From Good to Great: The Power of Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the concept of taking our faith from good to great, inspired by the story of the centurion in Luke 7:1-10. The centurion, a non-Jewish man, demonstrated what Jesus called "great faith." Despite not being a part of the Jewish community, he believed in Jesus' power to heal his servant. This story teaches us that great faith is not about our worthiness but about our trust in Jesus' authority and word.
We began by acknowledging Jesus as the ultimate way maker, the one who opens doors we cannot open ourselves. We thanked Him for the faith that has brought us this far and asked for a bold, strong faith that pleases Him. We then delved into the seven levels of faith: the measure of faith, saving faith, genuine faith, little faith, unwavering faith, growing faith, and finally, great faith. Each level represents a deeper trust and reliance on God, moving from basic belief to a faith that can withstand trials and uncertainties.
The centurion's story illustrates that great faith believes in the works and will of Jesus, even when the answer is not what we expect. It trusts in Jesus' worthiness rather than our own and relies on His word to bring about change. The centurion sent Jewish elders to ask Jesus to heal his servant, but later sent friends to tell Jesus He didn't need to come; just His word would be enough. This act showed his deep trust in Jesus' authority and power.
We also discussed the importance of not letting our faith be tied to circumstances but to our belief in Jesus. Great faith asks for what we want but leaves the details to God, trusting Him to do what is best. This kind of faith is bold enough to ask, even when we feel unworthy, and it holds on to God's promises, knowing that His word will accomplish what He intends.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith Beyond Circumstances: Great faith is not tied to our circumstances but to our belief in Jesus. It asks for what we want but leaves the details to God, trusting Him to do what is best. This kind of faith is bold enough to ask, even when we feel unworthy, and it holds on to God's promises, knowing that His word will accomplish what He intends. [31:30]
2. Trust in Jesus' Authority: The centurion's faith was remarkable because he trusted in Jesus' authority and word. He believed that Jesus didn't need to be physically present to heal his servant; His word alone was enough. This teaches us to trust in the power of Jesus' word and authority in our lives. [36:00]
3. Faith and Love: Growing faith is closely tied to our ability to love others. As our love for others grows, so does our faith. This is often the hardest area to exercise our faith, especially when it involves forgiving and trusting people who have hurt us. [24:03]
4. Unwavering Faith: To overcome little faith, we need an unwavering faith that does not doubt. This kind of faith asks God for wisdom and believes without doubting, trusting that God will provide what we need. [21:49]
5. Faith in Action: Faith without works is dead. Our faith should be evident in our actions, showing that we trust God not just in words but in deeds. This means living out our faith daily, even in challenging situations, and trusting God to work through us. [27:17]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - Opening Prayer and Praise
[01:30] - Acknowledging Church Leaders
[03:07] - Personal Testimony and Vacation Experience
[05:18] - Importance of Rest and Vacation
[06:07] - Introduction to 50 Days of Faith Series
[07:01] - From Good to Great Faith
[07:50] - The Centurion's Great Faith
[09:16] - Reading Luke 7:1-10
[11:13] - The Centurion's Humility
[13:16] - Moving from Little Faith to Great Faith
[14:18] - Seven Levels of Faith
[19:05] - Overcoming Little Faith
[21:49] - Unwavering Faith
[24:03] - Growing Faith and Love
[27:17] - Great Faith in Action
[31:30] - Faith Beyond Circumstances
[36:00] - Trust in Jesus' Authority
[40:02] - Trusting Jesus to Make Us Look Good
[41:02] - Believing in Jesus' Worthiness
[46:48] - The Power of Jesus' Word
[49:19] - The Word Always Works
[50:10] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[52:37] - Invitation to Give and Announcements
