8. Witnessing a Conversion

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Hymns: 113 It is Glory to Walk with Him 112 Redeemed 111 Only a Sinner

 

Life of Elisha

(Serving Our Faithful God)

– Witnessing a Conversion

2 Kings 5:15-19

 

15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. 16 But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused. 17 And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules’ burden of earth? For thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD. 18 In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing. 19 And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.

 

OUTLINE

  • Confession of Faith (v15a)
  • Careful to Not Rob God of His Glory (v15b-16)
  • Commitment to Walk with God (v17-18)

 

INTRODUCTION

A man’s conversion involves a change of heart where there is repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). Repentance and faith comes together at conversion. At conversion, a person is given a new birth. God gives the convert a new nature. This spiritual birth involves a transformation of the heart. There is deep sorrow for one’s sin to receive the living and true God and faith to believe trust the redemptive work of Jesus Christ for the the salvation of the soul. The marred image of God of God in man as a result of sin is restored is restored by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the new convert. He henceforth should not serve sin but live in holiness and love toward God and men.

It is a glorious transformation, miraculous and permanent. The converted soul is changed forever. He is booked on a permanent ticket to heaven. He is snatched out of the torment of hell fire forever.

The appetite and desire for this world suddenly wanes and replaced by the desire for holiness and heaven. This is the power of a true conversion. There is no longer a longing for the things of the world.

I recall the music of the world no longer charms the heart but hymns that praise and glorify God now captivates and fill the heart with peace and joy. There is a marked change. There is a desire to worship God with the people of God in His house each Lord’s Day. There is a desire to come for prayer meeting. There is a desire to read God’s Word and pray. A new desire and a new appetite for the spiritual!

Elisha witnessed the conversion this gentile general, Naaman from Syria when God healed him of His leprosy. Elisha instructed him to wash himself in the Jordan River seven times. He hearkened to the prophet’s instruction and was miraculously healed. Following his healing, he was also converted to receive the God of Israel as the only one living and true God on earth.

This is the account…

  • Confession of Faith (v15a)
  • Careful to Not Rob God’s Glory (v15b-16)
  • Commitment to Walk with God (v17-18)

 

(1) Confession of Faith (v15a)

15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel:

We recall how Naaman was at first angry with Elisha for not coming to meet him personally and providing such a demeaning suggestion for him to wash in the dirty little Jordan River. He nevertheless hearkened to his servants counsel that he had nothing to lose in obeying Elisha’s instruction and was gloriously healed. It is a notable miracle.

2 Kings 5:11-14 (KJV) 11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? 14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Naaman took God at His Word and was richly blessed with his healing.

When we share the gospel with men and women, many consider it utter foolish to have faith in a crucified Jesus to be healed from the leprosy of sin.

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 (KJV) 23  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Romans 1:16 (KJV) 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Naaman must have felt foolish dipping himself six times in the Jordan and nothing happens. Nevertheless, he persisted and was healed at the seventh dip.

Like the army of Joshua marching around Jericho, who obeyed God’s divine military strategy, saw the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, experienced the power of God that day.

Naaman was so happy. No mortal physician could heal him but the God of Israel whom Elisha represented did. Imagine the elation and joy of this man when he saw his skin become whole again.

Leprosy is an infectious disease of the skin and nerves that lead to disability and blindness.  It is caused by bacteria attack on the body.  The bacteria multiply slowly, so the incubation period is about five years but can be up to 20 years. Naaman was dying a slow death as he sees his body withers away.

… Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel:

This is the power of the gospel that we share with others. It has the power to save us from hell fire and transport us to the bliss of heaven.

Naaman understood that the living and true God is the God in Israel. This is precisely the purpose of God in creating the nation of Israel. She was to point the nations of the world to the living and true God whom she worships.

The Apostle Paul described well the way to find true salvation in Romans 10:9-13 (KJV) 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 By the confession of Naaman, we can observe that he was soundly converted. He had faith in the God of Israel. He understood that this is the living and true God and none else. Naaman was saved by faith forward looking to Jesus the coming Messiah of Israel. And we in the New Testament time look backward in faith at the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross for our salvation. Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

Elisha was not the Saviour. He pointed Naaman to the Saviour to come Jesus Christ. He is the Saviour of the world.

Luke 5:12-16 (KJV) 12 And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. 14 And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. 16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

 We know that in Elisha’s time, there was a departing away from the faith among the people of Israel starting with her king. God did not leave Himself without a witness but raised prophets to stand in the gap to warn the nation of God’s impending judgment if they refuse to repent from their sin of apostasy.

