100:00:00,340 –> 00:00:06,080There is something that God calls you to do and you don’t want to do it.200:00:06,080 –> 00:00:13,400Or, there is something that God calls you to give up, and you don’t want to give it up,300:00:13,400 –> 00:00:19,100and you’re offended by God’s command, and you’re stuck in that position.400:00:19,100 –> 00:00:22,680Here’s the question. Did you not hear God’s promise?500:00:22,719 –> 00:00:26,639Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. Thanks for joining us today.600:00:26,740 –> 00:00:30,840And Colin, I wonder if there’s anyone listening who feels a bit like Naaman,700:00:30,840 –> 00:00:36,119they’re reading the Bible and they come across a command which they feel God is asking them to do,800:00:36,119 –> 00:00:43,240and they think I really don’t want to do that, and it makes them feel just stuck… just like Naaman.900:00:43,240 –> 00:00:45,400What would you say to that person?1000:00:45,400 –> 00:00:51,279Well, I think the first thing I’d say is I’m really glad that you’re listening to Open the Bible today1100:00:51,840 –> 00:00:56,799because this story speaks directly to the situation that you’re in.1200:00:56,799 –> 00:00:59,279And I think it’s not an unusual one.1300:00:59,279 –> 00:01:03,480Someone hears the command of God and you think…1400:01:03,480 –> 00:01:08,080That’s not comfortable for me. That’s not something that I’m inclined to do.1500:01:08,080 –> 00:01:11,879I don’t want to do that. That’s exactly where Naaman was.1600:01:11,879 –> 00:01:16,879He’s told to go and wash in this filthy river and he’s absolutely furious.1700:01:16,879 –> 00:01:18,720I think he feels insulted.1800:01:18,720 –> 00:01:21,080I’m not going to do that.1900:01:21,239 –> 00:01:26,440But what I want you to hear today is that when you may be offended2000:01:26,440 –> 00:01:29,839and perhaps even angry about God’s command,2100:01:29,839 –> 00:01:33,839what you need to hear is God’s wonderful promise.2200:01:33,839 –> 00:01:36,440And you see this in the story we’re looking at today.2300:01:36,440 –> 00:01:42,199God’s promise to Naaman was, if you’ll go and wash in this river, you will be clean.2400:01:42,199 –> 00:01:47,919Now, as you listen to the commands of God, listen to the promises of God.2500:01:47,959 –> 00:01:53,080Listen to what God is offering you in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.2600:01:53,080 –> 00:01:59,519Listen to what can be yours, because when you believe the promises of God,2700:01:59,519 –> 00:02:04,480then you will have a new inclination to obey his commands.2800:02:04,480 –> 00:02:08,000This link between commands and promises seems to me to be2900:02:08,000 –> 00:02:12,720at the very centre of a gospel understanding of scripture –3000:02:12,720 –> 00:02:16,479a Christ-centred and Grace-filled understanding of scripture.3100:02:16,559 –> 00:02:21,919When God gives a command, he gives the means and the motive3200:02:21,919 –> 00:02:25,520for us to fulfill the command, and he does it3300:02:25,520 –> 00:02:29,360in and through his promises that are ours in the Lord Jesus Christ.3400:02:29,360 –> 00:02:32,559Well, join us today as we hear more about Naaman3500:02:32,559 –> 00:02:35,759in the message God Will Cleanse Us.3600:02:35,759 –> 00:02:37,320Here is Pastor Colin.3700:02:37,320 –> 00:02:39,839Naaman was angry.3800:02:41,360 –> 00:02:45,160He was angry because Elisha had hurt his pride.3900:02:46,600 –> 00:02:49,720And he’s angry because Elisha offered only one way4000:02:49,720 –> 00:02:51,880to be cleansed, that’s the point of verse 12.4100:02:51,880 –> 00:02:54,399He says, there are other rivers in Damascus,4200:02:54,399 –> 00:02:57,240could I not wash in them and be made clean?4300:02:58,679 –> 00:03:00,919And then he was angry because he didn’t want to do4400:03:00,919 –> 00:03:05,320what Elisha said, go wash in the Jordan seven times,4500:03:05,320 –> 00:03:09,520that is not something that I want to do.4600:03:11,240 –> 00:03:13,839Now friends, what we have here, if you