2. 2 Kings 6 - 7  Syria was fighting against Israel

3. Samaria

4. 2 Kings 6 - 7  Syria was fighting against Israel  Israel was starving  Food was scarce and expensive  Woman asked the King to help  Threatened Elisha the prophet

5. Elisha Predicted: Tomorrow food will be cheap Have all you need Officer said: “If the Lord would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” Elisha said: “You shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it.”

6. “And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?” 2 Kings 7:3  Starving to death  Go to the army of the Syrians  If we die, we die Went to the Camp at twilight  No one was there  God made a noise of armies coming  Syrian army fled

7. The Camp was empty Left everything Lepers found food, clothing, silver and gold Went back and told the King Thought it was a trick Checked and found it to be true People went out to camp and got food Price dropped Office trampled to death

8. 2 Kings 7:9 “Then they said to one another, "We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king's household.”

9. Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Mark 16:15 “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

10. Four Lepers Were starving - Now had food Hopeless -------- Now filled with enthusiasm Were Sad ------- Now Happy and glad “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent.” 2 Kings 7:9 a

11. Application to Us We have more in comparison Physical & Temporal ------- Spiritual & Eternal Freed from hunger --------- Free from Sin Are we going to remain silent ? “So, as much as in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.” Romans1:15

12. Lepers knew what the people needed Food We know the needs of dying men today Have the bread of life Starving but do not know it “Glad tidings” = We have obeyed Gospel

13. “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:68 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

14. “If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us.” 2 Kings 7:9 We must teach the Gospel Either go backward or forward Go to work for Christ Not saved just for what we get from it. We are saved to serve

15. “…woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 1 Cor. 9:16 “…will save both yourself and those who hear you.” 1 Tim. 4:16

16. Most Christians will not tell others Talk about everything except Christ weather, news, politics, family “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ” Rm.1:16

17. Ezekiel 33:8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

18. Lepers came to camp of the Syrians  Deserted  God made a noise of armies coming  Fled leaving everything  Had food to eat Not well that we delay going to tell others.

19. Let us go and tell others They are dying in Sin We have the gospel that will save them

20. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249evanscoc@bellsouth.netwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Morning December 8, 2013