1. Developing Strong Faith March 22

2. Think About It … Why are people thrilled by roller coaster rides? When people choose to ride a coaster, where have they placed their faith? You probably don’t know any of those people, but you’re willing to place blind faith in their work. –Today we study a man who demonstrated blind faith in Jesus Christ.

3. Seeking Christ’s Help Where do people today turn when they need help? Listen for who needs help and to whom he turns.

4. Luke 7:1-5 (NIV) 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."

5. Seeking Christ’s Help Why did the centurion have the Jewish elders approach Jesus? Interesting facts about Roman centurions … –the only officers in the army with direct contact with soldiers –was a good paying job … money and prestige –most centurions did not marry until late in life –recall that centurions figured prominently in the lives of Jesus and Paul

6. Seeking Christ’s Help Why did the Jewish elders agree to intercede for a Roman military man?  God had begun to work in this man’s life before his encounter with Jesus Why might the request for the healing of a servant or slave be a curious request from a Roman soldier? The centurion presented his request to Jesus through friends; how is this like asking friends to pray for us?

7. Listen for the centurion’s response to Jesus approach to his house. Luke 7:6 - 8 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."

8. Faith in Christ’s Authority What humble, surprising suggestion did the man make? What rationale did the centurion have for making his request? What authorities do you have in your life? What causes you to respect these authorities? What causes people to reject authority?

9. Faith in Christ’s Authority How can we become more receptive to Christ’s authority in our lives? How can we become more convinced of the authority and lordship of Jesus as we turn to Him during crises? Why is it so difficult to give a problem over to Jesus instead of finding some other source?  Remember that “great faith” is not something that we generate from within ourselves. Great faith is faith in a Great God … Faith is only as effective as the object of our faith … Jesus!  Remember that “great faith” is not something that we generate from within ourselves. Great faith is faith in a Great God … Faith is only as effective as the object of our faith … Jesus!

10. Listen for something that amazes Jesus Luke 7:9-10 (NIV) 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.

11. Trusting Christ to Be in Control So what effect did the centurion’s comments have on Jesus? Consider synonyms for “amazed” –surprised, –astonished, –astounded, –flabbergasted, –dumbfounded, –incredulous

12. Trusting Christ to Be in Control Note the one other place in scripture where Jesus declares His amazement: Mark 6:4-6 (NIV) Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." [5] He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Jesus was amazed at extreme lack or extreme presence of faith. What would cause the extreme lack of faith in His home town?

13. Trusting Christ to Be in Control What kinds of things cause us to have that lack of faith … causing Jesus to be amazed all over again? Consider Hebrews 11:1 (NLT) What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. What are physical things you believe in but cannot see our completely understand? Just like we are convinced about these physical realities  The centurion was convinced of Christ’s spiritual authority over sickness  We also must be convinced of Christ’s authority over all the issues we face in our lives Just like we are convinced about these physical realities  The centurion was convinced of Christ’s spiritual authority over sickness  We also must be convinced of Christ’s authority over all the issues we face in our lives

14. Application In order to have great faith you simply have to choose to believe Christ is who He says He is –List areas of your life which you have not been entrusting to Christ –Write down what must change in order to trust Christ in those areas –Release control of that area of your life to Christ

15. Application Note the challenge in our Christos journal: –“Find an area you have trouble trusting Jesus with … –Ask Him to show you how your life would look in that area if you trusted Him as the one and only Son of God”

16. Application Jesus affirmed the faith of the centurion. This week look for ways that you could affirm the faith of someone who has been an example to you. –Thank them for their prayers for you –Tell them how those prayers have been answered –Tell them you will partner with them in praying for, trusting God for each other

17. Developing Strong Faith March 22