Sermons
Greater Faith
June 13, 2021
Ministry:
- Sunday Morning
Speaker:
- Jeff Crotts
Text: Matthew 8:5-8:13
Series:
- Matthew
Intro: Verse 10 is the target of this text.
- The crescendo where it says, “he marveled” [“amazed”] (v. 10).
- Ever wonder, “What is it that amazes Jesus?”
- Easy to concede, Jesus’ amazement is different from ours.
- Jesus is God, nothing takes him off guard, as genuine surprise.
- Ever wonder, “What is it that amazes Jesus?”
- Perfect, so his amazement is choreographed according to God’s will.
- Less than spontaneous.
- This undermines Jesus’ full humanity.
- Full deity, yes.
- But equally, full humanity.
When Jesus expresses, full range of emotion, he is always genuinely relatable to our own human experience.
ESV Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest awho is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been xtempted as we are, eyet without sin.
- He felt what we all feel with the exception of sin’s internal temptations.
- The same word for “amazed” is also used when Jesus was incredulous.
- Amazed by something negative.
ESV Mark 6:6 And ahe marveled because of their unbelief. bAnd he went about among the villages teaching.
- In one verse, Jesus is amazed at the Centurion’s faith and then in another, Jesus is amazed at a lack of faith.
ESV Matthew 8:26 And he said to them, “Why are you aafraid, bO you of little faith?” Then he rose and crebuked the winds and the sea, and dthere was a great calm.
ESV John 14:9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? aWhoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
“How do you square this with God knowing everything, and Jesus is God?”
“Though amazement is not appropriate for God, seeing it must arise from new and unexpected happenings, yet it could occur in Christ, inasmuch as he had taken on our human emotions, along with our flesh.” [Calvin]
- Understand Jesus is not a split personality.
- No schizophrenic.
- The God/man union is a mystery.
- But nevertheless, his humanity is authentic.
- Infinite while fully relatable to our every need, wish, and experience.
In view of these three healing accounts in Matthew 8:
“Does Jesus still heal today?”
“Why does he sometimes heal and sometimes not?”
- What Martha, Lazarus’ sister, indicted Jesus for his late arrival over!
ESV John 11:21 Martha said to aJesus, “Lord, bif you had been here, my brother would not have died.
- We began to answer this with the healing of the Leper (cf. Matt. 8:1-4).
The answer is found in Jesus’ priorities.
- The point of these healing accounts is not that Jesus can heal.
- Something greater than being healed.
- It is true for the world: “If you don’t have your health, you do not have anything at all.”
- What amazes Jesus flies in the face of this and needs to frame new priorities.
- Something greater than being healed.
Verse 10 tells us why Jesus, “marveled” (v. 10).
Jesus “marveled” at a certain Centurion’s “faith” (v. 10).
- What Jesus called [Literally] “greater faith” (v. 10).
- Out of everyone else, Jesus was astounded.
- His faith stood head and shoulders above everyone else.
“What made this Centurion’s faith greater?” and “What is greater faith?”
[Cf.] In Matthew 15:21-28, Gentile, Syrophoenician woman, also said by Jesus to have “great faith!”
- A mom.
- Desperate with a demonized daughter.
- “What’s so unusual about having a demonized child?”
- This woman’s faith was the difference in her daughter’s deliverance.
- Will pick that story up as it comes in Matthew.
Jesus called her faith, “great” [Megln], synonym to “greater” [tosoutnv].
“What makes this kind of faith, great?” and
“How can I have what Jesus calls greater faith?”
Understanding what makes the Centurion’s faith “greater” comes clear by explaining what does not make it “greater.”
What does not make the Centurion’s faith greater faith?
1. What greater faith is not (vv. 5-9)
a. Not because he was a Centurion (v. 5)
There are three Centurions who become believers in the New Testament!
- I love all three conversion
- This account told in detail by Luke 7.
- The Centurion guarding Jesus on the Cross in Mark 15.
- The Centurion, Cornelius, won by Peter in Acts 10.
ESV Mark 15:39 abAnd when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he1 breathed his last, he said, b“Truly this man was the Son2 of God!”
ESV Acts 10:1-2 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of awhat was known as the Italian Cohort,2 a devout man awho feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.
