Lesson #680

TEXT:  Matt. 8:5-13

INTRODUCTION:

A.      WAS THE CENTURION A GENTLE?

1.       “A centurion; he was a supplicant, a Gentile, a Roman, an officer of the army; probably commander-in-chief of that part of the Roman army which was quartered at Capernaum, and kept garrison there.” (Matthew Henry)

2.       Matt 8:10  “Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

B.      VALUABLE LESSONS FOUND IN THIS SHORT PASSAGE.

I.      CONCERN FOR SERVANT REFLECTS GOODNESS AND COMPASSION (vs. 5-7).

A.      PETER TEACHES US TO BE TENDERHEARTED (1 Pet. 8-9).

B.      MUST BE TRANSLATED INTO ACTION (1 John 3:16-18).

II.     HUMILITY AND FAITH JOINED IN THIS MAN(vs. 8).

A.      WE DARE NOT TRUST OUR OWN STRENGTH, WISDOM (1 Cor. 10:12;  Prov. 16:25).

B.      WE RELY ON HIM (Rom. 10:13;  James 4:10).

C.      A QUALITY LACKING AMONG THOSE WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER (vs. 10).

D.      Matthew 18:1-4.  AS LITTLE CHILDREN.

III.    AN UNDERSTANDING OF AUTHORITY (vs. 9).

A.      THE CENTURION SPEAKS AND THOSE UNDER HIM MOVE TO ACTION.

B.      JESUS IS LORD (Acts 2:36).

C.      INVOLVES AUTHORITY (Matt. 28:18;  Eph. 1:20-23)

D.      HIS AUTHORITY IS ABSOLUTE (Col. 3:17;  1 Pet. 4:10-11).

E.      THE NATURE OF HIS AUTHORITY IS LIMITING (2 John 9).

IV.   GENTILES AND JEWS –

A.      THE GENTILES HAVE ACCESS TO GOD (Acts 10:34-35).

B.      IN OLD TESTAMENT TIMES:

          1.       Gentiles - A law unto themselves (Rom. 2:14-15). 

                   a.       ignorant, no written code.

                   b.       conscience accusing and excusing them. ignorance OVERLOOKED.

          2.       Jews - Ignorance among the Jews their destruction (Hos. 4:6).

C.      IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES:

          1.       Ignorance no longer overlooked (Acts 17:30).

                   a.       Gospel proclaimed to all (Mark 16:15-16;  Col. 1:6,  23).

                   b.       What must they do (Acts 17:30) REPENT!! Why? (vs. 31).

          2.       Jews cut off.  Why? UNBELIEF! (Rom. 11:17-22).  What about the Gentile?

CONCLUSION:  TWO THOUGHTS

A.      THE NEED FOR FAITHFULNESS.

B.      THE GOSPEL IS FOR YOU.