think about it,4700:03:14,020 –> 00:03:18,559is a perfect picture of the response4800:03:18,559 –> 00:03:22,199of the natural human heart to the gospel4900:03:22,199 –> 00:03:24,199of our Lord Jesus Christ.5000:03:24,199 –> 00:03:25,360Think about this.5100:03:26,259 –> 00:03:29,000The gospel humbles us.5200:03:30,740 –> 00:03:35,559It says to us, whatever your achievements,5300:03:35,559 –> 00:03:39,639whatever your virtues, whatever your position,5400:03:39,639 –> 00:03:41,779your influence in life,5500:03:43,119 –> 00:03:46,119they make absolutely no difference whatsoever5600:03:46,119 –> 00:03:47,919to your standing before God.5700:03:47,919 –> 00:03:50,580Before Almighty God, you are a sinner5800:03:50,580 –> 00:03:55,039and you are in no better a position than any other sinner.5900:03:55,039 –> 00:03:57,520And the natural response of the proud human heart6000:03:57,520 –> 00:03:59,520to that is to be angry.6100:04:01,000 –> 00:04:05,520And of course the human heart by nature is independent.6200:04:05,520 –> 00:04:08,279And so the natural response6300:04:08,279 –> 00:04:10,360of the human heart to being told6400:04:10,360 –> 00:04:13,720that there is one way in which you can be cleansed6500:04:13,720 –> 00:04:14,919is to be angry6600:04:14,919 –> 00:04:17,500and to say, I want to choose my own way.6700:04:18,720 –> 00:04:22,200You’re telling me that you can only be cleansed6800:04:22,200 –> 00:04:24,660through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ,6900:04:24,660 –> 00:04:26,540but the natural response of the human heart7000:04:26,540 –> 00:04:28,320is to be very angry about that.7100:04:28,320 –> 00:04:29,959Why can’t I choose my own way?7200:04:32,679 –> 00:04:37,119And then the human heart is angry towards the Gospel7300:04:37,380 –> 00:04:40,679because, by nature, it is a sinful heart7400:04:40,679 –> 00:04:43,859and a sinful heart clings to sins that it loves.7500:04:45,440 –> 00:04:47,480You’re telling me go wash,7600:04:48,359 –> 00:04:50,160you’re telling me repent?7700:04:51,920 –> 00:04:55,399That is not something that I want to do.7800:04:56,679 –> 00:05:00,140And so, Naaman was angry.7900:05:00,140 –> 00:05:02,380He turned away, verse 12,8000:05:02,380 –> 00:05:06,260and he went away in a rage8100:05:07,320 –> 00:05:10,660so he was actually returning home8200:05:10,660 –> 00:05:14,220and he’s taking his money and his leprosy with him.8300:05:15,760 –> 00:05:16,959Except for one thing.8400:05:18,600 –> 00:05:21,880The marvelous intervention of his servants.8500:05:21,880 –> 00:05:23,600I love this, verse 13,8600:05:23,600 –> 00:05:27,320but his servants came near and said to him,8700:05:27,320 –> 00:05:29,760my father, it is a great word8800:05:29,760 –> 00:05:31,279that the prophet has spoken to you,8900:05:31,279 –> 00:05:33,399will you not do it?9000:05:33,399 –> 00:05:34,940Has he actually said to you,9100:05:34,940 –> 00:05:37,799wash and be clean?9200:05:39,440 –> 00:05:40,720You see what’s happening here,9300:05:40,720 –> 00:05:44,720Naaman had taken offense at the command.9400:05:45,600 –> 00:05:47,239God’s commanding me to do something,9500:05:47,239 –> 00:05:48,799I don’t want to do it.9600:05:49,760 –> 00:05:51,480But the servants come to him and say,9700:05:51,480 –> 00:05:54,140now Naaman, you’ve taken offense at God’s command9800:05:54,140 –> 00:05:56,640but did you not hear God’s promise?9900:05:57,839 –> 00:06:02,579He said, wash and be clean.10000:06:03,519 –> 00:06:06,720Has anyone else ever said that to you?10100:06:08,079 –> 00:06:09,500The king of Syria couldn’t say that to you,10200:06:09,500 –> 00:06:11,619the king of Israel couldn’t say that to you.10300:06:12,660 –> 00:06:14,559You can’t make yourself clean10400:06:15,399 –> 00:06:18,440but this word that has come to you10500:06:18,440 –> 00:06:22,339promises that you can be made clean.10600:06:22,339 –> 00:06:24,160It’s a great word.10700:06:25,440 –> 00:06:29,640Why in the world are you going off angry and in a rage?10800:06:30,420 –> 