The Sovereign, Gracious Work of God

The Sovereign, Gracious Work of God: 2 Kings #07

Exposition of Second KingsThis is an exposition of 2 Kings 5:1-27. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, July 17, 2016.

Intro:

He had it all; position, power, esteem, success..and leprosy.  His condition was bad enough to illicit sympathy and to cause him to seek a cure.  In the ancient world the term leprosy was used for a number of skin diseases.  The term itself does not imply the most extreme form we think of when we hear the term.  It did not require him to live in a leprosy colony or cause him to live apart from people.  Nevertheless it was a condition from which one sought deliverance.  It was especially galling to this proud military leader.  After all he was commander of the army of the king of Syria.  A great man in high favor with his master.  At the urging of a nameless servant girl he sought relief from the man of God in Israel.  His story is recorded for us in the 5th chapter of 2 Kings.

Text: 2 Kings 5:1-27

It is the prophet Isaiah who reminds us God’s ways are not our ways.  Neither are His thoughts our thoughts.  This story is a perfect example of that principle.  A nameless slave girl taken captive plays a pivotal role in this drama.  The king of God’s people is clueless about the working of God.  The prophet snubs the official delegation from a foreign nation.  Healing comes from dipping 7 times in a muddy river.  The result is s pagan thoroughly transformed.  As we work our way through the story we are reminded that…

Thesis: The working of God’s sovereign grace is comforting and yet troubling.

There are 5 principles I want to point from this encounter with God’s grace.

  1. Our God is sovereign over all things.  (5:1-4)
  2. It is possible to be near the things of God and yet be utterly godless.  (5:5-8)
  3. The way of God is shocking and offensive to sinful minds and hearts.  (5:9-14)
  4. The work of God’s transforming grace is undeniable.  (5:15-19)
  5. Distorting God’s grace proves disastrous.  (5:20-27)Conclusion:
    The grace of God is marvelous and dangerous.  Dangerous when it is obscured.
    Thus…The working of God’s sovereign grace is comforting and yet troubling.
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