Luke 7:1-10 - A CENTURIONS'S FAITH

Play this morning is called a centurions faith. I have about 25 minutes to preach the sermon so I should have maybe called it the congregation's faith.

Nothing, I can do it this morning and I'm glad to have shortened it down to hear what we just heard and regards the Mike and Nikki and I hear from Ray and to continue that work of missions that were doing in this church were looking at Luke chapter 7 verses 1 through 10. I was we have considered throw. This isn't particularly on in this series. In fact the very first sermon we've seen Luke's gospel emphasizes. Jesus is love and concern and care for many who were overlooked and ostracized and unnoticed in society. Luke speaks very often of women such as Mary and Elizabeth and Anna and the sisters Mary and Martha a Lucas is continually referencing a telling about the pool or whether it be an actual event during Jesus's teaching like the sermon on the plain blessed are the poor. Lucas quick to bring up stories of immoral women like The Prostitute who poured oil on Jesus's feet. Luke talks about the Samaritans in Jesus involvement in them, but also shares the story of the Good Samaritan. We hear from Luke about lepers like the ten lepers who were healed Lucas constantly bringing up the sick and the infirm and his stories as he relates. In his gospel. He talks about tax collectors and criminals and rebellious family members. And now in chapter 7 we have the first of three interactions in which Jesus demonstrates his care and concern for those who are marginalized or ignored or oppressed or simply outcasts from society. We see the healing of the Centurion servant the raising of the Widow's son in the forgiving of the sinful woman. So let's keep our minds on that over the next month this idea that Luke communicates about Jesus loving and caring for these types of people and this morning. We'll look at a particular in Luke chapter 7 verses 1 through 10 the healing of the Centurion servant. We read after he had finished all his sayings and the hearing of the people he that is Jesus entered capernum Noah century and had a servant who is sick at the point of death who is highly valued by him. When the Centurion heard about Jesus he sent to him Elders of the Jews asking him to come and heal his servant and when they came to Jesus they pleaded with him earnestly saying he is worthy to have you do this for him for he loves our nation and he is the one who built us our synagogue in Jesus went with them when he was not far from the house this entry and send friends saying to him Lord do not trouble yourself for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. therefore I did not presume to come to you but say the word and let my servant be healed for I too am a man set under Authority with soldiers under me and I stayed one go and he goes into another, he comes and do my servant do this and he doesn't When Jesus heard these things he marveled at him and turn into the crowd that followed him said I tell you not even in Israel. Have I found such faith? Domino's Woodburn send return to the house. They found the servant well. We have five scenes in this story of the healing of the century enslave five scenes. The first really is introductory where we get to know the location and some of the the main people involved we read in verses 1 and 2 after you'd finished all his sayings and assuring of the people he ended capernum no Centurian had a servant who is sick in at the point of death. It was highly valued by him. That's important to note that it says Jesus's teaching. And actual phrases had filled their ears. The teaching of Jesus head filter ears and I was the sermon on the plain and we've looked at that for the last five or six weeks.

