Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 1 November 2020

Text: Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10

Subject: “Such great Faith”

INTRODUCTION

1. Difficult to find faith

a) In Galilee

b) In Israel

c) Even among the Disciples of the Lord Jesus

i) They were instructed

ii) They saw the miracles of the Lord Jesus

2.  A comment about their faith

a) Mark’s Gospel

i) Why are you so fearful?

ii) How is it that you have no faith? (Mark 4:40)

b) Matthew’s Gospel

i) Why are your fearful?

ii) O you of little faith? (Matthew 8:26)

c) Luke’s Gospel

Where is your faith? (Luke 8:25)

3. An analysis of a refreshing story

a) Of a Gentile centurion

b) He was commended for his faith

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

“I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel” Luke 7:9

THE OCCASION

1. In the city of Capernaum (Luke 7:1)

2. The servant of a centurion

a) This servant was dear to him (Luke 7:2a)

b) He was sick and ready to die (Luke 7:2b)

3. A request of the elders of the Jews to the Lord Jesus to go to the house of a Gentile centurion to heal his servant (Luke 7:3)

4. The response of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) He responded positively

b) He would go to the centurion’s house (Luke 7:6)

5. The centurion sent friends to the Lord Jesus

a) He need not trouble Himself

b) He could heal his servant with just a word (Luke 7:6-7)

6. The centurion sees the Lord

a) Lord

b) My servant (“child,”  “son”) (Matthew 8:6a)

c) Lying at home paralyzed (Matthew 8:6b)

d) Dreadfully tormented (Matthew 8:6c)

7. The Lord’s response

a) I will come

b) And heal him (Matthew 8:7)

8. The centurion offers a unique response

a) He expressed Faith in an astonishing way

b) This Faith was acknowledged and commended by the Lord Jesus Christ

HOW DID A GENTILE CENTURION POSSESS SUCH A FAITH?

1. What it cannot have come from

a) His ancestry

b) His knowledge of the Scriptures

c) His acquaintance with the Lord Jesus Christ

2. Character, Deeds and Faith

a) Character of the centurion noted

i) He loves our nation (Luke 7:5a)

ii) And has built us a synagogue (Luke 7:5b)

b) How the elders of the Jews regarded the centurion

i) He was “deserving” (Luke 7:4)

ii) The word “deserving” 

It may be translated “worthy”

c) His care and concern 

i) For a slave (Luke 7:2)

ii) He was called “my servant” (Matthew 8:6)

iii) Meaning “My child” (Matthew 8:6)

d) Does character affect the quality of our faith?

3. Character, Words and Faith

a) Note the words spoken by the centurion to the Lord Jesus Christ

i) “Lord”

ii) “Do not trouble Yourself” (Luke 7:6)

iii) “I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof” (Luke 7:6)

iv) “Therefore, I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.” (Luke 7:7a)

b) Words reveal the true character of an individual

i) His regard

ii) His attitude

iii) His faith

c) What do our words reveal about us?

4. Comprehension and Appreciation of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Further words of the Centurion

i) But say the word

ii) And my servant will be healed (Luke 7:7b)

b) The centurion’s regard for the Lord was really high

i) He saw the authority of the Lord Jesus

ii) He understood authority

iii) He had the highest regard for the authority of the Lord

c) How do we regard the Lord Jesus Christ?

5. Comparison and Application of Faith

a) For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me (Luke 7:8a)

i) And I say to one, “Go” and he goes (Luke 7:8b)

ii) And to another, “Come” and he comes (Luke 7:8c)

iii) And to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it (Luke 7:8d)

b) Unstated but meant

i) Jesus had authority

ii) What He says would be done

iii) He had complete faith in the Person and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ

THE COMMENDATION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. When the Lord heard these things

a) What did He hear?

i) The heart of the centurion

ii) The mind of the centurion

b) What did He see?

i) A special kind of faith

ii) An outstanding faith

iii) A praise-worthy character

2. The words of the Lord Jesus to the centurion

a) Go

b) As you have believed

c) So let it be done for you (Matthew 8:13)

3. The healing of the servant of the centurion

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

b) Those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick (Luke 7:10)

WORDS OF ADMONITION TO FOLLOWERS
Matthew 8:10a

1. Gentile believers

a) And I say to you that many will come from east and west

b) And sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 8:11)

2. The Jews from Israel

a) But the sons of the kingdom

b) Will be cast out into outer darkness

c) There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12)

3. Following the Lord Jesus

a) It does not mean having faith

b) Hearing the Lord and His teachings does not necessarily result in faith

CONCLUSION

1. An outstanding Faith

a) It flows from the life of the individual

b) It comes from deep understanding

c) It comes from application of faith in real life

2. Practical things we can attempt

a) Check status of faith

b) Check regard for the Lord and His word

c) Check application of faith