Luke 7:1-10 The Centurion’s Great Faith

Introduction Background (v. 1) 1 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  The Sermon on the Plain (Mount) – connects chapters 6 and 7 Geographical Chronological Topical The Sermon’s major themes are “grace and faith” Last lesson of chapter 6 - parable of the two builders - faith in Him should be unshakable, like the house founded on a rock Jesus translates the lesson into action Prize example of “Great Faith” through the work of grace in the life of the Roman Centurion

Introduction The Centurion (v. 2) 2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  A Centurion - an officer in the Roman army in command of 100 soldiers  Usually career soldiers, and they formed the real backbone of the Roman military force  In NT Roman centurions are always quality men of character Matthew 8:5, a centurion who lived at Capernaum approached Jesus on behalf of his ailing servant Mark 15:39, a centurion witnessed the crucifixion and called Jesus the Son of God, then told Pilate that Jesus was dead Acts 10, the conversion of the centurion Cornelius – 1 st Gentile salvation Acts 27:3, the centurion Julius treated the Paul with courtesy

Introduction The Centurion (v. 2)  The Jewish elders had little love for the Romans and Roman soldiers in particular  Yet the elders went to Jesus and commended this officer He loved the Jewish people in Capernaum and even built them a synagogue He loved his servant and did not want him to die This centurion was not just a cold military officer Something had happened in his life - God had begun to work in his life Faith had begun to grow It changed his heart and everyone saw it!

A Person of Great Faith The Way the World Sees Him - vv. 3-6a The Way He Sees Himself – vv. 6b-7a The Way Jesus Sees Him - vv. 7b-10

The Way the World Sees Him vv. 3-6a 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue." 6 Then Jesus went with them.

The Way the World Sees Him vv. 3-6a The world sees only it’s own need  The elders saw the Centurion’s faith the way the world sees great faith today  Because the centurion met their needs, they said he was worthy of Jesus’ attention  A humanistic approach  Shows their focus on self & their pride and arrogance before God

The Way the World Sees Him vv. 3-6a The world sees only it’s own need  The world believes the best way to come to God is to move His heart by showing Him what you have done for yourself!  So they tell Jesus of all the centurion’s qualification in terms of what he has done for them:  He is worthy for Jesus to grant his request  He loves the Jewish nation  He built us a synagogue!  The world is completely wrong in the way they look at a person of Great Faith!  A lot like some Christians today - believe that big donors should get “special treatment” Maybe they had another fund-raiser planned!

The Way the World Sees Him vv. 3-6a The world sees only it’s own need  Jesus went with the Jewish elders toward the house of the centurion, but for very different reasons than they had suggested  Jesus’ motivations:  Compassion  Heart filled with mercy  Desire for God’s glory  They acted from the world’s way!  Self-interest  For selfish reasons

The Way He Sees Himself vv. 6b-7a A person of great faith feels great humility!  He saw himself as unworthy for Jesus to come to him 6b And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof”  He saw himself as unworthy of to come to Jesus 7 “Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You”

The Way Jesus Sees Him vv. 7b-10 7b But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 "For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

The Way Jesus Sees Him vv. 7b-10 Jesus saw “Great Faith”  A faith that loved and the centurion acted on his loving faith:  He loved Israel and her God and God’s people, so he acted on it and built the synagogue  He loved his servant and so he acted on it and sent the Jewish elders to Jesus  He loved Jesus and so he acted on it and told Him not to come under his roof because he was unworthy to have the Lord in his house

The Way Jesus Sees Him vv. 7b-10 Jesus saw “Great Faith” Jesus saw great humility  A Roman officer telling a poor Jewish rabbi that he was unworthy to have Him enter his house!  The Romans were not known for displaying humility, especially toward the Jewish people

The Way Jesus Sees Him vv. 7b-10 Jesus saw “Great Faith” Jesus saw great humility Jesus saw a faith that understood authority: 7b But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 “For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it.”  The important word in Luke 7:8 is “also”  The Centurion saw a parallel between the way he commanded his soldiers and the way Jesus commanded diseases Both the centurion and Jesus were under authority Because they were under authority, they had the right to exercise authority All they had to do was say the word and things happened

The Way Jesus Sees Him vv. 7b-10 Jesus saw “Great Faith” Jesus saw great humility Jesus saw a faith that understood authority Jesus “marveled” at the Centurion’s faith!  Faith is one thing we can do that pleases God!  Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Hebrews 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  This Roman Centurion “obtained a good testimony” from the Lord Jesus Himself because of his great faith!  Hebrew 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”  God receives great pleasure from a person who lives by great faith!

