We will be amazed at God as long as we live . But is it possible that God will be amazed by a man? The centurion did and lets learn from him.
1.HE WAS A MAN OF GOODNESS.
A. He loved his servant –Luke 7:2
Eph 6-9 speaks about the relationship b/w master and servant. Paul
speaks about service and respect.
Eph 6:7 Gladly serve your masters, as though they were the
Lord himself, and not simply people.
Eph 6:8 You know that you will be rewarded for any good things you do,
whether you are slaves or free.
Eph 6:9 Slave owners, you must treat your slaves with this same
respect. Don’t threaten them. They have the same Master in
heaven that you do, and he doesn’t have any favorites.
He was not only respecting his servant,he was loving him.
Dear to him, valued him,price him highly
According to the elders of the Jews-
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not
your own lips. Prov 27:2
B. He loved our nation-(Luke 7:5)
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray unto Jehovah for it; for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. Jer 29:7
Do you love the nation you are living? garbage thrown properly, littering ,paying tax (small things for a nation)
C. He built our synagogues-
1. I will bring sacrifices into your house, my God, and I will do what I promised Psa 66:13
2. Bring ye the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Mal 3:10
3. This man is not just sacrificing,he was not only giving,he was building their synagogue.This centurion built a synagogue at his own proper costs and charges, and probably employed his soldiers that were in garrison there in the building, to keep them from idleness. Note, Building places of meeting for religious worship is a very good work, is an instance of love to God and his people; and those who do good works of that kind are worthy of double honour.
He was of good report by the people they subjugated . The Jews and they voluntarily went to tell Jesus about his goodness. They do his bidding .Luke 7:4
(BBE) And they, when they came to Jesus, made their request warmly, saying,i t is right for you to do this for him
(CEV) The leaders went to Jesus and begged him to do something. They said, "This man deserves your help!
(WEB) When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy for you to do this for him,
If you have a good opinion like that, from your subjects, a foreigner, that speaks volume on your character. He was really a good person
2.HE WAS A REVERENT MAN TOWARDS GOD
(Darby) And Jesus went with them. But already, when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent to him friends, saying to him, Lord, do not trouble thyself, for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof.
GNB "Sir, don’t trouble yourself. I do not deserve to have you come into my house,
BBE for I am not important enough for you to come into my house:
Many treat the Lord with irreverence. I found that in media or secular world, the Lord Jesus was not revered.He was mock constantly and continuously .
They will never do that to muslim faith but with Jesus they do it with mockery.
That will not hurt so much because they don’t know the Lord but if the people He bought with His blood do it to Him, it hurt.
Do you show your respect to Jesus by listening to Gods word, praying sincerely, and worshipping Him in truth? In worship do you really worship Him? John 4:24 He was spirit and we must worship Him in spirit and truth,
Do you worship him in truth?
This centurion expected that Jesus will just say the word to heal his servant, instead he saw Jesus came to him. That embarrassed him. Why?
1.He saw himself as a servant Jesus is the master –Jesus heals
2.He saw himself nothing Jesus is everything, Jesus can do miracle
3.He saw himself sinner , Jesus is holy
(Isaiah said I will die Isaiah 6:5, Peter said away ,depart, from me Lord
Luke 5:8)
This centurion He revered the person he just heard ofEIt was just reported to him Luke 7:3 If he who just heard of Him revered Him how much more we who experienced Him. Do you revere Christ in prayer, in listening and in worship?
3.HE WAS A BELIEVER IN CHRIST
How can we know ?
Luk 7:7 wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say the word, and my servant shall be healed.
Luk 7:8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under myself soldiers: and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
He believe in the power of Jesus-“just say the word LordE
Do you believe in his power . Jesus is powerful Phil 2:10-11
Jesus even want us to have his power Luke 10:19
He believe in authority of Jesus.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All
authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.
Jesus has all authority even in your situation.
Illus (a brother who called me last night because of his situation(hard financial situation that he was mentally distressed), I recall my situation before We don’t know what to do but I just believe in his authority in our situation and we came out well). I just believe He has authority on our situation even do I don’t understand the current situation.
Faith is believing because you seen it . It is as if its already there, not blind faith but complete trust.
The centurion said Lord just say it, it will follow you.
CONCLUSION:
1.This man was a centurion Ea man of authority but know where authority
came from illustration General Lee in American Civil War –all things are
level on holy ground
2.This man was a gentile- We are not Jew by birth but we can be like them in
faith
3.This man may was not a synagogue elder
4.This man simply believe and do Gods will in his life
And Jesus expressed the most powerful comment ever to be heard from God Himself. He admired, marvel, amazed at this man.
There are people that amazes God Job , Daniel, David
"In all of Israel I’ve never found anyone with this much faith!" Luke 7:9
(BBE) And I say to you that numbers will come from the east and the west, and will take their seats with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven: -His faith will carry praise in eternity.
Lets pray that we will be like him and follow his example to be an admirable follower of Christ.
