Faith Of The Centurion

Scripture

Luke 7:1–10 NIV

When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Introduction

Ever had a problem in your life in which you could not solve but you had to get in contact with someone else who could help you through the problem??

Imagine you have to go in the bank but you know one of the managers so you bypass the long lines

Or you go passport office and you get someone to link you there

It is good when you know Big people who could link you and help you in life

I remember once with me I had a problem with my internet at home and it was frustrating me

It is good when we could know ‘big’ people’ but it better when we know the biggest person and that person is Jesus

Today we would look at how a very powerful man was not powerful enough and he needed help from the most powerful man to walk the face of the earth

Jesus had now finished preaching and he was now in Capernaum and we hear an account of a centurion who had a sick servant who needed to be healed

Today if it is just 1 thing I want you to remember is that The Powerful are Powerless without Faith in Jesus.

There are 3 things we can observe about Jesus in this passage

Firstly :-

JESUS HEARD HIS CRY

Luke 7:3–5 NIV

The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”

Jesus was willing to hear the cry of someone who was a Gentile

What is a Centurion?

Commander of 100 men in the Roman army1

 A centurion’s authority was actually quite extensive because he was the working officer who had direct contact with the men. He went to the field with them and made spontaneous decisions according to each situation.1

A centurion had many duties besides maintaining discipline among the ranks. He had to oversee executions for capital offenses (Mt 27:54; Mk 15:39, 44, 45; Lk 23:47). He was responsible for his troops at all times, whether they were Roman citizens or recruited mercenary soldiers. The position of centurion was prestigious and high paying; those who reached that rank usually made a career of it.1

 A centurion at Capernaum pleaded for the life of his dying servant because he believed that diseases would obey Jesus just as his soldiers obeyed him (Mt 8:5–13; Lk 7:2–10). In spite of his high-ranking position, he was a humble man, willing to admit his inadequacy and helplessness. He cared deeply for his servant’s welfare. Jesus marveled at that example of faith and healed the sick man.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 7

Centurions are mentioned four times in the New Testament…

• As we will see, this centurion is a man of humility and faith.

• It was a centurion on the hill of Calvary who said to Jesus, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54).

• A centurion named Cornelius was the first Gentile to be converted and baptized in the Spirit (Acts 10).

• A centurion named Julius befriended Paul and assisted him on his journey toward Rome (Acts 27).

The Jews didn’t like the Romans in general and centurions in particular. Yet the New Testament paints each of these centurions in a positive light.

This would have been someone considered unimportant by many rabbis in Jesus day because he was not a Jew.

The people tried to convince Jesus that he is a man worthy even though he is a Gentile

They considered him worthy of Jesus because he buit their synagogue

What is the synagogue ?

The basic sense is a place of meeting, and thus it came to denote a Jewish place of worship1

a gathering of any persons or things for any purpose. In the Scriptures it is a gathering of individuals of a locality for worship or common action (Lk. 12:11; 21:12). It came to refer to the building in which such meetings were held.1

The importance of the synagogue for Judaism cannot be overestimated. More than any other institution it gave character to the Jewish faith. Here Judaism learnt its interpretation of the law1

Israel would have the synagogue as a sanctuary in miniature to replace the loss of the Temple. Unlike the Temple, it was located in all parts of the land, and put the people in touch with their religious leaders1

Subject to the law of the land, the synagogue had its own government1

The congregation was governed by elders who were empowered to exercise discipline and punish members. Punishment was by scourging and excommunication. The chief officer was the ruler of the synagogue (cf. Mk. 5:22; Acts 13:15; 18:8). He supervised the service to see that it was carried on in accord with tradition. The attendant (Lk. 4:20) brought the scrolls of Scripture for reading, replaced them in the ark, punished offending members by scourging and instructed children to read. The dispenser of alms received the alms from the synagogue and distributed them. Finally, a competent interpreter was required to paraphrase the Law and the Prophets into the vernacular Aramaic.1

But we didn’t see Jesus vex or angry at having to help someone who is not a Jew

There is no difference between Jew and Greek Scripture

Jesus was willing to listen to the cry of this Gentile who had an even less important person sick and needed a touch from Jesus

After all, he was a Gentile whose background was pagan. He was a Roman soldier, trained to be self-sufficient,

Irregardless of his background Jesus was more than willing to hear his cry for help

Today I want you know that Jesus is more than willing to hear your cry

He hears your cry

You might think you are not important, you not a preacher, you don’t have any big job , you are a big sinner

You can cry out to Jesus who is more than willing to hear your cry

Jesus does not discriminate

“Jesus does not refuse the man because he is of a different race.

Do we have such exclusionary clauses in our ministries?

Jesus does not worry about class.

Do we make such distinctions in targeting those to whom we will minister?

