“Every man is three men: the man he thinks he is; the man his friends think he is; the man his enemies think he is” NT mentions Centurions favorably (Lk.23:47; Ac.10; 27) Lk.7: most attention, greatest compliment NeighborsCenturionJesus

Based on what they saw:  Gentile, represented a hated, foreign power, whose job was to force other peoples to submit, 4-5 Jewish elders What would our neighbors say about us? Ph.2:15 I. What His Neighbors Thought

“I am not worthy”  Knows himself  Judged himself by a higher standard  Knew who was coming to his house 1 Co.11:28; 2 Co.13:5 II. What He Thought Of Himself

He marveled at his faith. Ct. Mk.6:6  “Great” faith Faith comes in different sizes (Lk.17:5) III. What Jesus Knew About Him

Negative descriptions of faith Little Mt.6:30 Small Mt.17:20 Rootless Lk.8:13 Weak Ro.4:19 Doubting Ja.2:19 Dead Ja.2:26

Positive descriptions of faith Great Mt.15:28 Full Ac.6:5, 8 Strong Ro.4:20ff Established Ro.4:20ff Rich Ja.2:5 Perfect Ja.2:22

The centurion’s faith was obvious (Ja.2:18) 1. Compassion for his slave, 1-2  Some are haughty  Talmud forbids mourning for slaves Dear to him, precious Sick (Mt.8:6)  Mt.7:12

2. Kind to enemies, 2. Kind to enemies, 3-5 Kindness: the forgotten virtue  Some think they are right w. God if they believe & practice the truth  Ac.27:3; 28:2  1 Co.13:4, no kindness = no love

3. Humble, 3. Humble, 6-7 Most think they deserve more than they get  Lk.15:19  Jn.1:27 1 Co.15:9

4. Believed in power of Lord’s words, 4. Believed in power of Lord’s words, 7 Great faith in two ways:  He is unworthy of a visit  A visit is not even necessary! Say the word (Jn.4:46-54)  Cf , widow’s son actually died.  Gn.1

5. Believed in power of Lord over disease, 5. Believed in power of Lord over disease, 8-9