Emory Baptist Church

Jesus is Lord Over All Including Satan!

Introduction

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 8:26.  Today, I want to share a message with your entitled, “Jesus is Lord Over All including Satan!”

 

If you were here last Sunday, you saw from Luke 8:22-25 that Jesus is Lord over all including storms.  That means literal storms and emotional or spiritual storms.

 

This is actually a three-part series here in Luke 8.  Jesus is Lord over all including storms and Satan and sickness.

 

When we saw Lord over all, I mean that has authority over.  I mean that He is more powerful than. 

 

Jesus has authority over and is more powerful than storms.  Jesus has authority over and is more powerful than Satan. 

 

On the pages of Scripture this morning, we are going to see a man who was demon-possessed.  I want you to know that I believe that Satan is real and demons are real. 

 

I believe in the demon-possession of individuals in the first century as evidenced in the Bible.  Also, I believe in the demon-possession of individuals in the twenty-first century. 

 

However, I’m not talking about people bipolar schizophrenic or epileptic or ADD or ADHD.  Demon possession is a spiritual condition.  It is not a medical condition.

 

In today’s story, we are going to see the Divine, the Disturbed, and the Distraught. The Divine is Jesus.  The Disturbed is the demon-possessed man, and the Distraught is the group of herdsman working with these pigs.

 

 

1. The Divine: Jesus

 

Verse 26 says that Jesus and His disciples sailed to the country of the Gadarenes.  They had previously been in a storm on the Sea of Galilee.

 

In verse 27, He was met by the demon-possessed man.  As we are thinking about the Divine, who was Jesus, I want you to see that He commanded, and He was compassionate.

 

Jesus commanded because He was and is God.  Even the demons knew that as evidenced by their pronouncement at the end of verse 28. 

 

We also see the divinity of Jesus evidenced in the man’s posture.  The first part of verse 28 says he came and bowed down to Him.

 

Then, we see that Jesus was divine in the demons’ plea.  They knew that Jesus was in charge.  They knew that Jesus was Lord over all including Satan. 

 

In verse 31, they begged Him to let them enter the pigs.  Jesus obliged.

 

Not only did Jesus command because He was divine, but He was compassionate toward the disturbed.  Jesus loved people more than pigs.  Jesus loved souls more than swine. 

 

Jesus saw how this man was suffering, and He healed him.  He saved Him eternally by delivering him personally. 

 

 

2. The Disturbed: The Demon-Possessed Man

 

When we think about this disturbed man who was demon-possessed, I want you to see that he was saved, and then he was sent. 

 

Verse 30 tells us that this man was possessed by many demons, maybe even thousands as his name was Legion.

 

Notice what he like before he was saved.  First, he was characterized by unusual surroundings.  Look at verse 28.  He wore no clothes, and he lived in a cematery. 

 

Second, he was characterized by unusual strength.  Verse 29 says he was often bound by chains and shackles.  This was probably by the townspeople, but he broke them. 

 

Third, he was characterized by unusual suffering.  Mark 5:5 says, “5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.”

 

However, notice what had changed when Jesus saved this man.  Verse 36 says he was healed or saved.

 

His actions changed.  Verse 35 says he was sitting at Jesus’ feel.

 

His appearance changed.  He was clothed.

 

He attitude changed.  He was in his right mind. 

 

Once he was saved, he was then sent.  Look at verse 38. 

 

 

Go to the people who know you best.  Tell them what God has done.  Tell them your story. 

 

Brothers and sisters, our assignment is the same.  God puts specific people in our path every day.  Talk to them about God.  Tell them you story of how God changed you.

 

 

3. The Distraught: The Herdsman

 

The herdsmen are introduced in verse 34.  They heard about what happened, and they saw what happened with their own eyes.

 

The end of verse 35 and the end of verse 37 says they were afraid and seized with great fear.  In other words, they were distraught, but why?

 

First, I would suggest they were afraid because of what Jesus did to their pigs.  Undoubtedly, because Jesus loved people more than pigs and souls more than swine, He cost them a lot of money.

 

Second, I would suggest they were afraid because of what Jesus might do to them.  If Jesus stuck around, would their lives have to change?  Would their behavior have to change?  Would their relationships have to change?

