Faith and Authority: Lessons from the Centurion
Summary
In the story of the centurion, we encounter a Roman officer who demonstrates profound faith and understanding of authority. Despite his position and influence, the centurion acknowledges his unworthiness in the presence of Jesus, illustrating a humility that transcends his societal status. He sends Jewish leaders to request Jesus' help for his dying servant, showing his respect and belief in Jesus' power. However, before Jesus arrives, the centurion sends a message expressing that Jesus need not come to his house; instead, he believes that Jesus can heal his servant with just a word. This act of faith amazes Jesus, as the centurion recognizes the divine authority under which Jesus operates.
The centurion's understanding of authority is pivotal. He compares his own role as a man under authority to Jesus' divine mission, acknowledging that Jesus' miraculous works are a result of His submission to the Father. This insight reveals a key theological principle: true authority and power come from being under authority. Jesus, in His humanity, operated under the authority of God the Father, demonstrating that submission is the pathway to divine power and miraculous intervention.
This principle extends to our lives today. Many prayers go unanswered and victories unachieved because we fail to align ourselves under God's authority. Misalignment cuts off the flow of divine power and authority. The centurion's faith exemplifies the power of alignment, as his servant is healed through Jesus' word, even from a distance. This story encourages us to examine our own lives and ensure we are properly aligned under God's authority to experience His power and intervention.
Key Takeaways:
- Humility in Authority: The centurion's humility, despite his high rank, teaches us that no matter our status, we are unworthy in the presence of Jesus. True greatness is found in recognizing our need for God's grace and authority in our lives. [03:25]
- Understanding Divine Authority: The centurion's insight into Jesus' authority highlights the importance of being under authority to exercise authority. Jesus' miracles were a result of His submission to the Father, showing us that alignment with God's will is crucial for spiritual power. [06:33]
- Alignment and Prayer: Many prayers remain unanswered because they are prayed out of alignment with God's authority. To see Heaven's power manifest in our lives, we must ensure we are properly aligned under God's kingdom program. [07:59]
- Long-Distance Faith: The centurion's faith in Jesus' ability to heal from a distance reminds us that Jesus can intervene in our lives even when He is not physically present. His word is powerful and effective, transcending time and space. [18:46]
- Submission Leads to Exaltation: Jesus' submission to the Father resulted in His exaltation. Similarly, when we come under God's legitimate authority, we open the door for His help and intervention in our lives, leading to spiritual victory and transformation. [16:10]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:44] - The Centurion's Role
[01:24] - The Centurion's Request
[02:36] - Jesus' Journey Begins
[03:09] - Humility Before Jesus
[03:54] - Faith in Jesus' Word
[04:37] - Understanding Authority
[06:06] - Jesus' Submission
[07:26] - The Principle of Authority
[08:34] - Authority Given to Disciples
[09:57] - Alignment in Relationships
[12:02] - Men Under Authority
[13:13] - Obedience and Alignment
[15:08] - Exaltation Through Submission
[18:46] - Long-Distance Prayer
[19:48] - Conclusion and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 7:1-10 - The story of the centurion's faith and Jesus' response.
