Christmas
by Pastor Jonathan Heppner, December 18, 2011

Joseph, The Dreamer
by Pastor Debbie Marie Tolentino, December 4, 2011

Hospitality
by Pastor Jonathan Heppner, December 4, 2011

Matthew 28:16
¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

COG Makati

Pastor Dennis Heppner

COG Makati

Pastor Dennis Heppner

COG Makati

Pastor Dennis Heppner

WHERE GREAT FAITH BEGINS
Ptr. Dennis Heppner
October 2, 2011

Matthew 8:5-13

“Just say the word and my servant will be healed”. What kind of faith is this? That one would be so convinced of the power of Jesus’ words that to know He had spoken would settle the matter in his mind. That does raise some personal questions today – Faith in God, faith in Jesus… How is your faith in God this morning? Is it really settled?

This record of the centurion is found twice in the gospels, once in Luke and then here in Matthew. Luke gives us a few more details, but in true oriental style, Matthew gets right to the point of the story, strips it down to the essentials and describes this miracle for us.

It begins with a person. When Jesus entered Capernaum- the place his ministry was centered, a Centurion came to him with a distinct problem. His servant was sick and really suffering.

From the very beginning, we will see that this Centurion is an unusual man and yet, his unique qualities would not be enough to get Jesus’ attention.

The Centurion was no ordinary man. A centurion was the equivalent of a regimental sergeant major and centurions were the backbone of the Roman army. In a Roman Legion, there were approximately 6,000 men, divided into 60 centuries, each containing 100 men. In command of each 100 was a centurion. Polybius the historian describes their qualifications. It was not important whether they were adventurers or ambitious, but they must know how to command. They must be steady in action and reliable. They should not be anxious to fight, but when in the fight, must be able to stand their ground and die at their posts. He was definitely a cut above the rest or he would never have held this post. The Centurion was responsible for the discipline of the regiment. They were the cement that held the army together. In both peace and wartime, the morale of the army depended on them. These were the finest men in the Roman army. However, being a centurion was not enough.

The centurion loved his servant. In a world of slaves and servants, his attitude was most unique. He loved his slave and actually would go to the trouble of trying to save him. In Roman law, a slave was described as a living tool. He had no rights – a master could ill-treat him and even kill him if he chose. A Roman writer on estate management recommended the farmer examine his tools and implements each year and throw out those which are old or broken and do the same with his slaves.

So the attitude of this centurion towards his slave was very significant and unusual. Yet, being humanitarian in his care of life was not enough.

The Centurion was a religious man. Luke tells us his religious actions. He had built a synagogue for the Jews and he was not even a Jew. The Romans considered all religions equal, but not this man. For some reason, he cared for the Jews and their faith. Still, being religious and benevolent was not enough.

The Centurion seemed involved with the Jews. He was unusual in his attitude to the Jews.  If a Jew despised Gentiles, the Gentiles hated Jews. Anti-Semitism is not a 20th century concept. It was very much alive in the 1st century.  The Romans viewed the Jews as a filthy race. They spoke of Judaism as a barbarous superstition. They accused the Jews of sacrificing Gentiles on their altars to their God, worshipping a donkey’s head and much more. But not this Centurion, he was beloved by the Jews, but that was not enough.

After all he had done, certainly, he is worthy to approach Jesus. Yet, this centurion with all his absolute authority was a humble man. (“Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof”). He knew quite well a Jew was forbidden to enter a Gentile’s house just as the Gentile was forbidden to have a Jew enter his house. Not only that, he was forbidden to have any communication with a Jew. He did not directly approach Jesus. He sent Jewish friends to ask Jesus for help.

Up to this point, there is not too much that you would consider unusual -  a Centurion, a good man, religious man, humble man, but here’s where it changes.

Jesus is on his way to the house. The centurion sends word. “Jesus, no need to come. Just say the word and my servant will be healed.” Wow, what faith! This faith is not illogical to a man who understands authority. He says: “I am under imperial authority. When I tell a man to do something, he does it. That is because of my delegated authority. Jesus, by your lifestyle, you have shown that you have authority over sickness. Just speak that word and sickness- whether caused by disease, demons or whatever – it will leave”. Jesus is amazed. This was one of only two times in the New Testament where Jesus is amazed. He was amazed in Mark 6 when the people of his home town had no faith in him and now amazed in Matthew 8 where this Gentile Centurion has great faith.

