INTRODUCTION: Scripture Reading- Matt. 8:5-13
1. About the Text: Matthew 8:5-13
1) Every word in the Bible is important.
2) Every word in the Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament is a word chosen by God both as to its form and use.
3) Ephesians 3:3-5
“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;”
4) God’s meaning can be seen clearly in Galatians 3:16 “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”
5) The entire incident of this text is important and significant lessons can be found in each word and verse.
6) The majority of this lesson focuses on verse 10, but then we will look at 11-12 in the last point.
DISCUSSION: In verse 10 we have the Lord’s –
I. ATTENTION TO PEOPLE.
1. This was a non-Jew.
2. This was a centurion, (perhaps Cornelius, Acts 10).
1) vs. 1 Italian Band: about 1,000 archers (Roman soldier)
2) vs. 22 “a just man, one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews”
3) God chose the Israelites for a reason, but he does not simply turn a blind eye to everyone else. He had a plan.
a. Jonah
II. AMAZEMENT AT THIS DISPLAY OF FAITH.
1. Daniel 3:16-18 [Read]
2. Genesis 7:5 “And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.” (Why?)
3. The woman with the issue of blood (Matt. 9, Mk 5, Lk 8)
4. Hebrews 11; 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”
III. AFFIRMATION OF APPRECIATION AND PRAISE.
3. Faith which God respects is not defined by God’s ability.
1) What do you believe about God?
2) Has God overcome the power of Satan, Hebrews 2:14-15 [Read]?
3) Will God save a person who jumps off a 100-story building, Matthew 4:6-7 Satan tempted Jesus
4) Will God always win or prevail in the lives of individuals?
a. 2 Peter 3:9; “the Lord is not slack concerning his promises”
b. Hebrews 6:4-6; “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
c. Galatians 5:4; “fallen from grace”
d. 2 Timothy 4:10; “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;”
5) We live in an “I want” society,
a. I want this or that.
b. Even so, it is not what a person believes or wants to believe about God that is the correct definition of God, but only what God has revealed about himself that is fact. [God said it-that settles it!]
5. Remember the Centurion’s words, “But only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.”
1) The Centurion related this to authority.
2) He understood authority.
3) His faith was great because he accepted Jesus’ authority…Jesus’ WORD
6. This is God’s definition of “GREAT FAITH”, and it always has been and always will be.
IV. CONDEMNATION OF GOD’S UNFAITHFUL (vs. 11-12)
CONCLUSION:
1. Great faith is accepting the New Testament and obeying it.
2. Would Jesus call my faith…your faith…great?
3. James 2:17-18 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”
4. Invitation