Revelation From A River
by Michael Spencer
April 21, 2024 · Centerpointe Apostolic Church (Murfreesboro, TN)
Kind: sermon
Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14, Ephesians 3:20, Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Source: https://acts238.life/repository/sermons/michael-spencer--revelation-from-a-river
Published by Acts 2:38 Life from the sermon transcript on that page.
Free to copy and share with attribution.

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We're going to launch today from 2 Kings chapter 5 little bit of a lengthy reading. But I feel it's necessary to bring the message today second Kings chapter 5 beginning with verse one. Now, non captain of the host of the king of Syria was a great man with his master honorable. Because by him the God had given or the Lord had given Deliverance unto Syria he was also a mighty man in Valor. But he was a leper and the syrians had gone out by companies and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid, and she waited on non's wife and she said unto her mistress would God my Lord were with the prophet. That is in Samaria for he would recover him of his leprosy and one went in, and told his Lord saying thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.

And the king of Syria said go to go and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel, and he departed and took with him 10 talents of silver and 6,000 pieces of gold. And 10 changes of reignment and he brought the letter to the king of Israel saying. Now, when this letter has come unto thee behold I have therefore sent nonon my servant to thee, and thou mayest recover him of his leprosy and it came to pass. When the king of Israel had read the letter that he rent his clothes Kings. Don't rent their clothes he rent his clothes and he said I or he asked am I God to kill, and to make alive that this man does send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy wherefore consider I pray you and see. How he seeketh a quarrel against me and it was so when Elijah the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes that he sent to the king saying wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes.

Let him come now to me and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. So non came with his horses and with his Chariot and stood at the door of the House of Elisha, and Elisha sent a messenger unto him saying go and wash in Jordan seven times. And thy flesh shall come again to thee and thou shalt be clean, but non was wroth, and went away and said behold I thought he would surely. Come out to me and stand call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place and recover the leper are not abon and farar rivers of Damascus better than all the Waters of Israel may I not wash in them and be clean. So he turned and went away in Rage and his servants came near and spake unto him and said my father.

If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing wouldest thou not have done it how much rather. Then when he sath to thee wash and be clean in verse 14 then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan according to the saying of the man of God in his flesh came. Again, like under the Flesh of a little child and he was clean I want to talk to you for a little bit today a revelation from a river we see here. When we begin to break this story down we see three things that kind of stand out with non we have a man. Who know no doubt has connections to power and to those in Authority at the top he has money he has other means available at his fingertips he's a man of tremendous influence in society. And in the community everybody knows who you're talking about when you say his name he captained a powerful Army he was well respected by those all around him a brave man no doubt leading the Army going into battle.

And not backing down from a fight wherever it might take place, but the scripture says but he was a leper his Prestige his honor came from the world around him but the power of the world couldn't help his biggest weakness of being a leper. His connections his authority none of the money that he had at his disposal could help him in this moment of sickness that was destroying his body he suffered from a deteriorating disease it can describe a various a Sury of skin conditioned. When you say the word leprosy could have been something far less severe where his skin. Just itched severely and flaked off continually or it could have been as drastic as numbness, and not even feeling extremities in his body. But he had the disease of leprosy no less most likely it was a life-threatening illness life destroying and he didn't know.

What was going to take place in his future often times people with Leprosy were cast out isolated from all their friends their family even put into leprous colonies to either overcome it or die non had leprosy he had been defined with all the accolades. And the medals and the Honors that had come his way this one word suddenly totally redefined his life he was a man at the end of his rope where was I going to go. What was I going to do then God crossed his path with an individual the Bible calls a little Maid. Let's set aside for a moment even the if you think about her story and the possible horror that took place of how she ended up in his house serving his wife. But I've come to tell somebody don't get caught up in what may have taken place in your life, and allow that to rob you of what it is God has destined for your life to accomplish.

