Expanding Our View of Jesus' Authority and Compassion

God is doing a great work in this generation. Now if you read through the Bible, God is interested what happens in nations. You know it is a atheistic godless satanic worldview to say that our faith should not be infused into the culture. And so if you're new, I just want you to know we really do believe that we want to focus on Jesus. Why? Because all the blessings of God are tied up in him. We want to be passionately pursuing Jesus. We want to be rooted in the Bible. The Bible is the final authority for faith and practice. And we want to be culturally equipped. [00:12:30]

And what that means is is how the the Bible, the word of God, the the the values of God, the declarations of God influence our culture. And now some people say that's political. It's not political. It's theological. And that's the difference quite honestly uh in the minds of many. We have embraced unintentionally. I think many Christians have and pastors have embraced unintentionally the idea that whatever you believe is fine, just don't bring it into the public place. That is demonic. It's not godly. [00:12:54]

We are seeing the hand of God stir in a way that's very unusual. almost like we see in the Old Testament where the nation of Israel or other nations had these low moments spiritually and then these rising moments. And I want to illustrate this in two ways. Uh Franklin Graham was interviewed last week, Easter week, um on this subject of what's happening, something that God is doing. Listen to this. Reverend Graham, you see these stories of people coming to faith seeking baptism in record numbers. [00:13:52]

This isn't because of the methodology of men. This isn't because, you know, there's some sort of trick we had up our sleeves. It's not because the government's one. It's because God is doing something. He's answering prayer. The power of the gospel, touching people's lives, influencing people lives, people rising the occasion, serving in new capacities over these last couple of years. He mentions that Bara study. This this came out uh April 7th of 2025. Uh belief in Jesus rises. [00:14:52]

So, they started this back in 2000. So, over the last 25 years, they've been asking Americans every year the same question. And here's the question. Um uh if if they can say uh personally, I have made a personal commitment to follow Jesus that is still important to my life today. So, how many people of the people I surveyed could say that in 2000? 65% of Americans. There's a high point right here. This was during 911. And if you remember, I was pastoring in Colorado. [00:15:31]

You see this this declining moment and you see this low eb right here. This is during the pandemic, the lowest eb going through the pandemic and so forth. Then we see this uptick. And you say, "What's this difference right here?" We're talking 30 million Americans. That's the difference. And he mentioned there in that news feed and if it was lots of other places because this is what the Bara report was showing of how it was affecting specifically where was this growth at? Where's the majority of this 30 million Americans? It's among young men. Who would have thought? [00:16:15]

This can only be done by the hand of God. If you read the Old Testament, again, many people are ignorant of the Bible, so they wouldn't know, but this is something that God is doing. Now, there's one other element to this that is noteworthy that you must see. Last year, the Sunday after Christmas, I read to you an executive order. So, think about last Easter, 365 days, roughly a year ago. This was the executive order from the president of the United States. [00:17:20]

Friends, God can tell us anything he wants. And he can tell us what's right and wrong, and he does. And he says, "All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And that's why we must trust in Christ." That was a year ago, okay? And I remember sitting there, God, if you don't judge us, then you somehow you must do something to change what's taking place because this is unacceptable in your sight. And I know that. [00:18:49]

But what I do get is this. This can only be explained by the hand of God. And if it was recorded in First Kings or Second Kings, you and I would read it and go, "Oh, yeah. That's obvious. It's the hand of God." But sometimes when you're up close, it's hard to see it. Friends, I'm telling you, God's doing something great. So, I want to encourage you, remain steadfast in the Lord. Keep seeking him. Keep sharing the gospel. Um, serve in these last days for the glory of God. God is doing something unique and he's using you. [00:21:00]

What we're going to discover here is that Jesus is doing things and he's he's increasing the thinking capacity of the people that are around him. Now, in our family, uh, you know, Jared and I got married and and I remember it would come down to decision-making stuff and and so every family has to develop a language. And so, in our family, we say, "Now, listen, we're not playing checkers. We're playing chess." Right? Now, you know what it's like when you're playing checkers? It's kind of like a mindless game. [00:22:38]

