Introduction: Last week I ministered on the subject, "But." Those who were here, and paid attention, realize that I did not finish the story. I did that on purpose. We were looking at a man who had everything. He had position; he had power; he had riches. "But" he was a leper. His name was Naaman. His disease was a symbol of sin in both the Old Testament and in the New. I pointed out that it separated him from his loved ones, that it was ugly. That is why we have the expression, "ugly as sin." I also explained that the disease took over and controlled everything else in life. Next, we pointed out that the king was asked to heal him. Kings, governments, or wealth could not solve the problems. They could not then, and they cannot now! Yet, a servant girl knew the answer. The answer to the "But" in life is always found in the places men do not look. Now we will look at the answer to Naaman. But guess what? When he hears the answer, he gives "Excuses." 2 Kings 5:8-12(NKJV) – 8So it was, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house. 10And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” 11But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, “Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’ 12Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.

2 Kings 5:1(NKJV) — 1Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper. Introduction: This one verse of scripture describes all the problems with mankind. Naaman was regarded as one of the greatest men in Syria. He had it all! Riches! Power! Honor! He was on top of the world - “But!” There is always something that spoils life - But!