Sharing the Abundance: A Call to Witness

 

Summary

In 2 Kings 7, we encounter four leprous men at the gate of Samaria, faced with a dire choice: remain where they are and die, or venture into the Syrian camp, risking death but also the possibility of survival. Their decision to move forward leads to a miraculous discovery—the camp is deserted, and they find food, drink, and riches. Initially, they satisfy their own needs, but soon realize the moral imperative to share the good news with the starving city. This narrative serves as a powerful metaphor for the Christian life.

When we discover the grace and salvation offered through Christ, it is natural and necessary to first experience and internalize this truth. However, it is equally important to share this transformative experience with others. Just as the lepers would have been guilty of neglect had they kept the news to themselves, so too are we called to share the gospel. Our faith is not meant to be a private treasure but a public testimony.

The doctrine of election, often misunderstood, is not about exclusivity but about being chosen to bring others into the fold. We are called to be lights in the darkness, to share the abundance we have found in Christ. Silence in the face of such a gift is not only wrong but dangerous, as it neglects the divine purpose and the needs of others.

Our testimony should be explicit and continual, not just a one-time declaration but a lifelong witness. This involves not only verbal confession but also living a life that reflects the grace we have received. By doing so, we fulfill our duty to God, the church, and the world, and we strengthen our own faith.

Key Takeaways:

- The Necessity of Sharing the Gospel: Like the lepers who discovered the deserted Syrian camp, we must not keep the good news of Christ to ourselves. Our faith is meant to be shared, as withholding it contradicts the divine purpose and leaves others in spiritual starvation. [06:19]

- The Role of Personal Experience in Testimony: Before sharing the gospel, it is crucial to have a personal encounter with Christ. This ensures that our testimony is genuine and powerful, as we speak from a place of personal transformation and assurance. [03:12]

- Election and Purpose: The doctrine of election is not about exclusivity but about being chosen to bring others to Christ. We are called to be a light to those in darkness, sharing the abundance of grace we have received. [08:11]

- The Danger of Silence: Failing to share the gospel is not just a missed opportunity but a serious neglect of duty. Our silence can have dire consequences for those who remain in spiritual darkness, and we are accountable for the knowledge we possess. [13:40]

- Continual Witness: Our testimony should be ongoing, not a one-time event. We are called to live out our faith daily, making Christ known through our words and actions, and encouraging others in their spiritual journey. [26:39]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - The Dilemma of the Lepers
[00:44] - The Miraculous Discovery
[01:35] - The Moral Imperative
[02:39] - Personal Experience and Testimony
[04:13] - The Danger of Selfish Faith
[06:19] - The Wrong of Concealing Grace
[08:11] - Election and Purpose
[10:51] - The Seriousness of Inaction
[13:25] - The Consequences of Silence
[20:16] - The Call to Explicit Confession
[22:39] - The Church's Role in Testimony
[24:17] - The Importance of Decision
[26:39] - Continual Witness
[33:16] - The Urgency of Sharing the Light
[34:22] - A Call to Action

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 2 Kings 7:3-9: This passage tells the story of the four leprous men at the gate of Samaria who discover the deserted Syrian camp and decide to share the good news with the city.

