgency of Response: The repeated use of “behold” underscores the urgency of responding to God’s call now, as eternity is uncertain.
This sermon uses Naaman’s story to present a clear, evangelistic message, encouraging listeners to seek salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, trusting in His blood for cleansing from sin.
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