Why Sit Here Until We Die?
Introduction
The text records the story of the Syrians and the Samaritans. The Syrians had so dominated the Samaritans that things could not possibly be worse. There was famine, futility, and frustration. Women were boiling their children for food. Citizens were eating literally anything they could find. Seemingly, all hope was gone. If anyone would welcome hope, these folks would. A promise of hope was desperately needed. The people of Samaria needed help and they needed it now. Those who know the good news are under an inescapable obligation to pass on that news to those who do not know it.
Worst case scenario:
i. Sit in contemplation
ii. Get in our covetousness
iii. Go with our commission
I. A Strange Prediction 1-2
A. Unbelievable Truth 1
1. Divine Inspiration 1a
2. Direct Revelation lb
Prophet probably had no idea how the miracle would come to pass (Heb. 11:1) comes into play.
Bus company advertisement says, “Sit back and leave the driving to us.”
Leave the details of method and timing to Him.
B. Unbelief Toward Truth 2
1. Human Speculation 2
By tomorrow you will be able to buy six times as much food for 1/5 the cost.
Malachi 3:10-14:
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse/ That there may be food in My house, / And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts,/ “’If I will not open for you the windows of heaven/ And pour out for you such blessing/ That there will not be room enough to receive it./ “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, /So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,/ Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,’” Says the LORD of hosts;/ “’And all nations will call you blessed, / And you will be a delightful land,’” /Says the LORD of hosts./ “Your words have been harsh against Me,”/ Says the LORD,/ “Yet you say, 'What have we spoken against You?’/ You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God;/ What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance,/ And that we have walked as mourners/ Before the LORD of hosts?"
2. Human Elimination.
II. A Struggling People 3
A. Their Dilemma 3a
B. Their Discussion 3b-4
1. Deals with Sitting
2. Deals with Returning
3. Deals with Surrendering
4. Deals with Living
5. Deals with Dying
6. Deals with Trusting
III. A Sovereign Provision 5
A. A Divine Surprise 5
Prov. 28:1: “The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
B. The Desperate Syrians 6-7
The entire army fled as four helpless, hungry lepers came near.
IV. A Saving Promise 9
A. Leper’s Conference 9a
(refers to v.8)
B. Leper’s Conclusion 9b
C. Leper’s Confession 9c
D. Leper’s Conviction 9d
v.9 “Punishment” - trouble, calamity; a comprehensive word that includes not only iniquity but also the consequences of that iniquity. The word suggests that it is not possible to separate the sin from its punishment.
“come upon us” - literally “overtake us” or “catch up with us.”
Numbers 32:23: “Be sure your sins will find you out.”
v.9 Do we think we are important enough that we are the ultimate end of God’s mercy? Do we dare assume that God loved us enough that he sent Jesus to die for our sins alone? No, He saves us and empowers us so that we can become channels through which His blessings may flow to others.
2 Cor. 1:4: “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God.”
Just because you consider yourself ordinary and inadequate doesn’t mean you are therefore excused from the responsibility of personal witnessing. It is a sin to remain silent. Using such gifts only for selfish purposes without regards for the needs of others is a serious sin. Never is that more true than with the gift of salvation.
“Behold how many thousands still are lying,
Bound in the darksome prison house of sin,
With none to tell them of the Savior’s dying,
Or of the life He died for them to win?”
E. A Saving Commitment 9e
Based On 3 Truths
1. Not Satisfied Sitting
2. Not Satisfied Getting
3. Only Satisfied Going and Telling
Conclusion
Praying
Engaging
Sowing
Harvesting
1. Control 5
2. Covetousness 8
3. Conviction 9 (not doing right)
4. Confession 9 (day of good news)
5. Consecration 9 (go, tell)