00:06:34,739Now you see, this may be precisely the position10900:06:34,739 –> 00:06:37,619of some of us here in this service this morning.11000:06:37,619 –> 00:06:40,859You have been offended by God’s command.11100:06:42,619 –> 00:06:44,779There is something that God calls you to do11200:06:44,779 –> 00:06:46,260and you don’t want to do it11300:06:47,820 –> 00:06:50,959or there is something that God calls you to give up11400:06:52,420 –> 00:06:54,019and you don’t want to give it up11500:06:55,220 –> 00:06:59,000and you’re offended by God’s command11600:06:59,040 –> 00:07:00,839but you’re stuck in that position.11700:07:00,839 –> 00:07:04,260Here is the question, did you not hear God’s promise?11800:07:06,260 –> 00:07:10,359He says, you can be clean.11900:07:12,779 –> 00:07:14,619You can be clean.12000:07:16,899 –> 00:07:18,799Let the wicked forsake his way12100:07:18,799 –> 00:07:21,440and the unrighteous man, his thoughts.12200:07:22,540 –> 00:07:23,959Let him return to the Lord12300:07:23,959 –> 00:07:28,239that he may have compassion on him and to our God.12400:07:29,000 –> 00:07:32,480For he will abundantly pardon.12500:07:34,760 –> 00:07:37,720Naaman listened to his servants.12600:07:38,540 –> 00:07:42,279He believed the promise of God.12700:07:42,279 –> 00:07:44,519And because he believed the promise of God12800:07:44,519 –> 00:07:46,359he was ready to obey the command of God12900:07:46,359 –> 00:07:48,359even though it wasn’t initially attractive to him.13000:07:48,359 –> 00:07:50,079Do you see that’s always the pattern.13100:07:50,079 –> 00:07:51,839You won’t obey the commands13200:07:51,839 –> 00:07:53,220until you believe the promises.13300:07:53,220 –> 00:07:54,839But when you believe the promise,13400:07:54,839 –> 00:07:56,140you will obey the command.13500:07:56,679 –> 00:08:01,679So he went down and dipped himself seven times13600:08:01,859 –> 00:08:05,660in the Jordan according to the word of the man of God.13700:08:05,660 –> 00:08:08,260And his flesh was restored like the flesh13800:08:08,260 –> 00:08:13,260of a little child and he was clean.13900:08:16,320 –> 00:08:20,019Here’s what God can do for you14000:08:20,019 –> 00:08:22,720in and through the Lord Jesus Christ14100:08:22,720 –> 00:08:24,880you can be clean.14200:08:25,859 –> 00:08:29,000This is the gift that David longed for14300:08:29,000 –> 00:08:32,919when his sin was always before him.14400:08:32,919 –> 00:08:36,039He said, wash me thoroughly from my iniquity14500:08:36,039 –> 00:08:38,679and cleanse me from my sin.14600:08:39,500 –> 00:08:42,679Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean,14700:08:42,679 –> 00:08:45,919wash me and I shall be whiter than snow,14800:08:45,919 –> 00:08:49,760create he says in me a clean heart oh God14900:08:51,000 –> 00:08:54,840and renew a right spirit within me.15000:08:55,719 –> 00:08:58,940Dear friend, will you hear this today?15100:08:58,940 –> 00:09:03,159You will never be able to cleanse yourself,15200:09:03,159 –> 00:09:04,320can’t be done.15300:09:05,880 –> 00:09:08,460There is no prophet, there is no king,15400:09:08,460 –> 00:09:10,859there is no philosophy that you can take up,15500:09:10,859 –> 00:09:12,900there is no religious practice,15600:09:12,900 –> 00:09:15,260no effort that you can make to put things right15700:09:15,260 –> 00:09:17,979in your life that will be able to cleanse you15800:09:17,979 –> 00:09:22,979but the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse you from all sin.15900:09:25,539 –> 00:09:28,460And when Naaman was washed and when he was made clean,16000:09:28,460 –> 00:09:30,539the effect of this in his life16100:09:30,539 –> 00:09:33,059was that he became a worshiper of the God16200:09:33,059 –> 00:09:35,020who had given him this marvelous gift.16300:09:35,900 –> 00:09:39,840Verse 15, behold, I know that there is no God16400:09:39,840 –> 00:09:42,580in all the Earth but in Israel.16500:09:42,580 –> 00:09:45,880Verse 17, from now on, your servant will not16600:09:45,880 –> 00:09:49,219offer