Object Lesson

When Naaman was healed, he came back to Elisha and tried to give him a gift. What happened?

Elisha would not accept the gift or the glory. He said that he was only a servant of God. In other words, Elisha knew that he was only a simple vessel or instrument for God to work through. The miracle did not come not by Elisha’s ability or power, so he would not accept the praise, honor or credit for doing it.

Hold up the dry sponge with the stick figure on it that is not inside the bag. Let’s say this person prays for someone who is sick and God heals the person. The healed person comes back and begins to praise the person who prayed. This bottle represents the praise, thanksgiving, honor, and glory that belong to God! Begin to spray the sponge and continue the presentation.

What is happening to the sponge? It is absorbing the praise. It is getting large and saturated. It is getting bigger!

That’s right; the person absorbed and accepted the glory that belongs to God. Now, what should the person have done? Not accepted the praise; pointed the person to God to give Him all the glory and praise.

Hold up the sealed plastic bag holding the sponge with a stick figure drawn on it. Now, let’s see what happens to this person. Begin to spray the bag. The water will be deflected by the bag.

What do you see happening now? The sponge is not absorbing any water.

Pull the dry sponge out of the bag and rub it to show it is dry. Yes, this person did not absorb or accept God’s glory, but directed it back to Him. God wants to use simple things, like the young, servant girl and like us to do powerful things. And, like Elisha, we must always be careful to direct the glory to God!

Read Psalm 115:1:

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name goes all the glory for Your unfailing love and faithfulness.