As we saw in our text last week that God raised Syria to attack Israel as a judgment against His people!

2 Kings 5:1 (KJV) 1 Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.

This leads us to our second thought –

 

(2) Careful to Not Rob God of His Glory (v15b-16)

15…now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. 16 But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.

Elisha was God’ s servant, raised to point the nations to faith in the living and true God of Israel. And the servant was careful not to usurp the glory that is due unto God. It was not Elisha who healed the man but God who did so!

Like John the Baptizer, Elisha was careful, not to take any credit for himself. As John said, “He must increase and I must decrease.”

When Naaman offered Elisha a gift, he was careful not to accept it.

…But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.

He was careful not to give any inkling of thought that the healing came because of Elisha’s power. Elisha knew his place. He wanted to let Naaman know that his healing was divine. It cannot be bought with money!

John the Baptiser understood this truth and he was careful not to bring any glory to himself. This was John’s testimony recorded in John 3:26-36:

John 3:26-36 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. 32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John was careful to point the people to Christ. This was the focus of his ministry. Elisha refused to receive any personal gift from Naaman. He sought heavenly reward rather than earthly reward. Recall, Naaman came with much gold, silver and precious garments.

2 Kings 5:5 (KJV) 5 And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.

Elisha conveyed the message that the power of God cannot be bought with money. The Lord’s miracles are not for hire! This was God honouring. When Peter and John were sent by the apostles in Jerusalem to enquire the conversions taking in Samaria in Acts 8, they chided Simon Magus who offered money to buy God’s power. He was chided by Peter for the power of God, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, cannot be bought with money!

Acts 8:14-24 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

 When God used us to witness the gospel and men and women are converted, we learn a good lesson from Elisha to be careful not to take rob God of His glory or take any monetary rewards to give the impression that divine power can be bought with money!

 

(3) Commitment to Walk with God (v17-19)

17 And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules’ burden of earth? For thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.

It is significant that Naaman was asking for the soil of Israel to be brought back to Syria. He had shown disdained to Israel earlier boasting how the rivers of Damascus were superior to the insignificant Jordan River.

2 Kings 5:12 (KJV) 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.

His impression of the superiority of the Syrian god has been overturned with the healing that he received. He knew that the gods in Syria have not the power to heal him. They had no true power, no true gods.

Naaman made a commitment to worship the God of Israel. He would offer burnt offering only to the God of Israel. This was his conviction.

I recalled after my conversion when I came home, my mother stopped giving me food offered to idols. Somehow, she knew as a Christian, I cannot partake the food offered to idols. I did not from then take joss sticks to pray to the gods in my home.

This was according to teaching of God’s Word as recorded for Christians all the ceremonial laws of the Jews would not have to be followed.

Acts 15:20 (KJV) 20  But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Naaman is a man under authority his position was given to him by the Syrian king. And therefore he would be obliged at the king’s command to worship the Syrian god Rimmon.

18 In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.

He had a dilemma for he foresaw that the Syrian king would require him to worship Rimmon, the Syrian god. He begged for forgiveness. He is by no means worshipping the Syrian god. In his heart, he worships only the God of Israel.

Recall, when Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, she had a legitimate concern. Where should she worship? The Jews worshipped in Jerusalem. Tradition has it that for the Samaritans, “our fathers worship in this mountain”

 John 4:19-24 (KJV) 19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

There is no way she could be accepted to worship in Jerusalem. Where then could she worship? Jesus was prepared with an answer for her question – where should she worship? Our Lord gave her a “biblical” solution to her question – “God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” God is Spirit and not confined to the Temple in Jerusalem or the mountain in Samaria. You must worship God with wholehearted devotion “in spirit” and “in truth”.

19 And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.

Elisha’s response to Naaman was that he would depart in peace. Why did Elisha not counsel Naaman to be strong and take a stand for God? Did Elisha know that Naaman would take a stand when he is back home to worship only Israel’s God? Naaman apologized in advance for his transgression.

Perhaps Elisha knew Naaman was not ready with the conviction to take such a stand for the moment and he did not force the matter. The conviction must come from Naaman himself. No amount of coercing would help. This is a possible reason because Naaman understood it is wrong to worship other gods against his conscience. It’s just that he had not thought how he would have to deal with it.

 

CONCLUSION

  • Confession of Faith (v15a)
  • Careful to Not Rob God of His Glory (v15b-16)
  • Commitment to Walk with God (v17-18)

Praise God for Naaman’s conversion. Amen.