Sermon Tone Analysis

Matthew 8:5-13

Introduction

Have you ever felt that God was far away?

Have you ever thought that God did not care or could not come to where you were?

Have you ever wondered why God was not evident in your life and circumstances?

Have you ever faced a crisis and felt all alone?

If so you know something about how the Centurion in our study today must have felt.

Surely, he had heard about Jesus.

Perhaps he had even been part to the audience that had heard Jesus’ teaching on the Mount.

As far as we know, he had never spoken to Jesus personally.

Yet now he came to Jesus in faith seeking something that he could never accomplish on his own.

\\ 1A.

The Man’s Request (8:5-9)

1B.

The man’s identity

He was a Gentile.

“Centurion,” ruled over 100 Roman soldiers

Ø      The Jews despised him as much as the leper but for different reasons.

Ø      The Jews hated all Romans but especially the military.

Ø      Luke tells us that he had built a synagogue for the Jews and that they interceded for him.

(Luke 7:1-10)

2B.

The man’s motive (8:5-6)

He came with an earnest request.

(8:5b)

“Imploring,” /parakaleo/; to call to or for

Ø      In the NT it is used most often for a request made to Jesus in reference to His supernatural power.

He came with a serious need.

(8:6)

Ø      His servant was gravely ill.

“Servant,” /pais/; a child, a boy

Servants were considered property and the language here indicates that this servant was a young boy.

Ø      This request demonstrates an unusual level of concern on the part of the Centurion.

He desperately wanted his servant to be healed.

Apparently, Jesus was the last resort for this man and his servant.

\\ 3B.

The man’s manner (8:7-9)

His confession (8:8)

Ø      He confesses his sinfulness.

(8:8a)

“Not worthy,” /hikanos/; fit, sufficient

*1 John 1:9* If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us /our /sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ø      He confesses his faith.

(8:8b)

*Romans 10:9-10* that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

His confidence (8:9)

Ø      He had confidence that Jesus was acting under God’s authority.

*Matthew 28:18* And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Ø      He had confidence that Jesus could heal his servant from a distance.

\\ 2A.

The Master’s Response (8:7, 10-13)

1B.

Jesus commends the Centurion’s faith.

(8:10-11)

His faith is a supernatural faith.

(8:10)

Ø      It is greater than the superfical faith of the Pharisees.

*Matthew 5:20* “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses /that /of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Ø      It is greater than the temporal faith of the people.

(John 6:63-66)

*John 6:66* As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.

His faith is a symbolic faith.

(8:11)

Ø      The Centurion represents all Gentiles who will come in faith to the Lord.

*John 10:16* “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock /with /one shepherd.”

2B.

Jesus condemns Israel’s unbelief.

(8:12)

The “sons of the kingdom” refer to the unregenerate Jews.

(Romans 2:25-29; 3:27-31)

The punishment for sin is the same for Jews and Gentiles.

*Revelation 21:8* "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part /will be /in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

3B.

Jesus confirms that the man’s servant was healed.

(8:7, 13)

Jesus fulfills His purpose   (8:7)

Ø      Nothing can prevent the Lord from fulfilling His purpose.

*Job 42:2* “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”

Jesus affirms and encourages the Centurion’s faith.

(8:13)

Ø      Jesus commands him to “go” in faith.

“Go” imperative verb, to depart

Ø      Jesus completes the work of healing.

Application

God is not limited by space or time.

God performs His miracles for His glory and our good.

God calls us to “Go” and “believe.”

\\ Matthew 8:5-13

1A.

The Man’s Request (8:5-9)

1B.

The man’s ________________________________

He was a Gentile.

Ø      Luke tells us that he had built a synagogue for the Jews and that they interceded for him.

(Luke 7:1-10)

2B.

The man’s _________________________ (8:5-6)

He came with an earnest request.

(8:5b)

He came with a serious ____________________.  (8:6)

3B.

The man’s __________________________ (8:7-9)

His confession (8:8)

Ø      He confesses his ___________________.  (8:8a)

“Not worthy,” /hikanos/; fit, sufficient

*1 John 1:9*