Faith and Humility: The Centurion's Remarkable Trust
Summary
Good morning, church family. Today, we explored a profound encounter between Jesus and a Roman centurion, a man whose faith and humility amazed Jesus himself. This story, found in Luke 7, is particularly fitting for Veterans Day weekend as it centers around a soldier. The centurion, despite his authority and power, recognized his need for Jesus' intervention in a crisis involving his valued servant who was gravely ill. This narrative challenges us to consider what it means to truly amaze Jesus with our faith and humility.
The centurion's story unfolds in Capernaum, a bustling trade hub where Roman soldiers were often despised by the Jewish population. Yet, this centurion was different. He had earned the respect and love of the local Jewish community, even building a synagogue for them. His actions exemplified the teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, demonstrating humility, mercy, and generosity. Despite his high status, the centurion approached Jesus with a profound sense of unworthiness, acknowledging Jesus' supreme authority and power.
This encounter invites us to reflect on our own lives. Are we living in a way that amazes Jesus? Do we approach Him with humility, recognizing our need for His grace and power in our lives? The centurion's faith was not just about believing in Jesus' ability to heal but also about trusting in His authority and goodness, regardless of the outcome. This is the kind of faith that Jesus commends and blesses.
As we navigate our own crises, whether they be relational, financial, or health-related, we are reminded that Jesus cares deeply about our struggles. He invites us to bring our burdens to Him, trusting in His power and goodness. The centurion's story is a powerful reminder that true spiritual maturity involves a deep trust in Jesus, even when circumstances are challenging. May we strive to live with the same humility and faith that amazed Jesus, knowing that He is both our friend and the Almighty God.
Key Takeaways:
- The centurion's humility and recognition of Jesus' authority exemplify the essence of being "poor in spirit," a key teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. This humility is not about self-deprecation but about acknowledging our need for God in every aspect of our lives. [39:13]
- True faith is demonstrated not only in belief but in action. The centurion's love and generosity towards the Jewish community, despite being a Roman officer, reflect the transformative power of living out one's faith authentically. [01:06:28]
- Crises are inevitable, but they provide opportunities to invite Jesus into our struggles. The centurion's approach to Jesus during his servant's illness shows us how to depend on God in times of need, trusting in His power and goodness. [47:04]
- Spiritual maturity involves trusting God regardless of the outcome. The centurion's faith was not contingent on the healing of his servant but on his trust in Jesus' authority and goodness. This kind of faith pleases God and brings true happiness. [01:31:27]
- Our reputation as followers of Christ is built over time through authenticity, consistency, and humility. Like the centurion, we can impact those around us by living out our faith genuinely, even in challenging environments. [01:04:19]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[29:03] - Honoring Our Veterans
[30:32] - Recognizing Sacrifices of Families
[31:28] - Prayer for Veterans and Families
[35:03] - Series Introduction: Changed
[39:13] - Context of the Sermon on the Mount
[40:50] - The Centurion's Crisis
[42:08] - Understanding the Roman Centurion
[45:20] - Inviting Jesus into Our Crises
[47:04] - Navigating Personal Crises
[51:18] - The Centurion's Setting and Status
[55:41] - Jesus' Ministry in Capernaum
[58:18] - The Centurion's Faith and Humility
[01:06:28] - Building a Reputation of Faith
[01:31:27] - Trusting God in Crisis
[01:34:17] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 7:1-10
- Matthew 5:3-12 (Sermon on the Mount)
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Observation Questions:
1. What actions did the Roman centurion take that demonstrated his faith and humility in Luke 7? [42:08]
2. How did the Jewish elders describe the centurion to Jesus, and what does this reveal about his character? [01:00:29]
3. In what ways did the centurion's approach to Jesus differ from the typical Roman officer's behavior? [01:13:00]
4. What was Jesus' reaction to the centurion's faith, and how is this significant? [01:25:20]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the centurion's acknowledgment of Jesus' authority reflect the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount? [01:13:00]
2. What does the centurion's story teach about the relationship between faith and humility? [01:15:46]
3. How might the centurion's actions challenge our understanding of what it means to be "poor in spirit"? [01:16:47]
4. In what ways does the centurion's faith serve as a model for spiritual maturity, especially during crises? [01:31:27]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent crisis in your life. How did you respond, and what might you learn from the centurion's example of faith and humility? [47:04]
2. The centurion was respected by those who might naturally oppose him. How can you build a reputation of faith and integrity in your community or workplace? [01:04:19]
3. Consider your current approach to Jesus. Do you come to Him with a sense of entitlement or with humility? How can you cultivate a more humble heart? [01:15:46]
4. The centurion's faith was not dependent on the outcome of his request. How can you develop a trust in God that remains steadfast regardless of circumstances? [01:31:27]
5. Identify an area in your life where you need to invite Jesus into a crisis. What steps can you take this week to seek His guidance and support? [45:20]
6. The centurion's actions reflected the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount. Choose one teaching from Matthew 5:3-12 to focus on this week. How will you live it out in your daily interactions?
7. How can you demonstrate genuine care and generosity towards those who might be considered "enemies" or difficult to love in your life? [01:06:28]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Humility as the Foundation of Faith
The centurion's humility and recognition of Jesus' authority exemplify the essence of being "poor in spirit," a key teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. This humility is not about self-deprecation but about acknowledging our need for God in every aspect of our lives. The centurion, despite his high status, approached Jesus with a profound sense of unworthiness, acknowledging Jesus' supreme authority and power. This act of humility is a powerful reminder that true spiritual maturity begins with recognizing our own limitations and our need for divine intervention. In a world that often values self-sufficiency and pride, the centurion's example challenges us to adopt a posture of humility before God, trusting in His wisdom and strength above our own. [39:13]
"Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 9:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it difficult to acknowledge your need for God? How can you practice humility in these areas today?
