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Luke 7:1-10 “After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was 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.” And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent 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 say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.” (ESV)
The Making of Great Faith Luke 7:1-10
Lessons from the Centurion • The Centurion believed in Jesus and His Power, although he had never seen Jesus. • Luke 7:3, 6-7 • Not everyone who saw or heard about the works of Jesus believed. (John 10:22-30) • However, it was these very works that Jesus used to provide proof that “the Father is in Me and I am in the Father.” (John 10:38) • John 3:1-2 • Luke 7:18-23
Lessons from the Centurion • The centurion believed in the power of the words of Jesus. • “But say the word, and let my servant be healed.” (Luke 7:7, RSV) • This was not the only occasion where Jesus healed someone by His words without being in the presence of the sick person. (John 4:46-54) • Many wanted to see the miracles of Jesus just to tempt Him (Mark 8:11-13). • The centurion had no ulterior motives, but desired only the great benefit of the healing of his servant.
Lessons from the Centurion • The centurion’s faith caused him to act. • Belief in the ability of Jesus to heal – even with just His words – were not enough. He had to act. • The result of the action was that He came into contact with the grace and love of Jesus. • Faithful action is the conduit that leads to the grace and favor of God. (Genesis 6:8, Hebrews 11:7) • The grace of Jesus lead to the healing of the centurion’s servant.
Application • Faith begins first with the fact that we believe in God, even when we cannot see Him. • Hebrews 11:1-3,6 • John 20:25-29 • If we don’t believe in God, then we… • …are compared to fools. (Psalm 14:1) • …will die in our sins. (John 8:24)
Application • Our faith must be based upon the words of Christ and their power. • Romans 10:17 • The Scriptures are the only means for developing and increasing our faith. • The Scriptures are very powerful. • Hebrews 4:12 • James 1:21 • Faith in the words of Christ means that we will not tempt Him by twisting His words, adding to it, subtracting from it or doubting its relevancy.
Application • Our faith must cause us to act. • Without action, faith is useless (James 2:18-26). • Therefore, we must walk by faith. (2 Corinthians 5:7) • Just as with the centurion, our faith action today leads to contact with the grace of God. • “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” (Ephesians 2:8)
Application • What are the blessings of faith? • Saved by faith. (Ephesians 2:8) • Purified by faith. (Acts 15:9) • Justified by faith. (Romans 5:1) • Sanctified by faith. (Acts 26:18) • Guarded by faith. (1 Peter 1:5)
