Amazing Faith

“Amazing Faith”

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There is no doubt that Jesus Christ is the most amazing person who has ever lived! The more you listen to the words, look at the works of Jesus in the bible, in your own life, and in the life of others; you become more and more amazed at Jesus!

No one was ever born like Jesus, lived like Jesus, died like Jesus, or rose from the dead like Jesus!

All through the life and ministry of Jesus people were amazed by him.

When Jesus was a 12-year-old boy the doctors of the law, and the religious leaders were astonished at his understanding and answers. His mother Mary was amazed, when she saw him sitting among the doctors answering their questions.

When Jesus cast a demon out of the man in the synagogue in -“And they were all amazed, and spoke among themselves, saying, what a word is this! For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out”. When Jesus healed the paralyzed man who had been a letdown through a hole in the roof;

-“And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, we have seen strange things to day.

Over and over throughout the Lord’s ministry people were amazed, astonished, blown away by his miracles and preaching. Aren’t you amazed, astonished by the Lord Jesus? I am! Nobody has ever done for me what Jesus has done for me!

· The disciples were amazed when Jesus calm the storm; and they said “what kind of man is this that even the winds and see obey him”?

· The people were amazed, and marveled as they saw the mute speak, the cripple walk, and the blind see.

· The religious leaders, marveled at the words and answers that Jesus gave them.

Jesus is the most amazing person who has ever lived! While Jesus frequently amazed people, there are only two times in the Gospels when Jesus himself amazed.

Right here in ; and in . In both of these passages, Jesus marveled about people’s faith.

-“Jesus marveled because of their unbelief”. He marveled at their lack of faith!

The people in His hometown of Nazareth, had seen His mighty miracles, yet they did not believe in him. And Jesus marveled, was amazed, and blown away because of their unbelief.

It’s like Jesus said, wow, really, after all you have seen and experienced you still don’t believe I am the Savior? It is mind-boggling, unbelievable, that those people who had seen the miracles of Jesus, still didn’t trust in him as their Savior and Lord!

And today, I am blown away by people who hear the word of God, feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit, see the miracles of lives changed all around them; yet they refuse to trust in Jesus Christ themselves; it is unbelievable.

The second time we’re told that Jesus marveled; is not because of a lack of faith, but because of great faith; amazing Faith.

V:9-“When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned around, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

This man’s faith amazed Jesus; I want us to learn how to have amazing Faith! Don’t you want to bless, and amazed Jesus with your faith in him?

This Roman centurion’s story is recorded in the Bible to teach us the characteristics of amazing Faith.

First characteristic; Amazing Faith:

1. Seeks Jesus For Help!

V:1-7.

The scene is set for us in V:2, there is a certain centurion, a Roman soldier in charge of a 100 soldiers, he has a servant that he cares deeply about that is almost dead.

This centurion becomes the main character in this story, besides the Lord Jesus. Luke the medical doctor, tells us his servant is at the point of death. This servants health was failing, he was losing the battle, and about to die. The situation was critical, the centurion valued this servant, the servant was dear to him, precious to him, and he loved his servant and want to do whatever he could to save his life. But what could he do? Humanly speaking, everything that could be done, had been done.

V:3-“And when he heard of Jesus…

We are not told how he heard about Jesus; we are just told he heard about Jesus. Maybe one of his servants told him about Jesus; like the serving girl of Naaman the leper told him about Elisha, and the God of Israel.

Somebody told him about Jesus! Just like somebody told you about Jesus, and somebody told me about Jesus. Have you told anybody about Jesus lately?

Not, have you told anybody about the church lately, or that you are religious, or you’re a Bible believer; have you told anybody that you know Jesus?

Somebody told this man about Jesus; they said to him, if you want your servant to be healed, you ought to call Jesus!

This man heard about Jesus, believed that Jesus had the power to heal his servant; so his faith leads him to seek Jesus for help.

Do you have a desperate need in your life? Are you encountering something in your life that is beyond your power to fix or solve?

When trouble, difficulties, problems come into our lives, who do we seek? We seek the person we believe can help us! The person we have the most faith in is the first person we call, email, text, or talk with. We have heard that Jesus has power to do miracles, to bind the broken hearted, to change lives; faith in Jesus power and ability will automatically lead us to call on him for help!

