2 KINGS 5:1-4

HOME MISSIONARY

 

(INTRODUCTION: An interview with Amanda concerning her summer at Word of Life Camp.  Stress open-air outreach and working with the kids from urban areas.)

 

I chose to interview Amanda this morning because this summer she served as a "home missionary".  The young girl that we are going to meet in our message this morning was also a home missionary.

 

Read 2 Kings 5:1-4

 

Generally, when we think of missionaries, we think of those who go to foreign shores to share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  We support nine of these missionary families including the Forceys in Mexico, the Beairds in Russia, and the Halls in Papua New Guinea.

 

When we think of home missionaries we think of people sharing the Gospel in the United States. Of course all of those who have served as summer missionaries with Child Evangelism Fellowship fall into that category, as well as our CEF missionaries, Harold and Emma Schrack.

 

I call the girl we know as Naaman's maid, who's story we just read, a home missionary.  Even though she served in a foreign country, she served as God's messenger to the people around her.  It is in this sense, that I feel each and every one of us who know Christ as our Savior should be a home missionary.  Each of us comes in contact with a different set of people who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.  It is our job to serve as God's messengers, sharing God's good news with those around us.

 

Psalm 107:2 - Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

 

Colossians 4:5 - Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

 

There are so many without salvation that those of us who are saved need to buy up the time and strive to win them to Christ.   

   

As we tell the story of Naaman's Maid this morning, we want to see several things that made her a good home missionary.

 

SHE WAS INSIGNIFICANT

 

Vs. 2 - At this time Syria would send raiding parties into Israel and they would steal things and people.  On one of these raids, a young girl was taken captive and made a slave.

 

This girl was insignificant as far as the world was concerned.  She was probably one of several girls captured and brought back to be slaves.  She had no freedom.  She had no notoriety.  Other than providing cheap labor for the Syrians, she was of little worth.

 

She was insignificant to the world, but she was not insignificant to God.  God loved this girl.  God knew who she was and had a very important job for her to do.

 

You are not insignificant to God.  In fact God loved you so much that his Son died for your sins.  When you trust the risen Son of God as the only way to forgiveness and everlasting life, He forgives your sin, gives you new life now, and promises you an eternity in Heaven.  He also makes you one of his children.  You are no longer insignificant.

 

John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

 

Christian, Jesus tells you how significant you are in Luke 12:6-7

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

 

The exciting thing is that just as God used an insignificant maid thousands of years, ago, He enjoys using insignificant people today.

 

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 - For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: [27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; [28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: [29] That no flesh should glory in his presence.

 

God uses what the world might call foolish.

God uses what the world might call weak.

God uses what the world might call base.

God uses what the world despises.

Don't ever put yourself down, you are usable to the Lord Jesus!   

 

Think of the apostles.  They were a rag tag collection of fishermen, a tax collector, a revolutionary, and a few others who were "no names" in Israel!  God took this insignificant group of men and turned the world upside down!

 

There was once an insignificant shoe repairman named William Carey. He took the Gospel to India and became know as the "Father of modern missions."

There was an insignificant farmer's son who came to Christ, was called to Evangelism and is well known today. His name is Billy Graham.

There are insignificant men and women throughout the world who have witnessed to friends, neighbors, and family members, and have won them to Christ.

 

God used an insignificant slave. He can use you!

 

SHE WAS INSIGNIFICANT

SHE WAS RELOCATED BY GOD

 

Through no choice of her own, Naaman's Maid was taken away from her home, taken away from her family, taken away from her friends and all that was familiar. Did she want any of this to happen?  Of course not!  Does God approve of slavery? Of course not!  But God works through bad situations to perform His good!  

 

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

Joseph was another person relocated by God.  His brothers had sold him into slavery.  God worked through this hardship to eventually place him as Prime Minister of Egypt. As a result when famine hit Egypt, Joseph was the one who God used to prepare Egypt to be ready for the famine, and to save the lives of his father, brothers, and their families.   

Joseph was not bitter about the way he was treated.  Instead, he saw God at work during the situation.

 

Genesis 45:8 - So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God…

Genesis 50:20 - But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

 

What's the point for us today?  God moves us. Sometimes He moves us to a new home or a new state or even a new country.

 

God moves us. Sometimes he moves us from job to job.

 

God moves us. Sometimes He moves people out of our lives, and sometimes He moves people into our lives.   

 

God moved Naaman's Maid, and as we'll see in a moment, this maid was used by God as a messenger from Him.

 

When God moves you into new situations…

When God moves new people into your lives…

When God makes changes, even those you didn't want, it is time to look for people that He wants you to influence in His behalf.

 

Last Sunday you were very kind to Dottie and I and gave us a Pastor's Appreciation Luncheon.  You encouraged us by telling us that we have been influential in your lives.  We thank God for that.  However, please remember that this happened because God moved us.  Be open to the moves that God is making in your life, and ask God how He wants to use you in the new situation.

 

SHE WAS INSIGNIFICANT

SHE WAS RELOCATED BY GOD

SHE WAS SERVED THOSE AROUND HER

 

She ended up being a slave girl to the wife of a very influential Syrian General named Naaman.

 

She was in a strange situation.

She was in a strange land.

She was working for strange people.

 

So what did she do?  She did her job!

She served the people that God had put in her life.

 

Wherever God has placed you, serve!

