Revision as of 23:40, 9 April 2022

Theological Proposition/Focus: God is gracious to all people who trust in him and his grace is not dependent on any social status, family origin, or other rank.

Homiletical Proposition/Application: No matter who you are God is gracious, don't be content to just affirm your faith in God. Take Action based on that faith!

Introduction:

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Need: We need to be a church of real faith

Subject: Faith

Preview: In Luke 7:1-10 we are going to see that Real Faith is used when our backs are against a wall, involves a step of action, places the emphasis on Christ and yields real results.

Text: Luke 7:1-10.

Setting the Stage:

We have talked about the book of Luke already. The book of Luke seems to have been written to a Gentile audience and presents a historical account of Jesus. Luke is careful in his writing and appears to have included very carefully chosen important details. In chapters 4-9 Luke outlines the ministry of Jesus in Galilee and chapter 7 really appears to be about establishing the authority of Jesus. Verse 1 begins with the statement "to the people who were listening" Luke carefully recorded events from eyewitness accounts.

Body

In verses 1-2 we see that "When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die."

In this part of Jesus' ministry he set up camp in Capernaum which was a City of Galilee, which is only mentioned in the Gospels. The city was a sort of favorite of Jesus and in a sense almost an adopted hometown. The city was on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee (or Lake of Gennesaret). ^[1] The events that occur in Capernaum will show us that

Real Faith is used when your back is against the wall (1-2)

No amount of preparation, power, or authority can guarantee our well-being

The first thing key I see in the verses is that No amount of preparation, power, or authority can guarantee our well-being. A Roman Centurion was a military commander in charge of 100 soldiers. That is, this was someone of significance. As a Centurion this man would have had power and the ability to plan things out. However, no amount of power or planning could ensure the health and well-being of all he owned.

The entire situation is striking. Slaves were disposable, but not to this man. This man valued his workers and in this case valued the slave enough to act.

Image: The phrase Death and Taxes are the only sure thing

Very little in this world is a sure-thing

I don't believe any of you are military commanders with an entire unit at your command, but that doesn't mean that this doesn't apply to you. We live in a world where things change. What you have today may be there tomorrow it may not. Each of us live in a world where we may be called to show real faith at any point.

MTR: Prepare your heart to use Real Faith.

So how should we then act? Today I want to challenge you to prepare your heart for Real Faith. Even if life is good right now, take time to pray and ask God to give you faith. Practice faith in little things. Exercise your faith so that when life happens your first response is to act in faith instead of anything else.

Real Faith involves a step of action (3-5)

General optimism is not faith

Going to Jesus is critical

Image: I hoped you would just know (lack of communication)

MTR: Practice going to Jesus now.

Real Faith emphasizes Christ, not just an outcome (6-8)

In many ways, the miracle itself is just an afterthought.

The emphasis of Jesus' worth

The emphasis of Jesus' word

The de-emphasis of the need

MTR: Bring your petitions, emphasize Christ

Real Faith yields real results (9-10)

Jesus delights in real faith

Jesus blesses real faith

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MTR: Act in Real Faith, anticipate real results

Conclusion:

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1. ↑ Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Capernaum,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 415.