The Strength of a Real Hero

The Strength of a Real Hero

Text: Luke 7:1–10 KJV Occasion: Hero Sunday

Introduction — What Makes a Hero Strong?

Today we have set aside this service to honor some very special people in our community.

Men and women who have committed themselves to serve, protect, and help others.

We call them heroes.

I looked up the word hero—and no, it is not Captain America.

Webster defines a hero as:

“A man or woman of distinguished valor, intrepidity or enterprise in danger.”

In other words, when we think of a hero, we think of someone who possesses courage, strength, and composure in the face of danger.

There are many people in this room this morning who fit that description.

I have personally ridden with some who are here today.

And seeing firsthand some of the situations they face puts the word composure in a whole new light.

I have also been in the boots of some who are here this morning.

And I know the kind of courage it takes to run into a fire while everyone else is running out.

And then there is physical strength.

I have watched men and women who didn't necessarily look strong do some amazing things when the moment demanded it.

Courage.

Composure.

Physical strength.

All of those are qualities we admire—and rightly so.

But there is another kind of strength I want us to consider this morning.

Because eventually, courage meets something it cannot conquer, composure meets something it cannot control, and physical strength meets something it cannot overcome.

And when that happens—

Where does a hero find strength?

I believe Luke 7 shows us the answer.

Luke introduces us to a Roman centurion—a military officer, a leader of men, a man accustomed to giving orders and having those orders obeyed.

By every outward appearance, this was a strong man.

But Luke does not introduce him to us on the battlefield.

We don't meet him in the war room.

We meet him in a moment of helplessness.

“And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.” — v. 2

Here is a courageous man facing something courage cannot conquer.

A powerful man facing something his authority cannot command.

A strong man facing something his strength cannot overcome.

And it is in this moment that Luke shows us where the strength of a real hero is found.

First thing we discover is…

I. Strength Is Not Found in Self

— vv. 1–6

Notice what the Jewish elders said about this man:

“That he was worthy...” — v. 4

That is quite a testimony.

And Luke tells us why they thought so.

He was Compassionate — his servant was “dear unto him.” — v. 2

He was Concerned — he sought help for his servant. — v. 3

He was Charitable — “he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.” — v. 5

He was Commended — those who knew him testified of his character.

By every human measurement, this was a good man.

In fact, if anybody had reason to depend upon who he was and what he had done— this man did.

But then look at the contrast.

The elders said:

“He was worthy...” — v. 4

But the centurion said:

“I am not worthy...” — v. 6

They saw his goodness; he saw his need.

They saw what he had done; he saw what he could not do.

They saw a man worthy of respect; he saw a man completely dependent upon Christ.

And I believe right there we begin to see the strength of a hero.

Real strength was not thinking highly of himself because of what he had accomplished.

Real strength was recognizing the limits of himself and his need of Someone greater.

Now there is nothing wrong with being compassionate, generous, respected, sacrificial, or honorable.

In fact, those are some of the very qualities we recognize and honor today.

But none of those things were the source of this man's strength.

His compassion could cause him to care, but it could not cure his servant.

His concern could move him to action, but it could not meet the need.

His charity could build a synagogue, but it could not buy a miracle.

His character could earn the respect of men, but it could not earn the favor of God.

Everything admirable about this man eventually reached its limit.

And sooner or later, every one of us comes to that same place—

where, who we are, what we have, and what we have done is simply not enough.

That is when we discover:

Strength is not found in Self.

But there was something else this man possessed that people associate with strength.

II. Strength Is Not Found in Status

— vv. 7–8

“But say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers...” — vv. 7–8

This centurion was a man of status.

He had rank.

He had authority.

He had soldiers under his command.

When he said, “Go,” men went.

When he said, “Come,” men came.

But he understood that his authority had limits.

He could command his soldiers—

but he could not command sickness.

He could send for a servant—

but he could not save his servant.

He had authority over men—

but he had no authority over death.

And that is why he turned to Jesus.

A. He Recognized the Limit of His Authority

Notice his words:

“For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers...”

He had people under him, but he also had people over him.

His authority was real, but it was limited.

And sooner or later, every earthly position reaches its limit.

A badge carries authority—but only so far.

A rank carries authority—but only so far.

A title carries authority—but only so far.

No matter how high we rise, there will always be something our position cannot fix.

A. He Recognized the Limit of His Authority

B. He Recognized the Lord's Authority

“But say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.”

Here is the heart of his statement.

The centurion essentially says:

“Lord, I understand how authority works.”

When I speak to those under my authority, they obey.

So if You simply speak, sickness must obey You.

The centurion could command soldiers.

But he knew Jesus could command sickness.

The centurion's authority came from Rome.

But he knew that Christ's authority came from Heaven.

The centurion's authority extended over the men assigned to him.

But he knew that Christ's authority extended over disease and death.

His position had reached its limit—

but Christ's power had not.

“Lord, You don't even have to come to my house.

Just speak.”

That is faith—not confidence in his own authority, but confidence in Christ's authority.

The Truth

His status could get the elders to Jesus—

but his status could not do what only Jesus could do.

Transition

Now look at what Luke has shown us.

His strength was not found in Self—

Others said, “He was worthy.”

But he said, “I am not worthy.”

His strength was not found in Status—

He could command men,

but he needed One who could command what he could not.

So where was his strength found?

I believe the answer begins with five simple words in verse 3:

“And when he heard of Jesus...”

III. Strength Is Found in the Savior

— vv. 3, 7–10

The greatest thing about this centurion was not what he possessed, what he had accomplished, or what he could do.