#### Observation Questions
1. What dilemma did the four leprous men face at the gate of Samaria, and what decision did they make? [00:14]
2. How did the Lord intervene in the situation at the Syrian camp, and what was the result? [00:44]
3. What was the initial reaction of the leprous men upon discovering the deserted camp, and how did their perspective change? [01:35]
4. According to the sermon, what would have been the consequences if the leprous men had kept the discovery to themselves? [04:13]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the leprous men serve as a metaphor for the Christian life, particularly in terms of sharing the gospel? [06:19]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of personal experience in sharing one's faith, and why is it important? [03:12]
3. How does the doctrine of election relate to the responsibility of sharing the gospel, according to the sermon? [08:11]
4. What are the potential dangers of remaining silent about one's faith, as highlighted in the sermon? [13:40]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt hesitant to share your faith. What held you back, and how can you overcome that barrier in the future? [13:54]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of personal experience in testimony. How can you ensure that your relationship with Christ is genuine and transformative before sharing it with others? [03:12]
3. Consider the people in your life who may be in "spiritual starvation." What practical steps can you take this week to share the good news with them? [06:19]
4. How can you actively live out your faith as a continual witness, both in words and actions, in your daily life? [26:39]
5. The sermon warns against the danger of silence. Identify one person you can share your faith with this week and plan how you will approach the conversation. [13:40]
6. Reflect on the concept of being a "light in the darkness." What specific actions can you take to illuminate the lives of those around you with the grace you have received? [08:11]
7. How can you involve your church community in supporting and encouraging each other to share the gospel more effectively? [22:39]

Devotional

Day 1: The Urgency of Sharing the Gospel
The story of the leprous men in 2 Kings 7 illustrates the urgency of sharing the good news. These men, upon discovering the deserted Syrian camp filled with provisions, initially satisfy their own needs. However, they soon realize the moral imperative to share their discovery with the starving city of Samaria. This narrative serves as a metaphor for the Christian life, emphasizing that the grace and salvation found in Christ are not meant to be hoarded but shared. Withholding the gospel contradicts the divine purpose and leaves others in spiritual starvation. Just as the lepers would have been guilty of neglect had they kept the news to themselves, Christians are called to share the transformative experience of Christ with others. [06:19]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Christ today, and how can you share it with them in a way that is both loving and urgent?


Day 2: The Power of Personal Experience in Testimony
Before sharing the gospel, it is crucial to have a personal encounter with Christ. This ensures that one's testimony is genuine and powerful, as it comes from a place of personal transformation and assurance. The leprous men in 2 Kings 7 experienced the miraculous provision of God firsthand, which compelled them to share the good news with others. Similarly, Christians are called to internalize the grace and salvation offered through Christ, allowing it to transform their lives. This personal experience becomes the foundation for a compelling and authentic testimony that can impact others. [03:12]

1 John 1:1-3 (ESV): "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us."

Reflection: Reflect on a specific moment when you experienced God's grace in your life. How can you use this personal encounter to encourage someone else in their faith journey today?


Day 3: Election and Purpose
The doctrine of election is often misunderstood as exclusivity, but it is about being chosen to bring others to Christ. Christians are called to be lights in the darkness, sharing the abundance of grace they have received. The leprous men in 2 Kings 7 were chosen to discover the deserted camp and share the good news with the city. Similarly, believers are chosen to share the gospel, fulfilling their divine purpose. Silence in the face of such a gift is not only wrong but dangerous, as it neglects the needs of others and the divine purpose for which believers are called. [08:11]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively live out your calling to be a light in the darkness this week? Consider specific actions or conversations that align with this purpose.


Day 4: The Danger of Silence
Failing to share the gospel is not just a missed opportunity but a serious neglect of duty. The leprous men in 2 Kings 7 recognized that keeping the good news to themselves would be wrong, as it would leave others in need. Similarly, Christians are accountable for the knowledge they possess and are called to share it with others. Silence can have dire consequences for those who remain in spiritual darkness, and believers are urged to speak out and share the transformative power of the gospel. [13:40]

Ezekiel 33:7-9 (ESV): "So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked one, you shall surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand."

Reflection: Is there someone you have hesitated to share the gospel with? What steps can you take today to overcome this hesitation and fulfill your duty to share the good news?


Day 5: Continual Witness
Our testimony should be ongoing, not a one-time event. Christians are called to live out their faith daily, making Christ known through their words and actions. The leprous men in 2 Kings 7 did not stop at sharing the good news once; they continued to act on their discovery. Similarly, believers are encouraged to be a continual witness, reflecting the grace they have received in every aspect of their lives. This involves both verbal confession and living a life that aligns with the teachings of Christ, strengthening one's faith and encouraging others in their spiritual journey. [26:39]

Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: How can you incorporate your faith into your daily routine in a way that is visible to others? Consider specific habits or practices that can serve as a continual witness to those around you.

