FAITH LIKE THE CENTURIAN

GRACIOUS JESUS6. MASTER STROKES

Healing the LeperFaith like a CenturianJesus HealsConditions of DiscipleshipJesus Calms the StormJesus Delivers

FAITH LIKE THE CENTURIANPRESENTATION OVERVIEW

Matt 8:5-13, Mark 7:30; Luke 7:1-10; 13: John 4:46b-54 Introduction Incomparable Faith He knew who Jesus was He knew who he was The Jews delusion Christ’s conclusion Discussion

THE CENTURIAN’S FAITHOBJECTIVES

To: Understand why

the centurian’s faith stood out before Jesus

Attempt to emulate that faith

BIBLE PASSAGES5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man 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.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment Matthew 8Also read Luke 7:1-10. John 4:46-54 : similar prior case in same town.

INTRODUCTION - INCOMPARABLE FAITH

Why did Jesus marvel at this Centurian’s faith and say he had never seen such faith anywhere in Israel?

HE KNEW WHO JESUS WAS

Position - Lord Protocols –

Holy Jews don’t go to Gentile’s houses; don’t even talk to them. (Christ was about to change that)

Power – of word

HE KNEW WHO HE WAS• Nothing before

Christ• Not worthy, not

holy• Not excluded

from Christ’s divine healing

HE KNEW HE WASHe put aside his merits • he built the

synogogue in Capernaum

• he loved the Jewish nation; (Luke 7:1-10)

He laid aside his social authority and surrendered to Christ’s spiritual authority• he had power• Romans ruled Jews.

HE KNEW WHO HE WASHe stripped himself of everything before Christ could answer him.

JEWS DELUSIONThought they were: Entitled Included Righteous

CHRIST’S CONCLUSIONJews lacked the Centurian’s faithMany Gentiles will enjoy the KingdomMany “sons of the kingdom” will be cast out.It all depends on our faith. Our perception of: Who we are Who Christ is

Protocols will be broken when perceptions change

POINTS TO PONDERAs Christians for decades: Do we fall into the same trap as Jews?Have we lost the wonder of Christ’s power and position? Do we overstep protocol?

FAITH LIKE THE CENTURIAN - RECAP

Incomparable FaithHe knew who Jesus was Position Protocol PowerHe knew who he was Nothing Not worthy Not excludedHe stripped himself of everythingThe Jews’ delusionChrist’s conclusion

DISCUSSION1. What strikes you about Christ’s healing

approach?2. What blurred the Jews perspective? How are we

as Christians at risk of falling into the same trap?3. What gave the Centurian such a clear

perspective?4. How can we rollback to his position to attain his

perspective?Matt 8:5-13;Luke 7:1-10; John 4:46-54 covers similar prior case in same town