“What do all three Centurions have in common?”
- They were, by duty title,
- Men, Roman muscle, in the Roman army.
- This man from Capernaum, West on Sea of Galilee.
- Not Roman descent, coopted by Rome, extending the Empire’s reach and control.
- Men, Roman muscle, in the Roman army.
- Auxiliaries under Herod Antipas, non-Jews from Lebanon and Syria.
- Military backbone, maintaining discipline and executing orders.
Stereotypically unsympathetic either of them to Jews or Jews to them; However, these Centurions were non-stereotypical.
- By ethnicity, Gentile.
- Whose faith stands out.
- Like the far east, Magi who first reverence King Jesus.
- Like the Syro-woman, who bows to Jesus in extreme humility.
- Like the Cross-guard, staring face to face into Jesus’ eyes and believes.
- Like Cornelius swept into God’s court through Peter crossing party lines.
- Whose faith stands out.
All, appear to possess “Greater Faith!”
- God’s plan to reach the entire world (Jew/Gentile) for Christ.
Paul in Jail, won Caesar’s household, from the inside.
ESV Philippians 1:12-13 I want you to know, brothers,1 that what has happened to me has really aserved to advance the gospel,13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard1 and ato all the rest that bmy imprisonment is for Christ.
ESV Philippians 4:21-23 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. aThe brothers who are with me greet you.22 aAll the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.23 aThe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
As amazing as it is for God’s plan to extend to the Gentiles, neither being a Centurion nor a Gentile, makes this man’s faith any greater.
b. Not because he was compassionate (vv. 6-7)
The Centurion’s compassion.
- Matthew’s description of this servant’s condition is nothing less than violent.
- Thrown into violent convulsions.
- Rendering him helpless.
- Paralyzed or palsy fits.
- Thrown into violent convulsions.
- Suffering, or tormented.
A Centurion could opt to put him out of his misery.
- A servant was treated like an animal (inanimate object – Aristotle).
- By title alone, Centurion was a man’s man.
- In charge of 100 men.
- Not inhumane, felt responsible to his dying slave.
[Cf.] Luke 7 parallels, confirming the servant was at the “point of death” (cf. Luke 7:2) and the Centurion had “heard about Jesus.”
- The Centurion did not actually go out to Jesus but instead sent an envoy of “elders.”
- “of the Jews”
- Jewish men as intermediaries to make appeal.
- “of the Jews”
- How this Centurion “heard about Jesus” is not known.
- He had not been in direct contact.
Hearing about Jesus was enough (cf. Rom. 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing”)
- Luke 7:4 says, elders were “pleading…earnestly.”
- Appealing on merits of this servant’s worth and loyalty to Israel (cf. v. 4).
- One who had “built us our synagogue” (v. 5).
- Matthew’s account emphasized the interplay between Jesus and the Centurion.
- The “elders” convey the Centurion’s deep compassion.
- Would not leave the bedside of a dying man.
- Sent Jews find the One Jew who could heal him.
Matthew 8:7 – Compassion is met with the Lord’s Compassion – “I will come and heal him” (v. 7).
- A promise and thus a fait accompli.
- As sure as done.
- Jesus obviously moved to make this commitment (like with the Leper – Matthew 8:2) this was Jesus’ will to do so, meaning it was God’s will.
- Jesus moved by this compassion, starts walking to this man’s home.
Nevertheless, his compassion was not the reason Jesus said his faith was greater.
c. Not because he was God-fearing (v. 8)
This brings us a level deeper into the Centurion’s heart.
- He addresses Jesus as “Lord” (cf. verse 6) for respect, modern-day, “Master.”
- His confession is “Lordship.”
- His posture coming under the Lordship of Christ.
- Unlike the rich young ruler addressing Jesus as Lord but being fickle.
- The Centurion applies confession with “unworthiness.”
- “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof” (v. 8).
- The Centurion’s rank, position, power, and authority are not sufficient for respect.
- Do not go out of your way to get to my house.
- Selflessly deflecting the focus back on Jesus.
- Not entitled nor saying Jesus should feel compelled to come on the basis on his being Roman military.
- Do not go out of your way to get to my house.
- Posture was Beatitude Attitude.
- Humble, meek, and lowly.