How the Lord turned her life and used her in what we would deem as a tragic situation a hostage situation none the Les. But she saw an opportunity for God to move even through that drastic situation in their eyes she was probably a nobody a slave a servant Spoils of War. But God had orchestrated her steps when everybody else said you're meaningless you're pointless we don't even have a name. Just says a little Maid but I've come to tell you if you will seek the face of God it doesn't matter. If anybody knows your name God will use you in the moment God will use you, and orchestrate your steps and can position you to be the minister to someone. Who has never known God who may have deemed you as worthless and pointless, but suddenly God opens the door for you to be the transition the Revelation in their very life there was no real cure for the leprosy.

But she steps in and even though most would disregard her voice you don't get to speak in this house you just go, and you do when we tell you otherwise you stay out of the way a little girl in a man's world. But she saw an opportunity if only he could get to the man of God. What did she have to lose but oh what did non have to gain by listening to the voice of this maid we see here the other characters in the story The King of Syria the king of Israel Syria no doubt had just defeated. And took this girl from Israel so now all of a sudden there's a letter going to the king of Israel hey. How about you take care of my leader of my Army suddenly he's up on guard high alert. What is he trying to do start another fight I'm not God I can't heal.

So we see here a conflict of interest on his part well I'm what am I supposed to do this. But the man of God had an ear tuned Elisha the prophet of God that the maid was referencing to if non can just get to him he can rid him of the leprosy. Just Elisha said send him to me let him know that there is a prophet of God here for him verse 10 says, and Elisha sent that messenger unto him go and wash seven times in the Jordan we see the response there of non non. Had men under him who he could demand to do this and to do that, and suddenly Hears A guy trying to tell him go get in the dirtiest River and you can be cleansed no doubt he felt slided non we see his approach he pulls. Into Elisha's house he just stops at the door expecting the man of God to come out, and to respond to him come to him and to pray over him and to make this all go away.

But he doesn't even come to the door to speak to him instead his assistant gesi he answers the door, and immediately sends non into a rage we've all encountered individuals. Who think well it's got to go this way and only the pastor can pray for me do you know. Who I am I've come to tell you God knows who you are God knows. What you're dealing with and it doesn't matter who he orchestrates and uses to say that prayer to give that message. But it's up to us to respond with obedience it's up to us to submit to what it is God is asking us to do if we're seeking healing. If we're seeking a touch if we're seeking something from God it's up to us to be obedient to God's word, and his response to what we're asking.

But we see the response of non says he was wroth you can't even read that word without sounding angry Roth non he became Furious, and the scripture goes on and tells us why he wanted Elisha to stand before him pray an extravagant prayer over him and wave. His hand over the place of his leprosy for healing he was seeking all the attention. How many times do we come to God with our preconceived notions and ideas this is how you got to work this is what you've got to do in my situation and then we leave Furious. Because God doesn't bow to our demand if we're not careful we too will seek that center of attention reject the very blessing that God's Desiring to place on us because God. Didn't do it the way we wanted to so we weren't going to submit to what God is asking us to do our flesh will get the better of us if we're not careful.

If we don't keep it under authority of the spirit and be under subjection to what God is doing in our life, and speaking into us through the man of God. How can we expect the blessings of God to flow when we're not submitted and obedient to what he's saying into our life many times have we been guilty going to God In Prayer God this is what I'm facing this is what I'm having to deal. With but I need you to do it like this and then I will you can't put God in a box, and expect him to move the way God moves you can't limit the power of God based on your expectations. And your comfort level God may be asking you to go and to dip seven times right maybe God's asking you to go, and be a witness in a place you've never been maybe he's asking you to give more than you've ever given maybe he's.

Asking you to speak to that individual that you have never had a conversation with are we willing are we submitted are we obedient. Because God does not care what you will because your will must surrender to his will yes before he will do as only he will our will must always surrender to the will of God regardless. If it feels comfortable if it feels like that's what I want the truth is it doesn't matter. What you and I want if we want God to do what God wants to do in our life name stood offering his advice CU in his opinion he had better Rivers back home. Well, if it's we're just dipping in a river why does it matter why does it matter the approach. Why does it matter where it takes place I've come to tell you the word of God spells out.

