Beyond the Weekend: Correcting Spiritual Drift
In Correcting Spiritual Drift, Pastors Jeff Manion and Aaron Buer explore stories from the lives of the Old Testament prophets Elijah and Elisha. This series helps us see the pull toward spiritual drift and motivates us to fight against it. Through the stories, we see God continuing to work and call all people to him even as the people of Israel drift spiritually.
Week 1 Verses: 1 KINGS 16:29–33, 17:1
Week 2 Verses: I KINGS 18:30–39
Week 3 Verses: I KINGS 18:30–39
Week 4 Verses: I KINGS 19:1–6
Week 5 Verses: I KINGS 19:19–21
Week 6 Verses: 2 KINGS 6:8-21
Week 7 Verses: 2 KINGS 4:8–17
Week 8 Verses: 2 KINGS 5:1-10
Baptism
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan… and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. 2 Kings 5:14
Read: 2 Kings 5:10-15
Listen: 2 Kings 5
TODAY'S MESSAGE
Naaman is looking for a spectacular healing that will showcase his position and celebrity. It is insulting to be addressed by a servant and not Elisha himself. How dare Elisha tell him by proxy to bathe in an insignificant river! He, “Mr. Trophy Case,” deserves respect from this Jewish prophet.
Naaman’s servants point out if Elisha had demanded him to do a difficult task to be cured, he would have done it. Then why not do this simple act of bathing? Even though it publicly shows Naaman submitting to Elisha’s authority, it only requires faith and obedience to wash away the disease that separates him from a better life.
Naaman’s bath foreshadows Christian baptism. Anyone who believes Jesus died for them on the cross and places their faith in his saving grace is instructed to be baptized (Matthew 28:18-19). Among the things that the water represents is the power of God. It isn’t the water that cleanses, but God’s power. When a believer is baptized, they are publicly stating, “I now live under the authority of Christ who has cleansed my sin, giving me new life and good standing with God.”
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Consider Elisha’s simple command which teaches we cannot earn nor buy God’s mercy and grace. We bring nothing. Jesus gives everything. If Jesus has changed your heart, and you haven’t been baptized, now is the time to begin the conversation. Visit us at adabible.org/baptism.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
