Encountering Christ Jesus Encounters Great Faith Luke 7:1-10 Grace Community Church December 14, 2008

Luke 7:1-5 1 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.”

You better watch out You better not cry Better not pout I'm telling you why Santa Claus is coming to town He's making a list And checking it twice; Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice Santa Claus is coming to town He sees you when you're sleeping He knows when you're awake He knows if you've been bad or good So be good for goodness sake! Luke 7:6-8

“He is worthy, therefore do this for him…” This paradigm is toxic to your soul. Must be worthy to approach God. Fosters a poor me faith witch never draws near. Limits possessor in what they can ask. Unanswered prayer deep source of trouble. This paradigm glorifies self, not God.

Luke 7:6-8 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with 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.”

How can we have this faith? Luke 7:9-10 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. How can we have this faith?

Understand & Believe 3 Truths God does not justify the worthy, only the unworthy. Romans 4:5 We approach God on the basis of grace. Hebrews 4:16. Our worth is defined by whose we are not who we were. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Come Ye Sinners – Joseph Hart Come, ye weary, heavy laden, Bruised and broken by the fall; If you tarry 'til you're better, You will never come at all. Not the righteous, not the righteous; Sinners Jesus came to call. Let not conscience make you linger, Nor of fitness fondly dream; All the fitness He requireth Is to feel your need of Him. This He gives you, this He gives you, 'Tis the Spirit's rising beam.