2. John 5:19 - Jesus speaks about His submission to the Father.
3. Matthew 28:18 - Jesus declares all authority in heaven and on earth.
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did the centurion take to seek help from Jesus for his servant? ([01:41])
2. How did the centurion demonstrate humility in his interaction with Jesus? ([02:56])
3. What was Jesus' reaction to the centurion's faith, and why was it significant? ([16:48])
4. How does the centurion's understanding of authority relate to Jesus' mission? ([05:25])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the centurion's humility and acknowledgment of unworthiness before Jesus challenge common perceptions of authority and power? ([03:09])
2. In what ways does the centurion's faith illustrate the principle that true authority comes from being under authority? ([06:06])
3. How does Jesus' submission to the Father serve as a model for believers in exercising spiritual authority? ([06:33])
4. What does the centurion's story teach about the importance of alignment with God's authority in our prayer lives? ([07:59])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy in the presence of God. How did that experience shape your understanding of humility and grace? ([03:25])
2. Consider your current prayer life. Are there areas where you might be praying out of alignment with God's authority? How can you realign your prayers to better reflect His will? ([07:43])
3. The centurion believed Jesus could heal his servant with just a word. How can you cultivate a similar faith in Jesus' power to intervene in your life, even from a distance? ([18:46])
4. Jesus' submission to the Father led to His exaltation. In what areas of your life do you need to practice submission to God's authority to experience spiritual growth and victory? ([16:10])
5. Identify a situation in your life where you need to exercise authority. How can you ensure that your authority is rooted in submission to God's will? ([09:57])
6. How can you apply the principle of being under authority in your relationships, whether at home, work, or church? What changes might you need to make to align with this principle? ([12:02])
7. Think of a person or situation that seems "dying" or hopeless. How can you apply the centurion's faith and Jesus' example to bring hope and healing to that situation? ([15:23])
Devotional
Day 1: Humility in Authority
The centurion, despite his high rank and influence, demonstrates profound humility by acknowledging his unworthiness in the presence of Jesus. This humility is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of the greatness of Jesus' authority and power. The centurion's actions remind us that true greatness is found in recognizing our need for God's grace and authority in our lives. By sending Jewish leaders to request Jesus' help for his dying servant, the centurion shows respect and belief in Jesus' power, illustrating that humility is a pathway to divine intervention. [03:25]
Luke 14:11 (ESV): "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride? How can you practice humility today by acknowledging your need for God's grace and authority?
Day 2: Understanding Divine Authority
The centurion's insight into Jesus' authority highlights the importance of being under authority to exercise authority. He compares his own role as a man under authority to Jesus' divine mission, acknowledging that Jesus' miraculous works are a result of His submission to the Father. This understanding reveals a key theological principle: true authority and power come from being under authority. Jesus, in His humanity, operated under the authority of God the Father, demonstrating that submission is the pathway to divine power and miraculous intervention. [06:33]
Matthew 8:9 (ESV): "For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it."
Reflection: Consider a situation where you have struggled to submit to authority. How can you align yourself under God's authority to experience His power in that situation?
Day 3: Alignment and Prayer
Many prayers remain unanswered because they are prayed out of alignment with God's authority. The centurion's faith exemplifies the power of alignment, as his servant is healed through Jesus' word, even from a distance. To see Heaven's power manifest in our lives, we must ensure we are properly aligned under God's kingdom program. Misalignment cuts off the flow of divine power and authority, but when we align ourselves with God's will, we open the door for His miraculous intervention. [07:59]
James 4:3 (ESV): "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."
Reflection: Reflect on a prayer you have been praying. Is it aligned with God's will and authority? How can you adjust your prayer to align with His kingdom program?
Day 4: Long-Distance Faith
The centurion's faith in Jesus' ability to heal from a distance reminds us that Jesus can intervene in our lives even when He is not physically present. His word is powerful and effective, transcending time and space. This story encourages us to trust in the power of Jesus' word and to have faith that He can work miracles in our lives, regardless of the physical distance or circumstances. [18:46]
John 4:50 (ESV): "Jesus said to him, 'Go; your son will live.' The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way."
Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you feel distant from Jesus? How can you trust in His word and power to intervene, even from afar?
Day 5: Submission Leads to Exaltation
Jesus' submission to the Father resulted in His exaltation. Similarly, when we come under God's legitimate authority, we open the door for His help and intervention in our lives, leading to spiritual victory and transformation. The centurion's story illustrates that submission is not about losing power but about gaining access to divine power and authority. By aligning ourselves under God's authority, we position ourselves for His exaltation and the fulfillment of His purposes in our lives. [16:10]
1 Peter 5:6 (ESV): "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to submit to God's authority? What steps can you take today to humble yourself under His mighty hand?
Quotes
The centurion heard about Jesus word had gotten out that this Jesus is something else the blind sea the lame walk the dumb talk I mean it's just just this Jesus is is blowing folks Minds with what he's doing so he sends a couple of Jewish leaders to ask Jesus to come and save his servant who's about to die now that's unusual within itself because the Jews hated the Romans but this Roman was cut in different cloth because the Jewish leader said he loves our nation and he even went into his pocket to build our synagogue he says this guy has has loved our nation and you ought to help him you ought to save his servant. [00:54:39]
The Centurion sends the message he says in the end of verse 6 I am not worthy for you to come under my roof don't don't come any further he sends some of his his friends and says tell Jesus don't come any closer I'm not worthy so one of the things we need to note as we get into this is this Centurion he may have had a lot of money may have had a lot of clout but in the presence of Jesus he was a nobody so I don't care how high you get how much money you have how much clout you uh accumulate in the presence of Jesus you're not worthy. [00:56:40]
The Centurion says he says I'm not worthy verse 7 but just say the word and my servant will be healed the key to this whole story is verse eight I need to read it again for I also am a man placed under Authority with soldiers under me and I say to this one go and he goes and to another come and he comes and to my slave do this and he does it now when Jesus heard this he marveled. [00:59:00]
I am also a man under Authority let's back up to one word also I am also a man under Authority when you use the word also you mean like something else I am like something else or in this case I am like someone else I am also a man under Authority well who is he talking to and who is he talking about he's talking about Jesus he says Jesus I'm like you I am just like you I am a man under Authority. [01:04:42]
Jesus Christ in his Humanity operated not by virtue of his deity but by virtue of his submission Jesus says in chapter 5 of John verse 19 these words therefore Jesus answered and said unto them truly truly I say to you the son can do nothing of himself unless it is something he sees the father doing for for whatever the father does these things the son also does in like manner for the father loves the son and shows him all things that he himself is doing and the father will show him Greater Works than these so that you may catch this word marvel. [01:06:26]
You cannot authority over until and unless you are submitted under and because most people do not understand this theological principle of authority prayers don't get answered Victory doesn't get achieved power doesn't get recognized changes are not made in spite of prayers being prayed because the prayers are being prayed out of alignment that we're not properly under what we should be under or we're not properly over what we ought to be over or both and once you are misaligned in God's kingdom program what you have done is cut the cord of the transfer of authority. [01:11:51]
Alignment is the key to not only answered prayer but Spiritual Authority seeing Heaven come down in into history seeing Heaven transform history and putting the devil under your feet instead of him boxing your head he knew Jesus's access to God Jesus said all authority is given to me in heaven and on Earth Matthew 28:18 all authority I'm in charge now so the alignment to Jesus Christ is critical if you want heaven to to join you in history. [01:16:40]
If you are unwilling to come under the legitimate Authority God places over you then you do not get God's help in what is underneath you yeah yeah when Jesus heard this he marveled yeah at him and he turned and said to the crowd who was following so now he talking to the talking to the everybody who's who's there so it's it's like me talking to you he turns to the crowd he says did you see that I say to you not even in Israel have I found such great faith. [01:21:38]
I got an uncircumcised Gentile who's got more faith than my church folk and than Israel I got somebody who doesn't even understand theology on a broad scope who's got more faith so the question is who you identifying with you better identify with somebody who's in alignment that's right because they're the one who have access to Authority in prayer cuz it was a prayer he said come he my servant that's a prayer request. [01:25:20]
Jesus is shocked and he says wow what kind of faith is this this is this is some kind of faith I'm I'm just stupified they go back and the man is heal the servant is healed yeah so what's my point Jesus believes in Long Distance prayer answers cuz he not physically there he didn't physically go to the house he just sent the word to the house even though he was absent from the location. [01:28:21]
The good news is he does long distance prayer answers he doesn't have to be here to get stuff done that's why I love Hebrews 7 verse 25 five which says Jesus our great high priest ever lives as an intercessor for believers he ever lives to invade our circumstance and he doesn't have to be here to get it done because if you are in alignment you have access to Authority even with the absence of Jesus Christ because he's not here but his word is and his word word is powerful and that's all you need if you have alignment straight. [01:32:59]
Jesus is not here he's Seated on the right hand side of the father but the good news is he does long distance prayer answers he doesn't have to be here to get stuff done that's why I love Hebrews 7 verse 25 five which says Jesus our great high priest ever lives as an intercessor for believers he ever lives to invade our circumstance and he doesn't have to be here to get it done because if you are in alignment you have access to Authority even with the absence of Jesus Christ because he's not here but his word is and his word word is powerful and that's all you need if you have alignment straight. [01:35:52]
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