Faith Through Humility: Trusting Jesus' Authority and Goodness
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound nature of faith through the lens of a Roman centurion's encounter with Jesus, as depicted in Luke chapter 7. This centurion, an unlikely figure of faith, demonstrated a humility and conviction that left Jesus amazed. His servant lay sick, and despite his status and power, the centurion felt unworthy to have Jesus enter his home. Instead, he expressed a firm belief that Jesus' mere word could heal from afar. This centurion understood authority and recognized Jesus' supreme authority over creation.
As we delved into this narrative, we confronted the question of worthiness. The Jewish leaders believed the centurion deserved Jesus' intervention due to his good deeds, but the centurion himself approached Jesus with a different attitude. He did not see himself as entitled to Jesus' help but rather approached with a posture of unworthiness and faith in Jesus' capability.
This story challenges us to examine our own perceptions of worthiness before God. Do we approach Him with a sense of entitlement, or do we come before Him in humility, fully aware of our unworthiness and wholly reliant on His grace?
Furthermore, we examined the nature of conviction. The centurion was utterly convinced of Jesus' ability to heal. His faith was not passive but active, reflecting a trust in Jesus' power and authority. This kind of faith is not about the quantity but the quality – a faith that is convinced that God can and therefore trusts Him in all circumstances.
Lastly, we pondered the depth of our amazement with Jesus. Do we take time to marvel at His compassion, power, authority, and goodness? Our faith grows stronger as we spend time in awe of who Jesus is and what He has done.
In conclusion, the centurion's faith was not based on his merit but on his recognition of Jesus' authority and his trust in Jesus' character. This is the essence of true faith – not a transactional relationship where we earn God's favor, but a relational trust in His goodness and power.
Key Takeaways:
1. True faith approaches God with humility, recognizing our unworthiness and relying solely on His grace. It is not our deeds or status that make us worthy of God's intervention, but His love and mercy towards us. This humility is the foundation of a faith that pleases God and acknowledges His sovereignty. [14:01]
2. Faith is not about earning God's responses through our righteousness but understanding His greatness and trusting in His goodness. A righteous person's prayers are powerful because they come from a heart aligned with God's will, not because of any perceived worthiness on our part. [13:13]
3. Being convinced of God's capabilities is crucial to having amazing faith. We must move beyond acknowledging that God can act to trusting that He will act according to His wisdom and goodness, even when outcomes are not as we expect. [17:19]
4. Our amazement with Jesus directly influences the strength of our faith. Regularly reflecting on His attributes – His compassion, authority, power, and goodness – can deepen our trust and awe in Him. [26:24]
5. Amazing faith is characterized by a willingness to trust God's wisdom and timing. Even when we do not understand His ways, we can be assured of His love and care for us, trusting that He works all things for our good. [21:47]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 7:1-10 - The story of the Roman centurion's faith and Jesus' amazement.
2. James 5:16 - "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
3. Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the Roman centurion's request to Jesus, and how did he express his faith? ([05:08])
2. How did the Jewish leaders describe the centurion to Jesus, and what was their reasoning for why Jesus should help him? ([03:49])
3. What was Jesus' reaction to the centurion's faith, and how did He respond? ([05:44])
4. According to the sermon, what are the two instances in the Gospels where Jesus is recorded as being amazed? ([06:24])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the centurion felt unworthy to have Jesus come to his home, despite his high status and good deeds? ([08:53])
2. How does the centurion's understanding of authority relate to his faith in Jesus' ability to heal? ([05:08])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between humility and faith? ([14:01])
4. How does the sermon explain the difference between knowing that God can act and trusting that He will act according to His wisdom and goodness? ([17:19])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own approach to God. Do you come with a sense of entitlement or with humility? How can you cultivate a more humble attitude in your prayers and requests to God? ([11:48])
2. The centurion was convinced of Jesus' authority and power. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to trust that God can and will act? How can you strengthen your conviction in God's capabilities? ([17:19])
3. The sermon mentioned the importance of being amazed by Jesus' attributes. How often do you take time to reflect on Jesus' compassion, power, authority, and goodness? What practical steps can you take to regularly marvel at who Jesus is? ([26:24])
4. Think about a situation in your life where you are waiting for God's intervention. How can you trust in His wisdom and timing, even if the outcome is not what you expect? ([21:47])
5. The centurion's faith was characterized by a recognition of his unworthiness and a trust in Jesus' character. How can you apply this understanding to your daily walk with God? ([14:01])
6. The sermon highlighted the difference between treating God like Santa Claus and having genuine faith. How can you shift your mindset from expecting God to fulfill your desires to trusting in His goodness and grace? ([12:32])
7. Identify one specific attribute of Jesus that you find most amazing. How can focusing on this attribute help you grow in your faith and trust in Him? ([26:24])
Devotional
Day 1: Humility Before God's Sovereignty
Humility is not merely a feeling; it is an acknowledgment of one's position before the Almighty. The centurion's story illustrates a profound understanding of this concept. He did not presume upon his own merits or good deeds to earn favor; instead, he approached Jesus with a sense of his own unworthiness. This humility is a recognition that it is not by human efforts that one is made right with God, but solely through His grace and mercy. In a world that often values self-sufficiency and personal achievement, this centurion's attitude stands in stark contrast, reminding believers that their worthiness is not a product of their own doing, but a gift from God. This humility is the bedrock upon which true faith is built, acknowledging God's sovereignty and our need for His grace. [14:01]
"Though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar." - Psalm 138:6
Reflection: How does your prayer life reflect an understanding of your position before God? Are there areas where you need to cultivate a deeper sense of humility?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Goodness
The essence of faith lies in understanding and trusting in the goodness of God, rather than attempting to earn His responses through our actions. The centurion's faith was commended not because of his deeds but because of his trust in Jesus' authority and willingness to help. This challenges believers to examine their own faith. Is it rooted in a transactional mindset, where one believes that good behavior obligates God to respond? Or is it a relational trust, recognizing that God's responses are grounded in His character and goodness, independent of human merit? This perspective shifts the focus from self to God, emphasizing His righteousness and the power of prayer that aligns with His will. [13:13]
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." - 2 Chronicles 16:9a
Reflection: Consider a recent prayer request. Have you approached it with a sense of entitlement or with a trust in God's goodness, regardless of the outcome?
