The Great Faith of Matthew 8
Categories: Sermon Outlines Tags: The Great Faith of Matthew 8
TITLE: The Great Faith of Matthew 8
SUBJECT: Miracles of Jesus
PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will study the great faith of the centurion in Matthew chapter 8.
OBJECTIVE: Each person should understand how Jesus recognized the centurion’s faith for being great and why.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Regarding faith.
1) John 20:20, 21 It is based upon evidence. EVIDENCE
2) Rom.10:17 Comes through hearing the word. WORD
3) Heb.11:1 Substance of things hoped for . EVIDENCE
4) John 6:69 It is not exclusive of knowledge. KNOWLEDGE
5) James 2:24 Useless without works. WORKS
6) 2 Cor.5:7 It is that by which we walk. LIFE
7) Eph.2:8 It is the way to grace. GRACE
8) Rom.4:20,21 By it we can be fully assured. ASSURANCE
9) John 11:25 – 27 In it is trust. TRUST
10) 1 Tim.4:10 It leads us in continued hope. HOPE
11) 1 John 5:4 That by which we overcome. VICTORY
2. Knowing a little about faith, let’s look at chapter 8 seeing what each scene teaches about faith, and noticing how each aspect is seen in each incident.
DISCUSSION: Great Faith vs 5 – 13
I. Things seen in the text.
1. Centurion came to Jesus.
2. Centurion was beseeching Jesus (parakaleo) call for help.
3. He said, ” Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.”
4. Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”
5. The Centurion said, ” . .. speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.”
6. The Centurion continued, “For I am a man under authority having soldiers under me and I say to this man go, and he goeth and to another Come, and he cometh and to my servant, Do this and he doeth it.”
7. Jesus marveled.
8. He said to the Jews, “I have not found so great faith, not in Israel”
9. Prophecy concerning the Jews v5. 11, 1 2.
10. He said to the centurion, “Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.”
11. Servant was healed in the same hour.
II. Some other things that we know happened.
1. Centurion heard about Jesus, etc. (see introduction)
2. Centurion understood and respected the principle
authority. By his statement we can conclude that – –
1) He understood the scope of Jesus authority.
a. He himself obeyed orders.
b. He himself gave orders.
c. So also Jesus obeyed the Father and Phil.2:5, Heb.5:8, 9
d. Thus had authority over everything else. Mt.28:18
e. That is, if the centurion follows authority, Jesus will have authority.
2) He understood the magnitude of Jesus authority.
a. He said simply speak the word and it will happen.
b. Total authority over nature. Mt.8:26, 27
C. He understood the command of Jesus authority.
a. As he commanded his servants, and they obeyed,
b. So also, he knew the command of Jesus would bring obedience.
CONCLUSION.
This man’s faith understood the principle of authority and therefore his faith was called great faith. Same today. Cf. Mt15:28 also.