Neither does Jesus argue for a type of separationism that says the centurion is not among God’s people, so he cannot receive ministry.

Sometimes we underestimate the power of the testimony of the gospel to cross ethnic, social, or even lines of belief. Sometimes the way a person is drawn to God is through the indication that God can cross such boundaries to touch and change a heart.

He is more than willing to hear your cry for help

In fact he is happy about that because it shows that you know that he is the source of all your blessings and all that you need in life

Jesus was concerned about his problem

Jesus is willing to hear any man

If God had Voice Mail

Most of us have now learned to live with "voice mail" as a necessary part of our daily lives. But have you ever wondered what it would be

like if God decided to install voice mail? Imagine praying and hearing the following:

Thank you for calling Heaven. For English, Press 1. For Spanish, press 2. For all other languages, press 0.

Please select one of the following options: Press 1 for Requests. Press 2 for Thanksgiving. Press 3 for Complaints.

Press 4 for all other inquiries.

I am sorry; all of our angels and saints are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us, and we will answer

it in the order it was received. Please stay on the line.

If you would like to speak to: God, press 1. Jesus, press 2 Holy Spirit, press 3.

If you would like to hear King David sing a Psalm while you are holding,

press 4. To find a loved one that has been assigned to Heaven, press 5,then enter his or her social security number, followed by the "pound" sign. (If you receive a negative response, please hang up and try again.

For reservations at Heaven, please enter J-O-H-N, followed by the numbers 3-1-6. For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, the age of the earth,

life on other planets, and where Noah’s Ark is, please wait until you arrive.

Our computers show that you have already prayed today. Please hang up and try again tomorrow.

The office is now closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday. Please pray again on Monday after 9:30am.

If you are calling after hours and need emergency assistance,please contact your local pastor.

Thank you, and have a heavenly day.

Jesus is not like your voice mail service Jesus hears yours prayers He hears your cry

AS WE CAN SEE THE POWERFUL ARE POWERLESS WITHOUT FAITH IN GOD

Secondly Jesus not only Heard his cry for help but we see that he actually Healed His Servant

10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

We see that the servant is healed by Jesus without Jesus touching the servant

Before we go into the healing here is what I want you know

Jesus is not like some people who willing to listen to your problems and then leave it just as that

Jesus is willing to help you with your problems.

Today people will just listen to you and that is all

Soon the whole neighbourhood know your problems

Is just gossip about you and your problems

Some people scared to ask for prayer cause they are scared that their entire business going to be public to the entire world

Perhaps you are suffering from some disease and wondering if God is willing to heal you?

You are not sure if He is willing because just as you have seen people get healed, you have also seen people not get healed.

don’t look to people’s experiences. Look to the cross! As surely as Jesus bore away your sins, He also bore away your diseases!

I want to give you a solid foundation today for believing this truth. In Isaiah 53, the chapter on our Lord’s crucifixion, it says in verse four: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows”. Now, let’s learn a little Hebrew. The words “griefs” and “sorrows” here mean “sicknesses” and “pains” in the original Hebrew text. So Isaiah was referring to physical healing.

If that is not enough, look at Matthew 8:16–17: “... they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: ‘He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.’”

Matthew quotes Isaiah 53:4, saying that Jesus took our “infirmities” and bore our “sicknesses”. The context here refers to physical healing.

My friend, if you will just believe this truth, your days of sickness will be over. You will walk in greater health because the One who has surely borne your sicknesses and carried your pains says to you, “I am willing, be cleansed!”

As surely as Jesus bore away your sins, He also bore away your diseases!

This scripture shows a lot about a Centurion loving his servant so much that he wanted to see him healed.

As much as this Centurion loved his servant I want you to know that Jesus loved him even more!!!!

The Centurion loved him because he was probably a good and loyal servant but Jesus loved him simply because he is Jesus and Jesus loves everyone!!!

Today it does not matter if you are a loyal servant, a good servant or a good for nothing servant - the fact remains that Jesus loves you and if you need healing like this servant - he wants to heal you; if you need a financial breakthrough in your life he wants to provide for you. If you need a companion - he is a friend who sticks closer than a brother!!!!

If you think your parents love you a lot I want to let you know that their love cannot be compared with the love God has for you!!

God doesn't love you because you are lovable; God loves you because God is love - John Maxwell

Turn to Jesus today and cast all your cares upon him for he careth for you!!!!

