Sermon on the Four Lepers | This is a Day of Good News

Sermon on the Four Lepers — Sermon Outline by Tom Moore from 2 Kings 7 explaining the disaster of keeping silent and our responsibility to tell the Good News of Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION

A. Jesus is our perfect example

1. 1 Peter 2:21-22

2. Philippians 2:5

B. Jesus was one who had great concern for the lost

1. Luke 19:10

2. Jesus wept over a city in sin (Lk. 19:41)

3. There are many examples of our Lord’s concern for loss souls:

a. Nicodemus (Jn. 3)

b. The Samaritan Woman (Jn. 4)

4. Christ died that we might live … Romans 5:6-9

5. Matthew 28:18-20

C. We, like our Lord, need to have a deep concern for lost souls

1. “He that is wise winneth souls” (Pro. 11:30)

2. Daniel 12:3

DISCUSSION: (Discussion of this sermon on the Four Lepers.)

A. THIS IS A DAY OF GOOD NEWS

1. In the period of “The Divided Kingdom,” Israel finds themselves in a much weakened condition leaving themselves open to attacks by other countries

a. We read of one such attack in 2 Kings 6:24-29

b. This siege was orchestrated by Ben-Hadad, king of Syria

c. We see the terrible famine this brought about

2. Among those suffering in this famine were four lepers

a. They discussed their plight

1) 2 Kings 7:3-4

2) In desperation they decided to surrender to the Syrians

b. To their surprise they found the Syrian camp abandoned … 2 Kings 7:5-7

c. At first, they splurged in their new found riches

1) 2 Kings 7:8

2) They ate — they drank, and they hid treasures

d. But upon reflection, they knew they needed to tell others what they had found, and so… 2 Kings 7:9-11

3. There is a very valuable lesson that we learn from these four lepers, especially when they said, “This is a day of good tidings (or good news)”

4. Jesus realized this, which is why He is our perfect example. Jesus:

a. Realizes there is a famine

b. Taught there are consequences to keeping silent

c. Knows why we keep silent

B. THERE IS A FAMINE

1. There is a famine of the word of God in our day

a. Amos 8:11

b. As a whole people do not study the Bible like they use to

c. God had provided us with milk and meat (Heb. 5:12)

d. This spiritual famine is self-induced when we fail to study (2 Tim. 2:15)

2. Jesus said… John 4:31-34

a. Job 23:12

b. Jesus realized, and so should we, that if we are not studying, teaching, and obeying the word of God — then we are in a severe famine

3. This is a day of good news — there does not have to be a famine

a. Are we doing our part?

b. Remember Hosea 4:6?

c. Are we aiding in the destruction of others — are we promoting the famine?

4. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost (Lk. 17:10)

a. The Messiah came to give living water… John 4:13-14

b. The Son of God came to give bread… John 6:48-51

5. Knowing that we have the food to cure the spiritual famine of our day — how hateful are we if we do not share the “Bread of Life?”

a. Are we promoting spiritual starvation?

b. Or, are we feeding the masses with the “Bread of Life?”

C. CONSEQUENCES OF KEEPING SILENT ABOUT THE DAY OF GOD NEWS

1. We fail to keep the Great Commission

a. Jesus wanted His disciples to observe ALL that He had commanded

b. Matthew 28:18-20

c. Included in the command to His disciples, and us, was to “Go and make disciples…”

d. Keeping silent was not Jesus commanded!

2. In keeping silent about the good news we fail as the people of God

a. As the privileged people of God, we are to proclaim the praises of God… 1 Peter 2:9-10

b. Especially in regards to:

1) How God “called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”

2) How we “who had not obtained mercy…now have obtained mercy.”

c. How can “God’s people” do this while remaining silent?

3. We will answer to God for failing in our mission

a. Ezekiel was warned concerning his responsibilities… Ezekiel 3:16-21

b. Today the church is God’s “watchman” to the world

1) We are to take the Gospel to the whole world (Mk. 16:15)

2) Those who will refuse to hear will die in their own sins, but we will be held accountable if we do not do our part in warning

4. Despite the consequences of keeping silent, many Christians do not tell others about the good news of Jesus.

a. Why is this so?

b. Here are some possibilities:

c. Finally, in this sermon on the four lepers we ask…

D. WHY MANY KEEP SILENT

1. For some, it may be that they are starving spiritually themselves

a. They have experienced the joy of salvation in the past, but through negligence have failed to grow, and have forgotten the blessings of salvation

b. 2 Peter 1:8-9

c. Those who are enjoying the blessing of salvation will want to tell others

1) Even as David did in Psalm 32:1-11

2) And as Philip did when he found Jesus… John 1:43-46

d. Don’t you have any good news worth sharing?

2. For some, it may be out of fear or discouragement

a. If fear is stopping us, then remember:

1) The cowardly will be in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8)

2) God does not want us to be fearful — 2 Timothy 1:7-8

3) Boldness comes through prayer:

a) Acts 4:29, 31

b) Ephesians 6:19-20

b. If discouragement keeps us silent, then remember:

1) The principle of sowing and reaping — Galatians 6:9

2) The example of our Lord, Jesus — Hebrews 12:1-3

c. Fear and discouragement, as problematic as they might be, can be overcome with faith and perseverance

CONCLUSION: (The end of this sermon on the four lepers.)

A. Jesus is our perfect example in spreading the good news — will we following His example?

B. Will we share the good news with a spiritually starved world?