God Loves Even the Unlovable
by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on January 24, 2025 in 2 Kings 5:1-19
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany January 26, 2025
Text: 2 Kings 5:1-14 Historic Series 25:2484
Theme: God Loves Even the Unlovable
Do you have a Naaman in your life? My Naaman’s name was Bob. I was in 5th grade; he was in high school. He lived down the street from us. I had to pass his house on my way to school. I would try to slip by undetected, because he was the neighborhood bully.
One very wintry day, I was on my way home from school and tried to slip by his house. Guess what – I didn’t make it. As soon as I passed it, a barrage of snowballs flew at me, hitting me in the back. Then Bob burst around a corner of the house. Have you ever had a face wash in snow? I got away and ran home. I never liked Bob. He was my Naaman.
Did you have a Naaman in your life? Someone who bullied you, sought to get the better of you? A thorn in your flesh? Would you do anything kind for him? Can you love such unlovable people? Naaman is proof that God can Even Love the Unlovable.
I. A little girl knew this was true.
To the Israelites of his day, Naaman was the “neighborhood” bully. He was commander of the Aramean army to the northeast. The Arameans tormented God’s people. Naaman stood tall and strong, a national hero, honored by his king, unstoppable. Israel feared him. So, what was this little Israelite girl doing in his home?
One of Naaman’s raiding parties attacked her village and captured her. Such raids were brutal. The soldiers tore homes apart, wounded bodies and hearts, and stole property and possessions. In such a raid, this girl was taken from her home and made the servant of Naaman’s wife. Had her parents been killed, her home destroyed, her people brutalized? Perhaps. The Arameans were ruthless – bullies much worse than my Bob – enemies of God and His people. Totally unlovable! How bitter was she towards him?
I would imagine that when Naaman came down with leprosy she could have said, “Good, serves him right for all the pain that he has caused. Let him suffer!” But this little girl didn’t think that way. She lived the words that the Apostle Paul later wrote in our Epistle Lesson today: “Do not pay anyone back evil for evil… If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, maintain peace with everyone. Do not take revenge but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ says the Lord. But, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For by doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good” (Rm.12:17f). That’s how she lived, a life shaped by a miracle.
That miracle you know as the Gospel and faith in it. It is the story of God’s love in Christ for unlovable sinners. That Good News made her a different person, one who thought and lived God’s love. Yes, this man may have been unlovable! He enslaved her! He deserved to die for his sins and the pain he inflicted! But she did not seek revenge or despise him who had reduced her life to slavery. She didn’t loathe him, disfigured by the awful sores of leprosy. She knew of the coming Savior, and the love of Christ compelled her to live for Christ (2Co.5:14) – to love, even a bully.
She reached out to help. Why? Because she believed “God does not want anyone to perish but all to come to repentance” (2 Pt.3:9). She knew “God loved the world in this way that He gave His only begotten Son” for everyone, even bullies (Jn.3:16). She understood that no matter how far a person strays, the love of the heavenly Father for the sinner will always take the prodigal back when he comes in repentance (Lk.15). She knew the meaning of the Gospel for herself and for others. It changed her outlook on life.
The Bible says, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins…. Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1Jn.4:9ff).
A little girl knew it was true – God loves even the unlovable. He loved her, sinful as she was. Convinced of that she believed God loved Naaman, too. A nameless child of God living life in God’s redeeming love! Small child; large faith! God grant us to grow in such a faith, sure of what we hope for, certain of things we do not see (Hb.11:1).
II. A doubting man found it was true.
Faith like that sees blessed results, even if they haven’t happened yet. So it was that she said, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”
A ray of hope held out by a servant girl. What an unlikely instrument! But God often uses the unlikely for His saving purposes. He uses the unknowns to make Himself known.
Never should you say that you are too small, your life too narrow, your abilities too weak to have any effect in God’s Kingdom. God will use the most insignificant to bring the hope of salvation to others. For that reason, the Apostle Peter encourages, “be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1Pt.3:15). This girl was prepared. She may not have had all the answers, but she knew where to direct her master – to God’s spokesman.
First, they went to godless King Jehoram, the son of wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. In a frenzy the king cried out that he didn’t know what to do or where to turn. Then Elisha urged the king to send Naaman to him.
Elisha’s command was clear and simple: “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and you will be cleansed.” An easy thing! God doesn’t require the impossible of people. He knows they cannot do it. As Jesus said, “With man (things) are impossible. But with God all things are possible” (Mk.10:27).
