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WHEN JESUS MARVELS–PART 1

Introduction

Here in verse 10 it says that Jesus “marveled!” In other words Jesus was impressed!

The word “marveled” here means “to wonder; to admire; to be amazed or astonished.”

I found that Jesus only marveled on two occasions in the Bible. On this occasion Jesus marveled at a display of great faith and on the other occasion He marveled at a display of unbelief.

One thing that grabs our Lord’s attention is great faith. He admires it. It pleases Him. In fact, no one will ever get anywhere with the Lord apart from faith.

Hebrews 11:6–“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Great faith is attributed to only two people in the Bible—and Both were Gentiles!

Jesus performed 33 miracles recorded in Scripture, but only two were performed for Gentiles—(1) A Roman centurion; and (2) A Canaanite woman.

Tonight I want us to look at the great faith of this Roman centurion. Lord willing, we will study the other occasion where Jesus marveled next Sunday afternoon.

There are four centurions specifically mentioned in the Bible. God portrays each one in a positive light:

The centurion’s profession at the crucifixion (Mark 15:39).

            Cornelius (Acts 10)

            The centurion who secured Paul’s release when he was about to be scourged.(Acts 22:26)

            And the centurion with great faith (text). Jesus complimented the centurion’s faith!

I want you to see seven things that made his faith great:

I.      HIS FAITH WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF IT’S RESOLUTENESS.

            In other words his faith was determined and firm in its purpose. It would not be denied.

He had heard of Jesus (Luke 7:3). The Bible says that “Faith come by hearing…”

            Faith was ignited in his soul, but to go to Jesus required overcoming some obstacles:

            A.       The Racial Obstacle: He was a Gentile—Jesus was a Jew

Acts 10:28–“And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”

             B.       The Ideological Obstacle: He was a Roman soldier—Jesus was a man of peace.

Jews had no dealings with Roman soldiers.

                        The Romans were looked on as unlawful occupiers of Jewish lands.

            C.        The Physical Obstacle: The distance between Christ and the sick servant.

            Great faith is resolute. It will not be denied.

            Faith that is easily discouraged or turned aside by barriers is NOT great faith.

            HIS FAITH WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS RESOLUTENESS.

II.      HIS FAITH WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS RESPECT.

             A.       This Centurion Had Great Respect For Christ.

                        He knew that Jesus was no mere human being.

             B.       Both Times He Spoke He Acknowledged Christ’s Lordship.

III.     HIS FAITH WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS REQUEST. (VS 5-6)

            A.       He Was Unselfish.

He Came on the behalf of another. His servant was paralyzed, in great pain, and near death (Luke 7:2).

            B.       His Heart Went Out To His Servant And Wanted To Help Him.

                        (Luke 7:2—“…who was DEAR unto him…”).

             C.        No Human Skill Could Heal This Servant.

It was a desperate situation. It was a GREAT REQUEST that called for GREAT FAITH!

IV.     HIS FAITH WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS REASONING. (VS 7-9)

            A.       He Reasoned That Since Jesus Was Lord, Jesus Had Authority.

He knew what it was like to be under authority and to exercise authority.

                        He had 100 men under his authority. (Hence, he was called a centurion.)

             B.       Look At This Soldier’s Reasoning Faith:

In essence he was saying, “If I have to obey my superiors and the men under me have to obey me, then You ought to be able to control anything under You, because you are Lord.”

             C.        His Faith Reasoned That Christ’s Word Was Sufficient.

                        He did not reject Christ’s Word as others.

Jesus calls this kind of reasoning “great faith.”

Can you give God a REASON why He should grant your requests?

V.      HIS FAITH WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS REQUIREMENT.

            A.       He Did Not Require Christ’s Physical Presence To Heal.

                        1.       The centurion had diligently sought Christ, believing Christ could meet his need.

                         2.       Many sought the Lord in a similar way, but what made the centurion’s faith different and what made it great was his belief that the Word of Christ was all that was needed.

             B.       The nobleman did not have this much faith to begin with (John 4:49).

             C.        Mary and Martha did not have this kind of faith (John 11:21, 32).

VI.     HIS FAITH WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS RARITY.

Here was a Gentile without the spiritual advantages of a Jew—Yet his faith was greater than any others in Israel.

VII.     HIS FAITH WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS RECEPTION.

            A.       Jesus honors this kind of faith—“…as thou has believed, so be it done unto thee…” (v. 13).

Jesus honored his faith because this kind of faith HONORED HIM!

Does your faith honor Christ?

             B.       The centurion accepted Christ’s answer, went home and found his servant healed!

I wonder what went through the centurion’s mind on the way home?

                        I wonder if any doubts tried to creep into his mind?

Conclusion

The centurion illustrated perfectly what faith is (Hebrews 11:6).

1.     It is believing WHO Christ is: He is Lord. All power is subject to Him (Hebrews 11:6; cp. Matthew 8:6).

2.     It is believing WHAT he said… “He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6; cp. Matthew 8:8-9).

HOW GREAT IS YOUR FAITH???

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!