Sermon for 7/2/2006
Luke 7:1-10
Introduction:
C.T. Stroud said, “The best training for a soldier of Christ is not necessarily a college. You see, when in hand to hand conflict with the world and the devil, neat little biblical candy is like shooting lions with a pea shooter; one needs a man who will let himself go and deliver blows right and left as hard as he can hit, trusting in the Holy Ghost. It’s experience, not preaching that hurts the devil and confounds the world. The training is not that of the schools but of the market: it’s the hot, free heart and not the balanced head that knocks the devil out. Nothing but forked-lightening Christians will count. It is not so much the degree of arts that is needed, but that of hearts, loyal and true, that love not their lives to the death: large and loving hearts which seek to save the lost multitudes, rather than guard the 99 fat sheep in the pen.”
(2 Tim 2:3 NIV) Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
WBTU:
In our Scriptures this morning, we are introduced to a centurion, a soldier. This soldier has many characteristics we need to follow as soldiers of Jesus Christ and as citizens of the United States.
Thesis: 4 words that begin with the letter “A” help to identify those characteristics.
For instances:
1. Affections
A. This soldier I am sure had love for his people and his homeland. His main affections would go toward those of Italy.
B. However, he was away from them and so he loved those around him. Bloom where you are planted fitted this soldier.
C. He had great affection for one of his servants. In that day a soldier made good money and especially centurions and those higher in rank, had slaves and servants.
D. Sometimes a slave like this would be a great help and source of support for a soldier. Far away from family sometimes a slave would become like a father figure for a soldier. If younger, he would become like a son. IF the same age, he would be like a brother. Evidently this slave had become special to this soldier. He was like one of the family. This is why this centurion would do anything to see this slave be healthy. This is why this soldier was trying to contact Jesus because of his affection for this slave.
E. That this centurion would open up his heart to someone like a slave tells us a lot about his character. We also know that when a slave was unable to perform his duties, that the master could have him killed.
F. This slave, instead of helping this soldier, was a burden. He was sick and near death. That the master would sacrifice to bring him back to health speaks a lot about this man’s affection. We can tell a lot about a person by how he treats those who are beneath him. How we treat people who do some service for us? Are we concerned about them, or do we have no concern for them?
G. This centurion also had affection for the community. The elders say that he loved the nation. Now his first allegiance would be to the Romans but he also had affection for the land where he was living. He tried to look out for the good of those around him.
H. This reminds me of a famous US soldier Douglas Macarthur. In the 1930’s and 40’s Macarthur was stationed or exiled to the Philippines. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines, he said that famous line, “I shall return.” He fought and worked long and hard to drive the Japanese from the Philippines. Why? Because he was defending the United States, yes, but also because he loved the people of the Philippines. After World War 2, he helped to oversee the Philippines as they became an independent nation.
I. This centurion has a great lesson for us and our soldiers. As we are in Iraq and Afghanistan and other areas, we need to be looking out for the good of those nations. We are Americans first but we should also be looking out for other’s good.
J. The elders also said that he built them a synagogue. As he got involved in the community, he must have had affection for their religion. Like other Gentiles, he was drawn to the Jewish religion for its morality. The religions of the Gentiles did not have stands on morality but the Jewish religion did. This was appealing to some Gentiles because the Gentile religions usually involved gross immorality. He felt that there was something wrong with his religion and when he saw their religion, he was drawn to it.
K. Let’s imagine that some of our soldiers in Iraq would give lots of money to have a mosque built. This would raise the eyebrows of many. This is what this centurion did. He probably gave lots of money so they could build a synagogue. This would not have been good for his career. However, he had affection for their religion.
L. As soldiers of Jesus Christ we are in a similar situation. We are described as aliens and strangers in this land. This is what this centurion was. Philippians 3:20 tells us that our citizenship is in heaven. We are not first citizens of the US, we are first citizens of heaven and then of the US. WE should be looking out for the good of those beneath us, we should be looking out for the good of those not in our kingdom, and most importantly, we should be striving to make others citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is how we will make a lasting difference in this nation and in the nations of the world.
2. Ashamed
A. As this centurion heard about this Jesus, he was impressed. He knew that Jesus could heal his servant. He also knew that this Jesus was holy and righteous.
B. Jewish people were not to hang around Gentiles. Therefore, this centurion sent some Jewish elders to Jesus so that Jesus would not be unclean. This was the reason he did not go in person. He was a Gentile. He understood the customs of the region.
C. The Jewish elders said that this centurion deserves to have you do this for him. By all observable standards, this man did deserve Jesus to come and do this except that he was a Gentile.
