Making disciples… vs. 1-17

• Giving the example… vs. 1
  • After Jesus had finished teaching – ‘The Sermon on the Mount’…
  • He came back down the hill into the city of Capernaum…
  • Jesus had taught his disciples how to have a relationship with God – and each other…
  • But it was not enough to teach them – Jesus was going to show them…
  • 3 things – a disciple – helps others / walks by faith / believing nothing is impossible
    
• 1^st – A disciple – Helps others… (3 things) vs. 2-5
  • 1^st – No one is beyond God’s reach…
    • The elders of the town came asking Jesus to help out a certain Centurion…
      • Centurion – was the title of a commander in the Roman army – commanded 100 men…
      • Rome was a conquering nation – Jews despised and hated the ‘Godless’ Romans…
      • The Roman military represented that rule – the Jews would have hated Centurions…
      • Interestingly the Bible always puts Centurions in a positive light…
      • Matthew 27:54 – “The centurion… saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’”
      • Acts 10 ~ Cornelius was the first Gentile to receive the Gospel…
      • This does that mean all Centurions were good men…
      • But if a Centurion could be saved – whom the Jews hated – anyone could be saved…
    • I was at a pastor’s conference a number of years ago – it had some colorful people…
      • Men who’d been drug addicts / gang members / convicted criminals / cult members…
      • And these were the pastors – men you would not even think could be saved!
      • If you know someone who you are just sure will never believe in Jesus…
      • A friend of family member who seems to be completely lost in sin and darkness…
      • Don’t give up – God is in the business of saving the least likely of all people…
  • 2^nd – The Golden rule…
    • This Centurion – had great love for one of his servant (who was dying)…
      • He heard about Jesus – sent the Jewish elders to ask Him to come heal his servant…
      • The elders ‘begged’ Jesus (Imperfect) to come – because the Centurion was deserving…
      • He loved (Agape) the nation of Israel – and had built a ‘church’ for the Jews…
    • Because he had shown agape/love to Israel – they also loved him (an enemy) back!

• We often have expectation of others – we want them to treat us a certain way…
• We want people to help us in times of need / give us work if we have nothing to eat… 
• We don’t want people to lie – steel – or cheat us – take advantage of us…
• We don’t want people gossiping about us / making fun of us behind our backs…
• But the way we treat others – is how they will also treat us – for good or for bad…
• A disciple shows a heart of love – if we love others – even enemies can become friends!
• 3^rd – Making time for those in need…
  • Jesus went with the elders to help out and heal the centurion’s servant…
  • I am sure Jesus had plans – places to go – things He had to do…
  • But Jesus never missed the opportunity to help someone in need – never too busy…
  • Often in life we miss opportunities to help others – because we don’t have time…
  • Better said – we don’t take them time – because we put our needs before others…
  • * Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
  • A disciple puts the needs of others before himself – makes the time to help…
    

• A disciple – has faith … (3 things) vs. 6-10
  • 1^st – By getting to know Jesus – so we have faith in Him…
    • Not far from the house – the Centurion sent friends to Jesus…
      • Do not trouble yourself – I am not worthy for you to come into my house…
      • Twice he had petitioned Jesus through others (elders/friends)…
      • Because this wealthy (built a church) / powerful (ruled 100 men) man…
      • Did not see himself as worthy to come into the presence of Jesus…
      • Pride says – I can do it / I am strong – smart enough / pride looks to me as the answer
      • Humility – is the opposite of pride – it is recognizing I am not the solution…
      • A disciple does not have faith in himself – he has faith in Jesus!
        