If he has made you a housewife, serve the ones around you.

If God has made you a student, serve the ones around you.

If God has given you a job, serve the ones around you.

If God has retired you, serve the ones around you.

 

Remember when a lowly servant girl opened her mouth to speak, people listened!  If she had not been a reliable servant, chances are, people would not have listened.

 

If you serve those around you well, when you speak for the Lord Jesus, it is more likely that they will listen.

 

God has something special to say to those who serve.

Colossians 3:23 - And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

 

Jesus told his followers in Matthew 5:14, Ye are the light of the world…   

In other words, if others are going to hear about the Lord Jesus, they are going to hear it from us.  God has made us a light for them.

 

Jesus also said in Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

People must see our good works before they'll listen to our good words.

Are you earning a hearing by being a good servant at work, at school, at home, among your friends and among your family?

You will earn a hearing if you serve them!   

 

SHE WAS INSIGNIFICANT

SHE WAS RELOCATED BY GOD

SHE SERVED THOSE AROUND HER

SHE CARED ABOUT THOSE AROUND HER

 

Vs. 1 - This slave girl worked in the home of Naaman, who was a noted Syrian General.  He was a great man, a national hero.  But Naaman was a sick man. He had the dreaded disease of leprosy!

 

Eventually the slave girl spoke up and mentioned a servant of God, named Elisha, who could heal the leprosy.  Why would she have spoken?  Because she cared about Naaman's well being.

 

There was once a noted prisoner being held in Rome.  He was actually being held for religious reasons.  He had Roman soldiers guarding him day after day, month after month.  Instead of being bitter because he was a prisoner, he shared the good news of the Gospel with them.  As a result, many came to know Christ. I'm talking about the Apostle Paul.  Why did Paul share Christ with others even under terrible conditions? He cared!

 

My friend, before you will ever speak as a home missionary, you need to care about the spiritual condition of those around you.

 

Most of you can quote John 3:16

Have you ever considered the verses after John 3:16?

 

John 3:16-18 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

John 3:36 - 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.

 

If these verses are true, and they are, those around you without Christ are going to hell!

God said it! Do you believe it? Do you care?   

Do you care that your brothers and/or sisters are going to hell?

Do you care that your children, your parents, your aunts, uncles, and cousins are going to hell if they don't know Christ as Savior?

 

We care when people are sick!  Our prayer lists are loaded with the names of sick people to pray for, and that's good.  But do we care about those who are sin sick, those who are lost because they don't have Christ!?

 

Until you care, you will remain silent.

Can you imagine the person you didn't talk to about Christ confronting you after his own condemnation before the throne of judgment?  What will he say to you? "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!"

 

SHE WAS INSIGNIFICANT

SHE WAS RELOCATED BY GOD

SHE SERVED THOSE AROUND HER

SHE CARED ABOUT THOSE AROUND HER

SHE TOLD WHAT SHE KNEW

 

Vs. 3 - Naaman's Maid told Naaman's wife what she knew about Elisha the Prophet. Evidently she didn't know much, perhaps she didn't even know his name.  But she knew that Elisha could help Naaman, and because she cared, she said something.

 

Let me ask you something.  Can the Lord Jesus help that unsaved loved one or neighbor of yours?  Yes He can!  He can give them forgiveness and eternal life. He can give them a better life right now!

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

If Jesus can help that unsaved friend or loved one, tell them what you know!

If you know that Jesus has changed your life and made you ready for Heaven, tell them.

If you know that Jesus died for their sins, tell them.

If you know that Jesus rose from the dead, tell them.

If you know that Jesus is the only way to Heaven, tell them.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW, TELL THEM WHAT YOU DO KNOW!   

 

Oh, you should study your Bible and learn so you can share more with others, but don't let that stop you from sharing what you do know now.

 

SHE TOLD WHAT SHE KNEW

SHE DID WHAT SHE COULD

 

This servant girl's place was not to talk to her mistress's husband.  She couldn't do that properly. She was a slave.

But she could talk to her mistress, and did.

 

God does not hold you responsible for what you can't do, only for what you can do with his help.

 

You might not have as many opportunities to share the Gospel as you like, but there are things you can do, even if witnessing opportunities are sparse.

 

There's a concert tonight!  Who do you know that likes country music?  Get on the phone and invite them to come with you.

There's a harvest homecoming in less than a month.  Who can you invite to come with you that Sunday?

 

There's Sunday School.

There's Youth Group.

There's church services.

Invite people to join you!

Carry tracts with you to share.

And pray for opportunities to share your faith with others.

And pray for the souls of others.

 

SHE DID WHAT SHE COULD

GOD DID THE REST

 

Vs. 4 - Naaman's wife told Naaman.  And it was probably Naaman who went in and reported to the Syrian King.  The Syrian King sent Naaman to Israel, and eventually Naaman was healed.

 

The little maid didn't do much, but there were great results.

You might not be able to do much, but if you do what you can, God will save souls.

 

1 Corinthians 3:6 - I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

 

Do what you can, let God do the rest!

 

Naaman's Maid was a home missionary.

 

SHE WAS INSIGNIFICANT

SHE WAS RELOCATED BY GOD

SHE SERVED THOSE AROUND HER

SHE CARED ABOUT THOSE AROUND HER

SHE TOLD WHAT SHE KNEW

SHE DID WHAT SHE COULD

GOD DID THE REST