Jewish tradition – a Jew entering a Gentile’s house meant ceremonially defiled.
- The Sanhedrin complicit in Jesus’ sham trial still adhered to this superstition.
ESV John 18:28 aThen they led Jesus bfrom the house of Caiaphas to cthe governor’s headquarters.1 It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, dso that they would not be defiled, ebut could eat the Passover. (Joh 18:28 ESV)
Concern for Jesus’ purity from defilement was not the Centurion’s point.
- Luke 7:6 says, Jesus “…was not far from the house” so on his way and was intercepted by his “friends” [Philous].
- To say, “do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof” (v. 6).
- “Friends” smilingly saying, we understand you are willing to heal our “friend.”
- We understand you can heal from a distance!
- I love this Centurion’s Jesus-influence over his cohort!
- To say, “do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof” (v. 6).
- We understand that you can “speak it so!”
Like Cornelius, this Centurion was God-fearing (cf. Acts 10:1-2).
- Not raised in Jewish Law.
- Like today, “Not raised in church.”
- Still, knew whom he was addressing.
Often those shed of the baggage of church-life, have a clearer picture and understanding of who Jesus really is!
- This man was being drawn by the Holy Spirit.
ESV John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me adraws him. And bI will raise him up on the last day. (Joh 6:44 ESV)
The Centurion affirms Jesus needs to “but only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (v. 8).
- What we understand in terms of Jesus’ healing ministry.
- Healing is up to Jesus’ sovereign will.
- Exercising supernatural healing sometimes in this life and always in the next.
- Healing is never the end or the main priority of these encounters.
- Healing is up to Jesus’ sovereign will.
- Jesus’ priority is not even the suffering servant!
- The priority is the Centurion’s faith.
Luke tells the reason the Centurion did not initially speak to Jesus.
- Making a clear point.
- The Centurion did not “presume to come to Jesus” nor “presume” Jesus would come to him.
- The Centurion inquires Jesus to exercise his will.
- No different than how we should pray.
- The Centurion did not “presume to come to Jesus” nor “presume” Jesus would come to him.
ESV James 4:15 Instead you ought to say, a“If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
- He knows it will only take a word from Jesus.
- Jesus does not always say yes (cf. 1 Cor. 12:9 “my grace is sufficient for you…”) but his will is always accomplished.
Suffice it to say, distance between Jesus and healing is irrelevant.
- Jesus chooses to heal or not and proximity does not matter.
- Being healed is not conjured; either God’s will or not.
This Centurion was God-fearing; but still not what makes for the Centurion’s “greater faith.”
“So, what is it?”
d. Not because he was submissive (vv. 9)
The Centurion illustrates a submissive posture by communicating from a distance.
- Jesus not coming to him or him not coming to Jesus.
- The Centurion makes himself an analogy.
ESV Matthew 8:9 For I too am a man 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,1 ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
- The Centurion is a man under Rome’s authority and though not a Roman, being a Centurion, he is Rome’s proxy.
- Contending with this Centurion is contending with the Roman Empire.
- Saying, to see Jesus is to see his higher authority which is God.
- To contend with Jesus is to contend with God himself.
- If representing God, then would come to physically touch the servant.
- Often touched to heal but this was not the point being made.
Jesus himself was the final authority.
- He was the One for whom this Centurion was submitting, as God.
- Jesus said to Philip, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” and this Centurion is making this same point!
This leads right up to Jesus’ response in verse 10.
- This Centurion perfectly explains the reality that Jesus is God!
- As if doing all the work for Jesus!
What caused Jesus to “marvel” was that the Centurion is making the point that Jesus has been making all along!
- Healing and delivering demons are not ends.
- Miracles point to the One to place your faith in.
In fact, Jesus is surprised by the providence of God.
- His Father had set it up this way.
- God’s providence is always surprising.
- [Appl] If we will look around at what happens around us!
This Centurion’s submission was profound, but this Centurion’s submission was not what makes for “Greater Faith.”
2. What greater faith is (vv. 10-13)
“What is Jesus saying regarding the Centurion’s faith.”
- “Was it extra-special faith?”
- “Qualitatively better or more than any who had believed up to this point?”
Jesus makes this statement to “those who followed him” (v. 10).