Jesus Healed him and is able to heal you today from whatever your problem is

There are lots of preachers today going around as faith healers and while some might be genuine a lot of them are just out to use people

A lot of them are after money SAD To say

Today I want to tell you that you can trust in Jesus, not in me , a Pastor or anyone

Put your trust in Jesus who is able to do for you what he did for the Centurion

AS WE CAN SEE THE POWERFUL ARE POWERLESS WITHOUT FAITH IN GOD

Thirdly Jesus honoured the faith he had in him When Jesus was going to the man house the man sent word

not to come but just say the word and his servant will be healed

Luke A Roman Centurion Demonstrates Faith / 7:1–10 / 68

The centurion was accustomed both to obeying and to being obeyed. He may have understood that Jesus’ power and authority came from God. When Jesus spoke, God spoke. Jesus did not need rituals or medicines or even his touch or presence to accomplish a healing. The centurion applied his understanding of authority to Jesus. Just as this officer did not need to be present to have his orders carried out, so Jesus didn’t need to be present to heal. The centurion had absolutely no doubt that Jesus could merely speak the word and heal the servant.

This caused Jesus to marvel at how great his faith was in him

“The central lesson of the centurion story is the nature of the man’s faith. His humility had allowed others to honor him as a

worthy man, but standing before the presence of God’s messenger, he understood that God owed him nothing.

People were saying he was worthy because he was a good man -

He had built the synagogue by giving money towards it - he was worthy of Jesus listening to him

He knew he was unworthy of Jesus doing anything for him.

Imagine a Roman officer telling a poor Jewish rabbi that he was unworthy to have Him enter his house! The Romans were not known for displaying humility, especially before their Jewish subjects.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 195). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

He did not even feel worthy of being visited by God’s agent.

Today I want to remind us that we are not worthy of anything because of our good works because the Bible says all of our righteousness is as filthy rags before God .

It is strictly the goodness and grace of the Lord that give us access to healing and life through the Son of God.

Yet he also understood God’s authority to heal and his

compassion. He believed Jesus could heal by a simple sovereign word even at a physical distance—a situation that applies even more today in light of Jesus’ presence in heaven. And he knew that Jesus cared enough to do so. Such faith and humility in approaching God’s power are what amaze Jesus.

He explained that he is a man who knows what it is like to have men under his authority and whatever he says - they do.

He realised that Jesus had even greater authority than him that even sickness had to obey his voice.

Just say the Word Lord and my servant is healed.....

This passage calls us to possess a similar faith. God owes us nothing, yet he extends his compassion to us. God honors us with his grace, not because we deserve it, but because he cares (1 John 4:9–10).”

Today people saying I have no healing unless the Pastor come and visit me and touch me with his hands....

Unless the leaders pray for me God is not limited by distance in our prayer..... Come out on a prayer meeting if you need special prayer

Conclusion

Today I want to ask you a very serious question and that is where is your faith today???

What have you placed your faith and trust in today???

To whom have you placed your faith and trust in today.

Max Lucado writes: “For that’s what faith is. Faith is trusting what the eye can’t see. Eyes see the prowling lion. Faith sees Daniel’s angel. Eyes see storms. Faith sees Noah’s rainbow. Eyes see giants. Faith sees Canaan. Your eyes see your faults. Your faith sees your Savior. Your eyes see your guilt. Your faith sees His blood. Your eyes see your grave. Your faith sees a city whose builder and maker is God. Your eyes look in the mirror and see a sinner, a failure, a promise-breaker. But by faith you look in the mirror and see a robed prodigal bearing the ring of grace on your finger and the kiss of your Father on your face.”

AS WE CAN SEE THE POWERFUL ARE POWERLESS WITHOUT FAITH IN GOD

As you can see Faith focuses on God as its proper object. The centurion did not trust in his (great) authority, but in Christ’s. The centurion believed that Christ was Lord of nature, that He had authority to command sickness to depart. His faith was focused on the right object.

The centurion had fixed his attention of Jesus, on His compassion, His mercy, His power. The centurion was preoccupied with the person of our Lord, not his possession of faith.

Many times I tend to put my trust in my own abilities at times to get things done or put my faith in someone whom I know can get things done but faith needs to put in God and God alone

He knew that only God could solve this problem

Sometimes we want to put too much faith in the doctors and the lawyers etc but is only so much they can do

Put your faith in God and not on a man Today I want to as you a very important question Have you placed your faith in Jesus as this man placed his faith

Tonight I want you to know that Jesus Christ paid the price so that you can be healed of whatever sickness of disease you have

Isaiah 55:11 NIV

so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 53:5 KJV 1900

But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed.

Jesus did not only die on that cross to heal you of physical disease but also spiritual disease as well....

You see we are all sinners and we needed Jesus to come and rescue us from the curse of sin which is eternal separation from God In Hell

But the bible says in John 3:16

Would you say today that you believe in Jesus Christ , that he died was buried and he rose on the third day???

Jesus said I am the way, I am the truth and I am the life

Would you put your faith in Jesus today

REMEMBER THE POWERFUL ARE POWERLESS WITHOUT FAITH IN JESUS

I am appealing to you , if you never acknowledged Jesus before as your Lord and Saviour do that today

He longs for you to have a relationship with him

SINNER’S PRAYER