Quotes



You were not surprised to find that when those four lepers outside the Gate of Samaria had made the great discovery that the Syrian Camp was deserted they first satisfied their own hunger and thirst and quite right too who would do otherwise it is true that they were bound to go and tell other hungry ones but they could do that with all the louder voice and they were the more sure of the truth they had to tell when they had first refreshed themselves. [00:01:58]

I would advise Every Soul that has found Christ to imitate the lepers in this matter make sure that you have found the Savior eat and drink of him enrich yourself with him and then go and publish the Glad Tidings I shall not object to our going as early as possible but still I would prefer that you should not go to assure others until you are quite certain yourself. [00:02:42]

If you run too soon and do not first taste and see that the Lord is good you may say to others there is abundance in the camp and they may reply why have you not eaten of it yourself thus your testimony will be weakened if not destroyed and you will wish you had held your peace. [00:03:17]

I fear that the doctrine of election has too often been preached in such a way that thoughtful Minds have objected to it upon the ground of its tendency to selfishness men do not like the doctrine anyhow but there is no use in putting it in a needlessly ugly shape election is a fact but a fact which relates to other facts the Lord calls out of the world a people A peculiar people whom makes to be his own but the ultimate end of the election of these men is that they may Gather in others. [00:08:00]

We are chosen unto salvation that afterwards we may go and be lights to those that sit in darkness and spiritual helps to those that are ready to perish these four men were allowed to see what God had done on purpose that they might run home with the cheering news if they had not gone to Samaria with the tidings they would have been false to the Divine Purpose. [00:09:46]

If there be any within your reach who sink down to predition for want of the knowledge of Christ and you could have given them that knowledge will your skirts be free from blood in the day when the Great inquest shall be held and God shall make Inquisition for the blood of men I put it to the consciences of many silent Christians who have never yet made known to others what God has made known to them. [00:14:04]

If you know the Lord and you have never confessed his name then you have not done well if you have been in company and you have not spoken up for Christ you have not done well if you have had opportunities of telling out the gospel even to children and you have not done so you have not done well it is a heavy charge after all for a man's conscience to bring against him when it forces him to join with others in saying we do not well. [00:12:10]

If all that your faith does is to keep you from doing Mischief it has too small an effect to be the religion of Jesus Christ he asks what do ye more than others do not even public and so God help us then to make an open Declaration of what his Spirit has secretly taught to us besides this had those lepers held their tongue they would actually have been doing evil. [00:13:02]

If you have found Christ the man who was the means of leading you to Christ has a claim upon you that he should know of it oh the joy of my heart the other day when I saw some 4 and 20 who were my spiritual children I felt then that I was receiving large wages at the Master's hands many get good from their Minister and yet they never let him know of it this is not doing as they would be done by. [00:21:54]

If a man is a soldier of the Cross and does not show his colors all his comrades are losers by his want of decision there is nothing better for a man when he is brought to Christ than for him decidedly to express his faith and let those about him know that he is a new man unfur your standard decision for Christ and Holiness will save you from many dangers and ward off many Temptations compromise creates a life of misery. [00:24:12]

If all Christians came out and declared What the Lord Has Done for their souls the world would feel the power of Christianity and would not think of it as men now do as though it were some petty Superstition of which its own voies were ashamed if indeed you be soldiers of the Cross bear your Shields into the light of day and be not ashamed of your captain what can there be to make us blush in the service of such a lord. [00:25:26]

We ought always to make Christ known not only by our once- made profession but by frequently bearing witness in support of that profession I wish that we did this more amongst God's Own people Miss havle very admirably says the king's household were the most unlikely people to need to be instructed in this good news so it seems at First Sight but secondly the lepers were the most unlikely persons to instruct the king's household and yet they did. [00:26:39]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?