Don Graham Revival Ministries

Powerlessness

II Kings 4-5

Part Two: The Plague of Powerlessness

II Kings 5:20-27 In the last edition of The Yoke I began a two-part study of the subject of powerlessness as illustrated in the life of Gehazi, the servant of Elisha. In the story of the death of the Shunammite's son we noted that though Gehazi had proximity to the man of God, possession of the man of God's staff, and position on the man of God's team, none of that insured power.

In II Kings 5 we see Gehazi as an eyewitness of the incredible healing of Naaman. While serving Elisha he watched Naaman's massive struggle with pride until finally he yielded, pride was crushed, and he dipped seven full times in the Jordan coming forth with his flesh "like unto the flesh of a little child," completely cleansed.

Overwhelmed with his miracle Naaman offered gifts to Elisha (v. 15), but Elisha refused (v. 16). He was hardly out of sight when the covetous heart of Gehazi manifested itself. The story that unfolds from there (vs. 20-27) highlights the Plague Of Powerlessness. The plague sweeps across our churches throughout the nation. For all our fanfare, activity, programs, marketing skills, bulging budgets and massive buildings, there is little power being seen in the main. Oh, that America's churches and her pastors would fall on their knees and confess the problem of powerlessness and stay there till the power flows unimpeded again.

Note the following significant truths...

I. The Problem that Plagued Gehazi (vs. 20-24)

This problem was at least threefold:

A. The Problem of Covetousness (vs. 20-21)

Not content with what he had, he was greedy and saw in the wealthy Naaman a source to exploit for his own lustful pleasure. The man just touched by God is vulnerable to being exploited by religious shysters. Ministers are often in a position to take advantage offender young converts and often have resorted to "fleecing the flock" rather than feeding them. Power will not rest upon a greedy and covetous heart. .

B. The Problem of Deceitfulness (vs. 22-23)

Upon catching up with Naaman, Gehazi now is deceptive and seeks to deceive the grateful yet gullible Naaman. He lies outright suggesting Elisha sent him. Deception in our lives will stop the flow of God's power. Talking further down the road than we are walking will make us spiritually impotent. Achan was deceitful and ended up stoned and buried with his family beneath a rock heap. Ananias and Sapphira were deceitful and were stricken dead 01 the spot. Saul was deceitful and lost his crown.

C. The Problem of Truthfulness (v. 25)

Having lied to Naaman, it's rather easy to lie to Elisha. The heart plagued with covetousness and deceitfulness is but a step avay from lying to the "Master". God's men are commanded to "speak the truth"and there must be no inconsistency in our private or public speech.

II. The Confrontation that Condemned Gehazi (vs. 25-26)

"But he went in and stood before his master." Oh, what a somber and searching word. So shall we one day stand before our Master to give account of the things done in the body. One day the church shall be summoned to stand before our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, at the Judgement Seat of Christ. (II Corinthians 5:10)

There our works will be tried by fire and the wood, hay and stubble of the self-life will go up in a puff of smoke. What a searching word: "But he went in and stood before his master." Should that encounter be in the next twenr> -four hours and you knew it, would you do anything differently today?

Just as Elisha knew and saw through Gehazi's lies, so our Master and Judge will see our hearts clearly. He will know the motive and intent of the heart. \Vhen we look into His face at that hour we will look into eyes " as a flame of fire" (Revelation 1:14). All the sham and hypocrisy will be shattered.

III. The Decree that Destroyed Gehazi (v. 27)

For his pride and pretense Gehazi was consigned to live out the rest of his days with the leprosy of Naaman who had been cleansed because he repented of the sin of pride and pretense. How ironic! What a contrast!

God so hates pride and pretense that He sets Himself to oppose and resist the man with a proud heart (I Peter 15:5). In the pews and pulpits of America's churches there are scores who live in pride and pretense. God has set Himself in battle array against them. Is it any wonder why there's such a vacuum of power in our churches. Oh, God, rend the heavens! Come down and show us, Your people, our sin that we might repent and return to You. Oh, God, do it again!! We cry out to You, O God, revive the church again!!