The Sovereign, Gracious Work of God: 2 Kings #07
This 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.
- Our God is sovereign over all things. (5:1-4)
- It is possible to be near the things of God and yet be utterly godless. (5:5-8)
- The way of God is shocking and offensive to sinful minds and hearts. (5:9-14)
- The work of God’s transforming grace is undeniable. (5:15-19)
- 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.