Becoming a Person of Great Faith What is Faith?  Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen  Steve Zeisler: “Faith is a willingness to bet your life on the promises and character of God” Faith to this Roman Centurion is not confidence that he had done the best he could so that God would be generous to him! Faith is abandoning trust in your works and your worth Faith is relying totally on Jesus Christ and His authority Faith is assurance - being sure of – the things you hope for in your life according to the promise of God’s Word Faith is the conviction - the certainty of - the things you hope for are waiting ahead for you even though you can’t see them

Characteristics of Great Faith Great faith focuses on God  The centurion did not trust in his (great) authority, but in Christ's  The centurion believed that Christ was Lord of nature, that He had authority to command sickness to depart  His faith is focused on Jesus and Who He is  Too often, we focus our attention on our faith, rather than Who God is  The centurion did not mention his faith at all!  Jesus who pointed out the great faith of this man  The centurion fixed his attention of Jesus, His compassion, His mercy, His power  The centurion was preoccupied with the person of Christ!

Characteristics of Great Faith Great faith honors and pleases God  The faith of this man both pleased and honored God  God delights our faith  God is honored by faith when He is the object of that faith  We trust in God because He is worthy of our trust!

Characteristics of Great Faith Great faith is assured of and asks for great things from a great God  The centurion asked the Lord for a miraculous healing, but also for a healing that was out of the ordinary  He asked Jesus to heal his servant “long distance”  His God was so great that He need not be present to heal  He asked for Jesus merely to speak the word  Great faith in a great God asks for things that are out of the ordinary!

Characteristics of Great Faith Great faith is assured of and asks for great things from a great God  Too often we pray for things that are humanly possible  God cares about colds, sniffles, the flu, minor aches and pains, but a little aspirin, bed rest, and time usually solves these problems!  The things which require faith are those things which are not humanly possible  Our prayers need to be a reflection of the greatness of our God!

Characteristics of Great Faith Great faith is humble and depends on the grace and mercy of God  The centurion's request was for grace  He totally rejected any worthiness on his own part  The centurion had faith in the power of the Lord, and also faith in His character, specifically His mercy  He knew that Jesus was not only able to heal from afar, but because of His compassion for those who are suffering He was also willing to heal!

Characteristics of Great Faith Great faith does not require sight or visible evidence  As far as we know, the centurion never saw Jesus  Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”  Faith is trusting in the person of God, based upon the testimony of those who have seen Him  v. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant John 4: Nobleman’s son healed - from Capernaum - in Cana - healed by “the Word” of Jesus - at the very hour Jesus spoke it!  When we tell others about what Jesus has done in our lives, by faith, it helps their faith to grow!

Characteristics of Great Faith Great faith is not selfish  The centurion trusted God and asked our Lord for the healing of his servant, not the blessing of his bank account  Some people teach a faith that seems to dwell on self  Have faith and God will heal you  Have faith and God will make you rich and famous  Have faith and God will bless you  The faith of the centurion is focused on God and others  Faith is a gift, and like the other spiritual gifts, it is to be used to meet the needs of others  We receive a blessing, but the focus of faith is on the glory of God in ministering to others!

Characteristics of Great Faith Great faith grows  The centurion’s faith was not somehow instant faith!  Faith is nurtured and grows over time  The way he dealt with the Jews  His giving the building of their synagogue  Faith must be exercised if it is to grow!  Great faith is the conviction based on what you have seen God do in past experiences with Him  It is a conviction that God’s new and fresh surprises will surely be yours because He has done so in the past  He always has the best yet to come in your life!

Characteristics of Great Faith Great faith grows  Hebrews 12:1-3 1Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.