Ii Kings 7:3
God's power and provision are often hidden from us, but He can use anyone, even the worst of sinners, to reveal His goodness and bring us into a life of freedom and joy.
Chuck Smith explores the story of the lepers who discovered God's miraculous deliverance for the city of Samaria, emphasizing how the people were unaware of their freedom from the Syrian siege. He highlights the irony that those who were considered outcasts, the lepers, were the first to recognize God's grace and provision, while the rest remained in despair due to their unbelief. Smith draws parallels between the physical deliverance of Samaria and the spiritual deliverance offered through Christ, urging listeners to embrace the good news and share it with others. He encourages believers to recognize the abundance of God's blessings that are often overlooked due to doubt and fear.
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WHO DISCOVERED IT ??
I. A GREAT-WORK OF GOD ENTIRELY UNKNOWN.
A. City of Samaria shut up by Syrian Army.
1. Horrible famine.
2. God sent prophet Elisha with promise of deliverance.
B. That evening the siege was lifted.
1. The entire Syrian army had fled.
2. Those within the city still thought themselves cooped
up.
3. They were free--but did not know it.
C. The Lord had routed their enemies.
1. Israel had not a single foe this side of Jordan.
2. The guards were set on the wall to watch for an enemy
that did not exist.
3. O Samaria, if you only knew the gift of God.
4. God works and man knows it not.
D. God had provided plenty for them.
1. They drew their belts tighter but within a sling's
throw more fine flour and barley than they could
consume.
2. They were feeling hunger pangs - could be feasting.
3. All because they believed not the Word of God, and
looked not for relief.
a. See what unbelief can do!
4. A sad parallel.
a. God did a great more and put away man's sin.
1. Christ has routed all our enemies.
2. Yet man still goes around bound in the miseries of his
sin.
II. A PECULIAR BAND OF DISCOVERERS.
A. Outside the walls lived 4 lepers.
1. Survived- on garbage thrown down from wall.
B. These were the discoverers of God's work.
1. Many times the worst of sinners is first to discover the grace
of God.
C. The reasoning behind the discovery.
1. "Why sit we here until we die?"
a. If we don't do something we've had it.
2. No use trying to go into Samaria.
3. Cast ourselves upon mercy of Syrians.
a. If they kill us what have we lost?
4. They would not dare to join God's people.
a. Some of you feel you have no right to God's mercy.
5. These men had given up - blessed condition.
a. As long as you can do something, prone to try.
b. The man who struggles as he sinks is hard to
rescue.
c. How blessed to be shut up to Christ.
III. THE HERALDS OF GOOD NEWS.
A. They came to camp and found it empty of men.
1. They entered first tent and ate up.
2. They began to bury treasure.
3. Then one suggested good news should be shared.
B. They called up to porter on the wall.
1. Who more qualified to tell?
IV. MAY YOU NOT IMITATE THESE LEPERS?
A. When first came to tent "Quiet Simion, your bones rattling too
loudly - bring guard."
1. They would tread as heavily as they wish.
2. No one is there to accuse.
3. No sin to condemn us.
B. They probably expected to be interrupted momentarily and cast
out.
1. When I first realized great promises of God too great
to be true
2. Take possession of all I can find in God.
C. Christ has defeated the enemy, a great work has been
done - ours is the spoiled.
Sermon Outline
- A Great-Work of God Entirely Unknown points: - The City of Samaria was shut up by the Syrian Army - God sent prophet Elisha with promise of deliverance - The Lord had routed their enemies - God had provided plenty for them
- A Peculiar Band of Discoverers points: - Four lepers outside the walls - These were the discoverers of God's work - The reasoning behind the discovery
- The Heralds of Good News points: - They came to camp and found it empty of men - They called up to porter on the wall
- May You Not Imitate These Lepers points: - They were not afraid to take possession of God's promises - Christ has defeated the enemy, a great work has been done
Key Quotes
“O Samaria, if you only knew the gift of God.” — Chuck Smith
“God works and man knows it not.” — Chuck Smith
“Christ has routed all our enemies.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must be willing to trust in God's promises and provision, even when circumstances seem hopeless.
- We must be willing to surrender our lives to God and trust in His goodness.
- We can apply the lesson of the lepers by being willing to take risks and trust in God's goodness, even when it seems uncertain or uncomfortable.