 

That is usually how Jesus works.  Therefore, they asked Him to leave.  See verse 37.

 

 

Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, we can’t be like Jesus, the Divine.  We shouldn’t be like the Distraught keeping areas of our lives off limits to Jesus.  However, we must be like this disturbed, demon-possessed man who, after he was saved, was sent.

 

We must go to our family and friends.  We must tell them about Jesus.  We must tell our story of how Jesus found us and saved us. 

Who Sleeps in a Storm?

This Little Light of Mine, Will You Let It Shine?

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 8:16.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “This Little Light of Mine.”

 

Many of you are now singing in your head.  This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.  I hope so.

 

The last time we were in Luke, we looked at the parable of the soils.  Remember, a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. 

 

Also, Jesus told us last time that parables have two purposes.  See Luke 8:10.

 

10 And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’”

 

First, Jesus told parables to reveal truths about the kingdom of God to His followers who had received Him.  Second, Jesus told parables to conceal truths about the kingdom of God to those that had rejected Him.

 

Today’s parable is in Luke 8:16. Some Bibles call it the Parable of the Lamp.  Others call is the Parable of Revealed Light.

 

Imagine with me that you were standing in a completely dark room.  You can’t see anything right in front of your face.  There is zero light from anywhere else.  Again, you are standing in complete darkness. 

 

If you had a match and lit it in order to see, it would be illogical and counterproductive to cover that match with your hand.  You want and need the light to shine in the darkness so that you and others can see. 

 

That is true today, and that was true in the first century when Jesus told this earthly story that had a heavenly meaning.  Continue to keep this question in mind.  Am I shining my light or covering my light? 

 

 

Exposition

16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light.

 

The parable of the lamp is just one verse, verse 16.  In the first century, each home had one or two oil burning lamps. 

 

They might have looked similar to what we would call a lantern.  When the sun went down, the lamp would be positioned in the middle of the room or on a wall in an attempt to illumine the entire room. 

 

Keep in mind that the purpose of these lamps was to illumine the room.  It would be illogical and counterproductive to light the lamp and then cover it with a container or put it under the bed rather than on a lampstand.

 

 

17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.

 

Consequently, when you use lamps appropriately, to light up the room, nothing is hidden.  All will become evident. Everything that is secret will be known and come to light.

 

By the way, did you know that is true for life as well?  You may have individual secrets.  Your family may have family secrets.  Our church may have church secrets, but one day, they will all be revealed. 

 

One day, they will all be made known.  See Ecclesiastes 12:14; Romans 2:16; and 1 Corinthians 4:5.

 

14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

 

16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

 

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

 

 

18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

 

The key to understanding this parable is found in verse 18.  So take heed or care how you hear or listen. 

 

The meaning of this parable is clear.  It is about hearing or listening and responding to God’s Word with obedience. 

 

The lamp is God’s Word or God’s instruction for you.  To cover it is disobedience, illogical, and unproductive.  To put it on the lampstand is to obey, logical or appropriate, and fulfilling its purpose. 

 

Therefore, just make sure we all understand, listen closely.  God has given each of His followers a lamp or a light.  Yes, that can be gospel, but it is also all of God’s Word and instruction for you. 

 

What then do you do with it?  If you hide it or cover it, that is disobeying.  He gave it to shine.  To hide it or cover it is illogical and unproductive in illuminating your situation. 

 

On the other hand, to take that light and let it shine is to hear and obey. The light is to be put on the lampstand to illumine the situation.  That is what is supposed to happen and is logical and fulfills the intended purpose of the light.  Therefore, take care how you listen. 

 

Now pay close attention to the rest of verse 18.  For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him. 

 

To be sure, this does not have anything to do with social classes in the United States or any other place in the world.  Simply put, Jesus said regarding instruction and direction that He has given…use it or lose it. 

 

If you as an individual follower or your family or a church doesn’t use the instruction, direction, and or guidance that God has given, He will not continue to give more instruction, direction, and or guidance. 

 

Allow me to illustrate.  If a man who owns his own business is considering a big decision.  To more forward could bring in more profit eventually, but would also cost him up front.  What should he do? 

 

If he prays about it again and again and again, but yet he is not tithing on his existing income and is even being dishonest in the reporting of his current profit, it is illogical and unproductive to pray for God to direct him.