And when it comes to the Lord Jesus Christ, whatever level you and I are thinking of him, I want you to remember this. It's small compared to what it should be. It's small to what it can be. In fact, even when we get to heaven, you and I are still going to be thinking too small of Jesus because he is infinite in glory, power, and majesty. And what we're seeing in in in Luke here so far is Jesus comes into the world. And you remember, everyone's thinking very lowly of him in the manger except a handful of shepherds, except magi when they show up, except except for a handful of people. [00:23:38]

And those people, their view of Jesus is greater than those who are around him. And God's doing something in their life. And so you see this constant contrast between those who think lowly of Jesus and those who think highly of Jesus. You you see those who are thinking highly of Jesus. But as time is going on, oh yeah, he's a good speaker. Oh yeah, he must be like a good rabbi. Boy, it'd be nice to have him at our synagogue. Could he do a conference with us? You know, that's what people are thinking. [00:23:58]

But as time is going on, oh yeah, he's a good speaker. Oh yeah, he must be like a good rabbi. Boy, it'd be nice to have him at our synagogue. Could he do a conference with us? You know, that's what people are thinking. Then it's like, oh no, maybe he's a prophet, like one of the prophets of old. Oh no, he's a great pro. So all these things he's doing, he's increasing their intellectual capacity of who he is in their minds and their understanding. [00:24:24]

And what I want you to see is is the different views. The view of the Jews, the the view of the of the centurion, and the view of Jesus. Real quick, notice here uh Jesus's unprecedented authority. Here it is. The centurion sends his friends saying, "Look, uh Lord, uh do not trouble yourself. Don't be bothered with me. I'm pretty insignificant. I don't want to take up any of your time. You don't need to come to my house. Why? I am not worthy." Now, what was the view of the Jews? The view of the Jews was the centurion is worthy. [00:32:11]

What is the view of the Jews? Jesus could help, but we really don't like him. And we don't understand all this is going on. We really don't care. But we need this guy. We need Jesus to fix this problem for our rich friend. That's their view. The centurion's view is completely different than what the view of the religious leaders. This is important because these were the religious people, right? These are the ones that had grown up going to church. These are the ones that had grown up with the Bible, with the Old Testament. [00:32:31]

Friends, our problem isn't low self-esteem. Our problem is high self-esteem, right? Um we need to recognize ourselves that we are fallen, pathetic, needful sinners who have, if you trusted Jesus, experienced God's grace. And as the child of God, we are ever grateful for the kindness and the mercy and the compassion of God. This guy sees himself rightly. They did not see him rightly, but he sees himself rightly. And humble before uh God, he recognizes that Jesus is the Messiah. [00:33:20]

You know, the problem is when you hang around church, you get inoculated to to truth. and they had been inoculated. But here this guy, he he recognizes Jesus and he says,"I not worthy. Uh I didn't even consider myself worthy to come to you." He goes on and says, "Just say the word." What's his view of Jesus? That Jesus can fix the problem wherever he's at by just giving a word. Now, think about that for just a second. Someone's dying in your household. They're gasping. Those last breaths. [00:33:58]

Well, Jesus, the centurion, knew that Jesus all had to do was speak the word. Why? Because somewhere along the line, he had picked up that Jesus was like no one else. And as we read through the rest of scripture, what do we find? That Jesus is the one who said, "Let there be light." And there was light. Jesus is the one who said, "Let the waters team with fish." And all the little sunnies swam around in the lake. Um, and on and on it goes. This is the Jesus that holds every atom together. [00:34:59]

How does Jesus respond to this man? How does he respond to the Jews? Jesus's view is this. When Jesus heard this, when he heard these words, Jesus, just give the word. I get it. You've got the authority to do it. Just give the word. He marveled. He marveled. It's an amazing Greek word that is shocking. It's just it's he's like, "I'm shocked. I just can't believe." Have you ever said that? I just can't believe it. You ever been speechless? [00:35:59]

