Absolute Authority Luke 7:1-10

For the men who have served and have given their life that you and I have freedom to worship and we just want to give praise to the Lord for the country that he has given to us and We need to stop and pause and just thank the Lord For the country that he has given to us.

We all have a lot of complaints But we need to remember that the Lord has still given us freedom. We need that and as I read the scripture He says pray for peace when you have leaders and your pray and pray for peace and so we need to do that as a country and We just thank the Lord for that.

Just a few announcements. Tonight at 6 we have our regular prayer meeting come and join us at that time and Also for the men if you have your bulletin in front of you, we have a men's breakfast and Bible study this coming Saturday at 9.

So.

You come and join and all men we'd like you to come out and we have a time of study at that time. So Dexter is going to be giving the study this Saturday and we look forward to that time. Also if you notice in your bulletin a couple weeks off there is pastor is starting a summer Bible study Friday June the 16th at 5 30 and they're going to begin and go through the book of Hebrews.

So put that on your calendar. It's a couple of weeks away also, if you here are here early enough and if you're watching the Announcements as they go by on the board. We've started again putting up our missionaries because we were a little lax and keeping our missionaries in front of you.

And for this month is Ellie Dries Inge our missionary in Brazil. She teaches the ladies. She teaches young people she also has a big burden of taking care of the finances on the field of Brazil for the Organization the mission the organization that they have so we want to remember Ellie Dries Inge.

I Thought there's one other thing. I would mention to you one of our other missionaries Jim and Joan Hanson are down in the LA area and they have a Mission where they house deaf and deaf blind individuals and They've been here and shared their ministry with us.

People cannot hear they cannot see so, how do you talk to them and We it's very interesting. They a lot of times have different ways of Hand signing they write on their hands. It's one of the ways they have a typing machine where if the person can hold their fingers in there.

And then they can type and they can understand and they can respond and so forth. And there's about three or four or five different ways that they have ministered. Well, this ministry has gone on for over 50 years and it's really they have rooms for these people.

Intrigued me is this when somebody rings their doorbell? How do they hear? You know, well some of them have a fan. So when the fan goes on they know somebody's at the door. So I'm just saying there's something like that, but in saying all that They have decided and the mission has decided to close the ministry down, but they have these people there and they're placing them in other facilities so you need to uphold the Hanson's as you think about them in prayer also and It's a ministry 24 hours a day.

They do the shopping for them, you know, they look after him. But there's other facilities around the country not just in California and in their last newsletter. They said there's a place that's similar in New Mexico that has taken several of their people.

And so pray for these people as they have to trance for out and look for places to stay. They have a church there in the facility with them and they they talk with them individually and so forth. It's quite a ministry.

So let's just go to word to the Lord in prayer as we open up this morning Heavenly Father we come to you this day. Thanking you for the many blessings that we have to honor and glorify you. We thank you Lord that you've given us a country where we do have the freedom to come together and Assemble and to worship you we thank you for all that have come out today.

We pray Heavenly Father that. It'll be a special day in each of our hearts as we listen to your word as we praise you in song. We pray Heavenly Father that is when we go we'll realize it's been great to be here today Lord.

And we would thank you for it. We think of The missionaries that we have just mentioned we think of Ellie Dries and gunner ministry there in Brazil today. We uphold her before you continue to give her the strength and the wisdom that she needs to carry out her duties and To do it in an honor and pleasing you and we would thank you for that.

And we think of Jim and Joan Hanson and the ministry that they have there in the LA area with the deaf and the deaf-blind. Such a tough ministry Lord, and they have worked for many many years at it. Yeah, and we would ask Oh Heavenly Father that you would help even as the individuals have to move out and find new Locations that you would go before each one of these individuals and we would thank you for it.

Now we pray for pastor as he brings your word today. Pray that you would give him liberty to speak the things you've laid on his heart. Speak to each of our hearts Lord through your word and we'll thank you and pray in Jesus name.

Amen.

And stand fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again in the yoke of bondage. We who are of the family of Jesus our God are free and let's stand and sing.

This morning's Christian reading is from Romans chapter 1.

Romans chapter 1 verse 11 through 15. For I long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift so that you may be established. That is that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Now I do not want you to be unaware brethren that I often plan to come to you but was hindered until now. That I might have some fruit among you also just as among the other Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians both to wise and to unwise.

So as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

Let's continue to sing to our Heavenly Father, please stand I.

Would like to mention that we are celebrating.

Memorial Day this Monday and It's important to remember the sacrifices that our fallen soldiers have made to Protect this country protect the future generation from the forces of tyranny and We're blessed Even today to be able to worship the Lord freely and to Hear his word this morning together.

The Centurion's Faith and Jesus' Absolute Authority in Luke 7:1-10

Now I would like us to turn to Luke chapter 7 verses 1 through 10. Chapter 7 verses 1 through 10. Now when he concluded all his sayings in the hearing of the people he entered Capernaum and A certain centurions servant who was dear to him was sick and ready to die.

So when he heard about Jesus He sent elders of the Jews to him pleading with him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly saying that the one for whom he should do this was deserving.

For he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with him and When he was already not far from the house the centurion sent friends to him saying to him Lord do not trouble yourself.

For I am NOT worthy that you should enter my under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to you. But say the word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority Having soldiers under me and I say to one go and he goes and to another come and he comes and To my servant do this and he does it.

When Jesus heard these things he marveled at him and Turned around and said to the crowd that followed him. I say to you I have not found such great faith not even in Israel and Those who went were sent returning to the house found the servant well who had been sick.

Let us pray. Father we're thankful that you are in control and that your son has the authority to restore all things. Father thank you that Jesus Has restored and will fully restore the whole world From sin and the effects of sin because he died for us on the cross and father we pray that as we Even remember the sacrifices of the fallen soldiers Tomorrow this weekend that we would also remember the sacrifice that Christ had Given in order that we may live.

Father we pray that your spirit would work in all of our hearts to hear your word and that We would be transformed by the preaching of the word in Jesus name.

Man.

This story this passage comes right after the Sermon on the Mount and as we recall the Sermon on the Mount detailed how Jesus kingdom is different from the existing kingdom whether it's Rome Babylon, it was a complete reversal of its values and ethics not only that this Sermon on the Mount the Sermon on the Mount showed.

What is the reality for the new covenant people. And For us who are not used to the term covenant Covenant is a treaty a promise that God would make with his people in order to form a relationship for covenant.

For a covenant between God and his people it required Faithfulness an obedient response from the people and the gracious deliverance from God in the majority of the Old Testament. Operated under what we call the Old Covenant the Mosaic Covenant the covenant that was instituted by God between him and the nation of Israel and the Old Covenant was very unique in a way that It separated Israel from all the other nations it made Israel a special possession for the Lord and because of that the laws of Israel made Israel stand out and We when we think of the law Our eyes glaze over and we think about bacon and shrimp that we cannot eat.

But that's that wasn't the purpose of the law. The purpose of the law was to set apart Israel so that people around Israel would take note and see wow Israel is so blessed. I wonder why and the answer of course would be because they worship the one true God.

All the laws that they kept or were supposed to keep Reminded even taught people all around the nations around the Lord is really holy. Right the dietary laws for Israel was not to oppress them in any way.

It was to show how God's people and therefore their God whom they worship is so Distanced from even a reminder of death right shrimp pigs those were Animals that normally eat flesh dead flesh and what it showed the Israelites and also the surrounding nations would be.

They worship a God of life they stay away from anything that's close to death and So on their their moral code was pure right they they treated slaves like humans. They were sexually pure. They did not commit all these barbaric horrendous practices of the pagan nations around them.

That's how the Old Covenant worked. It was centered around the nation of Israel and the whole nation's main interaction with God was indirect that they would see and Experience the goodness and holiness of the Lord.

Through.

Israel now. What's surprising is right after the sermon that? Explained and proclaimed the ethics and the values of the new covenant a different covenant there is a Gentile centurion who is the focus of the passage and Remember under the Old Covenant the Gentiles.

The Gentiles are just a broad name for anyone else who are not Jews.