- “Is Jesus making a two-tier category where their faith gets them into heaven.”
- “But is really not very lively up until then?”
Understand a “follower of Jesus” was just that, a follower.
- This was being in the crowd.
- Listening, believing, questioning, deciding, or perhaps rejecting what Jesus is saying.
- Like in the church.
- Jesus is not making a broad statement to separate the “50% faith-folks” from “Centurion-like 100% faith-folks!”
- Jesus still means what he means, comparing this man to everyone else in Israel.
Jesus is not saying is that this man is the only one in Israel who is a true believer.
- Jesus is also not saying that every other Israelite is unbelieving.
- Already identified his Apostles and had followers.
- “So what does he mean to say?”
Verse 11 Jesus is making a broad-brush statement on Israel.
- “I tell you, many will come from east and west” meaning from all over the world.
- Old Testament prophecies confirmed this.
ESV Isaiah 49:6 he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; aI will make you bas a light for the nations, that cmy salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
ESV Isaiah 59:19 aSo they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; bfor he will come like a rushing stream,1 which the wind of the LORD drives.
ESV Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name awill be1 great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name awill be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts.
Verse 11 describes heaven as reclining at the great feast.
- The nations at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
- Jews, not in by ethnicity nor heritage.
This Centurion, for no other reason than his faith, has a place at the Big Table!
I still remember, eating Thanksgiving with my family and being relegated to the kid table. Or, worse, we had the row of tray tables!
Lined up like a classroom, looking over at the adult table where they were telling stories, jokes, and bursting out in laughter.
Eventually, you come to be invited to the Big Table.
Heaven is a real place, a real welcome, with physical food, and identifiable relationships!
- Real people from all ages and all times, believers.
- Abraham is no metaphor!
One of the great distinctions I have observed at AGC in these months coming back together is how long the fellowship goes on after the services! Pockets of after church conversations is where things are really getting done! This is heaven on earth.
Please do not miss that “many will come!” (v. 11).
- “How does this ‘many’ square with the ‘few’ who find the narrow road?” (cf. Matt. 7:14).
- Jesus uses “many” again in broad brush fashion making the case that over the centuries, and across the globe, Jesus is gathering believers.
- From every age and for all time.
- Within each stage, the road is still narrow.
- True believers are always the remnant.
- Nevertheless, the multiplied effect of the Kingdom being built makes up “many” from all times from every place.
Verse 12 is the exact opposite description and opposite place.
“Who are “the sons of the kingdom?” (v. 12).
- Simply, the Jews who reject Christ.
- Privileged to be raised in the Truth.
- To witness the coming of the Messiah.
- Who reject him and are condemned.
- Literally, “thrown into outer darkness” which is a real place called, Hell.
- “Weeping” is the despair and regret.
- “Gnashing” is anger for being judged eternally.
- This perpetual cycle of agony and sin is what makes Hell inescapable.
Verse 13 makes clear that the centurion’s great faith is being contrasted with “the sons of the kingdom” meaning rejecting Jews.
- Jesus releases the Centurion, saying, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed” (v. 13).
- By the way, at this point, I believe the Centurion has come out to Jesus, speaking face to face.
- Luke 7 does not fill out this detail.
- By the way, at this point, I believe the Centurion has come out to Jesus, speaking face to face.
- Jesus had come “not far from the Centurion’s house” (cf. Luke 7:6) so now outside, is now directed home, because “…the servant was healed at that very moment” (v. 13).
As I said, healing is secondary to the Centurion’s faith.
“What made this Centurion’s faith greater?”
- It was not based on him being a Gentile, Compassionate, God-Fearing, Submissive, Centurion.
- None of these qualities made his faith great.
- The only distinction drawn is between what the Centurion had – Greater Faith – and what Jews did not have – rejecting Jesus.
“So, what is greater faith?” —- Greater faith is Saving faith.
- The church, like Israel, should be warned not to fall prey to the same trap of these Jews.
- We have more Revelation than Israel had.
- Rejecting Christ equals this same penalty and outer darkness.
- Every true believer is this Centurion.
- Faith that is greater is greater than not believing.
We have greater faith when we have saving faith.
ESV Romans 10:9 because, if ayou confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and bbelieve in your heart cthat God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.