THE FAITH FOR A KINGDOM

Luke 7: When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.

7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Situation A valuable servant is very sick and about to die The centurion is Roman He wants to invite Jesus to come to his house to heal his servant, but he is not a Jew He asks a group of Jew elders to go ask Jesus on his behalf He had built a synagogue for them The Jews speak highly of him to convince Jesus to come to his house

The centurion’s profile Loving and caring: cared about his sick servant Generous men: built the synagogue for the Jews Humble: told Jesus his house was not worth of Jesus He sent messengers to talk to Jesus because he didn’t feel worth to meet Jesus

What did amaze Jesus about the centurion ? But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it.“ He made this comment and Jesus was amazed at him. Why?

Jesus’ reply 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.“ It was the centurion’s faith that impressed Jesus.

What about his faith? What were the elements of his faith that released Jesus’ praise of him and the immediate answer to his request?

1. The Word But say the word, and my servant will be healed. The centurion understood the power and authority a word of someone in leadership and authority has. He didn’t ask Jesus to come to his house and pray or even touch the servant. A word from Jesus sent out would do it. When he said this, he acknowledged the power and the effect the word of Christ had.

2. Authority He demonstrated that he understood authority 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it.“ As a centurion he had 100 soldiers under him. For the Roman Empire to subsist, the Army should be well organized and all soldiers should submit to their authorities.

Order of Authority There is an order of authority in any organized Government and those who understand it will submit to that order He understood that order and practiced it Jesus had authority and had subjects from His kingdom who would obey Him if He commanded.

3. Government He demonstrated that he understood authority inside of a kingdom The centurion didn’t see Jesus’ soldiers or His Army. He didn’t even expect Jesus’ disciples to come to his house He understood Jesus’ kingdom was unseen, heavenly, and powerful. He knew Jesus reigned somewhere, somehow, and His kingdom was in operation on earth too.

4. Understanding His faith had understanding It was in a way reasoning-based He reasoned as somebody who understand how a Government functions He just transferred his knowledge of it to the spiritual realm of things. But he had to believe Jesus was a king.

Jesus was surprised! Israel was expected to believe in Jesus and understand the kingdom authority and government but it didn’t. The people realized He had authority and were amazed at it, but they expected the teachers of the Law to explain it for them. A great deal of debates between Jesus and the Pharisees was about authority. The authority and power demonstrated were the Messianic signs that the KOG had arrived.

The faith for a kingdom Faith with understanding helps to advance the KOG rapidly This is faith in a kingdom way Faith that understands Government Faith that understands Authority Faith that knows that Jesus is a King even now and His word can change situations.