Developing Strong Faith

1. Developing Strong Faith March 22

2. Think About It … • Why are people thrilled by roller coaster rides? • When people choose to ride a coaster, where have they placed their faith? • You probably don’t know any of those people, but you’re willing to place blind faith in their work. • Today we study a man who demonstrated blind faith in Jesus Christ.

3. Seeking Christ’s Help • Where do people today turn when they need help? • Listen for who needs help and to whom he turns.

4. Listen for who needs help and to whom he turns. Luke 7:1-5 (NIV) When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. [2] There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. [3] The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. [4] When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, [5] because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue."

5. Seeking Christ’s Help • Why did the centurion have the Jewish elders approach Jesus? • Interesting facts about Roman centurions … • the only officers in the army with direct contact with soldiers • was a good paying job … money and prestige • most centurions did not marry until late in life • recall that centurions figured prominently in the lives of Jesus and Paul

6. Seeking Christ’s Help • Why did the Jewish elders agree to intercede for a Roman military man?  God had begun to work in this man’s life before his encounter with Jesus • Why might the request for the healing of a servant or slave be a curious request from a Roman soldier? • The centurion presented his request to Jesus through friends; how is this like asking friends to pray for us?

7. Listen for the centurion’s response to Jesus approach to his house. Luke 7:6 - 8 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. [7] That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. [8] 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."

8. Faith in Christ’s Authority • What humble, surprising suggestion did the man make? • What rationale did the centurion have for making his request? • What authorities do you have in your life? • What causes you to respect these authorities? • What causes people to reject authority?

9. Faith in Christ’s Authority • How can we become more receptive to Christ’s authority in our lives? • How can we become more convinced of the authority and lordship of Jesus as we turn to Him during crises? • Why is it so difficult to give a problem over to Jesus instead of finding some other source? •  Remember that “great faith” is not something that we generate from within ourselves. • Great faith is faith in a Great God … • Faith is only as effective as the object of our faith … Jesus!

10. Listen for something that amazes Jesus Luke 7:9-10 (NIV) 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." [10] Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

11. Trusting Christ to Be in Control • So what effect did the centurion’s comments have on Jesus? • Consider synonyms for “amazed” • surprised, • astonished, • astounded, • flabbergasted, • dumbfounded, • incredulous

12. Trusting Christ to Be in Control • Note the one other place in scripture where Jesus declares His amazement: Mark 6:4-6 (NIV) Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." [5] He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] And he was amazed at their lack of faith. • Jesus was amazed at extreme lack or extreme presence of faith. What would cause the extreme lack of faith in His home town?

13. Trusting Christ to Be in Control • What kinds of things cause us to have that lack of faith … causing Jesus to be amazed all over again? • Consider Hebrews 11:1 (NLT) What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. • What are physical things you believe in but cannot see our completely understand? Just like we are convinced about these physical realities  The centurion was convinced of Christ’s spiritual authority over sickness  We also must be convinced of Christ’s authority over all the issues we face in our lives

14. Application • In order to have great faith you simply have to choose to believe Christ is who He says He is • List areas of your life which you have not been entrusting to Christ • Write down what must change in order to trust Christ in those areas • Release control of that area of your life to Christ

15. Application • Note the challenge in our Christos journal: • “Find an area you have trouble trusting Jesus with … • Ask Him to show you how your life would look in that area if you trusted Him as the one and only Son of God”

16. Application • Jesus affirmed the faith of the centurion. This week look for ways that you could affirm the faith of someone who has been an example to you. • Thank them for their prayers for you • Tell them how those prayers have been answered • Tell them you will partner with them in praying for, trusting God for each other

17. Developing Strong Faith March 22