Just Say The Word Series

Opening:

Good morning.

I’m really glad you’re here today.

Some of you came in rested.

Some of you came in running late.

Some of you came in carrying something heavy — maybe heavier than you let on.

And before we talk about bold faith, or big belief, or anything like that, I want to start with something simple:

Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is admit when we don’t have the power to fix what’s in front of us.

That’s not weakness.

That’s honesty.

And honesty is usually where faith actually begins.

Series Recap:

Last week, we started this series by talking about Ask Anyway.

We looked at Bartimaeus — a man who had every reason to stay quiet, sit still, and manage his disappointment — but instead, he cried out. Even when the crowd tried to silence him. Even when it would’ve been easier to give up hope.

And what we saw was this: bold faith doesn’t wait for permission.

It doesn’t shrink because of discouragement.

It asks anyway — not because circumstances are favorable, but because Jesus is faithful.

But here’s the natural question that follows last week:

Why can we ask like that?

What gives us the confidence to keep asking when answers feel delayed or distance feels real?

That’s where today takes us.

Illustration: When Power Is Undeniable

There are moments in life where power is undeniable.

If you’ve ever stood near something truly powerful —

a waterfall, a storm, heavy machinery, even the ocean —

you don’t question whether it’s strong.

You don’t say, “I wonder if this could really do something.”

You already know.

That’s the kind of power this story points us toward —

not power that needs to be proven,

but power that simply is.

The Unlikely Hero: A Roman Centurion

Matthew 8 introduces us to a Roman centurion.

And right away, the original audience would’ve been uncomfortable.

This man represents Rome.

Occupation. Authority. Control.

To understand how shocking this moment was, imagine someone like a Russian military officer in Ukraine — someone who represents an occupying force, not a neighbor or ally. That’s the kind of tension people would’ve felt when this centurion walked up to Jesus.

He’s the wrong guy to be the example of faith.

And yet — he comes to Jesus not with demands, but with humility.

Matthew 8:5–6

He’s not asking for himself.

He’s advocating for someone under his care.

That alone tells us something about his character.

This isn’t entitlement.

This is concern.

Some of the strongest faith moments don’t come when we are desperate —

they come when we’re desperate for someone else.

A child.

A spouse.

A friend.

A coworker.

You might be here today not asking for yourself —

but quietly hoping Jesus would notice someone you love.

Jesus immediately responds with willingness.

Matthew 8:7

No hesitation.

No testing.

No lectures.

Just readiness.

But then the centurion says something that stops everything.

The statement that amazed Jesus

Matthew 8:8–9

This man understands authority.

He knows what it means to give a command and trust it will be carried out.

And he recognizes something extraordinary in Jesus:

“You don’t need to be present to be powerful.”

That’s bold belief.

Not because it’s flashy —

but because it’s rooted in who Jesus actually is.

1) Faith Is About Where You Place Your Confidence

This centurion doesn’t say,

“I’ve been praying really hard.”

“I’ve been really good lately.”

“I promise to do better.”

He says, essentially:

“I know who You are.”

Faith is not about intensity.

It’s about direction.

Who are you trusting — really trusting —

when things feel impossible?

Illustration: Brother Andrew – Trusting Who God Is

That reminds me of a story from God’s Smuggler about Brother Andrew.

Andrew was smuggling Bibles behind the Iron Curtain, crossing borders where being caught meant prison — or worse. One day, as he approached a checkpoint, his car was packed full of Bibles. Not hidden. Not concealed. Just sitting there. And he later wrote that fear hit him hard. He didn’t feel brave. He didn’t feel strong. He didn’t feel especially spiritual.

So he prayed a simple prayer. Not a long one. Not a dramatic one. He said, “Lord, You made blind eyes see when You were on earth. Now, please make seeing eyes blind.”

He didn’t rearrange the Bibles.

He didn’t talk his way out of it.

He trusted who God was.

The guards walked up, glanced at the car, never inspected it — and waved him through.

Later, Andrew reflected that faith in that moment wasn’t about how bold he felt. It was about where he placed his confidence. He trusted God’s authority more than the guards’ power.

So let me ask you the same question this story asks all of us: