A. "Welcome"
B. Dody Gadient, a school-teacher for thirteen years, decided to travel across America and see the sights she had been teaching about. Traveling alone in a pick-up with a travel trailer in tow she launched out on her great adventure. One afternoon rounding a curve on I-5 near Sacramento, California in rush-hour traffic, her water pump blew on her truck. She was tired, exasperated, scared and alone. In spite of the traffic jam she caused, no one seemed interested in helping. After waiting awhile, a huge Harley drove up driven by an enormous man sporting long, black hair, a beard, and tattooed arms. With an incredible air of confidence, he jumped off and without even glancing at Dody, went to work on the truck. Within five minutes, he flagged down a larger truck, attached a tow chain to the frame of Dody’s disabled truck and whisked the whole rig off the freeway onto a side street where he calmly continued to work on the water pump. The intimidated, middle-aged school teacher was too dumbfounded to talk. Especially when she read the paralyzing words on the back of his leather jacket – “Hell’s Angels – California”. As he finished the task, she finally got up the courage to say; “Thanks so much,” and carried on a brief conversation. Noticing her surprise with the whole ordeal, he looked her straight in the eye and said; “Never judge a book by it’s cover…” With that, he smiled, closed the hood of the truck. Straddled his Harley. With a wave, he was gone as fast as he’d come.
C. Have you ever judged someone by their appearance? Sure you have– and often, it is all too easy to look down on those who seem to be less fortunate and critical of those who seem to have more than us.
D. Today, as we continue our series, “How to Treat Others”, I’d like to talk about a people group that we often don’t talk about in church. I want to talk about How to Treat those who are Successful in life.
E. What is your immediate response toward those who have obviously made it big in our culture? What is your immediate reaction to those in fine clothes, fancy cars, fabulous houses, and fantastic positions?
F. I think many head toward one of two extremes..... First, many lash out in complete jealousy. We live in a society that loves to complain about the “Rich getting richer!” That’s a response of jealousy. But that’s not surprising. James tells us, “16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” Others cower with intimidation & are afraid to interact.
G. Today, I want us to learn from Jesus as he interacts with a man with great success-- a Roman Centurion!
H. Centurion: (The man in our story today had Great Leadership, Great Position, Great Responsibility, Great Wealth He was a man of Great Success). This centurion was a career military person who was in charge of 100 men. Centurions were the military backbone throughout the empire maintaining discipline and executing orders. This man was a hard worker who excelled through the military system– success.
I. Matthew 8:5-13.... “5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” 7 Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 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.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.
J. Instead of Jealousy, instead of intimidation, how did Jesus treat this person with obvious success? Let’s look at four principles that will help us as we interact with those in this world with obvious success.....
1. Stop Making Unfair Generalizations! Too often we make unfair assumptions about people and it hinders the work of the Kingdom. Sometimes we conclude.... “They are too Materialistic and Selfish they won’t care about Christ” and we don’t even try to influence them with the Gospel. Sometimes we conclude, “They got it made. They have everything!” And we never include them in our fellowship. Often we look at the present situation and totally ignore all the hard work that went into that success (schooling, training, discipline, money). Listen, Jesus didn’t label this guy. Jesus didn’t cast any immediate stereotypes. Instead, He was available, positive and willing to help.
2. Realize that all men need Jesus! Another thing we need to be reminded of is this... All men need Jesus. Sure this man may have been one of those “They have it all” type of guys, but he still needed the Lord.
A. In this life, everyone has stress, everyone has trouble. Everyone encounters situations where they are helpless. Everyone faces events where they have zero control. The point, everyone needs Jesus.
B. I love the example of this Centurion. Here is a wealthy, powerful, a Military man with great success and he confesses his need for the Lord to intervene. I love what happens next...... Jesus, without hesitations responds, “I will go and heal Him!” Here’s the next principle....
3. Jump at the chance to add to their Success!
A. Jesus is ready to serve. Notice, Jesus didn’t say, “You’ve got plenty. Haven’t I blessed you enough?” No, without hesitation our Lord is ready to serve! That by the way is the Christian response– ready to serve. Instead of making a judgement as to whether or not he deserves it. Instead of concluding, “Always wanting more!” Instead of stereotyping, “The rich just get richer!” He’s ready to serve.