His command was easy. But for Naaman it was too simple and humiliating. He wanted to do something flashy, something dramatic. “Wash in the Jordan!” he scoffed. “That old muddy river! The rivers back home are far better!”
Add to his brutality – arrogance. Here God offered a cure that would cost Naaman nothing, an offer with no strings attached, like the cure of salvation from sin, and Naaman refused in unbelief. He stomped off, never to come back. But God had given him wise servants who urged him forward saying, “Sir, wouldn’t you be willing to do something heroic in order to be cured? The prophet told you to do something neither difficult nor costly.”
Naaman listened, followed the prophet’s instructions, and God was true to His word. God is always true to His word for “His Word cannot be broken” (Jn.10:35). Behold, a miracle! Naaman was healed! After all his blustering, a doubting man found it to be true; God loves even the unlovable and seeks to reach them.
There are countless “Naamans” in our world – bullies and brutes, doubters and disbelievers. They commit their share of sins and have their share of sicknesses and problems. They are unlovable to many. Due to themselves they have no one to turn to for hope or help…. except you, who represent Christ.
There are also many “young girls of Israel” in the world today. They are the dedicated, humble Christians, sometimes living in tough situations, yet full of faith, hope, and love in Christ. They know His saving love, even for the unlovable, and seek to share it.
If people today are like those back then, God is entirely the same! He does not, cannot, will not change for He is the “same yesterday, today and forever” (Hb.13:8). His hatred for sin has not changed, nor His threat to punish the sinner who remains in it. Likewise, His mercy, grace, and will to save the sinner is unalterable. He still loves the sinner and wants to act in his behalf. To that end He sent Christ Jesus to earth to die and win life for all who turn to Him in faith. He loves even the unlovable. Do we?
I don’t know what has happened to Bob. Later he won scholarships as one of the top basketball players in the state. I wish I knew if he knew the Lord Jesus; but I don’t. Now I wish I could tell him; but I can’t. Still my comfort and hope lie in this: God Loves Even the Unlovable. I pray that He may use some little girl to tell Bob. And if an opportunity to reach out with Christ arises for me or for you, God grant us the love, courage, and wisdom of a little servant girl and a faithful prophet so that our “Naamans” might have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and be healed, not just for time but for eternity. God grant it in our lives of faith for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Zion Lutheran Church of Springfield
(A member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue)
Church phone: 417.887.0886 Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244
www.zionluthchurch.com email: revelehmann@gmail.com
You can also find us on Facebook
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany January 26, 2025
“The leper said, ‘Lord, if you are willing…‘I am willing,’ Jesus said.” Matthew 8:2-3
Welcome: The family of Zion welcomes you as we worship the Lord today. We encourage children to worship with us. However, if you need to leave with your child, there is a nursery room to the right as you exit the sanctuary. The rest rooms are located in the hallway between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. Visitors, please sign our guest book to the right, just outside the sanctuary. We’re glad that you are here and pray that through our worship the Lord grants you peace.
U p o n E n t e r i n g G o d’ s H o u s e
“The LORD is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid. He will hide me in His shelter in trouble. Take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27).
W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t
Jesus Manifests His Glory in Healing the Sick. The Lord continues to reveal the divine glory of His Son born at Christmas.
The changing of the water into wine at Cana (last Sunday’s lesson) was the first of the miraculous signs Jesus performed. Many others followed. The Gospel Lesson today presents two more.
The first sign of Jesus’ divine glory last Sunday, as He changed water into wine, was performed in regard to inanimate, earthy elements. The miracles in today’s lesson are different in that they reveal Jesus’ grace and power that He wields upon people who desperately need His help.
Following the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus went about “healing all manner of sicknesses among the people.” He who came to save us from sin manifested His divine ability to save through His miracles.
Therefore, we pray: Almighty and everlasting God, in mercy look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and needs, stretch out the right hand of Your Majesty to help and defend us, through Your Son, our Savior; for Jesus’ sake we pray. Amen.
– T h e W o r d o f G o d f o r T o d a y –
(The Lessons for the Day are from the Historic Pericope Series of the Christian Church.)
The Old Testament Lesson: 2 Kings 5:1-19
The Prophet Elisha heals Naaman, the commander of the Aramean army, of leprosy. By it Naaman learns to humble himself in faith before the God of Israel and to place all trust in Him even when Naaman cannot understand His ways.
