A LITTLE GIRLS GREAT FAITH
January 21, 2001 AM
Sermon Outline
2 Ki 5:1-5
INTRO: This lesson is especially for our girls! (Yes, there is something useful for everyone in it.) I recognize that women of faith have been an integral part of Gods plans and purpose through the ages. Perhaps, though, we have not mentioned them often enough and have not used their lives as inspiration for our girls and young women. So, especially for our girls, I want to talk about a very special young girl. (Text)
I. HER SPECIAL QUALITIES?
A. She was a young girl
1. maid is used of infancy to adolescence
2. I would guess, then, a teenaged girl
3. this fact sets stage for a remarkable person
B. She was an Israelite slave
1. away from parents, kin - owned by another
2. resentment? anger? fear
3. she was not in the most advantageous position!
C. She was apparently conscientious, efficient
1. she waited on Naamans wife
2. she isnt sullen; isnt sloppy; isnt unconcerned
3. she sought to make the best of a bad situation (Im reminded of Josephs doing the same thing!)
D. She cared for people around her
1. she was concerned about Naamans condition!
2. could have felt, I couldnt care less. Im just a slave to this family. Why should I care? - she cared
3. relationship with her mistress must have been open, cordial for her to have felt free to make such an observation
E. She was apparently very religious, zealous
1. remember, she was from Northern Kingdom where idolatry was rampant - had begun with Jeroboam
2. but she knew about Elisha, the prophet of God
3. she had not forgotten Whose she was
F. She had great faith
1. the God of the prophet could heal Naaman!
2. there were no maybes with this girl - she must have been very definite, convincing
3. she knew Who she believed - 2 Tim 1:12
G. She is not named!
1. nothing further is said about her
2. this is so often the way of a righteous, faithful life ... goodness which is daily, normal - touching others lives ... without fanfare
3. she sought no glory, no attention ... she was just good
II. SOME IMPORTANT LESSONS
A. Power of a female presence
1. powerful presence of godly women is seen over and again in scripture (Deborah, Hannah, Esther)
2. so often seen in encouragement of men in their lives ... of encouragement of men to lead
3. but here is a young girls influence!
B. Youth does not exempt from faithfulness
1. Biblical examples abound: Joseph, Samuel, David, Daniel
2. the pressures of youth are admitted - but here are real young people who kept the faith in their youth
3. and this young girl is no less an example
C. Serving others is godly behavior
1. note what Jesus said at Mt 25:37-40
2. Mt 10:42 cup of cold water ... lowly service ... but it is godly behavior
3. this little girl was serving God!
D. Being personally noticed is not the objective
1. recall what Jesus said at Mt 6:5
2. moment by moment righteousness is quiet, influential ... the joy of the ordinary
3. this girl would have been wonderful to know!
CLOSE: Girls, dont ever think you are not important in Gods scheme of things. Your faithfulness, your purity, your inspiration will make a great difference.
Cecil A. Hutson
14 January 2001