burnt offerings or sacrifice to any God16700:09:49,219 –> 00:09:51,020but the Lord.16800:09:51,520 –> 00:09:56,840So here we have a wonderful story16900:09:56,840 –> 00:09:59,159of how a rich leper, a man who had once been17000:09:59,159 –> 00:10:03,979a ruthless warrior, a man who knew nothing17100:10:03,979 –> 00:10:08,280about the God of the Bible, came to living faith17200:10:08,280 –> 00:10:10,039and was wonderfully converted.17300:10:10,039 –> 00:10:11,080How did it happen?17400:10:11,080 –> 00:10:15,679He heard that there was hope for him and there is hope17500:10:15,679 –> 00:10:17,460for every person here this morning.17600:10:18,260 –> 00:10:23,260And he humbled himself and he believed the promise of God17700:10:24,900 –> 00:10:28,119and because and when he believed the promise of God17800:10:29,000 –> 00:10:32,460he acted in faith and in obedience.17900:10:32,460 –> 00:10:34,200That’s how cleansing came to him,18000:10:34,200 –> 00:10:38,219that’s how cleansing comes to us.18100:10:38,219 –> 00:10:43,219A rich leper, wonderfully converted.18200:10:43,960 –> 00:10:45,580You’re listening to Open the Bible18300:10:45,580 –> 00:10:46,859with Pastor Colin Smith18400:10:47,059 –> 00:10:50,140and a message called God Will Cleanse Us.18500:10:50,140 –> 00:10:52,739We have to pause briefly, but we’ll be back very shortly18600:10:52,739 –> 00:10:54,500so please stay with us.18700:10:54,500 –> 00:10:57,780Message is part of a series called In God We Trust18800:10:57,780 –> 00:11:00,299and if you’ve missed any of the messages in the series18900:11:00,299 –> 00:11:03,119you can easily catch up or go back and listen again19000:11:03,119 –> 00:11:04,460by coming to our website.19100:11:04,460 –> 00:11:07,900That’s at openthebible.org.uk19200:11:07,900 –> 00:11:10,179or by looking on your favorite podcast site19300:11:10,179 –> 00:11:12,159for Open the Bible UK19400:11:12,159 –> 00:11:15,859and subscribe if you want to receive regular reminders.19500:11:15,859 –> 00:11:19,820Back to The Message now, here again is Pastor Colin.19600:11:19,820 –> 00:11:22,099Now, the second part of the story19700:11:22,099 –> 00:11:26,140really begins when Nahum returns to Elisha19800:11:26,140 –> 00:11:27,780just full of thanksgiving19900:11:27,780 –> 00:11:30,859for this wonderful gift that he has received.20000:11:30,859 –> 00:11:33,340He’s a new believer at this point20100:11:33,340 –> 00:11:36,200and the first instinct that he has as a new believer20200:11:36,200 –> 00:11:38,140is that he wants to show his gratitude20300:11:38,140 –> 00:11:41,299for this marvelous gift of healing that he has received.20400:11:42,140 –> 00:11:43,979And do you remember that he brought with him20500:11:43,979 –> 00:11:46,260a boatload of money?20600:11:46,260 –> 00:11:48,859And so he says to Elisha in verse 15,20700:11:48,859 –> 00:11:53,179”Accept now a present from your servant.”20800:11:53,179 –> 00:11:55,219But verse 16, Elisha refused,20900:11:55,219 –> 00:11:59,760he said, ”as the Lord lives before whom I stand,21000:11:59,760 –> 00:12:02,340I will receive none.”21100:12:03,559 –> 00:12:06,340And although Naham tried to press him,21200:12:06,340 –> 00:12:07,700Elisha wouldn’t move on this.21300:12:07,700 –> 00:12:10,960”I won’t receive anything from you.21400:12:10,960 –> 00:12:13,679I will receive none.”21500:12:14,820 –> 00:12:15,979Now here’s the question.21600:12:18,080 –> 00:12:23,080Why would Elisha not accept a gift freely offered21700:12:24,500 –> 00:12:27,000by a man who was so able to give this?21800:12:27,000 –> 00:12:28,880He brought it for this very purpose.21900:12:28,880 –> 00:12:31,500Why would he not accept the money that Namun22000:12:31,500 –> 00:12:34,619would be very, very glad and delighted to give him?22100:12:35,640 –> 00:12:38,859I mean, after all, we did see earlier in this series22200:12:38,859 –> 00:12:41,119that Elisha received gifts from others.22300:12:41,400 –> 00:12:42,400I mean, Elisha was a wealthy woman22400:12:42,400 –> 00:12:46,599who fed