You me.

We're all Gentiles unless you can say that you're ethnically Jewish. So under the Old Covenant the Gentiles were vastly left out. They did not belong to God because they were not a part of God's people Unless they converted to Judaism.

The vast majority of them, of course did not. They rebelled against God continuously they worshiped false gods and Unless you became a Jew a Gentile had no place at the table. They had really No dealings with God.

But what this passage shows is.

A.

Gentile soldier who trusts in the Lord. Even though he has not seen him. And not only that. Jesus praises his faith. That would have been almost unheard of in ancient Israel. Maybe a priest might have been praised for his faith.

A prophet. A Levite. Even any other Jew from any other tribe. But a Roman soldier. And this passage foreshadows what the New Covenant people will look like. The New Covenant people under Jesus Christ.

When he inaugurates his covenant through his blood. His people will be reconciled and restored together. As one people. No matter their background socioeconomic background ethnic background. They will be one people under the New Covenant in Christ.

And This is important today because even in the early church the distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles Was clear and it lingered. One of the main problems met. One of the main Obstacles for the early church was the question of.

Do the Gentiles convert to Judaism first? in order to know God. Or do they suddenly become God's people as the church? Without having to follow all the Jewish customs and laws. And this passage Foreshadows that in fact the Gentiles will be included as God's people without any distinction from the Jews.

The main point of this passage is that we humbly reach out to Christ to be restored and reconciled together. Because we trust Christ superior authority. We humbly reach out to Christ to be restored and reconciled together.

Because we trust Christ superior authority.

Faith in Christ That Restores and Reconciles Across Backgrounds

First.

Regardless of our background. We faithfully reach out to Christ for restoration who reconciles us. Regardless of our background. We faithfully reach out to Christ for restoration who reconciles us. Now right after Jesus sermon about his kingdom We meet our first example of faith in Capernaum.

Now when he concluded all his sayings in the hearing of the people he entered Capernaum.

Luke.

Emphasizes the temporal context of this miraculous account. It is after Jesus sermon Regarding his kingdom and the new covenant. And there's a reason for this narrative's placement right after the sermon.

It's to make a point. What example of faith will you see in Christ's new covenant people? Geographically this happens in Capernaum. It's the northern part of the Sea of Galilee. Now verse 2 tells us why this account is unique and.

A certain centurion servant who was dear to him was sick and ready to die. The main problem the main conflict that shows up is that a centurion a Roman commander in charge of 100 Soldiers. Right century.

We get that from the Roman word, right? 100. The centurion is in charge of 100 soldiers.

Now.

What Luke does is he chooses a story with a Gentile soldier? To give us a glimpse of what a faithful response to Jesus looks like. This is astounding because all throughout the Old Testament Most men and women of faith were ethnic Jews.

However, we have a plot twist in God's redemptive history. When the Messiah and his kingdom Came to the world one of the first faithful seekers is not a priest. Not a Levite. Not even a Jew but a Gentile soldier.

There is something drastically different about the new covenant in Christ than the old covenant and His reason for seeking Jesus is that his servant who is dear to him is sick. And this tells us what kind of man the soldier is.

First he is a compassionate commander. He cares for his the way he is he cares for his that for the health of his servant. So much that he goes through all the trouble to seek Christ and bring him to heal him.

Second. It also tells us the centurions view of Jesus. He obviously believes that Jesus is capable of healing. He has faith in Jesus ability to restore despite never having seen Jesus in real life. He's probably heard about him.

But to him that's enough. He believes what Jesus is capable of from the reports he's heard.

In.

Fact his stellar character is not just a private matter as some elders of the Jews lobby on behalf of this centurion. Verse 3. So when he heard about Jesus he sent elders of the Jews to him pleading with him to come and heal his servant.

And When they came to Jesus they begged him earnestly Saying that the one for whom he should do this was deserving. For he loves our nation and he has built us a synagogue. This is a testament to the centurions public character.

Even the Jewish community leaders earnestly vouch for him He is deserving. Not that anyone can deserve God's God's grace. You can't earn God's grace. But what these elders are proclaiming here is that this centurion is not like any other Gentile.

