LUKE #5

MARVELOUS FAITH

Luke 7:1-10

After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with 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.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.  Luke 7:1-10 ESV

What type of faith does Jesus marvel at?
(And how can I have it too?) 

1) A faith that’s beyond just belief.

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  James 2:17 NIV 

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 ESV 

2) A faith that rejects keeping score.

as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;”  Romans 3:10 ESV 

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.  Romans 3:20 ESV 

But God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8 ESV 

3) A faith that is willing to lose my image to embrace my identity in Christ. 

“If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”  Matthew 10:39 NLT 

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.  Galatians 1:10 ESV 

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.  Proverbs 29:25 

4) A faith that rightly views Jesus, fully confident in His ability & authority. 

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1 NIV 

and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. Luke 4:32 ESV 

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,  Hebrews 12:2 ESV 

5) A faith where my view of God isn’t dependent upon the outcome of my request. 

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised  Job 1:21b NIV 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 ESV 

Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident… I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!  Psalm 27:3+13 ESV