him, even built an apartment22500:12:46,599 –> 00:12:48,380for him on the roof of her house.22600:12:48,380 –> 00:12:50,640So, I mean, there’s nothing wrong in principle22700:12:50,640 –> 00:12:54,080in Elisha receiving kindness and generosity22800:12:54,080 –> 00:12:56,380from others who support him22900:12:56,380 –> 00:12:58,919and the sons of the prophets in ministry.23000:12:58,919 –> 00:13:03,919So why on this occasion would he so resolutely refuse23100:13:04,580 –> 00:13:06,919to receive what was so generously offered?23200:13:07,859 –> 00:13:11,039And the answer surely is that Elisha was a prophet23300:13:12,039 –> 00:13:14,500and he discerned Naaman’s heart.23400:13:15,820 –> 00:13:20,820Naaman had received a marvelous gift from the hand of God23500:13:22,340 –> 00:13:24,799and Elisha was very, very determined23600:13:24,799 –> 00:13:29,780that nothing would obscure God’s free grace.23700:13:29,780 –> 00:13:33,099He did not want Naaman going back home23800:13:33,159 –> 00:13:35,799thinking that he got something.23900:13:35,799 –> 00:13:37,380And then he paid for it.24000:13:38,640 –> 00:13:41,700And that leads us to the second story24100:13:41,700 –> 00:13:44,200which is a powerful warning to all of us24200:13:44,200 –> 00:13:46,780who know and serve the Lord.24300:13:47,960 –> 00:13:49,700If you look in verse 19, we read24400:13:49,700 –> 00:13:53,760that when Naaman had gone from him a short distance,24500:13:54,580 –> 00:13:58,919Gehazai, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said,24600:13:58,979 –> 00:14:03,780See, my master has spared this Naaman, the Syrian,24700:14:03,780 –> 00:14:07,340in not accepting from his hand what he brought.24800:14:08,340 –> 00:14:12,020As the Lord lives, I will run after him24900:14:12,020 –> 00:14:15,380and get something from him.25000:14:16,400 –> 00:14:18,260Now, you see what’s happened here?25100:14:18,260 –> 00:14:23,260Gehazai, who is Elisha’s servant, had seen Naaman’s money25200:14:24,140 –> 00:14:28,599and he wanted what Naaman had.25300:14:29,820 –> 00:14:32,960So he goes after Naaman and he catches up with him25400:14:32,960 –> 00:14:37,960and he says verse 22, my master has sent me to say25500:14:39,380 –> 00:14:42,299that have just now come to me from the hill country25600:14:42,299 –> 00:14:45,940of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets,25700:14:45,940 –> 00:14:48,479please give them a talent of silver25800:14:48,479 –> 00:14:50,739and two changes of clothing.25900:14:51,559 –> 00:14:55,140So Naaman gladly gave him the money26000:14:55,140 –> 00:15:00,020and Gehazi hid it in his house.26100:15:01,440 –> 00:15:06,440Gehazi lied, he coveted and he deceived26200:15:08,280 –> 00:15:12,719and worst of all of course, he contradicted the very thing26300:15:12,719 –> 00:15:16,739that Elisha was teaching this new believer, Naaman.26400:15:17,619 –> 00:15:22,619Now when Gehazi got back home, Elisha asked him,26500:15:23,039 –> 00:15:26,500verse 25 where have you been Gehazi26600:15:27,400 –> 00:15:31,400and Gehazi said your servant went nowhere.26700:15:33,960 –> 00:15:37,320See how one lie leads to another26800:15:37,320 –> 00:15:41,219and to another and to another26900:15:43,219 –> 00:15:44,820but Elisha was a prophet27000:15:45,780 –> 00:15:49,359and God had revealed to Elisha what Gehazi was up to27100:15:50,419 –> 00:15:55,159and God exposed the hidden deception27200:15:56,599 –> 00:15:58,260that was in the heart of this man27300:15:58,260 –> 00:16:00,659who was claiming to be his servant.27400:16:03,840 –> 00:16:07,559Gehazi wanted what Naaman had27500:16:09,099 –> 00:16:11,859and he got what Naaman had.27600:16:12,799 –> 00:16:17,799He got his money and he got his leprosy too.27700:16:19,039 –> 00:16:22,619Verse 27, therefore Elisha says,27800:16:23,539 –> 00:16:27,559the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you27900:16:28,559 –> 00:16:30,940and to your descendants forever.28000:16:31,880 –> 00:16:33,940So he went out from the presence,28100:16:33,940 –> 00:16:38,179his presence a leper like snow.28200:16:38,239 –> 00:16:42,000This is sobering stuff.28300:16:43,880 –> 00:16:48,880Here are two men on a journey in an opposite direction.28400:16:49,599 –> 00:16:52,159One grows up knowing absolutely nothing about God28500:16:52,159 –> 00:16:53,840and he’s wonderfully saved.28600:16:54,859 –> 00:16:57,080The other has every spiritual advantage28700:16:57,080 –> 00:17:00,039and blessing and ends up under the judgment of God.28800:17:01,760 –> 00:17:06,140Naaman was a leper and by God’s grace,28900:17:06,140 –> 00:17:07,739he became God’s servant.29000:17:09,380 –> 00:17:12,260Gehazi was God’s servant,29100:17:12,260 –> 00:17:15,959and under God’s judgment, he became a leper.29200:17:17,020 –> 00:17:22,020So the story of Gehazi is a solemn warning to us all.29300:17:24,459 –> 00:17:27,719I mean, here is a man who had great privileges,29400:17:27,719 –> 00:17:29,339great opportunities.29500:17:29,339 –> 00:17:31,619God had put him in a position of trust.29600:17:31,619 –> 00:17:32,979God had put him in a position29700:17:32,979 –> 00:17:34,780of influence and responsibility.29800:17:34,780 –> 00:17:35,680I mean, think about it.29900:17:35,939 –> 00:17:37,880He was Elisha’s servant.30000:17:39,640 –> 00:17:44,000He walked with the man who walked closely with God.30100:17:44,000 –> 00:17:45,540But it’s clear from the story30200:17:45,540 –> 00:17:48,699that Gehazi did not walk closely with God himself.30300:17:50,439 –> 00:17:53,640Oh, Gehazi spoke to others about God.30400:17:55,099 –> 00:17:57,199But there were layers in his life30500:17:57,199 –> 00:17:59,199that had never been submitted30600:18:00,520 –> 00:18:02,780to the God he claimed to serve.30700:18:02,900 –> 00:18:06,599The love of money had gripped his heart30800:18:07,880 –> 00:18:10,380and when he saw something that he wanted,30900:18:10,380 –> 00:18:13,180he was prepared to do whatever it would take to get it.31000:18:14,979 –> 00:18:18,359He coveted, he lied31100:18:20,219 –> 00:18:21,619and he deceived.31200:18:24,260 –> 00:18:25,500And God exposed it.31300:18:27,800 –> 00:18:29,739You remember that Jesus said,31400:18:30,739 –> 00:18:33,699nothing is covered up that will not be revealed31500:18:35,839 –> 00:18:37,900or hidden that will not be known.31600:18:40,099 –> 00:18:42,979Whatever you have said in the dark31700:18:42,979 –> 00:18:44,699will be heard in the light31800:18:46,479 –> 00:18:48,839and what you have whispered in private rooms31900:18:50,160 –> 00:18:52,260will be proclaimed from the house tops.32000:18:54,400 –> 00:18:57,979We who claim to know and serve the living God32100:18:58,000 –> 00:19:00,540are accountable to him.32200:19:02,020 –> 00:19:05,180We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.32300:19:06,359 –> 00:19:09,640No creature is hidden from his sight32400:19:10,959 –> 00:19:15,920but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him32500:19:15,920 –> 00:19:18,819to whom we must give an account.32600:19:20,859 –> 00:19:22,619So, dear friends let’s learn32700:19:22,619 –> 00:19:25,719from the story of Gehazi this morning32800:19:26,719 –> 00:19:28,640to be done with lies.32900:19:30,199 –> 00:19:32,599To be done with deceptions,33000:19:33,680 –> 00:19:35,219to be done with coveting33100:19:36,380 –> 00:19:38,979what God has chosen to give to others.33200:19:40,839 –> 00:19:44,319See Gehazi was known, reputed,33300:19:44,319 –> 00:19:47,760seen by everybody to be a servant of God33400:19:49,420 –> 00:19:51,699but actually just like Naaman33500:19:53,300 –> 00:19:55,359Gehazi needed to be humbled,33600:19:56,540 –> 00:19:59,000Gehazi needed to repent.33700:20:00,199 –> 00:20:04,160Gehazi needed to be washed.33800:20:07,280 –> 00:20:08,380Now did that happen?33900:20:10,739 –> 00:20:11,760We’re not told34000:20:13,479 –> 00:20:16,239but there is just a hint34100:20:16,239 –> 00:20:19,640that this might not have been the end of the story34200:20:20,800 –> 00:20:23,040and I say that because a few