WHAT MAKES FAITH GREAT?

(Outline)
January 26, 2020 - Epiphany 3 - MATTHEW 8:5-13 (LUKE 7:1-10)

INTRO.: Scripture gives us the definition for faith. "Faith is being sure about what we hope for, be-
ing convinced about things we do not see” (HEBREWS 11:1). We do not see heaven. We are con-
vinced heaven exists as the perfect place for all believers. Faith. Forgiveness is not physically ob-
served. Faith assures us that our loving, heavenly Father forgives all our sins through the blood of
Christ Jesus, our Savior. Today’s text teaches us about a great faith. We prayerfully consider the
question: WHAT MAKES FAITH GREAT? I. It is not self-centered. II. Faith is Christ centered.

I. GREAT FAITH IS NOT SELF-CENTERED

A. Verse 5. A centurion approached Jesus for help. Centurion was a Roman soldier.
1. Centurions had at least 100 men under their command.
2. Strange that a powerful, Roman centurion sought out Jesus. Usually not too friendly.
B. Verse 6. Centurion called Jesus Lord. Uncommon greeting. Centurion believed in Jesus.
1. The centurion pleads for his suffering servant. Not for himself. Uncommon concern.
2. The faith of this centurion was not self-centered. His faith centered on needs of others.
C. Verse 7. “Jesus said, ‘I will come and heal him.’” Immediate answer to centurion’s prayer.
1. Verse 8a. “The centurion answered, ‘Lord, I am not worthy for you to come under my roof.’”
2. Uncommon confession. Romans felt they were far more important than Jewish nation.

D. What makes faith great? Great faith is not self-centered. Great faith recognizes how unworthy
we are as sinners. Our sins deserve eternal punishment. Our wickedness condemns us. Day after
day. Year after year. Generation upon generation. When we honestly look at ourselves we see a
life filled with wickedness, rebellion, and sin. Against the Lord God of Armies. Our loving, heav-
enly Father still shows us mercy, his beloved children. Esau wanted to kill his twin brother Jacob.
Jacob fled for his life. Used a rock for a pillow. Years later Jacob returns with sons, herds, and
flocks. He confessed: “I am not worthy of even a bit of all the mercy and all the faithfulness that you have
shown to your servant, for I crossed over this Jordan with just my staff, and now I have grown into two camps"
(GENESIS 32:10). We also confess we are not worthy “of even a bit of…mercy and…faithfulness”.
God showers his love upon us. Shows us great mercy. Perfect faithfulness. Gives us great faith.

E. Our world is a challenging place. Society praises and honors those who seek praise and honor.
Our sinful nature likes to receive the praise of others. We want others to notice all the good things
we do. “Look at me! See how great I am!” Such self-centeredness is not a characteristic of faith that is
great. Who of us has done so much good that the Lord needs to repay us? No one. In fact Jesus
teaches: "So also you, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We
have only done what we were supposed to do’" (LUKE 17:10). All of our boasting confirms we are un-
worthy servants. We are unworthy sinners saved only by the power of God’s grace.

F. We know what the world wants. The world wants us to abandon everything good and godly.
The world offers so much that is not good. Not godly. How often we find ourselves led astray by
the things of this life we can see and feel and touch. Or how often we place our confidence in others.
Or worse, ourselves. “This is what the LORD says. Cursed is anyone who trusts in mankind, who seeks his
strength from human flesh, and who turns his heart away from the LORD" (JEREMIAH 17:5). Any trust in
worldly things turns our hearts away from the Lord. Thankfully the Lord turns us back to him.

WHAT MAKES FAITH GREAT? Great faith is not self-centered.

II. GREAT FAITH IS CHRIST CENTERED.
A. Verse 8. Centurion confessed unworthiness. Knew Jesus could speak the word. It will be done.
1. Verse 9. “I am also a man under authority…” When centurion spoke a word. It was done.
2. Centurion knew Jesus’ authority was ultimate authority. Whatever he speaks it is done.
B. Verse 10. Jesus marveled at centurion’s faith. Jesus found none greater in Israel. A convert!
1. Verse 11. Jesus pointed out that many would come from many nations to enjoy heaven.
2. Verse 12. Warned Israel not to put their faith in anything centered on a worldly kingdom
a. Israel boasted children of Abraham. b. Needed to believe were children of God.
C. Verse 13. “Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go’”. There it was. Jesus spoke the word. Healing done.
1. The centurion’s great faith did not center on himself. It was all about Jesus. And others.
2. The servant was healed that very hour. The very hour of Jesus’ word, “Go.”

D. The centurion had faith the fully focused on Christ. Christ alone. Briefly we want to review the
Christian faith. Some speak about strong faith and weak faith. Such terms are not really accurate.
Saving faith is saving faith. Anyone who believes Jesus lived, died, and rose again for the full pay-
ment of sins has saving faith. It is neither weak nor strong. Saving faith is a great faith. Saves us
from eternal destruction. Freely delivers us into eternal joy in the presence of Jesus. It might be bet-
ter to describe faith as young or mature. We grow in our Christian faith every time we expose our-
selves to the Lord’s living, active, and powerful Word. We can ask the Lord to help us grow in our
faith. “’If you can?’ Jesus said to him. ‘All things are possible for the one who believes.’ The child’s father im-
mediately cried out and said with tears, ‘I do believe. Help me with my unbelief!’" (MARK 9:23, 24). We
ask the Lord to chase away our doubts. Ask God to help us mature in faith and understanding.

E. Our young faith or maturing faith is faith that is great. Christian faith is great because it is sav-
ing faith. What does that mean for us? Everything. We are comforted in this life knowing that the
Lord God of Armies is in complete control of everything in this life. Our loving, heavenly Father
works everything out for the good of believers. Whether we think so or not. Our faith gives us great
strength, joy, hope… “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not see him now, yet by
believing in him, you are filled with a joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, because you are receiving the
goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 PETER 1:8, 9). God loves us. Great saving faith!

F. Again and again it is vitally important to remember that faith that is great is NOT self-centered.
How hard this can be to remember. Our world teaches just the opposite. Paul reminds us we are the
worst of sinners. Our only hope is Christ. Our only help is Jesus. Our only eternal salvation is
made possible by the blood of Jesus. A short part of a prayer from Paul: “…and be found in him, not
having a righteousness of my own, which comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the
righteousness that comes from God by faith” (PHILLIPIANS 3:9). Great faith looks to Christ alone.

CONC.: Great faith does not center on us. Or any human. Great faith centers on Christ. Christ
alone. Always. "…everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has over-
come the world: our faith” (1 JOHN 5:4). WHAT MAKES FAITH GREAT? God the Father who
created all things. God the Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, who pays for all sins. God the Holy Spirit
who creates saving faith our hearts. By God’s grace you have saving faith that is great. Amen.
Pastor Timm O. Meyer

EPIPHANY 3 rdgs.: ISAIAH 9:1-4; 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10-17; MATT. 4:12-23; (PSALM 27)
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