THE HERALDS DEVOTIONAL

RECOGNIZING AND DEVELOPING THE EVANGELIST WITHIN THE BELIEVER PART 5: THE LITTLE WITNESS IN NAAMAN’S HOUSE 2 Kings 5:1–5 In Part 4, we saw how the nations began to spread after the flood through the sons of Noah. Through Ham’s sons — Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan — entire regions of Africa and the Levant were populated. We observed how Cush’s descendants settled in Ethiopia, while Canaan’s descendants occupied the Levant, which includes regions known today as Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and parts of Jordan. This showed us that God was strategically positioning nations and territories long before the gospel began to spread in the New Testament. History, geography, and generations were all quietly aligning with God’s greater plan of salvation. Today we move to another powerful story that reveals how God often hides evangelists in the most unexpected places. The Story of Naaman The Bible introduces us to a powerful military commander named Naaman. Naaman was the commander of the army of ...

RECOGNIZING AND DEVELOPING THE EVANGELIST WITHIN THE BELIEVER PART 4: THE BIRTH OF NATIONS — GOD POSITIONING PEOPLE FOR HIS PLAN Genesis 10:1–20 In Part 3, we studied Noah and the Ark, and saw how God used him as a preacher of righteousness even in a corrupt world. We discovered that: The ark was not just a boat but a divine message of salvation. The animals entering two by two, clean and unclean, symbolized God’s inclusive grace. Noah’s obedience illustrated that faithful witness in difficult times is evangelism in action. Now, after the flood, humanity began to spread across the earth, and God’s strategy for salvation continued through nations and families.   The Sons of Noah and the Spread of Nations After the flood, Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham had four sons: Cush — associated with regions in Northeast Africa (Nubia, Ethiopia, Sudan) Mizraim — associated with Egypt Put — associated with North Africa (Libya) Canaan — settled in the Levant, the region that...

RECOGNIZING AND DEVELOPING THE EVANGELIST WITHIN THE BELIEVER PART 3: NOAH’S ARK — THE FIRST GLOBAL PICTURE OF SALVATION Genesis 6:5–8, Genesis 7:1–3 In Part 2, we discovered that evangelism did not begin in the New Testament. It began in creation itself. When God created humanity in His image and commanded them to multiply and fill the earth, His intention was that the knowledge of Him would spread across the world. We also established an important truth: every believer is called to evangelize, even though not everyone operates in the office of the evangelist. We also defined two important concepts: Recognition – identifying what God has already placed inside you. This recognition may come personally or through others who notice the grace of God upon your life. Development – nurturing and growing that calling into maturity. Today we move further in Scripture to examine one of the earliest pictures of salvation and evangelism in the Bible. The Corruption of the World By the time we r...

RECOGNIZING AND DEVELOPING THE EVANGELIST WITHIN THE BELIEVER PART 2: THE EVANGELISTIC MANDATE FROM CREATION Genesis 1:26–28 In the previous message, Part 1: The Birth of the Message, I shared how this teaching series came into being. It was not originally planned as a series. But through prayer, meditation, and deeper study of Scripture, the Holy Spirit began revealing a pattern that runs through the Bible. From Genesis, through Noah, to Naaman, and eventually to the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, we begin to see something remarkable: God has always been preparing witnesses to carry His message of salvation. What initially looked like unrelated Bible stories gradually revealed a divine connection. Another striking discovery was how God often uses tragedy as a strategy to spread the gospel. Situations that appear negative, painful, or accidental are often the very tools God uses to position His witnesses. That discovery led us to the theme of this entire series. Recognizing and Developing...

RECOGNIZING AND DEVELOPING THE EVANGELIST WITHIN THE BELIEVER PART 1: THE BIRTH OF THE MESSAGE Acts 8:26–40 Sometimes a message is prepared. Other times, a message is discovered. This message was discovered during my preparation to study the story of the Ethiopian eunuch in the book of Acts. At first, my focus was simply on the encounter between Philip the Evangelist and the Ethiopian traveler on a desert road. But as I began to research the passage more deeply, something unexpected began to happen. The story began to expand. It was no longer just a story about two men meeting on a road. It was part of a much larger story that had been unfolding for generations. 1. The Study That Led Backward While studying the Ethiopian eunuch, I realized that the man was not just an individual traveler. He was an Ethiopian. That observation pushed my study further back into the Bible. Where did Ethiopia appear in Scripture? That question led me to the genealogies of nations in the Book of Genesis. Th...

NAAMAN THE LEPER (EXPERIENCING SALVATION IN CHRIST) PART 9: THE FREE GIFT OF SALVATION (FINAL LAP) 2 Kings 5:1–17 In the previous part, we explored Naaman’s gratitude and response after his miraculous healing. After dipping in the Jordan River and receiving immediate cleansing, Naaman returned to the prophet Elisha with a heart full of gratitude. But something deeper happened. Naaman publicly confessed: " Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel ." This was more than gratitude — it was revelation. The proud Syrian commander who once resisted the prophet’s instruction now acknowledged the supremacy of the God of Israel. However, in his gratitude, Naaman attempted to offer gifts to Elisha. What followed teaches us one of the most profound truths about salvation. Why Elisha Refused The Gifts Naaman brought silver, gold, and expensive garments as a token of appreciation. But Elisha refused. Why? Because the prophet wanted Naaman — and everyone watching — ...

NAAMAN THE LEPER (EXPERIENCING SALVATION IN CHRIST) PART 8: NAAMAN'S GRATITUDE AND RESPONSE 2 Kings 5:15–17 In part 7, we examined the swiftness of Naaman’s healing. After struggling with pride and resisting the simple instruction given through the prophet Elisha, Naaman finally humbled himself and dipped seven times in the Jordan River. The Bible records in 2 Kings 5:14 that his flesh became like that of a little child. The healing was immediate. What years of suffering could not fix was reversed in a moment of obedience. This reveals a powerful truth about salvation: when a person truly obeys God's word, transformation can happen instantly. But healing is not the end of the story. Healing must lead to response. And that is where Part 8 begins. Naaman's Gratitude And Response (Verses 15–17) After experiencing divine healing, Naaman did not simply return home quietly. He returned to the prophet. This time, however, he did not come as a proud commander demanding attention. ...