When health problems come- the first person to call is Jesus.

When marriage problems come, the first person to seek for counsel is Jesus and his Word.

Not you’re parents, your girlfriends, your buddies, or some secular counselor. The first thing you should do is drop on your knees with your spouse and seek Jesus for help. When problems with your children arise, are your finances, are your job, asked Jesus for help, as the centurion did!

In this life there will be problems, and circumstances that are beyond our ability to fix.

It doesn’t matter our status in life, our money, influence or who we know some problems are beyond our power to fix.

But amazing faith believes there is nothing beyond Jesus power to fix!

Notice how we are to seek Jesus.

a. Seek Jesus Earnestly.

V:3-“beseeching him but he would come and heal his servant”.

This man sent the elders of the synagogue, to beseech, beg, Jesus to come and heal his servant. This was not a casual request; he didn’t say to Jesus if you get around to it, it would be nice if you would drop by, my servant is not feeling well. No! He pleads earnestly for Jesus to come and heal his servant. The message is urgent, it is a matter of life and death! There is passion and intensity in the voice of these men. This man is an example of how amazing Faith, calls on Jesus in believing prayer!

b. Seek Jesus Humbly.

V:4-“They said to Jesus, he is worthy, for who you should do this”.

Does that make you cringe, when you hear that? It should, but for some people it doesn’t. These are the religious elders of the synagogue; one of the dangers of being a religious person, is you can think that you deserve salvation. You think you are worthy of Jesus coming into your life and into your house. They tell Jesus he is worthy because: he loves the nation of Israel, even though he is a Gentile; and he is generous, he has built us a synagogue. Maybe he was a proselyte, and had converted to worship in Jehovah God. But they think, based on his tender heart for his servant; which was very unusual for Roman soldier, to give a flip about his slave. In the Roman world slaves were considered to be nothing more than a human tool. And you did the same thing to sick slaves, as you did the broken tools; you simply threw them out. But this man had a love for the nation of Israel, a love for God, the place of worship and he valued human life. Those things usually go together!

So he was a good man, who loved Israel, and the worship of Jehovah; so they deducted from that that he was worthy of Jesus doing something for him and his servant.

Not only was it unusual for this Gentile, Roman soldier to care about the nation of Israel, to give his money to build a house of worship. It is also very unusual for Jewish elders, to go out of their way on behalf of a Gentile soldier. But these men went to Jesus lobbying for this Roman soldier because they thought he was worthy of Jesus help.

These religious people are not the last ones to think, you can be worthy, deserving of salvation, heaven, and a relationship with Jesus! There are a lot of people who think that because they’re good citizens, take care of their family, don’t kill anybody, give money to church; that they are worthy, deserving of salvation and Jesus.

They think that they’re going to go to heaven because their good works outweigh their bad works.

If you think that because you do good things, you are worthy of heaven and the forgiveness of God; you are sadly mistaken! If you think that you’re good enough for God, you’re only fooling yourself! Who could ever be good enough for God? God is perfect; and we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. It is not enough to go to church, give money to Christian causes, or get involved in ministry.

God requires perfect righteousness; by that standard, no one is worthy, no one except the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible says that salvation, is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast”.()

The Jewish elders, asked Jesus to come heal the centurion servant, because he is worthy. Jesus doesn’t say anything to them, V:6-“ Jesus went with them…

Here we see again the heart of the Lord Jesus, as He responds to hurting people. Jesus is available, able and willing to help us. The desire of Jesus heart is to rescue people; from sin and death.

-“Jesus came to seek and to save the lost”

Jesus starts out with these men; there headed to the centurion’s house; but they never make it there.

The centurion sends a second delegation, his friends to say something else to Jesus.

V:6-7-“And when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not yourself: for I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof: that’s why didn’t come to you myself…

Now we see the difference between the religious leaders, and the centurion. The centurion knew he was not worthy of Jesus in his life, are his home.