Notice his words – “If you speak, my servant will be healed”. Jewish rabbis were often called to come and offer prayer for the sick. The Centurion does not ask this of Jesus. He was not interested in a religious exercise, but results. He expected something to happen.

If you miss everything this morning, don’t miss this one phrase. Reinhard Bonnke says, “Faith is an attitude”. It is a choice. If you cannot trust the words of Jesus, whom can you trust? The Bible says, don’t trust in weapons, wealth, world leaders, man, works, our own righteousness, but trust in the name of the Lord, His word and Jesus.

That’s where our Centurion was at. He was trusting in Jesus and Jesus’ word and the name of the Lord. The servant was healed. That is mountain moving, sickness healing, and problem solving faith in action.

God is good and good to all. Multitudes give Him no credit for His goodness, yet blames Him for all that is wrong.

•    He promises if we seek, we will find.
•    If we ask, we will receive.
•    If we knock, the door will be opened.
•    No good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
•    If we ask for good, he will not send evil.

He keeps his promises – all 7,874 promises found in the Bible. He can and does keep them.

Faith is an attitude, a determined trust in God. Job said it, “If He allows me to die, I’ll trust him”. The 3 young men in Daniel said, “You can throw us into the fire and God will deliver us and even if He doesn’t, we’ll die trusting”. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his own son and believed God could raise him from the dead. Peter was willing to walk on water and when he began to sink, called out to Jesus and believed that even in his failure, Jesus would rescue him.

What was Jesus so amazed at in this Centurion? Simply, he had absolute faith in the authority of Jesus Christ over life’s circumstances.

When you are in need or trouble, you need to hear Jesus speak into your life. That will be enough.

How to demonstrate this kind of faith:

1. Take your needs to Jesus.

All of them… Call for His help.

2. Get rid of all pretenses.

- Who you are, your accomplishments, your faithfulness, your giving,  your past record and good intentions. Just humble yourself and ask Him to intervene for no other reason that this is Jesus.

3. Listen to what He says.

The Centurion knew Jesus could and believed he would do it. Speak the word. I want to hear Jesus speak to my need. How will this happen?

•    Jesus can speak to you in a voice.
•    Jesus can speak to you through a verse in the bible.
•    Jesus can send someone to speak to you.

4. Expect something to happen.

Live a life of expectancy.

Some religions rely heavily on fate. Christian believers overcome fate. They don’t bow to the inevitable. Nothing is inevitable with God, except the fulfillment of His promises. We do not live by wishful thinking. We know.

5. Faith is action.

Wendell Smith lists 18 actions under the heading “Faith is an action”. (page 77).

•    Noah had to build and prepare the ark for the coming flood.
•    Abram had to leave his father’s house and go to a land he had never seen.
•    Moses had to stretch out his hands on the mountaintop throughout Joshua’s battle in the valley.
•    The widow had to bake a meal for the prophet before her provision came.
•    Naaman had to go and dip in the Jordan seven times to be healed.
•    Esther had to boldly go in to the king’s presence before God gave her favor.
•    David had to face the giant for the Lord to deliver him.
•    King Joash had to strike the ground with arrows, but God gave the victory.
•    The woman with the issue of blood had to reach out and touch Jesus to be healed.
•    The servants had to fill the water pots first for Jesus to turn water into wine.
•    The ten lepers had to make their way to the priest to be healed.
•    The blind man had to go and wash in the pool of Siloam to see.
•    Peter had to go to the lake and catch the fish with a coin in its mouth.
•    The four men had to open the roof to let their sick friend down at Jesus’ feet.
•    The 120 in the upper room prayed and waited and God poured out His Spirit.
•    Peter did the preaching at Cornelius’ house and the Holy Spirit came.
•    The people placed sick people on the road side so Peter’s shadow could pass by.
•    Paul and Silas had to sing praises to God in prison for God to set them free.
•    And our Centurion had to send for Jesus, had to take an action and Jesus intervened.

At some point, we are going to have to do something to demonstrate our great faith.

Review the last 5 points:
1.    Take your needs to Jesus.
2.    Get rid of all pretenses.
3.    Listen to what He says.
4.    Expect something to happen.
5.    Faith is action.

You can have great faith.