GOSPEL OF MATTHEW ~ FAITH THAT MOVES THE HEART OF GOD

Matthew 8:1-13

Last week we closed out the SOTM and looked at how God was calling us to build a life that stands, being built to last and survive the storms.

He calls us to hear and do and not the performance based Christianity that your works get you into heaven, but works based in obedience to doing what Christ calls us to do, a faith that is not dead.   Remember our foundation matters – Christ is the cornerstone of our faith and He needs to be the cornerstone of our foundation.  He tells us the storm reveals structure and the foundation – and we are asked what are we building on?  And we closed with the difference between amazement at His teachings and life change.  It goes beyond acknowledging He is a good teacher, there should be life change.  Every choice and decision we make is a brick we put into our building, our structure, what are we building with?

Today we look at Jesus coming down the mountain and healing people and the type of faith that Christ calls us to so as we being let us pray!

Title: Faith That Moves the Heart of God

Matthew 8:1-13 – When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 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. 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.” 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. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 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.

Big Idea:

True faith humbles itself before Jesus, trusts His authority completely, and looks beyond barriers to see His compassion and power at work.

Point 1: Faith Shown in Humble Surrender

Text: Matthew 8:1–4

"Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."

Illustration: A patient walking into the ER doesn’t try to fix themselves first; they simply admit they need help. The leper knew his need and came humbly.

Supporting Scripture:

James 4:10 — “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

Psalm 51:17 — “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Key Idea: Jesus responds to a heart that comes with boldness and humility, not entitlement.

Lepers had to keep their distance, not cut their hair, wash their clothes and announce to anyone coming towards them that they were a leper.

With defiance to Jewish law but with respect, faith and boldness the leper approaches Jesus

leper does not announce but asks

“Lord if you are willing” – not teacher, not healer, not doctor – Lord – recognized Jesus for who He is

Not if you can – if you are willing (Crucial to prayer – Lord and Willing)

Compassion – Jesus reaches out and touches the man (something to be said about human skin to skin touch – drug babies, newborns, NICU etc.)

Jesus not concerned about taboos and traditions – - He was intentional – He stretched out His hand so that He touched – not that He needed to but He heals in many ways as we will see.

This extends to us – to reach out to the outcasts of our society

Jesus commands him not to tell anyone but to go to the priests and offer the gift Moses commanded in the law – Jesus shows He was not a lawbreaker like the Pharisees would try and ascribe to Him.

3 Open-ended Questions:

1. What does it mean to approach Jesus in humility instead of demand?

2. How do you think the leper’s faith and humility worked together?

3. Where might pride be keeping you from asking Jesus for help?

Point 2: Faith Trusts the Authority of Jesus

Text: Matthew 8:5–10

“Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

Illustration: When you mail a letter, you trust the postal service to deliver it without following it every step of the way. The centurion trusted Jesus’ word without needing to see the process.

Supporting Scripture:

Hebrews 11:1 — “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Matthew 28:18 — “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Key Idea: Faith is not based on what we see but on who Jesus is and the authority He carries.

Another outcast – commander of an unclean and invading forces

Jesus willingness to bring the presence of God to whoever is open to it

Gentile recognized Jesus’ designation authority – Lord (centurion’s authority related to Jesus’) – his own unworthiness

Humble not proud – attitude

Intercede for others

Distance healing had never been done before – Centurion believed in Jesus’ authority and His Word no matter the distance – could heal

3 Open-ended Questions:

1. How is trusting Jesus’ authority different from simply believing He exists?

2. Why do you think Jesus was amazed by the centurion’s faith?

3. Where in your life do you need to “just say the word, Lord” and trust Him completely?

Point 3: Faith Breaks Barriers to Experience God’s Power

Text: Matthew 8:11–13

“Many will come from the east and the west and will take their places at the feast…”

Illustration: A concert ticket doesn’t check your hometown before letting you in; access is based on your ticket, not your background. In the Kingdom, faith is the ticket — not nationality, tradition, or history.

Supporting Scripture:

Galatians 3:28 — “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

Ephesians 2:14 — “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”

Key Idea: Faith crosses cultural, social, and personal boundaries to receive God’s promise.

Because you have believed – it will be done for you – it was the depth of the man’s faith – recognition of Jesus’ power

If we pray for healing and it does not happen it is not because we lack faith – if it is your will

Why does God heal some and not others – we won't know this side of heaven

Here – early in His ministry He shows that His message and Salvation is for all people – and some of the chosen people will be excluded –

I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

3 Open-ended Questions:

1. What barriers keep some people from coming to Jesus today?

2. How does Jesus’ response to the centurion challenge cultural or religious prejudice?

3. How can our faith help others see they are welcome in God’s kingdom?

Closing Idea:

Faith that humbles itself before Jesus, trusts His authority, and tears down barriers not only changes our lives but moves the heart of God. The leper’s healing and the centurion’s answered prayer are reminders that Jesus is both willing and able to respond to those who truly trust Him.

Final Summary:

Matthew 8:1–13 shows two very different people — a socially rejected leper and a respected Roman centurion — both finding life-changing answers because of faith. Their backgrounds didn’t matter. Their eloquence didn’t matter. Their social standing didn’t matter. What mattered was their humility, trust in Jesus’ authority, and willingness to come to Him. That same invitation stands today — no matter who you are, your faith can move the heart of God.

Let us pray!