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II KINGS 5:13

WASH AND BE CLEAN

Intro: The story of Naaman.

I. IN THE SCRIPTURES LEPROSY IS USED AS A TYPE FOR SIN.
        A. By human efforts it was incurable. 
                1. The only hope was a divine act of God. 
                2. Note the king's reaction to Naaman's coming - vs. 7
                   "Am I God."
                3. To remove sin or guilt impossible by human effort.
                        a. Wishes are vain.
                        b. Resolves are futile Rom.7
                        c. Promises are empty.
        B. Leprosy was progressive.
                1. It began at the extremities and progressed until it
                   reached a vital  organ.
                2. So sin is progressive.
                        a. You cannot just sin in moderation.
                        b. No one taking the first fix intended to get
                           hooked.
                        c. None of the 51/2  million alcoholics in the
                           U.S. today  planned to be.
                        d. "Just once won't hurt"-deadly type.
        C. Leprosy was always fatal.
                1. It was like a death sentence hanging over you.
                        a. In a matter of time it would be executed.
                2. so the soul that sinneth shall surely die.
                        a. The sentence is already given.
                        b. Jesus said He did-not come into the world
                           to condemn the  world, it was condemned
                           already.

II. NAAMAN WAS A LEPER.
        A. He had a lot of great traits.
                1. He was the captain of the Syrian army.
                        a. Was very courageous and had brought great
                           victories.
                2. He was highly respected by the king.
                        a. He was a very honorable man.
                        b. A "Mr. Syria"  the all-Syrian boy.
        B. But he was a leper.
                1. Despite his bravery he was doomed. 
                2. Despite his honor his days were numbered.
                3. Desperate men will grasp at straws, so he carne
                   to Israel in hopes  of healing.
        C. Note his response to the prophet of God. 
                1. He was insulted and angry.
                        a. His presence always respected, people bowed to
                           him. This  prophet didn't even come out, but
                           sent his servant with  simple message.
                2. Just was in Jordan.
                        a. Ridiculous.
                        b. what good can that do?
                3. Cod doesn't always do things the way we anticipate.
                        a. Naaman was expecting a little show.
                        b. He would have thrilled at some great challenge.
                4. Grace is so hard to accept.
                        a. Just simply believe on Jesus. Christ and be
                           saved. 
                                1. "Lord, I'll buy my way in."
                                2. I'll work my way in.
                        b. No! Just wash and be clean.

III. NAAMAN'S CLEANSING.
        A. He was finally persuaded to just try.
                1. So it is simple.
                2. So you can't figure it out, just try it.
                3. And the 7th time his flesh came as a little child, baby
                   skin, and he  was clean.
        B. What a tragedy if he had not tried.
                1. Had he gone back to Syrla with his pride off ended and
                   angry Hell is full of people too proud to be saved.
                2. Returned still a leper. What happened Naaman? He
                   couldn't heal  me.