Good Tidings of Great Joy - 2 Kings 7:9
The sermon encourages believers to share the good news of God's love and provision, inspired by the story of the four lepers in 2 Kings 7:9.
Bernard Fell preaches about the story of the four lepers in Samaria who, in a desperate situation, decided to take a step of faith and were rewarded with unexpected blessings. He draws parallels to how Jesus overcame the world's siege by dying on the cross for us, satisfying our souls with the Living Bread. The sermon emphasizes the importance of sharing the good news of God's love and provision, even when some may not initially receive it due to lack of appetite, as God's love and grace are abundant for all.
Text
We do not well;
this is a day of good tidings,
and we hold our peace.
2 Kings 7:9
Four lepers in Samaria lay
Outside the city gate,
And shared the rigour of the siege
In their unhappy state.
Encircled by Benhadad's hosts,
Like wolves to seize the prey,
While famine stalks with sharper teeth
The multitude to slay.
In desperate plight they reasoned thus-
"Why sit we here to die?
There's food enough in Syrian camp,
While we in hunger lie!
Perchance, our lives may well be spared
If to the host we go,
And if they kill, we shall but die,
By hunger or by foe."
As day was fading into night,
The Syrian sentries heard
The sound of chariots drawing near,
And quickly passed the word.
It was Jehovah's unseen pow'r,
Which gripped the host with fright,
They left their food, their wealth, their all,
In wild disordered flight.
The fearful lepers reached the camp,
And, lo, no man was there!
They flew upon the glitt'ring spoil,
And supped on Syrian fare.
"We do not well,' '--their conscience spake,
"While death the hungry choose,
Ere morning light in haste we go
To share the glorious news."
Another king this world besieged,
To starve and blight the race,
Whom Jesus on the cross o'ercame
By dying in our place.
He satisfies the longing soul,
And gives the Living Bread,
With all the good things grace supplies,
His table's richly spread.
In ev'ry continent and dime,
The hungry still are there;
We do not well to hold our peace,
Good tidings we must bear.
Though many starve and will not come,
For want of appetite,
The plenty of God's love abounds,
And will till Morning Light.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to the story of the four lepers - Context of the siege in Samaria - The desperation of the lepers
- II points: - The lepers' decision to seek help - The risk they took in approaching the enemy camp - The potential outcomes of their choice
- III points: - God's intervention and the fleeing Syrians - The lepers discovering the abandoned camp - The abundance they found
- IV points: - The moral realization of the lepers - The importance of sharing good news - Application to our lives today
- V points: - Comparison to Jesus and His sacrifice - The spiritual hunger of the world - The call to action for believers
Key Quotes
“We do not well; this is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace.” — Bernard Fell
“Why sit we here to die? There's food enough in Syrian camp, while we in hunger lie!” — Bernard Fell
“The plenty of God's love abounds, and will till Morning Light.” — Bernard Fell
Application Points
- Reflect on the blessings you have received and consider how you can share them with others.
- Take action in your community to spread the message of hope and love found in Christ.
- Recognize the spiritual hunger around you and be willing to reach out to those in need.