“Life’s brighter when we plan for the future”

Real Man "And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.“ Luke 4:27

Sad Man Commander of the army Highly regarded Valiant soldier BUT “...he was a leper.”

Leprosy

Phoenicia Philistia Israel Ammon Moab Judah Jerusalem Dead Sea Galilee Jordan River © Divided Kingdom Edom Syria Samaria Mediterranean Divided Kingdom of Israel Naaman lived in Syria Maid from Israel Elisha lived in Samaria

Maid’s Suggestion Served Naaman’s wife “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! for he would cure him of his leprosy.”

Elisha calls for Him Tells the king of Israel: “Make the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel” 2 Kings 5:8 Messenger told him: “Go wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be cleansed.” 2 Kings 5:10

Mad Man V Angry = furious V. 12 – Rage = hot displeasure Prophet gave a simple way

Mad Man He will come out to me and stand He will call on name of the Lord his God Wave his hand over the spot and cure me

Mad Man Abana and Pharpar Better than Jordan “Couldn't I wash in them, and be cleansed ?”

Mad Man If told to do something difficult or expensive you would do it. Do that which is easy and will only take a short time to do.

Glad Man He dipped 7 times in Jordan River Flesh was like young boy – cleansed Returned to prophet and praised God

What leprosy is to the body Sin is to the Soul Leprosy destroys the Body Sin destroys the soul - Rom. 6:23

Comparison of Leprosy and Sin Begins Small Spreads over whole body Separated from God

Sad Man Sin cannot be removed by human means Separated from God

Mad Man Go away angry when told what to do “I thought” …in my opinion we should …God’s way is too simple

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. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Glad Man When we obey the commands Free from all sins Praise God – rejoice Happy when give our life to God

Do you have leprosy of the soul ? Do you have spots of infection ? Are you young and just entering sin ? Are you older and rooted in sin ? You need to be cleansed !!

GOD’S SIMPLE PLAN FOR SALVATION hear believe repent confess Rm.10:17 Mk16:16 LK. 13:3 Rm.10:10Rm.10:10