 

If a teenager is at the point of deciding on college and prays and asks God for guidance, but this same teenager is sexually active with his girlfriend, it is illogical and unproductive to expect God for guidance regarding college.

 

If a church wants to reach their community for Christ, and God gives them a vision for a tool like a family life center, but the church keeps saying again and again, “We can’t afford that,” God probably isn’t going to keep answering prayers. 

 

Do you understand what Jesus is saying?  One commentator put it like this, “Truth received brings more light.  Truth refused brings the night.”

 

 

19 Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. 20 And it was told Him by some, who said, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.”

 

The last part of today’s text may seem out of place.  However, it is simply another illustration of the importance of obeying the instruction and direction that God gives you. 

 

By the way, what is the primary means of God giving instruction and guidance today?  It is right here.  When you say no to what this books says, you are saying no to God and discarding the light you have been given.

 

Evidently, Jesus was in a private room with His disciples.  His mother and brothers had arrived and wanted to speak to Him. 

 

By the way, this little experience tells us much about Jesus’ family.  More than likely, Joseph had passed at this point.  That is speculation, but he is never mentioned again alive beyond Luke 2. 

 

We also see that Joseph and Mary evidently had other children after Jesus.  These are Jesus’ half-brothers.  In other words, the idea that Mary had perpetual virginity is not true.  The Bible witness just does not support that belief.

 

Jesus’ mother and brothers wanted to see Him, but couldn’t get through the crowd.  Therefore, they sent word to Jesus. 

 

 

21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”

 

Notice Jesus’ response in verse 21.  He didn’t reject His biological family, but He did redefine His family.  For Jesus, His family is those that hear the word of God and do it. 

 

In other words, a right relationship with Jesus is dependent on your obedience.  You cannot be right relationship with God while simultaneously disobeying God’s Word. 

 

Jesus’ brother, James, learned this truth. Maybe he was even here in Luke 8.  See James 1:22-25.

 

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

 

 

Conclusion

So what are you doing with the instruction or direction or guidance that God has already given to you?  Are you hiding your light? 

 

1. Do you need to apologize?
2. Do you need to get baptized?
3. Do you need to change your attitude?
4. Do you need to confess a sin?
5. Do you need to forgive a sin?
6. Do you need to honor your parents?
7. Do you need to join the church?
8. Do you need to repent of your immorality?
9. Do you need to start tithing?
10. Do you need to witness to your neighbor, coworker, or classmate?

 

Don’t hide your light!  It is illogical and counterproductive.  Let your light shine!

 

Top 10 Questions about Baptism

Last Sunday morning, I shared my annual sermon on the Lord’s Supper.  As I was preparing to preach that sermon, I thought it might a good idea to preach a similar sermon on Baptism since we consider them as the two ordinances we practice at Emory Baptist Church.

 

However, if the Lord is willing, we will be back in Luke next Sunday.  Our text will be Luke 8:16-17.

 

Like we looked at the top ten questions about the Lord’s Supper last Sunday, I want to look at the top ten questions today about Baptism, and I’m going to use the term Christian Baptism.  I think it will be obvious why soon enough.

 

 

1. Is Christian Baptism required for salvation?

 

I pray that you understand that obviously here at Emory Baptist Church, we believe the answer to this is a resounding no. 

 

If baptism was required for salvation, how could Jesus say what He said to the thief on the cross?

 

Luke 23:43, 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

 

If baptism was required for salvation, why would Paul say what he said to the Corinthian Church?

 

1 Corinthians 1:17, 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

 

Therefore, and again, of course, we don’t believe that baptism is required for salvation. 

 

As I said last week, we believe that any individual and every individual is only saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

 

Ephesians 2:8-9, 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

 

 

2. Is Christian Baptism essential to obedience and right standing with the Lord Jesus?

 

Again, I think the answer to this question is obvious because of our very name.  For 100 plus years, this church has chosen to identify as a Baptist church.  Therefore, we think very highly of the act of baptism

 

So yes, we believe that every follower of Christ should be baptized. Why? 

 

Matthew 3:13-17, 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”  15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.  16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

 

Jesus was baptized, and this pleased God His Father.  Therefore, we can conclude that every follower of Christ should be baptized as well.