He's special. He's extraordinary. This Gentile is distinguished. He cares about us not only in word.

But through action.

He built us a synagogue. He built us a place of worship. He cares about our well-being. Even though he's not one of us. Please come and see what you can do. He is genuinely affectionate toward God's people.

Please come heal his servant. And this is a unique sight. Because normally Jews and Gentiles did not get along. It was a judgment of God oftentimes in the Old Testament that a Gentile nation conquers Israel.

It was a it was the ultimate judgment in the Old Testament when a Gentile nation called Babylon took away the Jews from Israel an exile. They did not have the best of relationships and especially considering the fact that this is a Roman centurion Rome was the occupying empire of the land of Israel at this time.

They were not in the friendliest terms. In fact Jews did not even eat with the Gentile because that would make them unclean and.

And.

This separation between Jews and Gentile has been really the case for since Genesis 12 when God distinguished Abraham and his lineage through Isaac and Jacob as his own people hence the rest of the world the Gentiles Were pagans they worshipped false gods and demons.

They sacrificed their children. They practiced perversion in the temple and the Jews were the only true believers. Worshipping the Lord the true God. Now here and there a few Gentiles in the Old Testament all came to faith and Started worshiping the true God the Lord.

However Under the Old Covenant They had to convert to Judaism. They had to become Jews. Under the Old Covenant the distinction between the Jews and Gentiles were always very clear. However upon the coming of Christ we see a glimpse of Reconciliation between the two major groups of people.

Jewish leaders getting along with a Roman centurion a Gentile soldier who takes care of the Jewish people. What does this tell us about Christ's New Covenant community? This foreshadows as distinguishing characteristic of the New Covenant a type of relationship God's people have with God under Christ.

The New Covenant people are no longer separated by their bloodlines but united by faith in Jesus who shed his blood on their behalf. Ephesians 2 13 through 14 make it clear as Paul is addressing the Gentiles.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. You in this case are the Gentiles. You guys were far away. You guys were distanced, but how are they brought near by the shedding of the blood of Christ?

For he himself is our peace. Who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of separation? There's this double meaning for a peace when Christ died for the sin of his people.

He.

Established peace between his people and God because God does not Get along with sinners. God does not condone sin that would make him unjust. But when Christ died for our sin He established peace between God and us.

But in another sense in Ephesians 2 14 the wall of separation is between the Jews and the Gentiles. When the Gentiles were grafted in to God's people under the New Covenant That separation that made the Jews Distinct because they worship the one true God that wall crumbled that wall was torn down by Christ's sacrifice on the cross and that Established peace between the Gentiles and the Jews.

This passage even before the cross foreshadows the glorious reconciliation of all people worshiping the one true God. At Christ's expense. On the cross Christ purchased peace for his people. And that even includes the Gentiles.

That includes the former pagans the dirty rejected Gentiles who were outside the walls of Jerusalem Who had no business? Entering the temple. Who would have been killed if they had set their foot on the temple can now experience The Lord God Almighty.

Themselves personally and Not only that. They're united.

With.

Those who were of Jewish origin who have been worshiping the one true God all of that Because of Christ who died on the cross for our sin. Now, this has a huge implication Because Christ has united the two Most separate groups of people the Jews and the Gentiles through his blood.

The church Has no business adopting any ideologies that separate God's people in any other way. This means the church must not accept and Outright reject Any other any ideologies that divide the body of Christ along any lines? whether racial or socioeconomic.

One of the most popular examples is critical race theory and the myth of white privilege which attempts to divide a group of people based upon material possession and they attribute it to the color of the skin.

What it does is it separates God's people into various skin colors and their socio-economic backgrounds. The perversity of this is That men's doctrines attempt to divide The church which Christ has united through the shedding of his blood.

That is astounding that anyone would dare to divide God's people Along the socio-economic or ethnic backgrounds When Christ had shed his blood to unite them once and for all that is what we call a rebellion Against the Lord.

It's a direct opposition of God's plan for his people. That means The New Covenant people must not operate on such wicked doctrines The New Covenant people even if the world divides itself along those lines and they'll draw lines everywhere.

