A NAMELESS SOLDIER WITH SOLID FAITH

Luke 7:1-10

Luke 7:1-10 (TNIV)

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.

Luke 7:1-10 (TNIV)

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."

Luke 7:1-10 (TNIV)

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.

It’s another story of a nameless person who impresses Jesus with their faith

Commitment Lord, I believe that all

things are possible with you. Since by your command the Universe exists, my problems are small potatoes. Just say the word and it’s a done deal. So I put my life and my cares in your hands, oh, God of wonders.

Worship with Music

How often Jesus found faith in unlikely places!

• A Syro-Phoenician woman received healing for her demon-possessed daughter by faith in Jesus. (Mark 7:24-30)

• A woman who suffered from years of bleeding ― no name ― but big faith and a place in the annals of history.

• Blind people, lepers, the lame ― all sorts of people in the margins of life impressed Jesus with their faith.

Such heroes were not from the upper crust of society

• Jesus’ most scathing remarks were aimed at the pompous, religious stuffed shirts.

• Heroes were (Good?) Samaritans, tax collectors, prostitutes and the like.

• It isn’t status or achievement that gets God’s attention. It is faith in this man, also considered marginal (nothing about him that we’d be drawn to him…Isaiah 53) Jesus, that counts.

Communion.Remembering that His

death sets us free!

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

I have decided to follow Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

• Jewish elders come to Jesus, seeking his help for a Good Man who has a heart for the community.

• “This man deserves to have you do this, since he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”

Today we meet a gentile military man filled with humility and belief in Jesus

• He has not appeared in person since he considered himself unworthy of Jesus.

• It’s another story of desperate faith that calls out to the creator of the universe to set a little matter straight.

Today we meet a gentile military man filled with humility and belief in Jesus

• As Jesus approached the house with where the nearly-sick servant is languishing…servants come running to him. “Our master says there is no need for you to come all the way to his dying servant.”

• I’m a soldier and I know how the chain-of-command works. I say “Go and do thus and such…and people obey me”

Jesus responds quickly: Our faith + his compassion gets him moving!

• “I know that that’s how it works with you, Jesus. Just say the word, since I am unworthy to have you enter my home.”

• “So just say the word, Lord.”

Jesus responds quickly: Our faith + his compassion gets him moving!

• Jesus turned to the crowd to say: I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.

• The sick one is healed instantly!

What amazes Jesus? Such simple, total,

believing faith!

• This is what we say about religious leaders, “You have pull with God since you are trained and a leader.”

• Is this how it works? Does the record (Bible) bear this out?

• Faith is everybody’s key to wonders and victory!

Who has special connections with God?

• While religious leaders were frowning, doubting and checking out Jesus’ pedigree, the lame got up and walked, the blind were given sight.

• Deep faith impresses God, and gets a mighty victorious response.

• Sir Centurion, we salute you…we the marginal people of the world.

Who has special connections with God?

• Relationships in a mess?• Addictions have you in chains?• Failure has you neutralized?• Feeling far from God?• Treading water or losing ground?

What ails us that is waiting for the command of the long distance physician?

The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

In my distress I called to the Lord.From his temple he heard my voice.He parted the waters and came down.He reached down from on high and took hold

of me.He rescued me from my powerful enemy

Psalm 18 is a song of God’s immediate response to our plight

• We have a friend who hears our cry.• He responds to our faith, even in times

of confusion and terror.• He longs to set our feet on solid ground.• He may heal us or he may choose to

walk with us through the storm.• It’s the good life!

Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever

Worship with Music

Prayer Requests

Commitment Lord, I believe that all

things are possible with you. Since by your command the Universe exists, my problems are small potatoes. Just say the word and it’s a done deal. So I put my life and my cares in your hands, oh, God of wonders.

Go and Serve with a Soldier’s

Faith