The Epistle Lesson: Romans 12:17-21
The believer offers his body as a living sacrifice to God (v.1). He turns from anger and revenge, seeking to maintain peace, if he is able. Placing all things in God’s hands, he trusts in the Lord’s goodness and seeks to overcome evil with good.
The Gospel Lesson: Matthew 8:1-13
In the gracious healings of the leper and the paralyzed servant, Jesus reveals His mercy and glory as the Son of God with power. As the believer places his trust in Him, he embraces hope in the Savior.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Organist: Jane Rips The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann
Points to Ponder: “When the leper here limits his prayer and says, ‘Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean,’ it is not to be understood as if he doubted the goodness and grace of Christ. For such a faith would be of no value, even if he believed that Christ was almighty and was able to do and know all things…. But it is to be understood in this way: faith does not doubt the good will God has towards a person, by which He wishes him every good. But it is not known to us whether that which faith asks and presents is good and useful for us. God alone knows this. Therefore, faith prays in a way that submits all to the gracious will of God, not doubting that God will grant it. Or, if it cannot be granted, that His divine will withholds it in great grace because He sees it is better not to bestow it upon us.”
— Martin Luther in a sermon on Matthew 8:1-4
“The sun of God’s eternal love is fixed and sure. That love may be obscured from our human eyes for a season, but it is always there, shining more certain and more lasting than the rolling sun above.”
– Herman Gockel on Light and Shadow
Outline of Our Worship
Lord, Hear Us
Opening Thoughts on the Service
The Entrance Hymn: #375
The Order of Service Morning Prayer: Hymnal pg.207
Lord, Feed Us
Psalm of the Day: #27
2 Kings 5:1-19
Romans 12:17-21
Hymn Response: #727
Matthew 8:1-13
Sermon Hymn: #533
Sermon Text: 2 Kings 5:1-19 God Loves Even the Unlovable
Lord, Accept Our Response
The Te Deum Laudamus Hymnal page 210
The Offering
Hymnal pg.213-214 “Lord, Have Mercy”
Prayers, Lord’s Prayer
Lord, Bless Us
The Benediction Hymnal page 214
Closing Hymn: #387
WELS Connection: Christian Aid & Relief
Silent Prayer
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany – Historic Series
Old Testament Lesson: 2 Kings 5:1-19 Naaman Healed of Leprosy
1Na’aman, the commander of the king of Aram’s army, was a great man in the opinion of his master. He was highly honored because the Lord had provided victory for Aram through him. Although he was a powerful warrior, he had leprosy. 2 Raiding parties had once gone out from Aram and brought back a young girl. She served Na’aman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “I wish my master stood before the prophet who is in Samaria, because he would cure him of his leprosy.” 4 So Na’aman went and told his master what the servant girl from the land of Israel had said.
5 Then the king of Aram said, “Go there. I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Na’aman went, and he took ten talents of silver and six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 Then he took the letter to the king of Israel. The letter said, “Now, when you receive this letter, you will know that I am sending my officer Na’aman to you so that you can cure him of his leprosy.”
7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothing and said, “Am I God that I can kill and make alive? Why is he sending a man to me for me to heal him from his leprosy? See how he is looking for a pretext to fight against me.” 8 But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king: “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.”
9 So Na’aman went with his horses and chariots and stopped in front of the door of Elisha’s house. 10 But Elisha sent a messenger out to him to say, “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan. Then your flesh will be restored and you will be clean.” 11 But Na’aman was angry and he left, saying, “Look, I said to myself, ‘He will certainly come out and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God and wave his hand over the place, and I will be cured of the leprosy!’ 12 Aren’t the Abana and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went away in a burning rage. 13 But his servants approached and spoke to him. They said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not do it? How much more when he says to you, ‘Wash and be clean’?”
14 So he went down and dipped in the Jordan seven times, just as the man of God had said. Then his flesh was restored like the flesh of a small child, and he was clean. 15 Then he and his whole escort went back to the man of God. He stood in front of Elisha and said, “To be sure, now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. Now accept a gift from your servant.” 16 But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives, in whose presence I stand, I will not take anything.” Even though Na’aman urged him to accept something, he refused.