Gender sexuality.

Age.

Name it the New Covenant people. However must stand firmly together in what Christ has accomplished for us on the cross to make himself a united reconciled people. This means brothers and sisters you have a Deeper connection in relationship with a brother or sister of a different background whether ethnic or economic or social.

Than your own biological family member of a different religion you're closer and You will be spending all eternity with a brother or sister who comes from a very different Historical background. Skin color wealth.

Name it. You have more in common with them. You're closer to them Than your own biological family if your biological family is not saved. That's the reality we live in and that reality has been purchased by Christ and This centurion foreshadows That unification of the Gentile and the Jews even before the cross.

Christ's Superior Authority and the Centurion's Humble Faith

Second, how do we reach out to Christ? Regardless of our background we humbly reach out to Christ because we trust in Jesus superior authority. Regardless of our background we humbly reach out to Christ because we trust in Jesus superior authority.

Verse 6. Then Jesus went with them. Jesus did not ask questions. Jesus did not place any conditions. When he heard the desperate situation of A man despite his Gentile like background Jesus warmly went.

Jesus compassion has no ethnic limits. He will approach anyone who calls out to him. Despite their background and before Jesus even arrives a different group approaches him a new set of lobbyists and When he was already not far from the house.

The centurion sent his friends to him saying to him Lord do not trouble yourself. For I am NOT worthy that you should enter my under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to you but say the word and my servant will be healed.

Here we actually find out why the centurion did not directly come to meet Jesus in the beginning. The centurion did not think himself competent enough to stand before someone like Jesus. The centurion knew he did not deserve to host Jesus and This unexpected request for Jesus to not come into his house further reveals the death of this man's faith.

He believes that Jesus is able to heal even from a distance. There's no need for Jesus to even see the sick man. There is no need for Jesus to even touch the sick man. The report has been he's been touching lepers.

He's been touching the sick. But the centurion believes he doesn't even need to do that. His authority is that much greater now. Repeatedly the centurion here emphasizes his insufficiency to even stand before Jesus.

It's an ironic Comparison of how others view him. Remember what the elders of the Jews said he's a deserving man, but this centurion views himself Incompetent to host someone like Jesus. How dare I stand before someone like Jesus?

I Can't host him. It's not that the centurion was poor. He was actually wealthier than most of the Roman soldiers. But he could not bear to see himself. Stand before like a figure like Jesus. So he just says.

But say the word and my servant will be healed. The centurion shows true humility. He has a correct view of himself as inadequate to stand before Christ. He doesn't deserve audience with Christ. This is much different.

From the arrogance you might hear from unbelievers wife Christ is real. Why doesn't he just show up? Why doesn't he just come in front of me. The centurion in his faith did not even think that a possibility.

That Christ would physically show up to him.

Yet.

He had the authority to restore even from a distance. Now verse 8 illustrates the centurions humble mindset. For I also am a man placed under authority having soldiers under me and I say to one go and he goes and to another come and he comes and To my servant do this and he does it.

The centurion compares the application of authority from looking at his own life as. A man under authority and also a man who bears of who wields authority himself. The centurion illustrates Jesus superior authority.

By depicting his relatively small authority to Jesus Vast authority the centurion reveals how much greater Jesus authority must be. That he could heal just by saying the word if the centurion in his limited knowledge in his limited military authority Can accomplish his will through commands?

How much more so can Jesus accomplish through his words in his supreme authority? That's the argument here. Hence, the centurion has no problem requesting Jesus to just say the word. He trusts in Jesus authority.

And verses 9 to 10 show Jesus response to the centurions faith. When Jesus heard these things he marveled at him and turned around and said to the crowd that followed him I say to you I have not found such great faith.

Not even in Israel Jesus responds to the centurions faith with amazement. There are only twice in the New Testament in which Jesus responds with amazement and to an individual here and Then in Mark 6 where Jesus is amazed by someone's unbelief.