B. Let’s be pro-people. Let’s be ready to serve regardless. A Christian response is to want to make successful people more successful....no matter who they are, no matter what they already have.
4. Understand real Success. How do you define success? Pile of Money--Six figure income? Physical beauty? Popularity? Powerful position? I want to suggest that this centurion was a success, not because of his chariot, not because of his wallet, nor because of his uniform, but He was a success because of.....
A. He was a success because of His Incredible Faith....
1. Faith in the Authority of Jesus. Even though he was a man with authority, he understood clearly the authority of Christ.... Chicken Woman: When Christian Herter was governor of Massachusetts, he was running hard for a second term in office. One day after a busy morning chasing votes and (no lunch) he arrived at a church barbeque. It was late afternoon and he was famished. As he moved down the serving line, he held out his plate to the woman serving chicken. She put a piece on his plate and turned to the next person in line. “Excuse me,” Governor Herter said, “do you mind if I have another piece of chicken.” “Sorry,” the woman told him. “I’m supposed to give one piece of chicken to each person.” “But I’m starved” the governor said. “Sorry,” the woman said again. “Only one to a customer.” Governor Herter was an unassuming man, but he decided that this time he would throw his weight around a little. “Do you know who I am?” he said. “I am the governor .” “Do you know who I am?” the woman said. “I’m the lady in charge of the chicken. Move along mister!” Well, this centurion recognized Christ’s authority.
*. Forest Gump: Conclusion: In the movie Forrest Gump, when Forrest first arrived at the army barracks, he met a drill sergeant who stood in his face as he stood in line with the recruits, and shouted: "Gump! What’s your purpose in the Army?" the sergeant yelled. "Forrest answered: To do whatever you tell me, Sir!
2. Faith in the Power of Jesus– he knew Jesus could do it– from a distance! I love how he said, “Just say the word!” That’s faith!
3. Faith in his Personal Response of Jesus. He must of had a sense that Jesus would personally get involved and personally care. So He prayed. Got Problems? Take it to Jesus. Know of someone hurting, tell it to Jesus.
B. He was a success because of His Impeccable Character.....
1. Compassion. Now this soldier’s request is an interesting one. He doesn’t ask for healing for himself. He asks for his servant. Compassion is often express through intercessory prayer. Want to check your compassion level? Check the frequency of your prayers for the needs of others? The centurion was not your typical master, owner, or boss. He was foremost a brother, a friend, and a neighbor to the servant. He did not stand aloof, stand back, or stand around doing nothing. Though they were from different worlds and lived separate lives. Class, rank or wealth did not define their relationship. He had great compassion for his workers. What a boss!
2. Humility. And notice his humble attitude. Here’s a Green Beret with Humility. He said, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. “ One of the best illustration of humility I have seen is during a chapel service the speaker was introduced and invited to the platform. As the guest speaker was approaching the platform the audience was wild with applause, and the guest speaker looked around for the person for whom the audience is applauding.
C. He was a success because of His Immediate Obedience.....
A. Jesus said, “Go!” and he went. In a Christian world-view, obedience to Jesus determines success. The foundational Bible verse for my ministry is John 8:31– where Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” He also said in John 15– “If you love me, you will keep my commands.” Here’s the question..... Are you living in obedience to Christ?
B. Good News-- Jesus will always help those who come to him in humility, submit to his authority and ready to obey his every word. I want to encourage you today to help those who are successful, to be even more successful. And I want to make sure you’re headed for success as well.
The Duke: It was related that once when the Duke of Wellington remained to take communion, a very poor old man went up to the opposite aisle, and reaching the Communion table, knelt down close by the side of the Duke. (Immediately, tension and commotion interrupted the silence of the church.) Someone came and touched the poor man on the shoulder, and whispered to him, “Rise and wait until the Duke has taken!” But the eagle eye and the quick ear of the great commander caught the meaning of that touch and that whisper. He clasped the old man’s hand and held him to prevent his rising; and in a reverential but distinct undertone, the Duke said, “Do not move; we are equal here.” (Pulpit Helps 3/91)
Listen, Success has nothing to do with externals, but has everything to do with internals like Faith, Character and Compassion! Pray..
