1. The Pleasant Man Who Went Away in a Rage 2 Kings 5:1-14
Lessons From A Leper
The Pleasant Man
Who Went Away in a Rage
2 Kings 5:1-14

2. Attitude and God’s Word
Proper attitudes are very important when it comes to dealing with God’s word
Many reject or misunderstand God’s word because their attitude is not right

3. Attitude and God’s Word
Who was he? A captain; honorable and mighty; leper; a caring servant; came to Elisha for healing
What can Naaman teach us? Let us consider his 5 attitudes toward the word of God

4. 1. The “I’m Angry” Attitude
Naaman was angry because he heard something he didn’t want to hear
Like the Jews who heard Jesus (Lk. 4:27-29)

5. 1. The “I’m Angry” Attitude
Like the prodigal’s brother (Lk. 15:28) or the Gentiles who heard Paul (Acts 19:28)
We must be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath (Jas. 1:19-20)

6. 2. The “I Thought” Attitude
Naaman expected something different than what he was told
Like Abraham who “thought” it was o.k. to lie (Gen. 20:11)

7. 2. The “I Thought” Attitude
Like the Israelites during the period of the Judges (Judges 17:6; 21:25)
Like Saul who “thought” he should persecute Christians (Acts 26:9)

8. 2. The “I Thought” Attitude
Many today expect something different when it comes to salvation, worship, morality, etc.
Our thoughts stand in the way to obedience and they need to be removed (2 Cor. 10:5)

9. 2. The “I Thought” Attitude
God’s thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa. 55:8-9; Prov. 16:25)

10. 3. The “I Expect More” Attitude
Naaman thought dipping was too simple; he expected some type of special ceremony – expected something “great”
Like those who followed Jesus expecting more food (Jn. 6:26,66)

11. 3. The “I Expect More” Attitude
Many today expect more or “great” things when it comes to religion and what the Lord’s church offers in preaching, plan of salvation, worship, in work, in organization, etc.
We must not expect more than what God offers (2 Jn. 9)

12. 4. The “I’m Complaining” Attitude
Naaman had leprosy but he complained about having to dip in that old, dirty Jordan River as the cure; he wanted to substitute his own river and cure
Also called the “I’ve got a better way” attitude

13. 4. The “I’m Complaining” Attitude
Today, many complain about the Lord’s cure for sin, Christian duties, etc. (1 Jn. 5:3)
Today, many want to substitute their own religion (2 Tim. 1:13; 2:2; 3:14; 4:2-3)

14. 4. The “I’m Complaining” Attitude
We must do all things without murmuring and complaining (Phil. 2:14)
What is the “better” way? “To obey is better” (1 Sam. 15:22)

15. 5. The “According to God” Attitude
Naaman finally stopped being foolish, humbled himself, and did “according to the saying of the man of God” and he was clean
Consider the role of the servant in v. 13

16. 5. The “According to God” Attitude
Like Noah (Gen. 6:22) or the Levites who bore the ark (1 Chron. 15:15)
This attitude is a must if we are to be pleasing to God (Mt. 7:21; Lk. 6:46; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Heb. 5:8-9)

17. What Is Your Attitude Today…
“I’m Angry”?
“I Thought”?
“I Expect More?”
“I’m Going to Complain/Better Way?”
“I’m Going to Obey According to God?”