No Greater Faith

Base text: Matthew 8:5-13

I. Introduction
   A. Matthew 8:5-13
   B. We see a man of great faith, having the belief in the authority 
      of Christ and His ability to heal
   C. We can learn much from this man and the faith which helped his 
      servant

II. Understanding the Text
   A. The Centurion
      1. He is not a Jew!
      2. One of the "God-fearers," Gentiles who believed in the Lord 
         of Israel yet still maintaining their Gentile heritage
   B. He demonstrates the significant problems within the Jewish 
      community
      1. Here is a man who is not even a Jew and yet his faith is 
         greater than that of the Jews!
      2. Same type of commentary seen in Luke 10:30-37 with the 
         Good Samaritan
      3. Basis of commentary Jesus makes in verses 11-12
   C. Romans 11:17-24
      1. Removal of the Jews as the chosen people
      2. Grafting in of the  Gentiles
   D. What is amazing about this man?
   E. He understood authority
      1. He had figures above him (generals, emperor)
      2. He also had servants under him (the one who was ill)
      3. He understood how authority works
      4. He had confidence in the One who had authority!
   F. He respected Christ as the Authority
      1. Christ is Lord, God along with the Father (John 1:1)
      2. He had the power of God (John 17:2)
   G. He understood the power which Christ had
      1. The ability to heal
      2. The ability to forgive sins (Luke 5:24)
   H. He understood where Jesus received this power
      1. From His Father in Heaven (John 4:34)
   I. No Greater Faith
      1. The faith of the centurion made Christ marvel
      2. Not something Christ does often!
      3. We understand that marvelous faith represents placing belief 
         in the authority and power of God
   J. After all, all people have faith; it all depends on what you 
      place it
      1. In a man?
      2. In one's own understanding?
      3. Or in God and His Word?

III. Applications
   A. Do you recognize the authority of Jesus?
      1. Matthew 28:18-20
      2. Delegated in part to the Apostles in Acts 2 (Matthew 18:18)
      3. Do you look to Him for the authority by which you act?
      4. Do you do "all things in the name of the Lord," 
         (Colossians 3:17)?
   B. Do you walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7)?
      1. The centurion had great faith; he understood that Christ 
         could act without being present physically
      2. Hebrews 11:1: do you have a strong conviction?  Do you feel 
         the assurance of what you have not seen?
      3. Are you secure in what you believe?  If not, what must you 
         do to be secure?
      4. Study God's Word? (2 Timothy 2:15)
      5. Assemble with the saints, to learn and be edified? 
         (Hebrews 10:25)
      6. Is that faith based in the power of God (Romans 1:16)?
   C. Do you trust in the God of the New Testament?
      1. The Gospel which is the power of God?
      2. Have you placed your faith in philosophies or traditions 
         of men (Colossians 2:8)?
      3. Have your ears gone aside to tickling (2 Timothy 4:3-4)?
      4. Is your faith as a mustard seed (Luke 17:6-7)?
      5. Does it start small yet grow strong?
      6. Are you the good soil or will you wither away 
         (Matthew 13:3-8)?
   D. What are you doing to increase your faith?
      1. Does faith guide your life or does life guide your faith?
      2. Is God the #1 priority (Matthew 6:33)?  
      3. If not, why not?  
      4. Do you lay your troubles at His feet (1 Peter 5:7)?
      5. Complete trust demands it!
      6. Matthew 6:25-34: God will take care of you—let Him!

III. Conclusion
   A. The centurion's faith was great, due to his trust in the 
      authority and power of God
   B. Marvelous faith is complete belief in the authority and power 
      of God
   C. Do you have marvelous faith? 
   D. Let us all strive to be people who have such great faith in 
      God!
   E. Invitation/songbook