Good News Week 17. Two Miracles (Powerful and Powerless)

Sermon Title : Good News For The Powerful And The Powerless

Good morning!

What a great Easter season!

As we continue our Good News Series we are going to pick back up where we left off in Luke’s telling of the Good News.

Remember - Gospel means Good News.

Its the Good News of the life, death, & resurrection of Jesus and all that that entails - his teachings, his miracles, his demonstration and proclamation of the Kingdom of Heaven.

This is the Good News.

And it’s Good News for everyone.

No matter who you are, where you come from, what you’ve experienced, what you’ve done or what’s been done to you - Jesus is Good News for You!

This morning we are digging into Luke’s account of 2 miracles performed by Jesus.

One for a man with power and one for a woman without.

A Centurion and a Widow.

The Powerful

We are introduced to a Centurion in Luke 7.

He is a military man.

He has authority.

He has 100 men under him in his military brigade.

He is a commander.

He is a Gentile.

A Roman.

He has power.

He has the backing of Rome.

He has financial security.

He is respected and feared.

He is part of a system that controls Israel.

But he also treats the Israelites with respect.

He loves the nation of Israel.

He used his power and authority and connections and wealth to build a synagogue in Capernaum.

How we use our power, authority, connections, and wealth reveals something about our character.

One can use his power to harm or to help.

One can use his authority to enslave or empower.

One can use his connections to belittle or to make better.

One can use his wealth to destroy or to deliver.

We all must understand the areas where we have influence and how we can use it to do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with our God.

This Centurion was a man of power and authority.

A Roman.

But he was a man with faith.

The Powerless

We are also introduced to a widow in Luke 7.

In terms of social standing, this women was the opposite of the Centurion.

Firstly, she was a Hebrew under occupation by Rome.

Taxes where unjust.

Her homeland was not under control by her people.

Tensions were high.

Secondly, she was a widow.

He economic stability that was afforded her by her husband was gone.

Her financial security was in question.

She was dependent on the care and help from her son.

Thirdly, her son is dead.

The one who would provide and protect after the death of her husband is gone.

She has lost her husband.

She has lost her son.

She is lost and broken and powerless.

Not only has she lost the husband of her youth, she has lost her only son.

She is not only grieving the death of those she loved dearly, she is grieving an uncertain future.

But she was widow in Israel.

A Man With Authority

Lets jump into the text

Luke 7:1–10 CSB

When he had concluded saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion’s servant, who was highly valued by him, was sick and about to die. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, requesting him to come and save the life of his servant. 4 When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to grant this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue.” 6 Jesus went with them, and when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, since I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 Jesus heard this and was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel.” 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant in good health.

This centurion understood authority.

He recognized that Jesus possessed authority.

Jesus had a regiment.

But his regiment wasn’t fighting flesh and blood.

His regiment was advancing against the gates of hell.

His regiment was fighting against the schemes of the devil.

His regiment would be told to put down their swords and carry their cross.

His regiment proclaiming and demonstrating a kingdom not of this world.

His regiment was defeating demons and healing the sick.

His regiment was feeding multitudes and putting false religion to shame.

His regiment would be empowered by the Spirit.

his regiment would baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

His regiment would be His ambassadors to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.

His regiment war against the spirit of the age and proclaim the eternal truth of the Good News of Jesus.

Jesus has a regiment, but we don’t fight like the world fights.

Jesus speaks and demons flee.

Jesus speaks and the sick are healed.

Jesus speaks and people are changed.

Jesus speaks and forgives sinners.

Jesus speaks and proclaims the Kingdom.

Jesus speaks and disciples obey.

Jesus speaks and truth is discovered.

Jesus speaks and grace is experienced.

Jesus speaks and mercy is embraced.

Jesus speaks and love is known.

Jesus speaks and things happen because Jesus has authority.

All authority in heaven and earth was and is his.

And this Centurion sees that authority.

This Centurion recognizes the power and authority of Jesus.

That all Jesus has to do is speak the word and his servant will be healed.

All Jesus has to do is speak the word.

Jesus is the Word made Flesh.

Jesus just has to speak the word.

His Word accomplishes all that he intends is to accomplish.

His authoritative word never misses, never returns empty, never isn’t working.

His authoritative word delivers, transforms, washes, cleanses, heals, renews, regenerates, cuts, reveals, sanctifies, instructs, saves, and seals.

Jesus word has authority because Jesus has authority.

And the Centurion was humble before Jesus.

This Centurion who had authority over one hundred of Rome’s fighting men was humble before Jesus.

This Centurion recognized that his authority paled in comparison to the authority of Jesus.

The Centurion used his power and authority and wealth and connections for building buildings.

Jesus used his power and wealth and authority and connections for building people, for healing the sick, for speaking life.

The Centurion recognized authority and recognized that his authority was human, temporary, and earthly but that the authority of Jesus was supernatural, eternal, and heavenly.

And this centurion placed his faith in the authority of Jesus.

A Man With Amazing Faith

This centurion believed Jesus authority could change situations.

This centurion believed Jesus authority could heal his servant.

This centurion believed Jesus authority was beyond time and space.

This centurion believed Jesus authority didn’t require close proximity to the need to bring the healing.

Jesus can heal from a distance.

Jesus can deliver from a distance.

Jesus can save from a distance.

A moment 2000 years ago still covers my sin.

A moment 2000 years ago still heals my body.

