A CAPTAIN WHO WON HIS DECORATION

LUKE 7:2

A. THE STORY OF THE CENTURION EMBODIES A NUMBER OF VITAL GOSPEL TRUTHS WORTHY OF OUR PRAYERFUL CONSIDERATION
  1. Its prominence in the Bible:
    1. Not because he was a Roman officer,
    2. Not because nobility was uncommon among such men,
    3. Not because he built a synagogue for the Jews,
    4. But because he possessed a faith lacking among God's people in Israel.
  2. That was the testimony of the Lord and Saviour of Israel: Matt. 8:10
  3. Such a faith will be lacking among modern Israel in the last days: Luke 18:8
B. LET US TAKE A CLOSER LOOK
  1. At the centurion:
    1. He was a man of great integrity and very high principles.
    2. These principles are revealed in his attitude toward his servant - Matt. 8:5, 6
    3. He was benevolent toward a good cause - Luke 7:5
    4. He was modest in his relationship to others - Matt. 8:8; Luke 7:6-8
  2. The quality of his faith:
    1. There was national prejudice to overcome - Acts 10:28
    2. Official pride could have hindered him from coming to Christ for a special favor - Matt. 8:8
    3. Lack of precedent might have kept him from appealing to Jesus.
    4. A deep sense of unworthiness was in the way - Luke 7:6, 7; Matt. 8:8
    5. He, by faith, surmounted all these and other difficulties.
    6. His faith centered in the Great Physician who never turns anyone away, if sincere in motive - John 6:36, 37
    7. Such a faith was very rare in Israel.
  3. Effects of the faith of the centurion:
    1. It secured the life of his servant - Matt. 8:13; Luke 7:10
    2. How many people live today because of our faith?
  4. Christ honors the childlike faith that takes hold of His grace: EXAMPLES -
    1. The touch of the hem of his garment by a woman - Matt. 9:20-22
    2. The cry of blind Bartimaeus - Mark 10:46-52
    3. The perseverance of a mother for the deliverance of her daughter - Matt. 15:28
C. A SPECIAL LESSON FOR US, LIVING AT THE VERY END OF TIME
  1. The faith of the centurion is a very strong reminder to us:
    1. That saving faith is not confined to members of the church.
    2. This fact has been demonstrated on many occasions in our ministry.
    3. That there are many unknown to us, who have a living faith in the power of God to save sinners.
  2. True and effective faith is not circumvented:
    1. By position - 2 Ki. 5:1-8
    2. By popularity.
    3. By prejudice or other obstacles.
  3. Living faith is:
    1. Christ-centered.
    2. It is humble and unassuming.
    3. Cannot be influenced by outward circumstances.
    4. It is ever venturesome.
    5. It is altogether unselfish.
    6. It never fails.
    7. It is the one power that can surmount mountains of difficulties; and it has in the past, and still does, move the heart of God.
    8. This faith manifested itself in the Captain, who won his decoration at a moment when it did the most good--the saving of a life.


Design © John Bryant 2011