Encourage community

Topics: community, encouragement

I. Human sin shatters real freedom

A. Naaman was a gifted man with a deadly disease!

  1. Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man with his master, and highly respected because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man was also a valiant warrior, but he was a leper (2 Kings 5:1).
  2. Review 2 Kings 5:6-8.

B. People are marvelous beings with a deadly disease!



  1. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear (Isaiah 59:2).
  2. And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no man living is righteous (Psalm 143:2; see Romans 3:23; 6:23).

II. Human pride resists real freedom

A. Naaman's pride almost prevented his healing!

Review 2 Kings 5:11?13.

B. People often cling to pride that blocks spiritual healing!

  1. Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; assuredly, he will not be unpunished (Proverbs 16:5).
  2. The pride of man will be humbled and the loftiness of men will be abased; and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day (Isaiah 2:17; see Isaiah 13:11).

III. Humble faith restores real freedom

A. Naaman's obedience brought healing physically and spiritually!

Review 2 Kings 5:14-17.

B. Obedient faith restores real freedom and relationship with God!

See Titus 3:4-7 and John 8:31-36.

IV. Haughty greed forfeits real freedom

A. Gehazi pursued covetous greed that robbed him of real freedom!

Review 2 Kings 5:25-27.

B. We must be on guard against all forms of greed!

"Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions" (Luke 12:15; see Ephesians 5:1-3).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, July 5th, 2020