Day 2: Faith in Action
True faith is demonstrated not only in belief but in action. The centurion's love and generosity towards the Jewish community, despite being a Roman officer, reflect the transformative power of living out one's faith authentically. His actions were not just about fulfilling duties but were expressions of genuine care and respect, which earned him the love and respect of those around him. This narrative encourages us to consider how our faith is reflected in our daily actions and interactions with others. Are we living in a way that demonstrates the love and mercy of Christ to those around us? The centurion's story reminds us that our faith should be visible and impactful, influencing the world positively. [01:06:28]
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can demonstrate your faith through an act of kindness or service today. How can this action reflect the love of Christ to those around you?
Day 3: Inviting Jesus into Our Crises
Crises are inevitable, but they provide opportunities to invite Jesus into our struggles. The centurion's approach to Jesus during his servant's illness shows us how to depend on God in times of need, trusting in His power and goodness. Instead of relying solely on his own resources or authority, the centurion sought Jesus' help, demonstrating a deep trust in His ability to intervene. This story encourages us to bring our burdens to Jesus, knowing that He cares deeply about our struggles and is willing to help us navigate through them. In moments of crisis, we are reminded that we are not alone, and that Jesus is both willing and able to provide the support and guidance we need. [47:04]
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22, ESV)
Reflection: What current crisis or challenge are you facing that you need to invite Jesus into? How can you actively seek His guidance and support in this situation today?
Day 4: Trusting God Regardless of the Outcome
Spiritual maturity involves trusting God regardless of the outcome. The centurion's faith was not contingent on the healing of his servant but on his trust in Jesus' authority and goodness. This kind of faith pleases God and brings true happiness. It is a faith that is not shaken by circumstances but remains steadfast in the belief that God's plans are good and His purposes are perfect. The centurion's story challenges us to examine the depth of our own faith. Are we willing to trust God even when the outcome is uncertain or not what we hoped for? This level of trust requires a deep relationship with God and a confidence in His character and promises. [01:31:27]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you are struggling to trust God with the outcome? What steps can you take to deepen your trust in His plans and purposes today?
Day 5: Building a Reputation of Faith
Our reputation as followers of Christ is built over time through authenticity, consistency, and humility. Like the centurion, we can impact those around us by living out our faith genuinely, even in challenging environments. The centurion's actions and character earned him the respect and love of the Jewish community, despite the cultural and political tensions of the time. This story encourages us to consider how our own lives reflect the values and teachings of Christ. Are we known for our love, integrity, and humility? Building a reputation of faith requires intentionality and a commitment to living out our beliefs in every aspect of our lives. [01:04:19]
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: What kind of reputation are you building as a follower of Christ? How can you be more intentional in living out your faith authentically in your daily interactions and relationships?
Quotes
Good morning, church family. I'm so glad you are here in the second service today. Thank you for being here on this Veterans Day weekend. We are continuing in this series. We've been in it this fall. We've been talking about... We've been talking about these conversations that Jesus had with individuals. And he had over 40 of them, just personal conversations where he talked with them. We've been looking at several of those this fall. And the talk I want to just have with you today is this talk that Jesus had with a man, the Scripture tells us, that amazed him. What would it be like to amaze Jesus? We read so many times where people were amazed by what Jesus did. [00:26:37] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Heavenly Father, we come before you this morning with grateful hearts. Lord, first because, Lord, you have loved us and your grace has set us free. But Father God, I thank you for these men and women. Those that have served. Those who are family members. Lord, who they have served our country. They have sacrificed much to protect our freedoms. Freedoms that you have. A freedom that you made us for, God. [00:31:49] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
There was something about him, his faith, his humility. Some things that we're going to see in his character that I think are incredible for us to seek to emulate as well. Because it's very Christ-like in his character. But before we go any further, it's always important. And I want to teach you this, if you're a part of EBC, that when we look into a passage of Scripture, it's always important to understand the context. [00:36:00] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
This particular guy had somebody that he cared about. And the irony of this we'll get to. He cared about them. There was somebody that he valued. In fact, it says highly valued. Now, I know you see the word slave and it's repulsive to us. I understand that. You need to know that... This is descriptive. It's not prescriptive. It's not endorsing slavery. It's just saying this is what was happening in this culture. [00:42:20] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
And what we are shown is in our spiritual journey, we're given in God's word here, of being shown how to invite Jesus into the middle of that crisis. How do we do that? What does it look like? What catches the eyes and the heart of God? What amazes Jesus? And we're going to see this in this particular instance. [00:46:39] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
And so difficult things happen to people even who love Jesus all the time. And that is where some of you are today. So today, as we continue in this, I've broken this into a few sections. It's a narrative, and I love breaking narratives down. And I'm going to break it into some sections for you just to kind of help you outline this. We want to talk first about this soldier, and we want to talk about his setting. [00:50:01] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
And if there are characteristics that catch the eye of God, we ought to ask what those are. And we ought to seek to begin to develop those in our own life. Look at what he says first. Lord. I could just preach on that right there. For a Roman centurion, a man of power and authority to say to a Jewish rabbi, Lord, you need to hear this. It didn't happen. [01:13:25] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
I believe that God still heals today. I've seen it. I've watched him. I've seen him do miracles in some of your lives and but I also know this that we are still in a broken world and you do realize this that every person that Jesus healed still died later. Okay. Lazarus poor guy got raised from the dead had to go die again man. [01:31:58] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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