Day 3: Conviction in God's Capabilities
Having faith in God is more than just believing He exists; it's being convinced of His capabilities and trusting that He will act according to His wisdom and goodness. The centurion's faith was not passive but active, reflecting a trust that Jesus had the power to heal even from a distance. This kind of conviction requires a believer to move beyond mere acknowledgment of God's abilities to a deep-seated trust that He will intervene in the best possible way, even when the outcomes are not as expected. This trust is not naive; it is rooted in an understanding of God's nature and His promises. [17:19]
"For nothing will be impossible with God." - Luke 1:37
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you struggle to trust in God's capabilities? How can you strengthen your conviction in His power and promises?
Day 4: Marveling at Jesus' Attributes
The strength of a believer's faith is directly influenced by their amazement with Jesus. Regular reflection on His attributes—His compassion, authority, power, and goodness—can deepen trust and awe. The centurion marveled at Jesus' authority, which bolstered his faith. Similarly, when believers take time to contemplate the fullness of who Jesus is and what He has done, their faith is nourished and grows stronger. This practice of marveling at Jesus' attributes is not just an intellectual exercise; it is a form of worship that aligns the heart with the truth of God's character. [26:24]
"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" - Romans 11:33
Reflection: How often do you take time to reflect on Jesus' attributes? Choose one attribute of Jesus to meditate on today, and consider how it impacts your faith.
Day 5: Trusting God's Wisdom and Timing
Amazing faith is characterized by a willingness to trust in God's wisdom and timing, even when His ways are beyond human understanding. The centurion trusted that Jesus knew best when and how to heal his servant. This trust is not passive resignation but an active reliance on God's love and care, with the assurance that He works all things for the good of those who love Him. Embracing this trust means accepting that God's plans may differ from one's own and that His timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with personal desires or expectations. [21:47]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD." - Isaiah 55:8
Reflection: Can you identify a situation where you need to relinquish control and trust in God's wisdom and timing? What practical steps can you take to surrender this situation to Him today?
Quotes
1) "Genuine faith is always preceded by humility that recognizes that we are undeserving and unworthy. This heart of humility does not demand that God answer our prayer in a certain way because he owes me, but rather trusts him to act out of his goodness and his grace." [14:01] (Download | )
2) "Amazing faith is simply being convinced that God can and because he can, I will trust him with my father-in-law and your kids and your health and that car situation and whatever surprise may pop up at you this week." [27:34] (Download | )
3) "I am convinced that he can, and so I will keep believing in his authority and his power. I will keep asking and I will keep trusting his wisdom. That's faith." [21:47] (Download | )
4) "Are you amazed by his compassion? Are you amazed by his power and authority? The more time I am spending just being amazed at Jesus, the stronger my faith seems to be." [26:24] (Download | )
5) "The difference between having amazing faith and a little bit of faith is not the quantity... Amazing faith is simply being convinced that God can and because he can, I will trust him." [27:34] (Download | )
6) "I know that Jesus can heal, I know that Jesus can provide, I know that Jesus can give me wisdom, I know that Jesus can protect me, but will he?... Amazing faith is convinced that Jesus can, and that's all I need to know to be able to trust him." [17:19] (Download | )
7) "I don't know when God will end the suffering of my father-in-law, but I am convinced that he can, and so I will keep asking and I will keep trusting his wisdom." [21:47] (Download | )
8) "Jesus still has that same compassion today. He still has that same compassion for you. When you hurt, he hurts with you; when you cry, he weeps with you; when you struggle, he struggles with you." [24:27] (Download | )
9) "Jesus has that same goodness today. He cares about you, he wants to be your savior and your friend, no matter what your past is or what your present might even be." [26:24] (Download | )
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