 

Not to do so would be disobedience.  Therefore, if you are waiting for some reason, wait no longer. 

 

Your delayed obedience is disobedience.   Choose obedience instead of disobedience today!

 

 

3. Who should be baptized?

 

At Emory Baptist Church, we believe any and every individual who has trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior should be baptized.  After all, we have chosen to have Baptist in our church name.

 

That includes any Catholic, any Lutheran, any Presbyterian, any Episcopalian, any Methodist or otherwise.

 

We believe that every Christian should be baptized.

 

 

4. How should every Christian be baptized?

 

The New Testament pattern and example of baptism is immersion.

 

However, let me explain how it is redundant to say baptism by immersion. 

 

In the New Testament, and using biblical language, there is a word for sprinkling.  There is a word for pouring. 

 

However, the word for immersion is baptize.  Therefore, when we say baptize, we are NOT talking about any other method except immersion. 

 

Allow me to illustrate.  If you are lover of Dr. Pepper, you recognize your favorite soft drink by its name and the color of the can and the color of the drink. 

 

If someone handed you a Dr. Thunder and told you to enjoy the Dr. Pepper you were just handed, you would think there’s no way. 

 

However, the name is similar, and the color of the can is the same, and the color of the drink is the same.

 

At Emory Baptist Church, we don’t believe sprinkling is baptism.  We believe sprinkling is sprinkling. 

 

So what are some reasons for baptism by immersion? 

 

First, Jesus was immersed.  If we want to follow His example, that example is immersion. 

 

Second, we believe that baptism should be the decision of the saved individual and not the decision of well-meaning family members including parents.

 

Third, every baptism in the New Testament is by immersion. There are no examples of sprinkling or pouring in the New Testament. 

 

Fourth and finally, an immersed body is the best picture of the death and burial of Jesus Christ and the old self.

 

Only then can an individual be a picture of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and being raised to new life.

 

 

5. What have church fathers said about immersion?

 

When I say church fathers, I’m talking about human founders of mainline denominations.

 

• Martin Luther (Father of the Lutheran Church), “I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed as the word (Bible) implies and the mystery signifies.” (Luther’s Essay, “The Babylonian Captivity of the Church”)
• John Calvin (Father of the Presbyterian Church), "The word 'baptize' signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church." (Institutes of the Christian Religion, 4:15:19)
• John Wesley (Father of the Methodist Church), “Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.” (Wesley’s Explanatory Notes on the New Testament, Romans 6:4)

 

 

6. When should a new believer be baptized?

 

Again, we look to God’s Word, and the New Testament pattern is as soon as possible.

 

Acts 16:14-15, 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

 

Acts 16:33, 33 And he (Paul) took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.

 

Therefore, if you haven’t been baptized this morning, you are in one of three situations.

 

First, you may not have ever believed in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior because you have never been convicted that you are lost without Him.  If that is true of you, I invite you to be saved today and baptized ASAP.

 

Second, you may know that you are lost and you may know how to be saved but you haven’t acted on it.  Gamble with your eternity no more!  Be saved today and baptized ASAP.

 

Third, you may be saved and not baptized.  Remember, your delayed obedience is disobedience.  Make that commitment today and be baptized ASAP.

 

 

7. Do I become a member of EBC once I am baptized?

 

Remember, we believe that baptism is a church ordinance.  Therefore, yes, you become a member of Emory Baptist Church if we baptize you.

 

However, I do want to be fair and mention one exception.  The Ethiopian Eunuch was baptized by Phillip in Acts 8, and there doesn’t seem to be a local church involved.

 

However, this is the exception and not the rule.

 

 

8. What if I was baptized as a child or youth but wasn't saved until later?

 

That is a great question, and one that deserves an honest answer.

 

At Emory Baptist Church, not only do we want to be faithful to the New Testament example of immersion, but we also want to be faithful to the New Testament sequence of events.

 

The New Testament pattern is always believing first and baptism second.  Therefore, if you have not been baptized since you were saved, we would invite you be baptized after salvation in what we often call believer's baptism.

 

 

9. What if I was sprinkled as an infant?

 

Again, that is a great question, and one that deserves an honest answer. 

 

Since our final authority is God’s Word, we look again to the New Testament.  The New Testament pattern is immersion after salvation.

