Texts: 2nd Kings 7:3 – 10
INTRODUCTION
A. FOUR LESSONS FROM THE LEPERS
1. We were once leprous
· Leprosy is a picture of SIN in a person’s blood. (Leviticus 13:44/Isaiah 1:4-6)
· We were once dead in our sins and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1)
· Leprous people were kept outside the Camp (Miriam)
· Can only be treated by God Himself
2. We were once dying
· Outside the Camp was no food, only starvation and death
· We also had the sentence of death in us (Romans 5:12)
3. We were outsiders
· They were not allowed to be come inside the city
· Both the Prodigal Son and the elder brother were outside (Luke 15:13,25,28)
· Can only be treated by God Himself
4. We have a new charge
· Instinctively they realized that they had to spread the Good News
· We don’t do right when we shy away from preaching the Good News
· Not even angels can proclaim our Gospel because they have not experienced it
B. WHY WE DON’T SHARE THE GOSPEL
1. Lack of Knowledge
· Inability to articulate the Gospel (Roman Road)
· Afraid of people asking us difficult questions
2. Apathy
· Lack of care and compassion for the lost (2 Corinthians 5:11,14)
· Quote by C.H. Spurgeon: “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”
3. Hell is not a reality
· We don’t believe that hell exists (Luke 16:19-31)
4. Powerless Gospel
· Hypocrisy: Our Gospel’s power hasn’t changed our lives yet (Romans 6:14)
· People blaspheme God because of Christians (Isaiah 52:5)
C. HOW CAN WE DO IT TOGETHER
· Continually pray for the lost and for opportunities to minister to them
· Recall the Gospel together when we meet
· Live out the Gospel together (Galatians 2:11-14)
· Prove the power of the Gospel together