And that's important to keep in mind as we read this passage. So keep that in mind behind. This is Jesus's come down off the plane and probably off the mound. And he's just taught his disciples but we hear of this century and a surrey at the Centre and being someone who worked for Rome and was in charge of around a hundred people a deck Tyrion is in charge of 10 people at Century doesn't charge of a hundred people and he would either be a mercenary Soldier a tax collector or some sort of policeman. And centurions could be a variety of nationalities. It's pretty clear that this one is not Jewish and most likely not Roman so he's a gentile but he's not a Roman and he's not Jewish and he has a slave a slave that we understand was significant to him. Now that could possibly mean that he was valuable monetarily, but it's unlikely it's more likely that it means he was esteemed by the Centurion and the slave has an illness and that illness really is the inciting event of this story in this illness in the words that were used not only does it say that he was at the point of death, but the idea that in the words used is that this was incurable This servant was Gravely Gravely ill. Until we moved there from the second from the first scene to the second scene verses three through six the first part of her 6 when the century and heard about Jesus. He sent his Elders of the Jews asking him to come and heal his servant I'm going to came to Jesus they pleaded with him earnestly saying he is worthy to have you do this for him for he loves our nation and he is the one who built our synagogue and Jesus went with them see that the century and has heard about Jesus. What is he heard most likely the Miracles that Jesus was performing Healing The Sick casting out demons. Maybe it's part of his teaching as well. But I think the emphasis here is on Jesus is miraculous works. It's always sends emissaries Jewish elders and they going Lobby on behalf of this century and they try to persuade Jesus to come to the centurions a the word. Please suggest that they made a serious effort in doing this. The best gas is likely because Jesus rode his ministry was clear that he was sent first to the Jews but didn't mean he would do nothing for Gentiles are for Samaritan's but perhaps that's why they were Ernest and made serious effort to compel him to help the Centurion. It was a persuasion through Commendation. They were commending the Centurion to Jesus. They say to Jesus and tell Jesus that this century and is worthy of benefiting from Jesus's power. This man is worthy of you doing good to him. It's interesting that that phrase that the Centurion is worthy worthy. This is the only time in the New Testament that this is used in a positive way about an individual. So it's used in a negative way unworthy about individuals and it's used in a positive way about groups of people, but in terms of an individual with this particular phrase that is only this century and so we can assume we can I be confident actually that this was a special man. And their Commendation towards Jesus is really too full of first of all this century and loves the nation. I remember this is a non-jew. He loves the nation and he built their synagogue this century and has a loving and generous posture even to those who might be considered his enemies. Now, where have we heard that before? I don't think the century and heard Jesus is teaching. But I think that Luke is telling this story coming off the mountain where we heard what even love our enemies in here was a non-believer a non-jew who was exemplifying what Jesus was talking about? Well, the persuasion worked the emissaries were successful. Jesus was going to go. What's the next scene in verse 6 second half of our 6th reverse ate some more people come to Jesus coming to Jesus again. We see we read when he was not far from the house. The Centurion send friends saying to him trouble yourself or I am not to have you come under my roof. Therefore. I did not presume to come to you but say the word and let my servant be healed for I too am a man set under Authority with soldiers under me and I stayed on go and he comes into my servant do this and he doesn't has a Jesus approaches the Houmas the century in the Centre and sends a second delegation to meet Jesus. And any interaction of this second delegation of there is much that explains about the century in about who he was the kind of man. He was but maybe more importantly what he believed. Let's start with what he believed. He clearly believes that Jesus was powerful. Because he believed that Jesus could heal this servant in a way. That was not burdensome for him. Jesus you don't even need to come that would be too much trouble for you. You don't need to go to trouble to heal. Someone just speak the word. Last year, I taught you of a saying I learned from my teammates when I was in the CFL from down south. I used to say how this thing ain't nothing but a chicken wing. Never heard it before is it what is that means it's simple they ain't nothing but a chicken wing that's what the Centurion say any Jesus for you. This ain't nothing but a chicken wing just speak and you don't have to, you don't have to touch him. You don't have to be within hearing just speak the word and my servant will be healed. He believe Jesus was powerful. He calls him Lord understand the century in is in a in this Society is in a position of power because it's a significant man. He is a wealthy man. He has a hundred men to do his bidding and he makes clear they do his bidding and then he calls Jesus Lord. I think this fall short of him recognizing Jesus is the Messiah, but he certainly recognizes that Jesus is a significant person. He could have used the title Rabbi which would have been much more, but he went above that and said Lord.

In fact, the Centurion is steam's Jesus so much that he recognized that Jesus was really too important to come to his home at two important for him to go to Jesus.

What time is powerful enough that he pee just commanded at the forces that were causing this sickness would obey Jesus. He sees Jesus as a man of significant any understands the magnitude of Jesus's Authority. He has a high view of Jesus believes. We learn something also about the centurions character. Is admonition not to come to his house is not just that admission of the century ran towards Jesus has power but it is also an indication of the centurions humility. He says I am not worthy.