    • Just say the word and he will be healed (Future/Passive/Indicative)…
      • The Centurion explained: I am a man under authority…
      • As a commander if he told one of his soldiers to go, come, or do something…
      • There would be no question – they would immediately obey his command….
      • In the same way he recognized Jesus’ authority over sickness – just give the Word…
      • God’s Word is powerful – it changes hearts – it transforms lives…
        • * Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two–edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
        • Romans 10:15 – “Faith come by hearing the Word of God…”
        • But like a seed – the Word can only bring fruit when it falls on good soil…
        • If you take good seed and ‘plant’ it on a hardened road – it will not grow…
        • Take the same seed and put it in good soil – it bears a LOT of fruit…
      • It is not about the ‘seed’ (Word of God) it is about the soil (hearts of men)
        • Have you even noticed how one person is blessed by a Bible study…
        • While another – listening to the same Word – is bored – perhaps falling asleep…
        • It is not the Word of God that is the problem – it is the heart of the listener…
        • If your heart is not open – your ears will not listen – your eyes will not see – Jesus!
        • A disciple gets into God’s Word – so he gets to know – and has faith in Jesus!
  • 2^nd – Faith we are God’s children…
    • Jesus marveled at the Centurion – then turned to the crowd following and said to them…
      • ‘I have not found such great faith – not even in Israel.’
      • The point – a pagan soldier had greater faith – than the chosen people of God!
      • Jesus here is making the point that salvation is not based on your heritage…
    • The Jews thought that they were guaranteed Heaven because they were Jews…
      • Matthew 3:9 – “Do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.”
      • Just because someone is born in the Philippines – does not make them a Christian
      • If you father was a Christian – even if your grandfather was a pastor…
      • It is no assurance you will go to heaven – God has no grandkids – only children…
      • Just because someone goes to church – does not make them a Christian…
      • We can say the right things to sound like a Christian – come to church every Sunday…
      • But it is not about what we say – or where we are it is about the actions from our lives
      • John 8:39, 44 – “‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham… You are of your father the devil…”
      • If you live like the devil – then it’s a good bet you are not a child of God…
      • A disciple shows that they are – a child of God – by their faith in God…
  • 3^rd – Faith God will answer our requests…
    • When they returned back to the house – the servant was healed…
    • Jesus did just as the Centurion believed He could and would do!
    • * John 15:7 – “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
    • As a disciple we can ask Jesus for anything – and we will receive it!
    • Not asking for things to waste on our own desires – ‘million pesos’ – James 4:3
    • But asking for those things that God has given us a desire for – Psalm 37:4
    • Asking God to save a lost friend / family member – that’s a prayer God WILL answer!
• 3^rd – A disciple – believes nothing is impossible… (3 things) vs. 11-17
  • 1^st – By having compassion…
    • The next day Jesus went to a city called ‘Nain’ – with His disciples and a large crowd…
    • As they came to the gates of the city – a funeral procession was coming out…
    • The dead man was the only son of a widow – Jesus saw her and had compassion on her…
    • God is not immune to the suffering of others – neither should we be…
    • Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”
    • As we have compassion on others – we will find we are given opportunity to help them!
  • 2^nd – By doing the impossible…
    • Jesus touched the open coffin – and those who carried it stopped…
      • He spoke to the young man – ‘I say to you – arise.’
      • And he sat up and began to speak – and was returned to his mother!
    • Jesus raised 3 people from the dead…
      • Jairus daughter – Mark 5:42 / Widows’ son – Luke 7:15 / Lazarus – John 11:43…
      • When He sent out the disciples – commanded them to raise the dead – Matthew 10:8
      • Peter raised Tabitha – Acts 9:40 / Paul raised the young man – Acts 20:10
      • God does not change – Hebrew 13:8 – “…the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
      • Does that mean we can raise the dead too – the better question is do we believe…
      • If we have the faith of a mustard seed – nothing is impossible – Matthew 17:20
      • That does not mean to head down to the graveyard and start clearing it out…
      • It does mean if God asks us to do anything – then by His grace it can be done!
      • That might mean praying for someone who is sick – believing God can provide…
      • It might mean sharing Jesus with a friend – or teaching a Bible Study…
      • A disciple understands that with God on your side – nothing is impossible!
  • 3^rd – Giving all the Glory to God…
    • The people were all frozen in fear…
      • You don’t go to a funeral expecting the dead – to come back to life!
      • Then they glorified God (Imperfect) – a great prophet had risen up…
      • The last time someone had raised a widow’s dead son – Elijah – I Kings 17:20-22…
      • For the first time in over 400 years – God was doing a work among His people…
    • When God does the impossible – give the credit to God…
      • If God let you raise the dead – move mountains – heal the sick…
      • You would get a whole lot of attention – people would begin to follow you…
      • Rather than giving the glory to God – the temptation is to receive the praise of men
      • I think one reason why we don’t see miracles much anymore – people take the credit…
      • We either serve God legitimately of a pure heart – giving all honor and glory to Him…
      • Or we are serving ourselves – looking to take the credit for God’s work…
      • * Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
      • A disciple does not point other people to himself – he points them back to Jesus!