Sunday Sermon: Do not Stumble at your Miracle, July 5, 2020

We are confronted daily with forces we do not understand, hence, we should not allow ourselves to be flattered by Satan to lean on our own strength, pomp, or self-pride. To know what we cannot do for ourselves in challenging times is spiritual insight and to seek help from Gods in wisdom. Self-pride only reflects our lack of understanding and insensitivity to the challenges we face. Someone in crisis needs a savior and God is always there to help if we will ask Him.

Luke 4:27: (Additional reading 2 Kings 5:1-17)

27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

Jesus pressed the audience to realized that: (a) Salvation is not by might, (2) the Christian faith is to know Christ, and (3), Our faith can change the world

Salvation is not power or might

1. It is free and righteousness is by faith

   1. 1 Peter 1:18-19 … ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, … But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

   2. Acts 4:12- Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved

2. Faith is built on the word of God and not on spiritual exercises. Naaman’s knowledge of God was helped not only by the healing, but by the spoken word of the Lord through the prophet.

Heb 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him …

The Christian faith is to know God

Naaman’s struggles in the process came from intellectual and national pride.

1. Intellectually: The act of remission of his leprosy required submission on his own part as opposed to the miraculous act of laying hand of the preacher.

Nationally: Abana and Pharpar rivers might be cleaner rivers, but they were not the issues rather his obedience to God’s word was the issue.

1. Naaman was flattered by his ego, thinking that God will play ball on his own terms. Go WASH AND BE CLEAN, was so simple than he imagined that he stumbled over it and could not see it.

   1. In the text, leprosy represents sin, which there is no medical cure. It can only be remitted through immersion baptism

   2. His multi Million dollars gift were not enough, neither the personal audience of the preacher that he sought.

Our faith can change the world

1. Our God is incomprehensible. He uses ordinary people like the slave girl, and Naaman’s servant as guiding lights in the darkest moments.

   1. John 1:4-5 - In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

   2. Dan 11:32- … but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.

2. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: …

3. Be cognizant that the truth comes something from less visible people. So, do not hang your faith on big name preachers or big churches.

   1. Sin is like an incurable leprosy that money or recognition cannot cure. It can only be washed away by immersion baptism in name of Jesus Act 2:38,39

   2. Like Naaman, dip yourself in: (1) acknowledging your sins, (2) repenting from it, (3) confessing your faith in baptism, (4) justifying your faith for the forgiveness of sin, (5) reconciling with God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, (6) sanctifying yourself by His word unto holiness, and (7) redeeming yourself unto eternity with Christ

Your salvation is the miracle in front of you today, do not stumble at it because it is free.