Centurion was humble. I'm not worthy for you to come. I am not worthy to come to you.

And so he did not see himself highly or arrogantly, but rather accurately recognize that he was not even worthy to be in Christ's presence.

Until we learn about the centurions believe so we learn about the centurions character and then as commendable faith in verse 9. This is the climax in the whole point of the story when Jesus heard these things he marveled at him and turn into the crowd that followed and said I tell you not even in Israel have I found such faith Jesus reaction to the emissaries is one of surprise and Commendation the other way now. this fate and not the healing is the climax of the story and I should be interested. It is healing a big deal. Leaving the healing from a distance or Jesus doesn't have to come near the person doesn't have to touch. The person doesn't have to be in earshot to give that word of command.

What the point of the story the climax of the story is not the healing. It's like an afterthought in the next first. It's the safe. Which is an indication that faith is not about the thing we desire. It's about the one we are asking something from we get to that more. This is interesting. Jesus Marvel's it says it's at this display of Faith that's only used one other time in terms of Jesus being Marvel that something and it's in Mark 6 6 listen to this he went away from there and came to his hometown and his disciples followed him and on a Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue and many who hurt him worse tonnish thing. Where did this man? Get these things? What is the wisdom given to him by his hands who sounds like good questions, but they turn now, Is not this the carpenter the son of Mary and brother of James and Joseph San Judas and Simon and are not his sister's here with us and they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them a prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household and he could not or he could do no Mighty work there except the latest hands on a few sick people and healed them and he marveled because of their unbelief. Twice Jesus Marvel's Centurion because of his belief and once at his own people because of their unbelief. Don't know that his marveling at their unbelief was because they didn't recognize who he was. Isn't this just the carpenter? Isn't this Mary son? Isn't this the brother of Joseph marveled at their unbelief? Words with the century in he Marvels at his faith. And I argue that that's because of the century and recognize who it was and I think that's the main idea from this story commendable safe. is a trust a hoe a conviction based on who God is And what he has spoken or promise? Commendable faith is a trust a hoe pay conviction based on who God is and what he has spoken or promise. This is an opposition to a faith a faith that is very common in our day and age of faith that is focused on the answer. Commendable faith is not so much about the quality of your hoping as it is about the object of your hope and the object of your hope should not be a thing. It should be a person. The person is God the centurions faith is exemplary because he accurately assesses who is making his request to We can see this because we understand the Jesus doesn't need to be present to do this. Despite that the Miracles he would have heard of it about Jesus being present and doing it. He recognize this guy doesn't need to be here. But so powerful this guy is he also recognizes that Jesus worked under God's Authority. That's a point. He makes when he talks about his turns his I'm a man under Authority and because I'm under Authority they do what I say Jesus. He recognizes a man under God's Authority and if he just says it it'll be done. And certainly he realized that he was not worthy of Jesus's presents. He recognizes. The significance of a man he is asking. The question of his faith is not commendable because he hoped really hard for the answer or because he worked out the conviction to believe he would get what he wanted. That's not what Jesus is commending.

Now perhaps some of you are thinking but what about Hebrews 11:1? Hebrews 11:1 seems to say the opposite. Now Faith is the Assurance of things hoped for. the conviction of Things Not Seen what's missing from there? God not telling you what matters and faith is God. And yet Hebrews 11:1 seems to say the opposite. It doesn't mention God. No faith is the Assurance of things hoped for that's the answer or the convictions of Things Not Seen.