[57:32] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Luke 7:1-10
- Hebrews 11:6
- James 1:5-8
### Observation Questions
1. What was the centurion's request to Jesus, and how did he demonstrate his faith? (Luke 7:1-10)
2. According to Hebrews 11:6, what is necessary to please God?
3. How does James describe the person who doubts when asking God for wisdom? (James 1:5-8)
4. In the sermon, what did the centurion believe about Jesus' authority and word? [11:13]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus was amazed by the centurion's faith, and what does this tell us about the nature of great faith? (Luke 7:1-10)
2. How does the concept of "unwavering faith" in James 1:5-8 relate to overcoming "little faith"? [21:49]
3. What does it mean to have faith that is not tied to circumstances but to belief in Jesus, as discussed in the sermon? [34:44]
4. How does the centurion's humility and acknowledgment of his unworthiness contribute to his demonstration of great faith? [41:02]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you asked God for something but received a different answer than expected. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [31:30]
2. The centurion trusted in Jesus' word without needing His physical presence. How can you cultivate a similar trust in Jesus' promises in your daily life? [11:45]
3. Think of a situation where you struggled with doubt. How can you develop an unwavering faith as described in James 1:5-8? [21:49]
4. The sermon mentioned that growing faith is closely tied to our ability to love others. Identify a relationship where you need to exercise more love and faith. What steps can you take to improve it? [24:03]
5. How can you ensure that your faith is not tied to your circumstances but to your belief in Jesus? What practical steps can you take to strengthen this kind of faith? [34:44]
6. The centurion's story shows that great faith involves humility and recognizing our unworthiness. How can you practice humility in your faith journey this week? [41:02]
7. Faith without works is dead. Identify one specific action you can take this week to demonstrate your faith in a tangible way. [27:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Beyond Circumstances
Great faith is not tied to our circumstances but to our belief in Jesus. It asks for what we want but leaves the details to God, trusting Him to do what is best. This kind of faith is bold enough to ask, even when we feel unworthy, and it holds on to God's promises, knowing that His word will accomplish what He intends. Great faith is about trusting in Jesus' authority and His ability to work in our lives, regardless of the situations we face. It is about believing that He knows what is best for us and will act according to His perfect will.
This kind of faith requires us to let go of our need to control every detail and to trust that God is in control. It means asking boldly for what we need and then stepping back to allow God to work in His way and in His time. It is a faith that is not shaken by the ups and downs of life but remains steadfast, knowing that God's promises are true and that He is faithful to fulfill them. [31:30]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are struggling to trust God. How can you let go of the need to control the outcome and trust that God will work it out for your good?
Day 2: Trust in Jesus' Authority
The centurion's faith was remarkable because he trusted in Jesus' authority and word. He believed that Jesus didn't need to be physically present to heal his servant; His word alone was enough. This teaches us to trust in the power of Jesus' word and authority in our lives. The centurion understood that Jesus had the authority to command healing, just as he had authority over his soldiers. This kind of faith recognizes that Jesus' power is not limited by physical presence or circumstances.
Trusting in Jesus' authority means believing that His word is powerful and effective. It means relying on His promises and trusting that what He says will come to pass. This kind of faith does not require physical evidence but rests on the assurance that Jesus' word is enough. It is a faith that takes Jesus at His word and believes in His power to bring about change in our lives. [36:00]
Matthew 8:8-10 (ESV): "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.'"
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust in Jesus' authority and word? How can you begin to rely more on His promises and less on physical evidence?
Day 3: Faith and Love
Growing faith is closely tied to our ability to love others. As our love for others grows, so does our faith. This is often the hardest area to exercise our faith, especially when it involves forgiving and trusting people who have hurt us. Love and faith are interconnected; as we grow in our love for others, our faith is strengthened. This is because love requires us to trust God to work in the lives of others and to believe that He can bring about reconciliation and healing.
Loving others, especially those who have wronged us, requires a deep trust in God's ability to change hearts and situations. It means believing that God can work through us to show His love to others, even when it is difficult. This kind of faith is not just about believing in God's power for ourselves but also for others. It is about trusting that God's love can transform lives and that He can use us as instruments of His love. [24:03]
1 John 4:20-21 (ESV): "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
Day 4: Unwavering Faith
To overcome little faith, we need an unwavering faith that does not doubt. This kind of faith asks God for wisdom and believes without doubting, trusting that God will provide what we need. Unwavering faith is steadfast and does not waver in the face of challenges or uncertainties. It is a faith that is rooted in the belief that God is faithful and that He will fulfill His promises.
