Sermon: A Series of Wrong Turns

I had the joy of sharing a message from 2 Kings Chapter 5 at our weekly outreach service last Thursday. It was a blessing to see people open their hearts to the Lord in response to the sermon and many more coming to the altar for prayer. The sermon, based around Naaman seeking God’s help for healing, covered 4 wrong decisions he took. Naaman was at the zenith of his military career but had a disease that was considered horrible at that time. It was leprosy (2 Kings 5:1). As a result of the wrong decisions he took in trying to find an answer, Naaman almost lost out on receiving an amazing miracle.

Naaman went to the wrong person

In 2 Kings 5:4-6 His servant, a captive girl from Israel, had recommended that Naaman visit the Prophet Elisha in Samaria to receive his healing (2 Kings 5:2-3). Naaman however, following the advice of his King, sought healing not through God, but from the King of Israel. What a bad mistake!! The letter his own King wrote to the King of Israel said, “With this letter, I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”

Naaman heard the right words but took the wrong turns!!

Palitha Jayasooriya

Whom are you looking to for your answer? Is it your boss? A religious leader? A political leader? An influential relative? A skilled Doctor? Thank God for the assistance they can give us but it is limited. Only God can make a complete difference in your life. The scripture says, “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans (Psalm 118:8)”.

Naaman tried the wrong method

In 2 Kings 5:5 Naaman and his King believed that they could buy the blessing of God with wealth and gifts!! The scripture says that they put together a substantial gift of gold, silver, and clothing. Maybe they were trying to bribe God with a blessing!!!

Similarly, Acts 8:18-24 carries a story about a renowned sorcerer named Simon who tried to buy God’s gifts with money. The rebuke this acclaimed magician received from the Apostle Peter as a result was a very strong one!!

What methods are you adopting to meet God? To receive His blessing and favor? The Bible shows us that God’s gifts are free but they certainly aren’t cheap. His salvation was won at the cost of the life of His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Therefore, all we need to do comes to Him in simple faith and we can receive His grace freely.

In Isaiah 55:8-9 God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Naaman was on the wrong road

Whereas Naaman should have been travelling on the road to Elisha’s residence, he was on the road to the palace of the King of Israel. He was headed in the wrong direction (verse 6)!

Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

The Bible also shows us that there are 2 roads we can walk on. One of them is very broad and is traveled by many, but it leads to eternal destruction. The other is narrow and is traveled by few, but it’s the one that leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14).

What about you? What road have you taken? Is it the road of good works that try to earn merit? The road that depends on witchcraft or astrology? The road to suicide? Does your road have the word ‘hopeless’ or ‘helpless’ written over it? Come to Jesus, and let Him plant your feet on the road that leads to all of God’s beautiful blessings; the road that leads to the cross where Jesus gave His life to win deliverance for all men.

Naaman received the wrong answer

There was no way the King of Israel could heal Naaman. In fact, he voiced deep frustration at such an absurd request as follows, “Am I, God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me (2 Kings 5:7).” Sure enough, there was nothing he could do to help. But the Prophet Elisha, hearing about the King’s predicament, sent for Naaman (verse 8).

When Naaman arrived at his home, Elisha didn’t even go out to meet him. He only sent word to Naaman to wash 7 times in the Jordan River to be healed. In anger, Naaman almost got on the wrong road again, but thankfully, in simple faith, he eventually followed Elisha’s advice (2 Kings 5:11-13). He was on the correct road at last! The result of his obedience was amazing healing (2 Kings 5:14)!!!

If you have taken wrong turns and wrong decisions in your life, maybe it’s time to come afresh to the cross of Jesus and receive His forgiveness, saving grace, and healing today. He is a Savior who can do amazing things in your life too!!!