I was very helped probably. I don't know about 10-15 years ago, but being in a small group that studied some work by men and Greg koukl. He's with stand to reason which is a Ministry of apologetics. I I command them to you. But I remember the thing he would always say it's in almost every time is on the radio teaching 11 teaching a lesson. He would say a Bible verse Never read a Bible verse always read a paragraph and I think that's true here because if we leave 11-1 and we keep reading for by it talkin about faith. The people of old receive their Commendation. So you're someone's being commended again and then three by faith we understand that the Universe was created by the word of God connecting spay. What's the answer but to the creator of The World God and to his word so that what is seen you was not made of the things that are visible commendable phase is not as much about how hard you help or how hard you believe in getting what you want commendable save his putting your hope and believe no matter how small it is, even if it's only as big as a grain of mustard a mustard seed It's about putting your hope in the god of creation and in his promises.

Working yourself up into an effort to Hope in the saying and receiving the answer. I like to think of it's like Dorothy in Wizard of Oz at the end of the show you put on the ruby slippers and you click your heels together. There's no place like home. There's no place like home if I only can fixate hard enough of what it is. I want I'll get the answer. But that's not commendable Faith commendable faith is understanding and recognizing who it is you're asking. Who it is you're making your appeal to? As a centurion saw a powerful being one who is in authority authority of God and understanding my relationship to that person. I'm not worthy even to be in that person's present. That's commendable Faith. Let's not put our hope and Hope

That's not put our hope in or conviction on things on answers on whatever it is. We want let us put our faith in the Living God. Who is powerful and gracious and loving I think that's what was commendable about his faith. Finally, there's a concluding results and verse 10 and those who have been sent returned to the house. They found the servant. Well, you know, you might not even said anything you just said. Wow that my faith is something else and they were turned in the servants healed. There's a big deal, but the focus is clearly on this faith is Faith is a gentile Some sort of faith. We want to have a faith that is fixated on the answer not on the thing, but on the person we're asking. You make one final point of application. We see The Descent churiyan. Is willing to cross several boundaries in order to obtain a Salvation from God for his servant. That's what I'm looking for. This servant was dying incurable on the point of death and this century and was willing to cross boundaries. He clearly was not impacted by racial boundaries. We know that he gladly helped the Jews. Built their synagogue love their nation and then saw that help though. He was a rich powerful century and sought help from this traveling Jewish teacher. He crossed social-economic boundaries making his appeal and showing deference to a poor country bumpkin. Calling him Lord. Say he wasn't even worthy to be in his presence. Didn't matter this century and who was wealthy. He was going to let that stand in the way of him pursuing salvation from Jesus not even religious that I don't have time to get into the yard. Then this person was not it's clear was not a prostitute of Judaism. It's clear from the description that he wasn't. But you didn't like those religious boundary stop him from caring about the Jews or requesting help from a Jewish teacher like Jesus. These boundaries could have kept him. From the Salvation that he saw it but he didn't allow them to stop him and my question to you and particularly I speak this to those of you who are not believers. I've never trusted in Christ. I've never believed in him and put your faith in him. Are you willing to cross boundaries to seek salvation from Christ? Are you willing to cross the boundaries of pride? That prevent you from acknowledging your sin that separates you from Christ. Are you willing to cross boundaries of fear of what people in your life might think if you surrender? Did the Savior are you willing to cross boundaries of apathy? They just encourage you to protect the status quo of your life and not change it up.

Jesus Christ came Though he was God. He became a man and lived Among Us. And so that we might be reconciled to God and have eternal life. He died for us receiving the penalty for our sins. Taking on him the wrath of God that was for us. I need. And then he came back from the dead. So did those who put their faith in God who repent of their sins and Trust Christ? Would be reconciled to God and have eternal life. Don't let anything stop you from doing that what spray? Father God we thank you for your word. We thank you for this story of the centurions slave who Jesus healed? Maybe not even with a word.

Father God we desire to have commendable faith. I pray that by your spirit you would help us to understand that commendable faith is faith that is fixated on you. the creator of the universe

the one who has loved us and sent his son to save us.

I was trying to fixate. I'm not saying we want not even to fixate on generating The Hope require that a conviction require. Let us keep our eyes on you. Keep our eyes on Christ.

Who has the Centurion recognized was powerful? and holy pray this in Jesus name. Amen.