What the plan of God is and that plan is the one we must follow that's why. When we go down in the watery grave of baptism it's got to be in the name of Jesus we can't. Just do it in any old fashion any old way, but we got to go his way his plan. If it's going to be effective in our life when you study out and research these rivers in Damascus they were made of legendary Beauty, and an oasis in the minds of many kind of the garden spot to go to they flowed from snow covered. Mountains but when you begin to research in scripture the names of these Rivers they've translated to mean rushing or rapid. So many times we come to God God I've got a crisis and you got to do it, and you got to do it now we want the fast approach we want the right.

Now, answer and sometimes God takes us through a situation to lead us to lead us to trust him to lead us to depend on him, and we've got to be willing to go even. When it's not comfortable even when it's not convenient even when everybody else says well I wouldn't have done it that way too often we want God moving in our situation under our rules. And to do it right now God loves us he loves each and every one of us he cares about what we face in our life our dilemmas our sicknesses our situations. But he is not bound by our set of guidelines he does not follow our commands. But he does say I know where you are I know what you're going through, and I have your best interest in heart and in mind anytime that we measure. What God can do by our own expectations we limit his power in our life.

Because the Lord is able to do far above and beyond what we can even imagine Galatians 2, and 20 says now to him who's able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask. Or think and the Lord said in Isaiah 55: 89 for my thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways my ways for as the heavens are higher than the earth. So are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts shame on us for binding God and his ability in our life. Because of our thought process and our mentality and our preconceived ideas and Notions of How It's got to happen, and this is what's got to take place. But what could truly happen in our lives and in our church and in our community. If we just come surrendered wholeheartedly God whatever you want to do whatever you ask of me God that's what I'm willing to do I'll surrender my will my way my agenda to what it is God you want to do instruct me today God in all.

Of you and what you desire to do in our church non was measuring God by his own thoughts his own Notions. But he had to learn a better way verse 13 we see where non's servants speak Clarity into him sometimes we have some friends around us we need to listen to them when we're not listening allow people around you to say hey. Why are you not doing what God's telling you to do what's the worst that can happen we go down you get wet, and then we go home all right. But what if what God Said is true what if we go down what if you get in that River, and after seven dunks you come up healed would it not be worth it had he asked you to do something great you would just already. Have done it but because of your mentality you're eliminating God working in your life think about it for just a moment we may be suffering from some illness or something in our life that's taking place.

And asking God why don't you take care of this and his response is well. Why don't you stop participating in this or doing this in your life name came and surrender to be obedient even. When he didn't understand is why he was allowed a revelation to take place in the midst of that dirty River the transformation that took place. Didn't happen because non understood the how and the why, but the transformation took place in non, and it will take place in our life. When we say God that's what you said and that's what I'm going to do God I'm going to surrender whatever ever you tell me to do wherever you ask me to go God that's my plan. And that's my purpose and I'm going to fulfill it because if you pointed me in that direction you're going to go before me you're going to prepare the path you're going to be that way maker that I need in my life we see non.

Came out of that water that seventh time and he was healed his skin was clear, and clean like a baby skin and suddenly this military man this Commander of an army refers to himself as a servant a servant of God. When we're obedient when we submit our authority to God's Authority in our life suddenly we also position oursel where we can take the place of a servant our accolades our titles all go to the side. And we recognize our position is to be a servant to almighty God and only in that position can we being the servant also receive the blessings that God intends to flow in our life we see here. And even takes a load of dirt home with him to build an altar to God you say. Well, that's kind of weird but how many of us have rocks or whatever when we go on vacation we'll bring home I that'll remember hopefully you're not worshiping rocks.