We are not told why the centurion changed his mind; initially he wanted Jesus to come to his house and heal his servant. But now he feels unworthy to have Jesus, under his roof. Possibly some messenger had told him what the elders had said to Jesus, that the centurion was worthy of his help. And that’s the centurion thought about it, he became aware of just how unworthy he was, to have the worthy, Holy son of God in his home. Everybody else looked at him and said he was worthy; he cares about his servants, he loves the nation of Israel, he gave money to the local congregation: he deserves Jesus help. But by the grace of God, the centurion saw himself as he really was! He knew that he was not worthy at all, compared to Jesus; Jesus was so worthy, so holy, that he was not even worthy to have him come into his house! What caused this man to see how unworthy he was? He saw how Holy Jesus was! The basis for comparison is not your next-door neighbor, or your coworker; you might be worthy, deserving compared to them. But the comparison is the perfect, holy, sinless son of God; who is the glory of God! And on the basis of that comparison; all have sinned and come short of the glory of God! This centurion understood that Jesus was the righteous, holy son of God!

How do you see Jesus, and how do you see yourself? Those two questions are connected, because when we really see Jesus as He is; in all of his splendor, glory and righteousness; we also see how unworthy, lost, and wicked we are.

Listen, the most important thing you need to see about yourself is that you are a sinner in desperate need of God’s grace.

Jesus is the worthy son of God, he is the beginning and the end, the alpha and omega, the Creator of the universe. He is a mighty ruler of heaven and earth, the King of Kings and Lord of lords. Jesus is the Holy Lamb of God who was slain for our sins on the cross, who was raised from the dead for our justification, and who deserves all honor, glory, power and blessings!

If that is who Jesus says, then who are we?

The answer is we are needy sinners, who do not deserve the grace of God. We must never forget our unworthiness, our sinful nature, our unrighteousness, and the sins that we commit against God. As my predecessor would say, Norman Noble; we are all dirty rotten no good sinners! You say, Pastor Eddie that seems pessimistic; no that’s realistic, and knowing that fact is what helps us to appreciate the grace of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ!

If you are proud of who you are, and what you have accomplished, then you can never be saved, because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. It is only when we admit that we do not deserve to be saved, that we are ready to receive God’s grace in Jesus Christ. We need the same attitude as the publican in -“God be merciful to me a sinner”.

That’s what it takes for you to be saved, you must admit you’re a sinner, and place your faith in Jesus Christ. Amazing Faith Seeks Jesus for Help!

The second characteristic; Amazing Faith:

2. Submits to Jesus Authority!

V:7, He believed that Jesus could simply say the word and his servant would be healed.

He believed that Jesus had authority over sickness, and that He could just say the word and sickness had to obey.

V:8-Read.

This centurion understood how authority operated, he was a military man. He had men under him, and he gave the orders and they obeyed. All he had to do was say the word, and his soldiers carried out his commands. Where did he get this authority? He got his authority from a higher authority. V:8-“I am a man set under authority, having soldiers under me, I tell them what to do and they do it”.

His soldiers carried out his orders, because he had military authority. His authority was backed up by his commanding officer, who got his authority from his superior officer, all the way up to Caesar himself. So when the centurion gave an order, it was backed by the entire Roman Empire. He was in authority, because he was under authority.

When a policeman comes and knocks on the door, the person behind the door says, "Who's there?" And, the policeman says, "Open the door, in the name of the law”. The policeman is relying on a higher authority. Now, he doesn't just come and say, "This is John Doe; it would be awful nice of you to open the door when you get a minute, thank you, please." NO! He says "Open the door, in the name of the law." Where does he get his authority?

He's a policeman; he's been commissioned, and behind that badge is the police department of the city, and behind that is the state, and behind that is the National Guard, and the forces of the United States. That one man is backed up by incredible authority. And, what we need to understand is that all authority comes from above.

The centurion said, I'm under authority and I have people under my authority. Here's the secret; it's very simple. You cannot be over until you are under.

You cannot have authority until you get under authority! You will never have spiritual authority/power until you submit to the authority of the Lord Jesus in your life!

The reason that many people do not have Authority in their life over anything is because they have not learned how to be under authority. And you cannot be over, until you are under!

· There's the authority of the Word of God. Are you under it?

· There's the authority of the lordship of Jesus Christ. Have you submitted to it?

· There's the authority of the leading of the Holy Spirit? Do you follow it?

· There is to be authority in the home.

· There is authority in the Church.

