April 12th, 2026 - Marvelous Faith - David Gilmore (9:00 AM)

Jesus’ interaction with the Roman centurion becomes a clear blueprint for living by faith: faith begins with humility, grows through the word, and proves itself in obedience. The centurion recognizes his unworthiness to host Jesus yet trusts Jesus’ authority to heal simply by a word; that trust stuns Jesus and becomes the model for faith that enters God’s kingdom. Humility here means acknowledging who Jesus is, not self-deprecation, and it opens the door for grace rather than reliance on works or status. Hearing the Word shapes belief—faith “comes by hearing” Scripture, and a steady practice of listening to God readies the heart for divine action. Obedience then demonstrates the reality of that faith; hearing without doing leaves faith inert, while immediate obedience releases God’s power.

Practical examples underline these truths. Financial decisions become a test of whether God or money governs devotion: giving firstfruits in scarcity revealed dependence on God more than a doctrine. Health crises function similarly; prolonged suffering pressed faith to its limits and exposed both vulnerability and trust. Biblical illustrations, from Abraham’s altar to the Hebrews’ roll call of faith, show God often asks for what is most dear to confirm hearts and to make provision that honors relationship over outcomes. The posture recommended is simple: identify what occupies the heart, confess it, lay it on the altar, and respond in faith to God’s prompting. The result is not formulaic reward but the enlargement of trust and the frequent, surprising provision and healing that follow true faith lived out.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Begin with a humble heart A humble heart recognizes Jesus’ authority and refuses to rely on personal merit or accomplishments. Humility is not self-loathing but a clear account of who God is and who the believer is before him; that clarity invites grace rather than entitlement. Humility prevents faith from becoming moral performance and aligns the will to ask rightly. [31:07]
• 2. Faith grows by hearing Scripture Faith forms when Scripture is regularly heard and digested, not merely sampled at convenience. Repetition and proximity to God’s word calibrate expectations, shape imagination, and prepare the soul to believe impossible promises. Hearing creates the categories by which life’s tests are interpreted. [39:26]
• 3. Obedience proves genuine belief Obedience moves faith from thought to action; it risks immediate loss to honor a long-term trust in God. Doing what God commands—even when outcomes are uncertain—reveals whether allegiance goes to God or to comfort, control, or money. Obedience invites God to act where human plans fail. [42:20]
• 4. Trials refine and reveal faith Tests—financial, relational, or physical—expose what a person truly loves and trust. God’s requests often demand the surrender of the thing most cherished so that reliance shifts from the gift to the Giver. Endurance through testing enlarges faith and frequently precedes provision or deeper restoration. [49:54]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [11:01] - Opening proclamation of hope
• [27:06] - A journey by faith to a new place
• [28:09] - Defining faith from Matthew 8
• [29:59] - Read: Centurion approaches Jesus
• [31:07] - Three marks of true faith
• [39:26] - Faith forms by hearing Scripture
• [42:20] - Obedience and the centurion’s result
• [49:54] - Seasons of testing and health trials
• [56:23] - Ordination and commissioning celebration

Bible Reading
*Matthew 8:5-13 (ESV)*
*When [Jesus] had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And [Jesus] 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. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 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.*

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Observation questions

1. What two specific actions did the centurion take to demonstrate his faith in Jesus’ authority?
2. How did Jesus respond to the centurion’s request, and what does this reveal about the relationship between faith and humility?
3. In the sermon example about tithing, what practical struggle did the speaker face when deciding to give “firstfruits,” and what happened when he chose obedience? [45:45]

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Interpretation questions

1. Why did Jesus marvel at the centurion’s faith, and how does this contrast with His reaction to unbelief in other parts of Scripture (e.g., Mark 6:6)?
2. The centurion compared his military chain of command to Jesus’ spiritual authority. How does this analogy help explain what it means to trust God’s Word without visible proof?
3. The sermon mentioned Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac as a test of faith. Why does God often ask people to surrender what they cherish most, and how does this deepen trust in Him? [53:37]

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Application questions

1. Where in your life are you tempted to rely on your own “worthiness” (e.g., achievements, reputation, or effort) instead of approaching God with humble dependence? What would it look like to shift that posture today?
2. The centurion’s faith grew through understanding authority. What area of your life (finances, health, relationships) do you struggle to believe God’s Word has final authority? How could daily Scripture engagement reshape that struggle? [39:26]
3. Reflect on a time when obedience to God’s Word required immediate action despite uncertainty. What fears arose, and how did God meet you in that risk?
4. The sermon described health crises as “tests that refine faith.” [49:54] What ongoing trial in your life could God be using to shift your reliance from outcomes to His character? How might you actively surrender that situation this week?
5. Identify one thing you’ve been “hiding” from God (e.g., a habit, fear, or idol). What practical step could you take to confess it and lay it “on the altar” as an act of faith? [54:54]