But anyway but non transition from a commander a soldier to a servant this took place. Because he recognized that until I lay down my pride my arrogance my way of thinking I can never accomplish, and be in the position that God desires me to be in you can just imagine seeing nonon pulling up to that Riverbank. And that Chariot and probably hot rod Flames down the side and turbo on the front of his horse, and, but he began to strip away all of the Nam. Let me lay my Metals aside let me lay all all these accolades to the side. Let me get this uniform that defines me and lay it to the side and let me become vulnerable in the presence of God that he can do what he desires to do in the midst of this River in the end it was a faith.

In God that allowed him to strip away all of himself and go where God told him to go you may be here today you may have a ton of Good Deeds or a ton of money neither one of those things are going to save. You conversely maybe your actions have been terrible and you feel like well at any moment the roof in this building is going to cave in cuz I'm such a bad person. But I've come to tell you it doesn't work that way either when your sin, and when my sin begins to add up God extends his grace his grace is sufficient I'm so thankful that our God he shows Grace to who doesn't deserve it because none. Of us deserve it but he extended his mercy and his grace and his love, and he paid a price on calvary's cross that none of us could ever pay regardless of our title regardless of our circumstance St regardless of the no title.

And no name that we may have it doesn't matter which end of the spectrum you're on we all. Come to the feet of Jesus at the same position we all come lacking we all. Come missing what it is we need in our life we come as nonon did because we see leprosy in scripture is referen is symbolic of sin we come we're missing. What it is we need in our life maybe we're even numb from the blows that life has dealt us, and like leprosy sin is a vow contaminating unclean thing. See, the leper didn't go out and want to tell hey I've got leprosy won't you come join my group. But truthfully leprosy began on the inside and eventually manifest itself in other areas it starts out as a spot, and grows till it takes over the whole person condemning him to death sin is like that in our life the separation that sin causes as well.

Romans 3 and 27 or verse 23 of Romans 3 says for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God that all includes all where are you at today. What are you facing in your life is your current situation like a leprosy that's beginning to consume your life even maybe you're here in this place and you say. Well, I don't feel God sin has a way of trying to place a barrier, and convince you that this is not real someone invited you here and you say. Well, they act different they seem to feel something, but I don't feel that sin is a cruel thing in our life it can convince you that it isn't real you can't feel nothing God's not real. But I've come to tell you if you will come down and get an introduction to the one. Who can make that feeling real he can strip away that sin if you're willing to come, and confess your sin to him and to find a place of repentance he is faithful and just to forgive those sins it's promised in the word of God.

And I can tell you there's many people in here that have lived that life, and can be a witness to say God was a way maker God to transition my life from a point where I felt nothing to now. When I come into His presence I'm just overwhelmed with the feeling of his Spirit residing in this place. Don't settle don't settle for anything less than the miraculous Touch of almighty God in your life he will touch he will heal he will set free he will break free every addiction every captivity every bondage nothing is too great for my God. But we must be willing to surrender oursel to him most of the time our Salvation comes from where, and when we least expected no one would have written the story. If you want to be healed go get in a dirty River story is told a man found himself in a rainy cold Dark Night car broke down and he walked a few miles.

And he was just weary and he said God please please help me suddenly a car slowly pulls up beside him he when it stops he says I'll get in so he climbs in the back seat. And the card starts to move he looks and realizes there's not even a driver in this car he's begins to Pray. Again, God what's taking place what's happening and they start to approach a curve and suddenly a hand reaches in, and turns the wheel the man a little bit startled what's taking place and they go through a couple more curves. And this same thing happens and suddenly the man says I'm out he just bails out of the car, and he begin begins to run it's amazing. How a little bit of fear gives you a lot of motivation, but he runs into the town, and the first Cafe he comes into he begins to tell this story and everybody's listening.