People's unbelief and what this is saying. God incarnate is struck with wonder by the faith of this foreign soldier. In fact, he praises his faith as greater than anywhere in Israel. Remember Israel was supposed to be the hub of the faithful.

They are the ones who have the revelation of God. They have the temple of the true God. They have the law and the prophets. They have the true priesthood.

Yet.

This centurions faith in the Messiah Christ Trump's all of theirs. That really opens up what it means about Jesus authority all of a sudden it's One's relationship with God is centered around Christ His authority.

And of course, this is a high praise to the centurion. This Gentile man has a deeper dependence of Christ's capabilities than anyone in Israel. In another word the ethnic background of this man did not disqualify him from trusting Christ Whom the one true God has sent.

And verse 10 tells us for anyone who is curious. The servant is indeed healed by Jesus. And Those who were sent returning to the house found the servant well who had been sick. This brief comment in verse 10 shows us that the servant was indeed healed as the centurion believed.

And It is a comfort to us knowing that we trust the same Jesus Who can restore even though he is physically absent. That servant never saw Jesus. Jesus just had to say the word. And when we consider the whole passage The focus of this passage, however is not on the healing miracle at all.

That gets one verse out of ten. The focus is on the faith of this foreign soldier. This Roman soldier, although a Gentile is highly regarded has highly regarded Christ and humbly trusted in Christ's authority to restore.

That's.

The sample of What the New Covenant people will look like now this morning? Luke shows us Exactly that a sample of the proper posture when coming to Christ. By humbling trusting humbly trusting in Christ.

Authority. The centurion did not have to interview Jesus. You and I we might interview our doctors before going on a major Operation. After all don't we want the best of the best? No, the centurion did not have to interview Jesus.

He did not even have to see Jesus previous miracles. Maybe it would have been nice. Hey Jesus, there's a sick person Right here. Could you heal him? And then I might be able to believe I might be able to believe that you can heal my servant.

He's really sick. He's deathly ill. I don't know. I might lose him, but I just want to make sure.

No.

The centurion trusted Christ to have a higher authority and He humbly requested that Christ may restore his servant. And this passage occurred When the centurion did not even have a full grasp of who Jesus is.

In his finite limited knowledge of who Christ is the centurion humbly trusted Christ to restore his servant. Just by his word this morning. We stand on the other side of the cross in Which we actually know who Christ is.

We have a clearer picture of who Christ is much better than what the centurion was given. I don't know. What's it the centurion thought of Jesus when he heard the report? But we know that Jesus is the risen Lord.

Whose defeat is sin and death once and for all? He's God incarnate. I Don't know what authority how big of an authority that the centurion believed that Jesus must had. But we know what kind of authority Jesus has all authority.

He says it himself. Right. Matthew 28 all authority has been given to me. Now if she if the centurion could believe just from the reports of Jesus early ministry. He can heal my servant just by saying the word.

How much more can Christ restore us from sin when he has paid it all on the cross? And risen from the dead. The question we have to ask this morning is who has more authority in your heart your sin or Jesus.

Do we believe Jesus has full authority? Just as the centurion believed that Jesus had the authority to heal completely even from a distance. Do we believe that Jesus can? Free us from any sin. Because he has full authority even though He may not be physically present with us can the frequency and intensity of your sin.

Even make a dent on Christ's power and authority over sin the deciding victory over sin was on the cross and the absolute authority over death Was proclaimed on the cross. It is finished. We must humbly recognize Jesus higher authority and trust him for full restoration.

When your sinful flesh tempts you to look how powerful your sin is. Oh No, you've done it again. Oh No, you're enslaved. You're not truly free. Look toward your Savior by whose authority he destroyed sin and death altogether nailing them on the cross and Triumphed over death when he rose on the third day, let us pray father.

We're thankful for Christ's authority. Not over just our lives but over the whole world. We're thankful that he has full authority over our sin. That there is no sin that is too powerful for Christ to handle.

There is no sin that is too gross for Christ to approach and heal us completely. Help us to have this kind of faith as the centurion did but even more because we know more Than what the centurion was given.

We ask that the Holy Spirit would work in all of our hearts to transform them so that we may trust him in Jesus name.