 

That’s why in order to join EBC, an individual must be immersed after salvation.

 

That’s also why salvation and baptized by immersion is implied when we take the Lord’s Supper.

 

 

10. When does EBC baptize?

 

EBC baptizes at the beginning of our Sunday AM and Sunday PM worship services.

 

However, we will baptize at the most convenient time for person being baptized.

Found Useful in Christ

8 Ears and 4 Hearts

For the next two Sundays in our study of Luke’s gospel, we will look at two parables that Jesus told in Luke 8.  Today, I want to share a message with you entitled, 8 Ears and 4 Hearts.

 

A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.  In other words, Jesus often told a story with familiar characters and objects in order to illustrate a spiritual truth.

 

Your Bible probably calls today’s text the parable of the sower.  However, I think a more accurate title is the parable of the soils, and it has to do with farming and would have made much sense to first-century Palestinians and especially those who farmed.

 

 

1. The Parable Described, Luke 8:4-8

4 And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” 

 

Verse 4 tells us that a large crowd was coming together to hear and see Jesus.  They must have heard about His healings and miracles. 

 

Keep in mind that this crowd was made up of a lot of different people and different kinds of people.  Some would be receptive to Jesus.  Others would not.

 

Verse 4 says that Jesus spoke a parable to this great multitude.  He spoke to them an earthly story that had a heavenly or spiritual meaning.  The good news about this parable is that Jesus told the parable and explained the parable. 

 

Verse 5 say that the sower went out to sow his seed.  In this first century culture, the farmers sowed first and plowed second. 

 

Picture this farmer with a pouch draped over his shoulder.  Sowing was doing between October and December since the harvest came around June. 

 

He would take a handful of seed and broadcast the seed from left to right or right to left.  Obviously, seed cast in broadcast form would land on multiple types of soil.

 

Some fell on the road or path that was hard and had been trampled down.  Therefore, it served as bird feed. 

 

Other seed fell on rocky soil.  This was soil with a thin layer of top soil but rocks underneath.  This seed grew fast but soon died for lack of water. 

 

Other seed fell into the thorns or weeds.  It was choked out.

 

Finally, some seed fell on good soil.  It grew and produced fruit. 

 

By the way, that is purpose of planting seed right?  If no fruit or crop is produced, the plant is dead. 

 

In verse 8, after Jesus finished the parable, He said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”  In other words, if you can understand the parable, that is great. 

 

Understand it and apply it to your life.  Hear and do.

 

 

2. The Parable’s Desire, Luke 8:9-10

9 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?”  10 And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.’

 

In verse 9, Jesus’ disciples asked about the meaning of this parable.  His answer is verse 10.

 

He gave two desires of any parable.  The parable will reveal, or the parable will conceal. 

 

To the disciples, the parable was meant to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of God.  The parable was meant to explain the secrets or hidden truths about salvation. 

 

However, for the rest, the parable was meant to conceal.  The parable’s desire was convict or judge the hearer. 

 

In verse 10, He quoted Isaiah 6:9-10.  The Lord sent Isaiah to unbelieving and rebellious Israel to preach to them, and even though they saw, they didn’t see.  Even though they heard, they didn’t understand. 

 

In the crowd that day, there were those that had already made up their minds that Jesus was not the promised Messiah.  He spoke in a parable to judge them. 

 

They saw Him, but they didn’t understand.  They heard Him, but they didn’t understand.  This parable concealed truth from them because they had already rejected Him. 

 

 

3. The Parable Disclosed, Luke 8:11-15

11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

 

Evidently, Jesus’ disciples were looking for a fuller explanation.  The seed is the word of God preached.  In that day, the sower was Jesus.  Today, it is anyone who preaches or shares the gospel. 

 

The first soil can be likened to a heart that is subverted by a predator.  The gospel is preached or shared, but before it takes root, they devil steals the seed and prevents these individuals from believing and beings saved.  An example would be the Pharisees.

 

The second soil can be likened to a heart that succumbs to problems.  Look at verse 13.  The gospel is received initially with joy, but it is not cultivated and gives way to temptations or trials or distress or problems. 

 

These folks begin following Jesus so enthusiastically, but appear to fall away when they experience difficulties.  An example of this second set of ears and second heart maybe those who came to Jesus excited about His miracles of healing but didn’t for long.