17 Then Na’aman said, “If you do not want anything, please give me, your servant, as much dirt as two donkeys can carry, for your servant will never again burn incense or sacrifice to other gods, but only to the Lord. 18 But may the Lord forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the house of Rimmon to bow down there and he supports himself on my arm, then I too have to bow down in the house of Rimmon. When I bow down in the house of Rimmon, may the Lord forgive your servant this one thing.” 19 Then Elisha said to him, “Go in peace.”
Epistle Lesson: Romans 12:17-21 Guidelines for Christian Living
17 Do not pay anyone back evil for evil. Focus on those things that everyone considers noble. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, maintain peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 But, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For by doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. 21 Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 8:1-13 Jesus Heals a Leper and Paralyzed Man
1 When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. 2 Just then, a leper came to him and bowed down to him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
3 Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean.” Immediately he was healed of his leprosy. 4 Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one. Instead, go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed and suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I am also a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled. He said to those who were following him, “Amen I tell you: I have not found such great faith in anyone in Israel. 11 I tell you that many will come from the east and the west and will recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 Jesus said to the centurion, “Go. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019
Calendar & Announcements for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
| Today
Jan.26 |
Mon.
Jan.27 |
Tues.
Jan.28 |
Wed.
Jan.29 |
Thurs.
Jan.30 |
Fri.
Jan.31 |
Sat.
Feb.1 |
Next Sun.
Feb.2 |
| 9:00 am
Divine Worship Service online -Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Annual Meeting
Door Offering for WELS Christian Aid & Relief
Epiphany 3 |
5:45 pm
Pastor leaves for the East |
3:30 pm arrives in Shanghai
(1:30 am our time) |
9:00 am
Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion online -Facebook Rev. James Witt, preacher 10:15 am Fellowship and Bible Study
Transfiguration |
A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today
The Bible tells us that “through Jesus all things were made… In Him was life, and that life was the light of men” (Jn.1:3,4). Apart from Jesus there is no life. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6). In our lessons for today we see how Jesus reveals His glory as our Savior through His words and miracles. Only the Son of God could wield the power He displayed.
The Old Testament Lesson: 2 Kings 5:1-19 (the answers are found below)
- Who was Naaman, and what was his problem?
- What did the prophet Elisha tell Naaman to do?
- What happened when Naaman finally obeyed?
Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Libya, (Jodi Milam’s granddaughter); Barbara Long; Liz Lisenby; Pastor Roger Neumann from Oskaloosa, IA; Dee and Angela Bruck.
Call Returned Pastor Kurt Uhlenbrauck of St. Jacob Lutheran Church, Grass Lake, MI, returned the call last Sunday that we sent to him. At this point we do not know when the next call meeting will be held but will try to inform you soon.
Membership Directory Please check the lists in the narthex or the fellowship hall to see that we still have the correct information of addresses, phone numbers, and email for your family.
Teaching Overseas Pastor Lehmann will be leaving this coming Tuesday afternoon for visiting Christian fellowships and teaching students in the East. If there is need in his absence, please contact one of our elders or council members. For pastoral care you may call Pastor Daniel McQuality at Faith LC, Carthage 217-671-1168…Pastor Micah Ernst at Peace LC, Jefferson City 573.356.5560…Pastor Chuck Huebner at Grace, Lowell, AR 479.685.2440 or Circuit Pastor Seth Georgson, Martin Luther LC, St. Louis 314.914.6457. Pastor James Witt 314.501.4924 and Pastor Matt Brooks 507.304.0267 will conduct the services on Sundays.
Looking Ahead
Sunday, January 26 – Annual Voters Meeting following the worship service today
February 4, 6 pm – Situational Awareness Class
February 22, 9 am till noon – Firearm Safety Training
Pastor Lehmann will be teaching leaving for China January 28 and return on February 19.
Rev. James Witt will be filling in Sundays Feb.2&9; Rev. Matt Brooks on Feb.16.
The Week in Review
Last Sunday Worship: 28; Communed: 25; Bible Study: 16; Offerings: $ 4,650.
Next Sunday’s Lessons:
Transfiguration Sunday: Exodus 3:1-6; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9 (Historic Pericope Series)
Answers to Today’s Old Testament Lesson Brief Study:
- Naaman was a commander in the king of Aram’s army. He was a great man, but he had leprosy, a debilitating disease.
- He told Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan. At first Naaman went away angry, but his servants encouraged him to listen to Elisha.
- When Naaman washed in the Jordan he was healed. More importantly, he was brought to realize that the God of Israel was the only true God, the Savior of all who gives the crown of life.
This week I am praying for……