Unwavering faith requires us to trust God completely, even when we do not understand His ways. It means believing that God is in control and that He will provide for us, even when the situation seems impossible. This kind of faith is not shaken by doubts or fears but remains firm, knowing that God is trustworthy and that He will come through for us. [21:49]
James 1:5-6 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: Faith in Action
Faith without works is dead. Our faith should be evident in our actions, showing that we trust God not just in words but in deeds. This means living out our faith daily, even in challenging situations, and trusting God to work through us. Faith in action is about putting our beliefs into practice and allowing our faith to guide our decisions and actions.
Living out our faith requires us to step out in obedience to God's word and to trust that He will work through us. It means being willing to take risks and to act on our faith, even when it is difficult. This kind of faith is not passive but active, demonstrating our trust in God through our actions. It is a faith that is visible to others and that brings glory to God. [27:17]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to demonstrate your faith in God? How can you live out your faith in a way that is visible to others?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Jesus taught us, amen, not only how to work, but how to rest. And there were very many times that he would just pull away, and he'd get away. He'd tell the disciples, y'all go this way, I'm going over here. And he would rest, and his mind relaxed, get back with the Father, amen, in prayer." [05:18]
2. "The measure of faith is given pretty much to everybody. Even people who don't know the Lord, who aren't believers, have a measure of faith. You can't get saved without faith. So God has put inside of the heart of everybody who is born a level of faith." [14:18]
3. "Great faith asks God for what you want, but leaves the when, the where, and the how up to him. Did you see that? The first group had him come to my house. He needs to do that Jesus thing. But then he says to the second group and says, no, no, tell him to stay where he's at, because I trust that he knows the when, the where, and the how." [36:35]
4. "How many of y'all believe the word's enough? Don't need a lot of attention, he says. I don't need a prayer cloth. I don't need oil on my head. I don't need a choir to sing. I don't need a preacher to preach. I don't need you to lay hands on me. I don't need, amen, to be in the building. I just need you to be right where you are and speak the word. I just need your word." [48:23]
5. "Be careful saying you came to church and you didn't get anything. Because there's always a word. Be careful when you say, I read the Bible and I ain't getting nothing from it. Because there's always a word. You always get a word. It may not work at that moment, but there's going to come a day. There's going to come a time that that word that you heard that did not have effect and take effect at that moment, it will come alive." [49:19]
### Quotes for Members
1. "The Bible says our faith goes from faith to faith and glory to glory. And what you don't want is to be at the same level you were when you first got saved. Y'all got any friends that's in their 40s and 50s and they still living in high school? I mean, everything they talk about their life, about the feats of their life, the great times of their life is all back in high school. They've not done anything in their 20s or their 30s to be able to celebrate. They are still stuck in their high school years. I don't want you to be stuck in the time that you got saved back in your 20s or your teens or your 30s or 40s. Whenever you got saved, you need to be moving in your faith. Your faith needs to be maturing and growing." [13:16]
2. "Great faith believes for a yes, but it's still holding on to Christ when it's a no. If he says no, do you still believe? I still believe even if he doesn't do what I want. Where are the people who say, God, I trust you, even if you do things a different way than I prayed? This centurion soldier, he's got great faith because he asked for a yes, but he's okay with a no." [33:26]
3. "Great faith is to know you're not worthy, but ask anyhow. Great faith is to know you're not worthy, but have the boldness and the assurance and the faith to know you stand before a true and living and gracious and forgiving God. When you come to him with humble, he'll exalt you in due season. Satan says, you're not worthy, so you can't ask. That's a lie. I'm not worthy, but I'm going to ask anyway, devil. I know I'm not worthy, but I'm going to ask for him to forgive us." [42:49]
4. "When love grows, faith grows. Say that with me. When love grows, faith grows. And we come to the final of my seven is great faith. You all have a measure of faith. Hopefully you've received saving faith, demonstrating genuine faith, dealing with your little faith to develop unwavering faith that will give you a growing faith so that you can have great faith." [26:21]
5. "The man shows great faith because he says, don't come to my house, just where you are, speak the word. How many of y'all believe the word's enough? Don't need a lot of attention, he says. I don't need a prayer cloth. I don't need oil on my head. I don't need a choir to sing. I don't need a preacher to preach. I don't need you to lay hands on me. I don't need, amen, to be in the building. I just need you to be right where you are and speak the word. I just need your word." [48:23]
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