3. There are TWO passages in the New Testament where the apostle Paul writes... Romans 15:4 – For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. I Corinthians 10:11 – Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

4. Certainly, this is true in the case of NAAMAN! From the story we learn that NAAMAN made many MISTAKES in his dealing with God; MISTAKES which are commonly made by PEOPLE TODAY. By studying the MISTAKES of NAAMAN we can learn what he did that was wrong and warn PEOPLE TODAY of not making the same MISTAKES. In the lesson, let’s look at some COMPARISONS...

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6. Leviticus 13:45-46 – Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, 'Unclean! Unclean!' 46 "He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. Naaman was a great and honorable man, but he was a LEPER... (Verse 1). LEPROSY was serious in Bible times... There was nothing Naaman could do, ONLY God could provide a CURE! Numbers 5:2 – Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper, everyone who has a discharge, and whoever becomes defiled by a corpse.

7. People today (because of choices) have a infectious disease called SIN... Romans 3:9 – What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Regardless of how great or honorable a person might be, only God can provide the forgiveness for SIN!

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9. Naaman had been informed to visit the PROPHET, but instead he was sent to the KING OF ISRAEL... (Verse 6). The KING OF ISRAEL did not have the power to heal Naaman’s leprosy... The KING OF ISRAEL could do nothing to help Naaman, only God’s PROPHET could help! Verse 3 – Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.” Verse 7 – “... Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy?

10. Notice where people today are GOING to try and get help... PRIEST – POPE – PREACHER Today people are going to EVERYTHING except JESUS... John 5:39-40 – You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. There is NOTHING or NOBODY who can improve on GOD’S PLAN in helping man! PARENTS – FRIENDS – TRADITION John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

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12. Naaman was told to WASH SEVEN TIMES in the RIVER JORDAN... (Verse 10). Naaman had to OBEY the instructions of God’s prophet TO BE CLEANSED!

13. People today must OBEY Christ to be forgiven of sins... Matthew 7:21 – Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Like Naaman, people today must learn that cleansing is CONDITIONAL! Luke 6:46 – But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? Hebrews 5:8-9 – though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

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15. Naaman DID NOT LIKE the instructions that he received... (Verse 11). The WORD used to describe Naaman’s feelings means... 7107 – “To crack off, i.e. (figuratively) burst out in rage:” – Strong's 7107 – “To be displeased, to be angry, to fret oneself, to be wroth” – Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon Naaman’s ATTITUDE did not change one thing about GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS!

16. People today become ANGRY when they hear things like... BIBLE BAPTISM When people won’t hear the truth, there is nothing that makes them more ANGRIER! THE ONE CHURCH Acts 22:16-17 – And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ Matthew 16:18 – And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against. Ephesians 4:4 – There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;

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18. Naaman had already figured out how he would be cured and NO OTHER WAY would do... (Verse 11). Regardless of what Naaman THOUGHT, he THOUGHT WRONG!

19. People today want to be saved, but only according to THEIR PLANS... FAITH ONLY Like Naaman, people today need to learn that you CANNOT HAVE IT YOUR WAY! James 2:24 – You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. CHURCH OF CHOICE Ephesians 5:23 – For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. CONVENIENCE – DO NOTHING I Corinthians 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

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21. Naaman wanted to SUBSTITUTE the RIVERS OF DAMASCUS for the JORDAN RIVER... (Verse 12). Naaman may have felt that the JORDAN was just to dirty, but that is what God’s prophet had INSTRUCTED!

22. Multitudes of people think they can be saved by SUBSTITUTING human things for the things of God... CREEDS – INSTEAD OF THE BIBLE Like Naaman, people today need to learn that there is no SUBSTITUTE for truth. II Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17. that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. DENOMINATIONS – INSTEAD OF THE ONE CHURCH Matthew 15:13 – But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.

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24. Naaman had to RECOGNIZE, ACCEPT, and OBEY God’s way, before he was cured from his leprosy... (Verse 14).

25. No man can be saved today until they BELIEVE God and render OBEDIENCE to His will... HEAR – Romans 10:17 Like Naaman, people today need to learn that there is blessings in OBEDIENCE! There is blessing in OBEDIENCE... Matthew 7:21 – Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. BELIEVE – John 8:24 REPENT – Luke 13:5 CONFESS – Romans 10:9-10 BAPTIZE – Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16

27. 1.What would Naaman have taken with him, if he had not WASHED himself SEVEN TIMES in the RIVER JORDAN? 2.What will YOU take with you, if you do not BELIEVE and OBEY the GOSPEL OF CHRIST? Don’t make the same MISTAKE that others are making today...