And somebody buys him a cup of coffe and he's like and it just it's just unbelievable I know y'all. Don't believe me and so he's sitting there trying to recover from what's life event had just taken place, and about 20 minutes later a couple of guys. Come in and as they walk into the cafe they spot him sitting there one looks at the other, and said hey there's that guy that climbed in our car we was pushing down the road. So sometimes our Salvation comes from an unlikely place, but I've come to tell you there's a place of Salvation here today there is a God, and a savior and a redeemer that's in this place. And he came from an Old Rugged Cross where he shed his blood to pay for the sin of all mankind and I've. Come to tell you can ride with him and you'll make it to the destination of Eternity with him it doesn't matter where your background is or where you think you're headed.

If you will surrender today to his plan Redemption re reation and salvation can come to your house today 2 Corinthians 3:17 tells us now the Lord is that spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is there's liberty. If you seek Liberty in your life the only place you're going to find that Liberty is in the presence of God allowing his Spirit to fill you today there's Freedom here today. But you must lay aside self your opinion and your pride and yield to the one. Who wants to control your life and to lead you and order your steps maybe you're here today, and you have a sickness in your body we serve a God. Who heals we pray for healing in this place and I believe God is a restorer of Health, and as I wrap up today magicians can come the relationship with God finding a place in these altars.

And seeking forgiveness for your sin is the solution to the sin problem there's help in the house today the healer is in the house today. If you need healing and deliverance God is here to do that for you today. When we look at nonon and it's so true for many of us many times in our life we tend to seek after God only. When we come to that point of desperation when nothing in my world and nothing in my thinking seems to be working. Well, let me call on God but if we could transition our thinking and our mentality to God. Let me just call on you whatever I face I'm trusting you God I'm going to pray to you first I'm going to seek your face first I'm going to seek.

What you would do in this circumstance in this situation I've come to tell somebody today. Don't give up there's a river in your future that can bring deliverance from all of your past. Don't give up on God because it's not working the way you think it should work. Don't storm off in a rage because what you thought was going to happen is not happening in your life. Because when non went to the river and he began to dunk seven times this was a surrender issue to him this was a God said so moment. How many remember growing up and mama said because I said so and many of us said well I'll never say that, but how many of us are guilty of because I said so but at the same time.

How many of us have come to go god with our stubborn mindset and God kind of nudges us, and says because I said so it'll work. If you will just believe what he said would be so if we stand today I don't know every situation I don't know every circumstance. But I know the word of God promises that there's healing in the house today I know that God promises that there's Deliverance in this place today. If we will surrender oursel to him if you're in need of a touch from God these altars are open. Thank the story of N is a likeness of God's salvation process required for us today name, and embracing is the fact that he has leprosy we too must face the reality of sin in our life. So that God can forgive us amen we see brings us leprosy to the prophet seeking deliverance, and when we confess our sins and repentance God's faithful and just to forgive God instructs him what he must do so many get hung up on this step.

Why do I got to be baptized why can't you just sprinkle why we I would be glad to sit down and instruct you teach. What the word of God says better understand what it says why is he require me to speak in a language that I don't understand. Why didn't nonon have to go dip seven times because God said so and if we can come to the place that God. If that's what you said if that's what you're requiring of me then I'm going to find a place, and I'm going to let it happen repentance took place. When it takes place baptism in jesus' name that dipping in the water you can come out with a brand new name, and we see non was healed and his skin was like a new baby. When we receive the holy ghost that gift from God that freely he gives to us when you receive that 2 Corinthians 517 tells us therefore.

If any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are passed away all your sin can be gone all of those difficult ities, and those bondages and those chains that have held you down can be gone. And you can become a new creature in Christ behold All Things become new if you want something new in your life please. Come to this altar today God is here to meet you in your dilemma in your sickness in your place of struggle, and he wants to give you a way he wants to make a way where there seems to be no way he wants to give. You his Spirit to reside in you and you can leave this place a new creature in Christ Jesus can we come church is prayer time today. Let's find a place to pray.