Faith That Amazes: Trusting Jesus Beyond Familiarity

Devotional

Day 1: Great Faith Amazes Jesus

The centurion, a Roman officer, demonstrated remarkable faith by believing that Jesus could heal his servant with just a word, even though he was not part of Israel and had little background in the Jewish faith. His humility and understanding of authority led him to trust Jesus’ power completely, and Jesus was so moved by this faith that He marveled, declaring He had not found such great faith even in Israel. This story reminds us that true faith is not about religious background or knowledge, but about trusting in who Jesus is and His authority over all things. [04:29]

Matthew 8:5-10, 13 (ESV)
When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 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.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith... And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust Jesus’ authority and simply believe that His word is enough, even if you don’t see immediate evidence?

Day 2: Unbelief Limits God’s Work

When Jesus returned to His hometown, the people who knew Him best could not accept Him for who He truly was. Their familiarity bred contempt, and their lack of faith astonished Jesus, so much so that He could do very few miracles among them. This passage warns us that even those who know the Scriptures and religious traditions can miss out on God’s power if they allow doubt and offense to take root in their hearts. [10:52]

Mark 6:2-6 (ESV)
And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

Reflection: Is there a place in your life where familiarity or past disappointments have caused you to doubt what Jesus can do—how can you open your heart to believe Him again today?

Day 3: Faith Requires Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus

Peter’s story of walking on water shows that faith enables us to do the impossible when our focus is on Jesus, but fear and distraction can quickly cause us to sink. As long as Peter looked to Jesus, he walked above the waves, but when he noticed the wind and became afraid, he began to sink. Jesus gently rebuked him for doubting, reminding us that faith is sustained by keeping our eyes on Christ, not on our circumstances. [20:13]

Matthew 14:28-31 (ESV)
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Reflection: What distractions or fears are pulling your attention away from Jesus right now, and what practical step can you take today to refocus on Him?

Day 4: Faith Grows Through Testing

God often increases our faith by allowing us to go through tests and challenges. These moments are opportunities to trust Him more deeply, even when it is hard or when we do not understand what He is doing. The process of being tested is not easy, but it is through these trials that our faith is refined and strengthened, preparing us to experience more of God’s power and presence in our lives. [37:36]

James 1:2-4 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing—how might God be using this situation to grow your faith, and how can you respond with trust instead of fear?

Day 5: Faith That Glorifies Jesus and Impacts Others

A life of faith not only amazes Jesus but also brings Him glory and allows Him to do great things in and through us. When we truly believe and trust Him, fixing our eyes on Jesus and living by faith, we become vessels for His purposes in our families, church, and communities. God desires to pour out greater faith on His people so that we can love, serve, and impact others for His kingdom, believing that nothing is impossible for Him. [34:54]

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Reflection: Who in your life or community needs to see the impact of your faith today, and what is one way you can step out to serve or encourage them, trusting God to work through you?

Sermon Summary

In reflecting on the stories of faith found in Matthew 8 and Mark 6, we see two strikingly different responses to Jesus. The Roman centurion, a Gentile with little background in the Jewish faith, approached Jesus with a humble yet bold confidence. He recognized Jesus’ authority, believing that a simple word from Him could heal his servant. This faith so moved Jesus that He marveled—one of only two times in the Gospels where Jesus is described as being amazed by someone’s faith. The centurion’s trust was not based on religious knowledge or tradition, but on a deep conviction that Jesus was who He claimed to be and had power over all things.

In contrast, the people of Jesus’ own hometown, who had grown up with Him and were steeped in the Scriptures, could not bring themselves to believe. Their familiarity bred contempt, and their lack of faith astonished Jesus just as much as the centurion’s belief did—but for the opposite reason. Despite their knowledge and religious upbringing, they missed the very Messiah they had been waiting for.

Peter’s story in Matthew 14 further illustrates the nature of faith. He stepped out of the boat and walked on water, doing the impossible as long as his eyes were fixed on Jesus. But when he focused on the wind and waves, fear overtook him and he began to sink. Jesus’ question to Peter—“Why did you doubt?”—reminds us that faith is not a one-time act, but a continual choice to trust, especially when circumstances are overwhelming.

These stories challenge us to examine our own faith. Is it a faith that amazes Jesus, or one that disappoints Him? Do we approach Him with the confidence of the centurion, or do we let familiarity and doubt hold us back like those in Nazareth? The call is to fix our eyes on Jesus, trust His authority, and believe that nothing is impossible for Him. Even as we ask for greater faith, we must be prepared for it to be tested, knowing that God uses these tests to deepen our trust and reliance on Him. There is so much more that God desires to do in us, through us, and in our communities—if only we will believe.

