Amazing Faith!

 

Pericope: Luke 7:1-10 - When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, 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.” 6 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.”

9 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.

Sermon Text: Luke 7: 9 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.”

Sermon Title: Amazing Faith!

Point 1: Amazing faith starts with your hearing – vs. 3a - The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him

Romans 10: 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Matthew 6: 22 – 24 says our eyes our light to our body.

Point 2: Amazing faith includes agreement – vs. 3b …sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.

        Matthew 18: 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Luke 5:19-20 - 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

Amazing faith is never alone, singular or individualized. 

Point 3: Amazing faith requires intercession – vs. 4 - 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this

Point 4: Amazing faith is concrete actions of generosity – vs. 5 - 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”  Vs. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die.

Also, show a little humility like the Centurion.  Vs. 6-7 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

Point 5: Amazing faith believes in the authority of the word – vs. 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.”

Point 6: Amazing faith gets results – vs. 9-10 - 9 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.

Life Application:

1.  Connect with a body of believers to amp up your faith to amazing

2.  Live the word so you can be authorized to use the word.

3.  Activate your amazing faith by applying it daily.