A Profound Faith (Luke 7:1-10)

1. Problem

—vv. 1–2. Centurion’s servant sick and near death.

a. Centurion- The military leader in Herod Antipas’s army of one hundred soldiers in the Roman army.

Any Roman commander of a hundred men. There is absolutely no comparison of the rank and position he holds in comparison to the one he is most concerned about. The Roman military was built around a legion which considsted of 6,000 men. The legion was divided into cohorts of 600 men. Each cohorts was divided into centuries of 100 men.

These men were th backbone of the Roman legions. They were the leaders in closest contact with the men. They were the backbone of Rome but the achilles heel of the Jews.

Hated of Jews. Why?

1. He was non-Jewish (a Gentile)

2. He was representing the nation that conquered Palestine

3. He was armed and could use force when needed.

b. Servant- A tool to be used. No rights whatsoever, not even the right to live. The owner had every right and permission to even kill a slave with no repercussions.

This soldier was bound and compelled by compassion and faith to help the helpless.

The Plea (3-7)

The centurion has heard about Jesus and his miracle-working power. So he sends Jewish elders on his behalf. The action is culturally sensitive: not knowing Jesus personally and recognizing that he is of Jewish heritage, the soldier sends representatives of Jesus’ own ethnic background to plead his case. There is no demand made of Jesus, only a request11 Darrell L. Bock, Luke, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994), Lk 7:1–10.

He did not allow his sense of unworthiness and rejection to defeat him; neither was he too proud to ask for help, despite his superior position.

This is an amazing illustration of prayer. Who are we to go before an almighty all-powerful God in prayer? Who am I to ask God of anything? I am nothing. I am unworthy. That is why every person in Scripture who sees a glimpse of God falls at his feet.

We are unworthy, but we have an advocate. Like these elders to the centurion we have an interceder to go before us, JESUS! We pray through Christ before the Father.

Hebrews 7:25 NKJV

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

The Power (8-10)

The Centurion’s Power

Christ’s Power

Faith’s Power

Centurions power is seen in verse 8

Even in his power though he is demonstrating the recognition of Jesus' divine power by a Gentile and highlighting the inclusivity of Jesus' ministry. It did not matter who he was or who his servant was. It did not matter that he was wealthy enough to build a synagogue or had nothing to his name.

Christ’s Power (10)

Healed at the time Jesus spoke.

Faith’s Power (9)

His Faith

1. Faith is Centered on Jesus

2. Believing that Christ is sovereign Lord. All things are subject to Him.

3. Believing that Christ is a rewarder of all who seek him (Heb. 11:6)

But it is more than even that…

In the Gospels it is rare that someone receives a clear commendation from Jesus. When it happens, it is an occasion for reflection.

Jesus reacts emotionally (this is one of the few places where Luke records Jesus’ emotion): he is amazed. Jesus is said to be amazed only here, in Matthew’s parallel account (Mt 8:10) and in Mark 6:6, where he is astonished at unbelief.

What was it about this man that AMAZED Jesus? I think it was his life of faith that was evident in his:

Obedient Life

1. Love (27, 32, 35)

2. Do Good (27, 33, 35)

3. Give (30, 34, 35, 38)

Obvious Life

1. No Judgment (37)

2. Humility (40-41)

3. Fruit (44)

So many have done that. What made this centurion different? Why was his faith so much greater?

Because he believed that the WORD OF CHRIST WAS ALL THAT WAS NEEDED.

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.

Martin Luther (Founder of the German Reformation)

Psalm 118:8 KJV 1900

It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man.

What impresses him is both the centurion’s humility and his understanding of Jesus’ power (the ability to heal from a distance). One can argue that the essence of faith is humility: the recognition of the uniqueness of God’s power and our unworthiness before it, while trusting in God’s care.

One morning, all the plates and cups and bowls on the table were empty. There was no food in the larder and no money to buy food. The children were standing, waiting for their morning meal, when Müller said, “Children, you know we must be in time for school.” Then lifting up his hands he prayed, “Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat.”

There was a knock at the door. The baker stood there, and said, “Mr. Müller, I couldn’t sleep last night. Somehow I felt you didn’t have bread for breakfast, and the Lord wanted me to send you some. So I got up at 2 a.m. and baked some fresh bread, and have brought it.”

