HEAD 1 + Title: The Duty of Well-Fed Beggars

Text: 2 Kings 6:24-7:20

Tracing: Preached August 23, 1992 PM at SDCC.

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HEAD 1 + INTRO

A fascinating story found in 2 Kings 6-7 is filled with implications about

our responsibilities in a hurting world.

HEAD 1 + BODY

HEAD 2 + The Story:

Ben-Hadad of Aram vs. Jehoram of Israel. Terrible seige leading to

cannibalism 6:24-30. Promise of relief and doubters 7:1-2. Hopeless leprous

beggars 7:3-4. Miraculous deliverance 7:5-7. Beggar's celebration 7:8, then

communication 7:9-11. Kings skepticism and investigation 7:12-15. People's

celebration 7:16. Doubters death 7:17-20.

HEAD 2 + The Analogy

HEAD 3 + The Beggars

Had been hungry and HOPELESS.

Then, were being satisfied.

Recognized their obligation

HEAD 3 + The City-People

Still were hungry & hopeless while beggars feasted.

Some would be skeptical

Some wanted to wait for proof

BUT many would respond

HEAD 3 + Today's World

Spiritually Hungry and Hopeless -- Morally adrift, lives filled with

tragedy and aimlessness. People know their lives are not right, not

satisfying -- but don't know how to change them! Look at crime,

immorality, worry, fear, etc.

HEAD 3 + Christians

Have been spiritually hungry and hopeless (Just as the famine left

the wealthy as hungry as the beggars, so our human condition left the

religious as spiritually bankrupt as the "wicked"). We have experienced

many of the same tragedies, failures, mistakes, and broken lives as the

world -- only we are changing, recovering.

We have found food and are in the process of being satisfied.

We, too, have an obligation!

Sure, some will be skeptical -- some will want to see the results

proven in our lives! But many will respond -- more and more as we allow

God to prove our message by changing our lives.

HEAD 1 + CONCLUSION

Where are we in this story -- still plundering and feasting, or going back

to the city to tell others? Or perhaps, waiting for verification or lingering

in the gateway thinking that it is too good to be true! Or, incredible as it

sounds -- trying to deny that you are really hungry?

HEAD 1 + COMMENTS

HEAD 1 +

Prepared by Scott L. Purcell

Minister of Stokelan Drive Christian Church

1501 Stokelan Drive

Malden, MO 63863

(314) 276-2343

Reproduce, modify, and use freely

for the glory of God and the Growth of the Kingdom!

If these outlines are of some benefit to you,

a note, postcard, or phone-call would be most welcome!

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Index of Preacher's Help and Notes

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