Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. One of the most important goals of the Lord Jesus

a) For Israel (multitudes)

b) For the Disciples

c) It was to have “a great faith”

2. But there were many barriers

a) Ignorance

b) Unbelief

c) Lack of focus etc.

These hindered the cultivation of faith!

A SPECIAL UPLIFT TO THE HEART

1. The faith of a Roman centurion Matthew 8:5-13

2. His faith was commended by the Lord Jesus Matthew 8:10

THE THINGS THAT COULD HAVE HINDERED FAITH IN THE CENTURION

1. That he was not from Israel

2. That he was not brought up with instruction from the Scriptures

3. That he was a Roman centurion who had seen battles many times

WHAT WERE THE THINGS THAT ENABLED HIM TO HAVE A GREAT FAITH?

1. A special heart

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.

Matthew 8:5-8

a) A caring heart

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

Matthew 8:6

b) A humble heart

“Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof”

Matthew 8:8a

c) A discerning heart

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

Matthew 8:8b

2. The Commendation of the Lord Jesus Christ

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!

Matthew 8:10

a) The Lord sought to see such faith

b) His teachings should have enabled faith to be found

c) His miracles should have strengthened faith

d) But great faith was not found in Israel

3. A solemn word of warning

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.”

Matthew 8:11-12

a) Many from outside Israel will come to faith

b) Those in Israel may be cast out because they have no faith

HONOURING THE FAITH OF THE CENTURION

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 8:13

1. The Lord acknowledged the faith of the centurion

“As you have believed, so let it be done for you.”

Matthew 8:13a

2. He honoured the request of the centurion

And his servant was healed that same hour

Matthew 8:13b

CONCLUSION

1. Faith is closely related to our heart

a) Check your heart candidly

b) Be challenged to emulate the heart and faith of the Roman centurion

2. Faith can be hindered

a) When like Israel we take things for granted

b) When our knowledge of the Bible is not properly applied