Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Faith was not easy:

a) To find

b) To develop

2. Aiding Faith

a) Teaching of the Lord Jesus

b) The mighty miracles of the Lord

i) To heal the sick

ii) To cast out demons

THE STRUGGLE TO CULTIVATE FAITH

1. The Multitudes that thronged the Lord Jesus

2. The Disciples that followed Him

3. Still, “little faith” persisted

A GREAT FAITH FOUND

1. It was not found among the multitudes

2. Nor was it found in the Disciples

3. It was found in a Roman (Gentile) Centurion

THE ROMAN CENTURION DESCRIBED BY THE ELDERS OF THE JEWS

1. The centurion was deserving of help   (Luke 7:4)

2. He had shown love for Israel   (Luke 7:5a)

3. He Had built a synagogue for the Jews   (Luke 7:5b)

TWO DELEGATIONS OF FRIENDS SENT TO THE LORD JESUS

1. Elders of the Jews were sent to the Lord Jesus   (Luke 7:3)

a) They were sent to present a request

b) The centurion’s young servant was seriously ill

c) The elders pleaded with the Lord to help the centurion   (Luke 7:4)

2. A group of friends were also sent to the Lord   (Luke 7:6)

a) The centurion had heard that the Lord Jesus was coming to his house

b) The word that was now sent to the Lord Jesus

“6 Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.

7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.”

Luke 7:6-7

i) The centurion felt he was unworthy that the Lord would come to his house

ii) He felt unworthy to meet with the Lord Jesus personally

THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE CENTURION AND THE LORD JESUS

5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,

6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.

9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Matthew 8:5-9

1. The request of the Centurion

To heal his servant who was paralysed and dreadfully tormented

2. The offer of the Lord Jesus

“I will come and heal him”   Matthew 8:7

3. The response of the Centurion

a) “Blessed are the poor in spirit”   (Matthew 5:3)

“I am not worthy that You should come under my roof”   Matthew 8:8a

b) “Blessed are the pure in heart”   (Matthew 5:8)

But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed

c) He recognized the authority of the Lord Jesus

“For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me”   Matthew 8:9a

THE COMMENDATION OF THE LORD JESUS

10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

Matthew 8:10-13

1. Such great faith

“Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”   Matthew 8:10

2. Honouring this great faith

“Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.”   Matthew 8:13a

3. A miracle granted

And his servant was healed that same hour.   (Matthew 8:13b)

CONCLUSION

1. Great faith is possible

a) Even to Gentiles

b) This was prophetically declared

“And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”   Matthew 8:11

2. No faith is also possible

“But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness.
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”   Matthew 8:12

3. Our Challenge is to cultivate a great faith

a) A genuine faith

b) Good character reflects that genuine faith

c) Humility of spirit enhances faith