It was Who he trusted.

A. He Sought the Savior — v. 3

“And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him...”

We don't know exactly what this centurion had heard about Jesus. or when he heard of Him

But he had heard enough to know where to turn.

He didn't turn to his soldiers.

He didn't turn to Rome.

He didn't depend upon his rank.

He turned to Jesus.

His problem was bigger than he was—

but it wasn't bigger than Jesus.

Sometimes it takes reaching the end of our own strength before we recognize where real strength has been all along.

A. He Sought the Savior — v. 3

B. He Stood on the Savior’s Word — vv. 7–9

“But say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.”

There is the faith of this centurion.

“Just say the word.”

You don't have to come into my house.

You don't have to stand beside his bed.

You don't even have to touch him.

Lord, if You speak, that is enough.

He wasn't trusting in himself anymore.

He wasn't trusting in his status.

He was completely trusting in the Savior.

And notice Christ's response:

“When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him...” — v. 9

Think about that:

Jesus marveled.

Not at his rank.

Not at his reputation.

Not at his generosity.

Not at his authority.

Jesus marveled at his faith.

“I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

The world could look at this centurion and say:

“Look at that man.”

But the centurion was saying:

“Look at Jesus.”

And there is the strength of a real hero.

Not confidence in himself—

but confidence in Christ.

and because of his faith…

A. He Sought the Savior — v. 3

B. He Stood on the Savior Word— vv. 7–9

C. He Saw the Savior's Power — v. 10

“And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.”

Jesus never entered the house.

Jesus never touched the servant.

Jesus didn't need to.

The centurion had said:

“Say in a word.”

And Christ's Word was enough.

What the centurion couldn't do—

Jesus did.

Where the centurion's strength ended—

Christ's power continued.

Where human authority stopped—

divine authority took over.

And when they returned to the house, they:

“found the servant whole.”

His faith was not misplaced.

And neither is ours when it is placed in Jesus Christ.

That is the strength of a real hero:

Not the strength to handle everything yourself.

Not the strength to pretend you have no weaknesses.

Not the strength of a title, a badge, a rank, or a reputation.

It is knowing where to turn when your strength runs out.

The Strength of a Real Hero

It is not found in Self.

It is not found in Status.

It is found in the Savior.

Conclusion — Where Is Your Strength?

Today, we have gathered to honor heroes.

And we ought to.

We honor those who serve.

Those who sacrifice.

Those who protect.

Those who run toward trouble when everyone else is trying to get away from it.

And we thank God for them.

But Luke 7 reminds us that even the strongest among us will eventually encounter something stronger than themselves

That is what happened to this centurion.

Others looked at him and said:

“He was worthy.”

But when he looked at himself, he said:

“I am not worthy.”

A compassionate man.

A charitable man.

A respected man.

But his goodness could not meet his greatest need.

His strength was not found in HimSelf

He was a centurion.

He had men under his command.

He could tell a soldier, “Go,” and he went.

But he encountered something that his authority could not command.

Strength Was Not Found in Status

Then we read those five beautiful words:

“And when he heard of Jesus...”

That changed everything.

When his strength wasn't enough—

Jesus was.

When his authority wasn't enough—

Jesus was.

When his position couldn't meet the need—

Jesus could.

The greatest thing about this centurion was not what he had accomplished.

It was not the position he held.

It was not the authority he possessed.

It was Who he trusted.

Real Strength Was Found in the Savior

And today, the question is not

“How strong are you?”

The question is:

“Where is your strength?”

Gospel Appeal

Because there is one problem every person in this room has that none of us has the power to solve on our own—and that is our sin.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23

It doesn't matter whether you wear a uniform or bib overalls

It doesn't matter whether people respect your name or have never heard your name.

It doesn't matter how much good you have done.

It doesn't matter how many people you have helped.

We have all sinned.

And just like this centurion, there comes a point where we have to recognize:

“I cannot fix this myself.”

You cannot serve enough to erase your sin.

You cannot sacrifice enough to pay for your sin.

You cannot become good enough to overcome your sin.

Your position cannot remove it.

Your reputation cannot cover it.

Your religion cannot cleanse it.

Because

Salvation is not found in Self or Status.

Salvation is found in the Savior alone.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8

What you could never do for yourself—

Jesus Christ did for you.

He took our sin upon Himself.

He went to Calvary in our place.

He shed His blood for our sin.

He died.

He was buried.

And on the third day—

He arose victorious from the grave.

And today, He offers salvation to every person who will come to Him by faith.

The centurion said:

“I am not worthy...but say in a word.”

There was no boasting in himself.

There was simply faith in Christ.

And that is how a sinner comes to Jesus.

Not:

“Lord, look at what I have done. or how good I have been.”

But:

“Lord, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I cannot save myself. I believe that You died for me and rose again, and I am placing my faith in You.”

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” — Romans 10:13

Final Appeal

We honor heroes today because when somebody needs help—

they answer the call.

But there comes a day when the hero needs help too.

Maybe today you have spent your life being the person everybody else depends upon.

The one who answers the call.

The one who runs toward the danger.

The one who is supposed to be strong.

But there is one need you cannot meet for yourself.

You cannot save yourself from your sin.

For that, you need Someone greater than yourself.

You need Jesus Christ.

The centurion's greatest moment came when he looked toward Jesus and said:

“I am not worthy...but say in a word.”

That is the strength of a real hero.

Not trusting in who I am.

Not trusting in what I can do.

Not trusting in what I have accomplished.

But recognizing:

I cannot save myself.

Christ alone can save me.

I leave you with one question:

Where is your strength?