Mr. Müller thanked the baker, and no sooner had he left, when there was a second knock at the door. It was the milkman. He announced that his milk cart had broken down right in front of the orphanage, and he would like to give the children his cans of fresh milk so he could empty his wagon and repair it.

II. THE HORROR—vv. 11–12

1. Place—v. 11. Nain, twenty-one miles north of Capernaum and sixty miles north of Jerusalem.

2. Problem—v. 12. The only son the mother had is now dead. He was being prepared for burial. All hope was gone.

III. THE HOPE—v. 13.

1. The Person—“And when the Lord saw her.” Christ sees us. He knows all about us. The things we do, our thoughts and actions.

2. The pity—“He had compassion on her.” Jesus always has compassion on people (Matt. 9:36). Do we have compassion for others?

3. The peace—“Weep not.” Christ always brings peace (John 14:27; see also Isa. 26:3; Phil. 4:7).

IV. THE HEALTH—vv. 14–15

1. Concern—“And he came and touched the bier [coffin].” He knew the mother had a broken heart. He cares for us.

2. Constrainment—“And they that bare him stood still.” They were interested in what Christ would do. They had seen Him do miracles before.

3. Command—“And he said, young man, I say unto thee, arise.” Here we see Christ the Master over death.

4. Complete—v. 15. The dead man comes to life. Christ always brings life. Only through Christ may we have life!

V. THE HAPPINESS—vv. 16–17

1. Power—“And there came fear on all.” These people were not scared. “Fear” means “respect,” or “honor toward God.”

2. Praise—“And they glorified God.” There is praise when God works and moves in the hearts and lives of people. Salvation which brings new life causes us to praise the Lord.

3. Prophet—“That a great prophet is risen up among you,” These were the words of Isaiah 9:6–7 and Deuteronomy 18. Now the people see the “Messiah” in action.

4. People—“That God visited his people.” God in the person of Christ.

5. Promotion—vv. 17–18. The good news of the Lord was spread.

Christ wants to give you life. Life while you live, and life after death. After death there is heaven or hell. We have a choice as to where we will go after death. The enjoyable life which Christ gives us on earth leads us to everlasting life. Rejection of this life will mean punishment in hell forever (Mark 16:16).1

1 Croft M. Pentz, Expository Outlines from Luke, Dollar Sermon Library Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1976), 21–22.

CHRIST DEMONSTRATES HIS POWER

Luke 7:1–17

At this point in the book of Luke there are many questions about the identity of Jesus. He heals, but in doing so he forgives sin and raises someone from the dead, causing much people to wonder who he is. The populace anticipates a prophetic office, but Jesus’ actions suggest more. Even the disciples fall into this when they say among themselves (flip over a page or two to 8:25).

Jesus’ identity raises the issue of a proper response to him. Even though the disciples miss it a chapter or two later, the man in our story does not!

Read Luke 7:1-10

I have preached a number of funeral sermons over the years. I honestly don’t remember my first funeral, but there are a few that stand out in my mind. Obvisouly, my grandparents. Three I who made a profession of faith with me just hours before they died. My aunt who’s ashes were in a bx beside here dogs ashes…A two year old who died after jumping in a septic tank. The family had no pastor so the funeral home called me and asked if I would do it. One I’ll never forget was that of our founder, and pastor of 49 years Bennie Moran. I have many memories of that day and the days building up to it. Those are not easy moments and it takes a lot to preach through your emotions and feelings.

Have you ever considered, Christ never preached a funeral sermon. When meeting the dead, He gave them life. He came to give life (John 10:10; 11:25–26). He who has Christ, has life. Without Christ, man is dead in his sins (Eph. 2:1). He gives enjoyable life, but also eternal life.

And a key word and the major topic of the healing and this section is faith, faith in light of Jesus’ authority

As you examine this passage the miracle itself is not the focus, since it is mentioned only very briefly in verse 10. Rather, the stress is on the attitude of the one seeking the healing, and his consistant demonstration of faith. An event where a Roman centurion expresses faith in Jesus' authority to heal his servant,