Key Takeaways

1. True faith is not measured by religious background or knowledge, but by a humble trust in Jesus’ authority. The centurion’s example shows that even those with little exposure to the faith can possess a belief that moves the heart of God. What matters most is recognizing who Jesus is and trusting Him to act. [04:29]
2. Familiarity with Jesus and the Scriptures can sometimes breed complacency or even unbelief. The people of Nazareth missed the miracle in their midst because they could not see beyond their own assumptions. We must guard against letting routine or tradition dull our sense of wonder and expectation in God. [14:32]
3. Faith is dynamic and often tested in the storms of life. Like Peter, we may step out in faith only to falter when we focus on our circumstances instead of Christ. The invitation is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, trusting Him even when the winds and waves threaten to overwhelm us. [20:13]
4. God desires to do more in and through us than we can imagine, but He is looking for those whose faith amazes Him. It is not about having perfect faith, but about a willingness to believe and trust God for both the little and the great things in our lives, our families, and our communities. [33:38]
5. Asking God for greater faith is a bold prayer, but we must be ready for our faith to be tested. God often increases our faith by allowing us to walk through challenges that require us to trust Him more deeply. These tests are opportunities for growth, and through them, our faith can become something that truly moves the heart of Jesus. [37:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:05] - Introducing Two Stories of Faith
[02:57] - The Centurion’s Humble Approach
[03:37] - Jesus Marvels at Great Faith
[07:15] - The Rarity of Jesus’ Amazement
[08:56] - The Centurion’s Understanding of Authority
[10:52] - The Unbelief in Nazareth
[14:32] - Jesus Amazed by Unbelief
[17:40] - Peter Walks on Water
[20:13] - The Test of Faith in the Storm
[23:22] - The Power and Necessity of Faith
[25:37] - Examining Our Own Faith
[28:58] - The Possibility of “Mega Faith”
[31:21] - Trusting God When We Cannot See
[33:38] - God’s Greater Purposes for Us
[35:39] - Asking for Greater Faith and Facing Tests
[39:34] - Closing and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 8:5-13 (ESV) — - Mark 6:2-6 (ESV)
- Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV)

Observation Questions

In Matthew 8:5-13, what stands out about the way the centurion approaches Jesus and what he believes about Jesus’ authority?
According to Mark 6:2-6, how do the people of Jesus’ hometown respond to Him, and what is Jesus’ reaction to their response?
In Matthew 14:22-33, what happens when Peter steps out of the boat, and what changes when he takes his eyes off Jesus?
The sermon mentions that Jesus was “amazed” only twice in the Gospels—once by great faith and once by unbelief. What are the two situations, and what made them so different? [[07:15]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the centurion, who was not raised in the Jewish faith, was able to have such strong faith in Jesus’ authority? What does this say about the nature of faith? [[04:29]]
The people of Nazareth knew Jesus well and were familiar with the Scriptures, yet they struggled to believe. How can familiarity with Jesus or church sometimes make it harder to have real faith? [[14:32]]
Peter was able to walk on water as long as he focused on Jesus, but he began to sink when he noticed the wind and waves. What does this teach us about the relationship between faith and our focus during difficult times? [[20:13]]
The sermon asks, “What does Jesus think of my faith? Is he amazed by my great faith, or by my lack of faith?” How can someone honestly evaluate their own faith in light of these stories? [[25:37]]

Application Questions

The centurion’s faith was not based on religious background or knowledge, but on a humble trust in Jesus’ authority. Are there areas in your life where you need to trust Jesus more, even if you don’t have all the answers? What would it look like to approach Jesus with the same confidence as the centurion? [[04:29]]
The people of Nazareth missed out on what Jesus wanted to do because they were too familiar with Him. Is there any area in your spiritual life where routine or tradition has dulled your sense of expectation or wonder? How can you guard against this? [[14:32]]
Like Peter, have you ever started out in faith but then got distracted or overwhelmed by your circumstances? What are some practical ways you can keep your eyes fixed on Jesus when life gets stormy? [[20:13]]
The sermon says God wants to do more in and through us, but He is looking for faith that amazes Him. What is one “impossible” thing you feel God might be calling you to trust Him for in your life, family, or community? [[33:38]]
The pastor mentioned that asking for greater faith is a bold prayer, but it often leads to our faith being tested. Can you share a time when your faith was tested? How did that experience grow or challenge your trust in God? [[37:36]]
The sermon challenges us to examine whether our faith is more like the centurion’s or the people of Nazareth. Which one do you relate to more right now, and why? What is one step you can take this week to move toward a faith that amazes Jesus? [[25:37]]
The Word says, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” What is one way you can intentionally grow your faith this month—through Scripture, prayer, or another practice? [[35:39]]

Sermon Clips

I think we need to ask ourselves: What does Jesus think of our faith? What does Jesus think of my faith? Is he amazed by my great faith? Or is he amazed by my lack of faith? He already knows the answer. Jesus already knows the answer. [00:25:11] (49 seconds) #JesusKnowsOurFaith

We can be a people who live a life of faith that amazes Jesus, that glorifies Jesus, if we can keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and believe him for the little things in our lives and the great things he wants to do in our marriages, in our families, in this church, in our communities, as we seek him and as we love and serve others in his name. [00:34:13] (79 seconds) #FaithThatGlorifies

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