D. Jesus agrees to go and see this centurion. While they are on the way, the centurion sends more people to tell Jesus not to come. Why? Because he feels like he is not worthy, he does not deserve to have Jesus come to him. The elders say that he is and he says that he is not. He is ashamed of himself.
E. Peter was a fisherman and fishermen were generally rough men. Luke 5 tells us that when Peter first had dealings with Jesus, he said to Christ, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man.”
F. The centurion knew himself on the inside. From the outside many thought him worthy but the centurion knew himself on the inside and he knew that he was not. (Rom 7:18 NIV) I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.
G. Isaiah tells us that all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. May more see this?
H. Many have an inflated view of themselves and think that they are good when "There is no one righteous, not even one.”
J. Robert E. Lee was told that he was being prayed for by all the chaplains. At that time tears came to General Lee’s eyes as he said: Please thank them for that, sir- I warmly appreciate it. And I can only say that I am nothing but a poor sinner, trusting in Christ alone for salvation, and need all the prayers they can offer me!
K. The Jews thought that they were too holy to come to Christ. This centurion thought he was too wicked to come to Christ. Most times it is easier to convert a poor sinner, than those who believe they are righteous and upstanding. First step to salvation is to admit that we are sinners in desperate need.
L. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
3. Authority
A. Without a respected line of authority, chaos will develop. It is impossible for a large group of individuals to function efficiently without a chain of command that is respected. Instead of united, coordinated forces, it would be every man for himself!
B. Military people understand authority. Soldiers are taught to submit to authority immediately. Delay can disastrous on the battlefield, where speed can mean the difference between life or death, victory or defeat.
B. Questioning authority, balking at commands, can easily result in one’s own death and that of their comrades.
C. Thus the military teaches both:
a. How to submit to authority
b. How to exercise authority over others
-- As expressed by the centurion – Luke 7:8
D. This soldier is under authority. He has to obey his superiors.
E. He also has 100 soldiers under him that obey his commands. His word is law!
F. Though able to command Jesus to come, he submitted to him. Look at vs. 6. That word “Lord” we think is a churchy word. Not really! It is a term that means I am your servant, you are my Master. This means that this soldier is placing himself under the authority of Jesus Christ. He is under Jesus. He is saluting Jesus with “Sir”
G. One Nation Under God. We are all under God. IF we don’t acknowledge that, then we have problems in this country! No one should think that they are above God!
H. Salvation is not just about getting our sins forgiven and going to Heaven. It’s also about bowing the knee to God’s authority over our lives. It’s about coming under God’s rightful command over our lives and our very being.
I. (Rom 10:9 NIV) That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
J. God the Father has given Jesus Christ, His Son, authority. Jesus said in two places:
1. (John 17:2 NIV) For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
2. (Mat 28:18 NIV) “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
K. Why has Jesus been given authority over all people and heaven and earth?
1. (Phil 2:6 NIV) Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,(Phil 2:7 NIV) but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.(Phil 2:8 NIV) And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!(Phil 2:9 NIV) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,(Phil 2:10 NIV) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,(Phil 2:11 NIV) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2. Being God, He is the author of everything. Take off ITY and we have author. God is the author of everything. All authority comes from God. The New Testament says that he is the author of life, the author of salvation, and the author of our faith. From that comes authority.
M. In his first general order to the Continental Army, General George Washington called on: Every officer and man to live and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country.
N. One Nation Under God.
4. Assurance
A. This man had great faith, great assurance, that Jesus could heal his servant.
B. He was under his authority so Jesus could do what he wanted. He had assurance that if Jesus said the word (vs. 7) his servant would be healed.
C. You don’t have to see my servant. I trust that your word is sufficient to get the job done. That is faith, that is assurance.
D. And Jesus did give that word and that servant was healed.
E. Look at the verses to Blessed Assurance. First verse says, Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine! How do we know that we have Jesus and blessed assurance? The beginning of the next two verses says, “Perfect Submission.” That is the answer.
F. (1 Tim 3:13 NIV) Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
G. Concerning the conversion in the Confederate ranks, Chaplain Bennett of Lee’s Army wrote: The whole army is a vast field, ready and ripe to the harvest. The susceptibility of the soldiers to the gospel is wonderful, and, doubtful as the remark may appear, the military camp is most favorable to the work of revival. The soldiers, with the simplicity of little children, listen to and embrace the truth. Already over two thousand have professed conversion, and two thousand more are penitent.
H. In an aged marked by permissiveness, it behooves us to possess a military attitude regarding authority, for we are engaged in a spiritual warfare with Satan and his influences. Not submitting to the authority of God with all haste...
1) Could mean the damnation of our own soul
2) And a bad example for our children