· There is authority in the government.

There is authority everywhere. When you go to a restaurant, there even authority in that restaurant, the waitress. I'll give you the best example of being under, and being over at the same time- Jesus! The Lord Jesus Christ was under authority, therefore He was over all!

What did the centurion say? He looked at Jesus, and he said: V:8-"For I also am a man under authority”. “Jesus was under authority."

You say, whose authority was Jesus under?"

1. Jesus was subject to his father.

-“I have glorified you on the earth; I have finished the work which you gave me to do"

-“I always do the things that please the father"

B. Jesus was subject to the Holy Spirit.

- "He was led by the Spirit, by the Spirit into the wilderness

C. Jesus was subject to the Word of God.

"The scripture cannot be broken" ().

He told John the Baptist; we must do this to fulfill the scripture.

D. Jesus was subject to His Earthly Parents.

- "And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them".

E. Jesus was subject to the Government.

When there came time to pay taxes, what did Jesus say: -“ Unless we should offend them, go to the sea, and cast in a hook, and take the first fish, and when you open its mouth will find a piece of money; take it and give it to them for me and you" . Jesus, the King of Glory, paid His taxes. If Jesus Christ is subject to God the Father, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, parents, the government under which He lived and operated, who are we to say nobody's going to tell me what to do?

If you don't learn how to be under those that God has set over you, if you do not learn what this centurion learned, you’re not going to have any authority, power in your spiritual life!

If you have a rebellious spirit you're going to be defeat by the flesh and the devil!!

There are a lot of Christians who are living lives of defeat and shame because they have refused to submit to the spiritual authority that God has put over them.

There are husband who have no spiritual power, or authority, because they are not under the authority of Jesus and his word.

There are mothers today who have no authority over their children, because they will not submitted to the Lord or there husband?

There are youth and children, who have no spiritual authority, or victory in their life, because they refuse to submit to their parent’s authority.

When you submit to authority you will find yourself having authority and power in your life.

God does not give his authority to rebels!

And when you rebelled against the authority God put over you, you are really rebelling against God himself.

EXAMPLE- The people of Israel rebelled against Moses and Aaron there leaders. But God said, the people have rebelled against me, because I am the one who put Moses and Aaron over them!

This centurion recognized Jesus as a man under authority; therefore he had authority. The centurion knew that Jesus had authority over sickness and death. His amazing faith led him to say, V:7-“Jesus, all you have to do is say the word, and my servant will be healed”.

V:9-Read. This amazing faith made Jesus marvel.

Amazing faith, submits to Jesus authority.

The third characteristic; Amazing Faith:

3. Sees Jesus Do Miracles!

V:10-Read.

All Jesus had to do was to say one single word, and the servant’s health was restored. This is one of the greatest miracles Jesus ever performed. He did not even go to the man; he just said the word from a distance. Friend, Jesus doesn’t have to be here this morning physically; if you will believe the word of Jesus, today you will be spiritually and eternally healed/saved! The Bible says, whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Call on Jesus, and you will be saved!

By the time everyone got home, V:10, the servant was fully recovered from his sickness.

What power there is in the word of Jesus! Without ever seeing the servant, without touching him, Jesus restored the dying man with a single word. Jesus has authority to command sickness, and disease to depart and it obeys.

He did this, because the centurion trusted in his power/authority to heal. This serves as an example for our own salvation: we will not be saved by the worthiness of our works, but only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. To be saved we totally rely, trust on the person of Jesus Christ and his work on the cross on our behalf!

God has chosen for us to know him, walk with him, and please him, by faith! If God wanted to remove our need for faith, He could do it. God could take the roof off this building and say BOO and everybody in here would believe! Why doesn't he do that? Because it would rob him of our trust, faith, and love for who He is!

Faith is a heart response to the character of God!

Do you want to experience the miracle of salvation? Then I invite you to acknowledge your sin and unworthiness, and by faith receive Jesus Christ into your heart as your Savior and Lord, and you will experience the miracle of the new birth!

Do you want to have amazing faith that blesses the heart of Jesus?

Today, seek Jesus for Help, call on Him today, believe His word, and you will experience a miracle.

Trust Jesus enough to submit to His authority in every area of your life!