GREAT FAITH

Pastor James J. Barker

Text: MATTHEW 8:5-13




INTRODUCTION:


  1. It is interesting to note that every centurion mentioned in the Gospels or the book of Acts was a gentleman of high character and sense of duty.
  2. Certainly this Roman centurion introduced to us in our text (and also in Luke 7) today is no exception.
  3. The title "centurion" meant that he was a captain of 100 soldiers (100 men in a century).
  4. But not only was he a great leader, he was also a compassionate man. It is touching to see the way he cared for his sick servant (vss. 5-7). "Palsy" (vs. 6) means he suffered from some sort of paralysis.
  5. Luke tells us that his servant "was dear unto him" (Luke 7:2). Most men in his position would not be so concerned for a servant.
  6. So we see that this centurion truly was a great man – a great leader, a man of compassion, a true friend. However, the greatest thing about this Roman centurion was his "great faith" (Matt.8:10).

 

I. HIS FAITH WAS GREAT WHEN YOU CONSIDER HIS BACKGROUND.

    1. He was not a Jew brought up with the teachings of God’s Word. He was a Gentile, brought up with the idolatry and heathenism of pagan Rome.
    2. But though he was a Gentile, he loved the Jewish nation (cf. Luke 7:5).
    3. So his faith is all the more remarkable when you consider his background.
    4. One of the interesting things about this centurion was that he was in a position in which he recognized authority, and he understood the principle of authority (Matt.8:7-10).
    5. Illustration: The other day, one of my children made a disparaging remark about our school administrator. Two things were needed: the rod and reproof, i.e. the board of education applied to the seat of knowledge, and a quick lesson on respecting those whom God has placed in authority.
    6. This centurion understood the principle of authority, and he recognized the Lord Jesus Christ as one who had great authority (Matt.8:7-9; cf. 28:18-20).
    7. One with authority does not need to be present to accomplish a task. Orders may be carried out by others even at a distance.
    8. The Roman centurion recognized that Jesus had authority over sickness, and death, and all kinds of physical illness – "but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed" (vs. 8b).

 

II. HIS FAITH WAS GREAT WHEN YOU CONSIDER HIS HUMILITY (vs. 8).

    1. Although he considered himself unworthy (Matt.8:8), others told our Lord "that he was worthy" (Luke 7:4).
    2. Great faith is always humble.
    3. His was true humility. Andrew Murray said, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is not thinking of yourself at all" (cf. Rom.12:3).
    4. Another great preacher was F.B. Meyer, who said: "I used to think that God’s gifts were on shelves one above another and the taller we grow in Christian character, the easier we could reach them. I now find that God’s gifts are on shelves one beneath the other; and that it is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower; and that we have to go down, always down, to get His best gifts."
    5. This Roman centurion was a humble man – he said: "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof" (Matt.8:8).
    6. He said, "but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." No visit was requested – just "speak the word only." He felt too unworthy to have our Lord visit his humble home.
    7. I heard an interesting story about a frog who was not very humble. In fact, he was quite proud. He was wondering how he could get away from the cold NY winter when he met some wild geese that were heading for Florida. They offered to bring him along with them but could not figure out how since frogs have no wings. The frog told them, "Leave it to me, I am a genius; I’ll come up with a plan." He got the two geese to pluck up a strong reed and then suggested that each of them hold one end of it. He in turn would hold on to the middle of the reed with his mouth. The plan worked and before you know it they were on their way south. But somewhere over Georgia they were flying low and the frog heard a man say, "How wonderful, what a great idea! Who could have came up with such a great idea?" Upon hearing this, the frog could not help opening his mouth and exclaiming, "It was my idea!" Unfortunately, this proved to be his undoing, for the moment he opened his mouth he let go his hold on the reed and fell to his death.
    8. Last year, Pastor Sawyer preached in our chapel and told of four passengers in a small plane that was going down – the pilot, a wealthy man that was very successful in the computer business, a preacher, and a boy scout. When the plane started going down, the pilot announced: "I am sorry to tell you that there are only three parachutes. I have a wife and small children and so I am taking one of them. By-by!" and he jumped. Next, the rich business man said: "I am one of the most intelligent men in the world. Mankind cannot afford to lose a genius like me" and then he jumped. Next, the preacher said to the young boy scout, "Son, I have had a long and wonderful ministry. God has blessed me in many ways and I am looking forward to going to heaven. Take the last parachute." At this, the boy scout said: "Relax, preacher. The great genius grabbed my backpack by mistake!"
    9. Not only was the Roman centurion’s faith great when you consider his humility, but also when you consider the commendation given him by our Lord.

 

III. HIS FAITH WAS GREAT WHEN YOU CONSIDER HIS COMMENDATION (Matt.8:10).

    1. Now who could possibly be a greater judge than the Lord Jesus Christ? Our Lord knows exactly the measure of our faith. And He is well-pleased with those who trust Him.
    2. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Heb.11:6). Do you have faith?
    3. There are only two occasions in the Bible where it is said that our Lord marvelled. One was at the unbelief of Israel, and the other was at the faith of this Gentile centurion (Matt.8:10; cf. Mark 6:6).
    4. This is significant, because in Matt.8:11 our Lord declares "that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven."
    5. In other words, many Gentiles will be saved. The 2,000 years of Christian history proves this true.
    6. On the other hand, "the children of the kingdom" (vs. 12), i.e., the Jews, "shall be cast out into the outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" – a solemn warning about the horrors of eternal punishment in hell.
    7. Jesus preached more about hell than anyone else in the Bible. Early in his ministry Vance Havner pastored a country church. A farmer did not like his preaching on hell and said to him: "Preach about the meek and lowly Jesus." Vance Havner replied, "That’s where I get my information about hell."
    8. Another great preacher, Billy Sunday, said: "You may not believe in hell now, but you will believe in it five minutes after you get there."
    9. Only true, sincere faith makes entrance into heaven possible. This is regardless of national, racial, or geographical residence – ""from the east and west" (vs. 11).
    10. Those Jews who thought that they would automatically gain entrance because of their religious background would be denied entrance into heaven (vs. 11; cf. Matt.7:21-23).
    11. Perhaps there are some here today who believe that they will go to heaven because their parents were Christian or because they have been baptized or maybe raised their hand and said a prayer.
    12. Be careful. Jesus said that many religious people – "the children of the kingdom" (vs. 12), and those who call Him "Lord, Lord" (7:21,22) – many of these religious people "shall be cast out into outer darkness" (8:12), a picture of hell (cf. Matt.13:40-42).

CONCLUSION:

  1. There are three important characters in this story. The most important is the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, the Great Physician, who went around doing good, healing the sick and raising the dead.
  2. Then there is the Roman centurion, a man of great faith. A Gentile who recognized that Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
  3. But the third character is seldom noticed. We do not know his name, how old he was, what he looked like, etc. All we know is that he was very sick and he needed help.
  4. He was paralyzed, and in his helpless and hopeless condition he symbolizes all lost sinners. For all those without Christ are helpless and hopeless – "having no hope, and without God in the world" (Eph.2:12).
  5. In Luke’s account, he records that the servant "was sick and ready to die" (Luke 7:2).
  6. Unsaved friend: Are you aware of your lost condition? Are you aware that you are "sick and ready to die"? Do you see yourself as God sees you – hopeless and helpless?
  7. Now is the time to get things right with God. Then you too shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
  8. Most importantly, we will see Jesus face to face.


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