chapters on34300:20:23,099 –> 00:20:24,520in Second Kings and Chapter Eight34400:20:24,520 –> 00:20:25,839just very briefly34500:20:25,839 –> 00:20:27,939Gehazi appears again34600:20:27,939 –> 00:20:30,599and he’s speaking with the king of Israel34700:20:31,599 –> 00:20:33,359which just raises this question34800:20:34,719 –> 00:20:39,140could it be that Gehazi humbled himself?34900:20:40,699 –> 00:20:45,699Could it be that Gehazi repented of his lies35000:20:46,420 –> 00:20:47,699and of his deception?35100:20:48,959 –> 00:20:51,219Could it be that he washed himself35200:20:51,219 –> 00:20:53,300seven times in the river Jordan?35300:20:53,300 –> 00:20:57,260Could it be that in God’s marvelous grace35400:20:58,260 –> 00:21:00,819he too was healed?35500:21:02,680 –> 00:21:03,699We don’t know35600:21:04,900 –> 00:21:07,979but what we do know for sure is this35700:21:09,060 –> 00:21:10,579that whatever you may have done35800:21:10,579 –> 00:21:13,239whatever you may have hidden and covered up35900:21:14,260 –> 00:21:16,180whatever consequence it has brought36000:21:16,180 –> 00:21:18,900or whatever consequence it’s coming to light may bring36100:21:19,699 –> 00:21:24,260there is hope for you in Jesus Christ.36200:21:25,920 –> 00:21:29,060If we walk in the light as he is in the light36300:21:29,060 –> 00:21:31,119we have fellowship with one another36400:21:31,119 –> 00:21:33,739and the blood of Jesus his son36500:21:33,739 –> 00:21:36,900cleanses us from all sin.36600:21:38,959 –> 00:21:41,660So dear friends, let’s be done with any deception.36700:21:43,339 –> 00:21:44,500Humble yourself,36800:21:44,680 –> 00:21:45,500humble yourself,36900:21:49,040 –> 00:21:50,359Believe the promise of God37000:21:52,540 –> 00:21:54,020and because you believe his promise37100:21:54,020 –> 00:21:56,060act in obedience to his command.37200:21:57,300 –> 00:22:00,400If we confess our sins,37300:22:00,400 –> 00:22:04,099he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins37400:22:05,099 –> 00:22:09,819and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.37500:22:10,020 –> 00:22:11,060unrighteousness.37600:22:12,020 –> 00:22:13,560You’ve been listening to Open the Bible37700:22:13,560 –> 00:22:15,060with Pastor Colin Smith37800:22:15,060 –> 00:22:17,800and a message called God Will Cleanse Us37900:22:17,800 –> 00:22:21,479all about the story of Naaman from two kings.38000:22:21,479 –> 00:22:23,780If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series38100:22:23,780 –> 00:22:25,680which is called In God We Trust,38200:22:25,680 –> 00:22:27,640don’t forget you can easily catch up38300:22:27,640 –> 00:22:29,479or go back and listen again,38400:22:29,479 –> 00:22:31,020by coming to our website38500:22:31,020 –> 00:22:34,540that’s at open the bible.org.UK38600:22:34,540 –> 00:22:36,180also available as a podcast,38700:22:36,180 –> 00:22:38,560either follow the link from our website38800:22:38,699 –> 00:22:40,459or go to a podcast site,38900:22:40,459 –> 00:22:42,040search for Open the Bible UK39000:22:42,040 –> 00:22:43,900and subscribe if you want to receive39100:22:43,900 –> 00:22:46,000regular reminders that way.39200:22:46,000 –> 00:22:47,239At Open the Bible39300:22:47,239 –> 00:22:49,359we welcome contact with our listeners.39400:22:49,359 –> 00:22:50,500If you’ve been blessed39500:22:50,500 –> 00:22:52,380by Pastor Colin Smith’s teaching39600:22:52,380 –> 00:22:54,380and you’d like to reach out to us39700:22:54,380 –> 00:22:56,140you can write to us at39800:22:56,140 –> 00:23:04,180Open the Bible PO Box 1420 Cheltenham GL50 9PG39900:23:04,180 –> 00:23:05,939That address along with40000:23:05,939 –> 00:23:08,439an email address and a telephone number40100:23:08,439 –> 00:23:10,300that you can use to contact us40200:23:10,300 –> 00:23:12,079are all on our website40300:23:12,079 –> 00:23:15,160OpenTheBible.org.uk40400:23:15,160 –> 00:23:17,000Open the Bible is supported40500:23:17,000 –> 00:23:18,380by our many listeners40600:23:18,380 –> 00:23:20,020and if you’re