This Greek word used 43 times. Most of the time it's used about other people in reference to Jesus. They saw him speaking and they marveled at his words. They heard him heal. They saw him heal people and they say, "Who is this man? He has power over the demons. He has power over um disease. He has power. He had and they marveled at him." That's how it's generally used. It's used twice of Jesus. Jesus ends up here marveling at the centurion because of his great faith. [00:37:23]

One time amazed at the centurion's faith. The other time amazed at all of the people he grew up with in church and how they did not believe. how they were hard-hearted, how they were filled with unbelief, so much so that they were going to kill him. I mean, that's called a bad day at church, right? And so my question is this, does Jesus marvel at your faith or does he marvel at your unbelief? You know, it's shocking to me. I mean, if you if you're a second or third or fourth generation Christian, you are so blessed. [00:38:40]

Marveling. Here's this centurion. He's a gentile. He didn't grow up with a Bible. He He's He's He didn't grow up around Jewish people telling the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the creation story and the Exodus and mana from heaven and uh crossing the u the Red Sea, crossing over into the Jordan with Joshua. He didn't grow up with any of that. He's the one who's believing in me. This is crazy. This is a Roman. This is the guy who's one of the bad guys oppressing the Jews. This is crazy. [00:39:44]

There is something about things that rob us of a spiritual pursuit. It's very, very dangerous, very hard to manage. It's why God, I believe, doesn't give many of us more things or more finances or greater opportunities in the areas of investment because if he did, he knows that we would wander away from the faith. God never give us more. Proverbs, if you remember, Proverbs 30 talks about that. God, uh, give me enough so I do not steal, but don't give me so much that I wander away from you and blasphe you. [00:40:48]

But Jesus is passing by. And what does he find there? He finds a widow and she's in great distress and in great danger. And what I want you to see is while the world would have viewed her, that world would have viewed her as insignificant and unimportant and very, very vulnerable, she knew that Jesus cared. Look at this. Jesus's unprecedented compassion. Now, as he approached the gate of the city, so a walled city, small city, a dead man was being carried out. the only son of his mother and she was a widow. [00:42:05]

But you read through scriptures, you know who did care? You know, it just makes me so upset when people attack the Bible. The devil's always attacking the Bible and someone says, you know, the Bible's against women. Have you ever read it? I mean, throughout the book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy is constantly saying, "Listen, if there is a widow, she has no one to care for her. You watch out for her." Real men protect others, and they protect others who are around them who are in desperate situations. [00:43:24]

God says that he is the God who protects the widow from heaven. You read through the scriptures, you get to the New Testament is James 1 20. It is pure and undefiled in the sight of God to visit orphans and widows in their distress. 1 Timothy chapter 5 talks about if there is a widow then those who are her family have a duty and responsibility before God to care for her. Oh yeah. God's always against women. Bible's against women. Have you ever read it? No. [00:44:05]

It lets you peel back the onion, if you will, to see the very heart of God. Now, three things happen. He gives a command. The command is, "Young man, I say to you, arise." Now, you got to remember, they're carrying this guy. He's on like a a glorified stretcher, and he says, "Hey, young man, arise." Boom. There's an act of obedience. He sits up and starts talking. What does he say? Well, everyone knows what he says. Mom, let's go get a pizza. I don't know what he said. But he starts talking. [00:45:20]

They glorified God by saying two things. One is a great prophet has risen among us. This Jesus, oh, we thought he was just a great teacher. We thought he was a rabbi. We thought maybe he was a prophet in these days. But no, no, no, he is among the greatest of prophets. Why? Because they remembered back into the Old Testament all the stories that they'd heard in the synagogue. There's only three times where someone was revived. During the days of Elisha and Elijah. [00:46:24]

Remember this. Whatever you think of Jesus right now, it's it's it's less than it should be. And you and I should always come to the Bible and say, "Lord, my view of you is insufficient. My view of Jesus is insufficient. My view of the work of the spirit of God is insufficient. God, would you take it up a notch?" And that's exactly what he did. Jesus has all authority. Jesus is filled with compassion. So whatever difficulty, whatever hardship, whatever affliction, remember this. Jesus has enough power and Jesus really cares for you. [00:47:43]