A moment 2000 years ago still guarantees me salvation.

A moment 2000 years ago still reconciles me to God.

A moment 2000 years ago still gives me peace and hope and joy.

A moment 2000 years ago still satisfies my soul.

A moment 2000 years ago still breaks the curse of sin.

A moment 2000 years ago is still faithful to accomplish and fulfill every promise of God.

A moment 2000 years ago still has power.

A moment 2000 years ago still is still present in the bread and the cup.

Do you believe?

The centurion believed Jesus had that kind of authority.

He didn’t understand all that Jesus had come to accomplish.

We have history to testify to the work of Jesus.

This Centurion simply recognized the authority of Jesus.

Simple recognition.

And Luke says Jesus was AMAZED at his faith.

Marveled at his faith.

This Gentile had faith that surpassed all of Israel.

Why?

Because his faith was not based in the recognition of the authority of Jesus.

Do you believe?

Jesus has authority.

Do you have faith?

A Woman With Nothing

Luke moves on to another miracle.

He moves from a man who understood authority to a woman who understood the power of death.

This woman had no authority.

This woman had no power.

This women had nothing.

But she could testify to the power of death,

Death had taken her husband.

Death had taken her son.

Death had authority over her.

Death had authority.

Death had robbed her of love, of family, of security, of hope, of joy, of life.

Luke 7:11–17 CSB

11 Afterward he was on his way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with him. 12 Just as he neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the town was also with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said, “Don’t weep.” 14 Then he came up and touched the open coffin, and the pallbearers stopped. And he said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Then fear came over everyone, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people.” 17 This report about him went throughout Judea and all the vicinity.

Don’t weep?

Her husband is dead.

Her son is laying in a coffin.

Her hope lays rotting in the pit of Sheol.

A crowd is with her.

Mourning.

Grieving.

Crying out.

Watching.

Trying to understand.

A large crowd.

But here comes another crowd.

One crowd following death.

One crowd following life.

One crowd following sorrow.

One crowd following joy.

One crowd following grief.

One crowd following hope.

One crowd walking toward the grave.

One crowd walking toward away from it.

One crowd with eyes on a dead son.

One crowd with eyes on who would be the firstborn from the dead.

One crowd walking with a mother’s dead son.

One crowd walking with the Son of God.

One crowd walking with a corpse.

One crowd walking with the resurrection and the life.

And when these crowds come together something happens.

The living Son of God meets the dead son’s mother.

And he’s has compassion on here and tells her not weep.

Oh how I’m reminded on the New Jerusalem, when this same Jesus will wipe away every tear from our eyes and sorrow will be no more, neither sickness or death, but all things will be made new.

Don’t weep women.

Don’t weep.

The kingdom is coming and the Kingdom is here.

Jesus is in this moment wiping her tears.

Jesus is in this moment demonstrating what is to come.

Jesus is in this moment giving us a taste of resurrection.

Jesus is in this moment revealing his heart for the broken-hearted.

Jesus is near.

Jesus is here.

Jesus is moved with compassion.

A Woman Shown Compassion

Jesus compassion moves him to action.

He touches the casket.

He raises the dead son to life.

Relationship restored.

Security given.

Why?

Because Jesus had compassion on her.

When God revealed Himself to Moses the first word He uses to describe Himself is compassionate.

Exodus 34:6–7 CSB

6 The Lord passed in front of him and proclaimed: The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, 7 maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.

Yahweh is compassionate.

In Hebrew that word is connected to the Hebrew word for “womb”.

It points us to a nurturing God.

A God who cares for an infant.

The word expresses emotion and nurture.

It shows us a God that cares deeply for His people.

This compassionate God understands the grief of a mourning mother.

Psalm 103:13 CSB

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

Isaiah 49:15–16 CSB

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you. Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

God understand the heartbreak.

God has compassion on His children.

God understands the love of a mother and the child of her womb.

God is a God of compassion.

And the palms of Jesus hands reveal the great compassion of our God.

And Jesus has compassion on the grieving mother.

Jesus is the compassionate God made flesh.

Jesus raises the son from death our of compassion.

Jesus has compassion for you.

Jesus sees you.

Jesus sees your sorrow.

Jesus sees you wounds.

Jesus see your tears.

Jesus see your anxious heart.

And Jesus has compassion on you.

And Jesus touches your situation out of compassion.

He is not fan from you.

He is still walking up to a hopeless people and saying do not weep.

He is still walking up to coffins and saying “Get up”.

He is still moved with compassion.

God still visits His people.

Moved With Faith and Moved With Compassion

Faith moved Jesus to heal the Centurion’s servant.

Compassion moved Him to raise the widow’s son.

God moving in your situation is not about you but is about God’s revelation of his authority and compassion.

Sometimes in the Gospels Jesus heals because of faith.

Sometimes in the Gospels Jesus heals because of compassion.

So what does that reveal about God?

It reveals that he responds to simple faith and is a compassionate God.

It reveals that he has authority.

And it reveals that if he doesn’t heal it’s not necessarily because we didn’t have enough faith.

And it’s not because he isn’t moved with compassion.

And it’s not because he doesn’t have the authority to heal.

Its because this Compassionate God isn’t limited by time and space but has grace for you in the present moment and has eternal healing and life for you in the age to come.

You can trust Jesus.

He has authority and he is amazed at our faith and he is moved with compassion.

And God will get the glory.