one of them40700:23:20,020 –> 00:23:21,619thank you so much.40800:23:21,619 –> 00:23:24,400It’s not just the radio program40900:23:24,400 –> 00:23:26,160the website and podcast41000:23:26,160 –> 00:23:27,640that you’re supporting41100:23:27,640 –> 00:23:28,680here’s Open the Bible’s41200:23:28,680 –> 00:23:30,260Executive Director John Martin41300:23:30,260 –> 00:23:31,780David, it’s very exciting41400:23:31,780 –> 00:23:33,760that we’ve seen a open door41500:23:33,760 –> 00:23:35,359ironically into prisons41600:23:35,680 –> 00:23:37,839We have distributed the film41700:23:37,839 –> 00:23:39,560of The Story of the Thief on the Cross41800:23:39,560 –> 00:23:40,780Heaven How I Got Here41900:23:40,780 –> 00:23:42,180based on Colin’s short book42000:23:42,180 –> 00:23:43,500we printed this onto a DVD42100:23:43,500 –> 00:23:45,420and sent it into every prison42200:23:45,420 –> 00:23:47,839in England and Wales last year42300:23:47,839 –> 00:23:50,000and this year we are trialing42400:23:50,000 –> 00:23:51,579a 15 session course42500:23:51,579 –> 00:23:53,280of Colin’s material42600:23:53,280 –> 00:23:54,780Fly Through the Bible42700:23:54,780 –> 00:23:56,660This has been done42800:23:56,660 –> 00:23:57,439in partnership with42900:23:57,439 –> 00:23:59,000Daylight Christian Prison Trust43000:23:59,000 –> 00:24:01,079who also helped us distribute the film43100:24:01,079 –> 00:24:02,839and we’re also partnering43200:24:02,839 –> 00:24:04,239with London City Mission43300:24:05,160 –> 00:24:07,439Sessions begin with inmates43400:24:07,439 –> 00:24:08,599watching a short video of43500:24:08,599 –> 00:24:09,760Pastor Colin reading43600:24:09,760 –> 00:24:11,099each chapter of the book43700:24:11,099 –> 00:24:12,339and then they do a simple43800:24:12,339 –> 00:24:13,880bible study with booklets43900:24:13,880 –> 00:24:15,420designed for prison use44000:24:15,420 –> 00:24:17,560given to every participate44100:24:19,959 –> 00:24:22,520The men really listened44200:24:22,520 –> 00:24:23,479to Pastor Colin44300:24:23,479 –> 00:24:25,719The focus on the Bible characters44400:24:25,719 –> 00:24:26,760has been really good44500:24:26,760 –> 00:24:28,560and rich conversations44600:24:28,560 –> 00:24:29,500have come from it44700:24:29,500 –> 00:24:31,800One of the men is using it44800:24:31,800 –> 00:24:33,099on his wing44900:24:33,099 –> 00:24:34,000to lead his own45000:24:34,000 –> 00:24:35,420bible study with other men45100:24:35,420 –> 00:24:36,719who aren’t in the groups45200:24:36,719 –> 00:24:38,900It’s all very encouraging45300:24:38,900 –> 00:24:39,900So David, if listeners45400:24:39,900 –> 00:24:41,160are interested in supporting45500:24:41,160 –> 00:24:42,260this prison ministry45600:24:42,260 –> 00:24:43,880that we have in partnership45700:24:43,880 –> 00:24:45,319with Daylight Christian Prison Trust45800:24:45,319 –> 00:24:47,079and the London City Mission45900:24:47,079 –> 00:24:48,400they can get in touch with us46000:24:48,400 –> 00:24:49,319and do a donation46100:24:49,319 –> 00:24:50,680through the website46200:24:50,680 –> 00:24:51,800You can get involved46300:24:51,800 –> 00:24:53,800in supporting Open the Bible’s work46400:24:53,800 –> 00:24:55,380by coming to our website46500:24:58,079 –> 00:24:59,079You’ll find lots46600:24:59,079 –> 00:25:00,079more information,46700:25:00,079 –> 00:25:01,199terms and conditions46800:25:01,199 –> 00:25:03,660and you can give on line46900:25:03,979 –> 00:25:04,979For Open the Bible47000:25:04,979 –> 00:25:06,319and Pastor Colin Smith47100:25:06,319 –> 00:25:07,439I’m David Pick47200:25:07,439 –> 00:25:08,699Join us again next time47300:25:08,699 –> 00:25:09,819on Open the Bible47400:25:19,420 –> 00:25:20,680If you ever find yourself thinking47500:25:20,680 –> 00:25:21,680what on earth,47600:25:21,680 –> 00:25:23,640am I going to do?47700:25:23,640 –> 00:25:25,520This story is for you47800:25:25,520 –> 00:25:26,520Find out more47900:25:26,520 –> 00:25:27,520next time48000:25:27,520 –> 00:25:28,160on Open the Bible