 

The third soil can be likened to a heart that surrenders to pleasures.  Verse 14 says the seed or gospel is received but instead of surrendering to the word of God, this heart surrenders to the cares or riches or pleasures of this life. 

 

Following Jesus was going to cost them too much.  These individuals were dooped into thinking that Jesus wasn’t worth it.  An example of this third set of ears and third heart would be the Rich, Young Ruler.

 

The fourth and final soil can be likened to a heart that succeeds with perseverance or patience.  This heart welcomes the word of God immediately and deeply and exclusively and bears fruit because ultimately. 

 

This individual’s heart is obedient to God’s word.  This set of ears and this heart is that of the disciples. 

 

 

Invitation

First, the invitation for some of you today is to hear the gospel in that you are a sinner and if you are left to answer for your sin alone, you will not be able to stand, and you will be judged to hell by holy God because of your sin. 

 

However, if you recognize that you are a sinner and understand that Jesus died on the cross in your place, you can confess Him today as Lord and Savior of your life surrendering your life to His will and His way.

 

Second, if you are here today and you have welcomed the gospel into your life, don’t fall to the distresses of this life.  Don’t fall to the desires of the world.  Persevere in following Jesus through thick and thin, in good times and in bad, for better and for worse. 

 

Finally, don’t forget that you are now a sower of the seed.  Don’t worry about the seed.  It is God’s word. 

 

Don’t worry about the soils.  That is not your concern, but sow the seed wherever you go and with whomever you meet.  

 

Jesus Loves Females!

I want you to take your Bibles and find Luke 8:1. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Jesus Loves Women!”

 

These three verses that begin chapter 8 may seem relatively innocent in meaning.  However, there is much here especially as it relates to females. 

 

As we continue in our study of Luke’s gospel, I want to show you three reasons why Jesus loves women.  Jesus loved the women in this passage, and He loves women today.

 

 

1. Jesus loves women as demonstrated by His creating them, Luke 8:1-2a.

1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women…

 

Beginning in verse 1, we see that Jesus went from town to town preaching and evangelizing.  As a matter of fact, when some people think of Jesus and His earthly ministry, they think He was primarily about ministering and healing and caring for those in need. 

 

While He did do those things, Jesus was primarily a preacher.  Furthermore, His primary ministry was preaching and evangelizing. 

 

Luke said that He was bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.  Literally, that means he was preaching the good news or the gospel of the kingdom of God.

 

What is the gospel of the kingdom of God?  God is holy, and He created humanity holy.  However, Adam and Eve sinned and every human to come after them has sinned too except Jesus.

 

Because we have sinned, our sin has separated us from a holy God.  Therefore, everyone human is in need of salvation and a savior.

 

The only One qualified to save us is Jesus.  Why?  Jesus is the only One who has ever been sinless, and He died on the cross in our place for our sin.

 

Therefore, anyone who put his or her faith in Christ alone as Lord and Savior will be saved.  That is the good news of the kingdom of God. 

 

That was Jesus’ message.  That is our message, and His resurrection from the grave never to die again affirmed the truth of the gospel. 

 

Verse 1 continues and says that the twelve disciples or twelve apostles were with Jesus along with certain women.  Luke goes out of his way to differentiate these women from the others.

 

Why? Jesus created women.  Keep in mind, these aren’t men identifying as women.  These aren’t effeminate men.  These are biological women.

 

Jesus created them as women.  Jesus loved them as women, and Jesus loves women today.

 

BTW…If you are going to promote a story, this was not the way to do it in the first century.  Women were not valued and to include them in your inner circle was counter-cultural.  This reality demonstrates the authenticity of Jesus’ ministry and Luke’s account thereof.

 

Also, did you know that Luke has been called the gospel for women because it is the gospel that spotlights so many women?  Consider these examples.

 

1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

 

2:36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity.

 

7:37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil…7:50 50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

 

10:38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.

 

13:10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”

 

15:8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ 10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

 

18:3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”

 

21:1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

 

Evidently, Luke was greatly impressed by Jesus’ ministry to women.  He continued to spotlight them in Acts: Dorcas or Tabitha in Acts 9, Lydia in Acts 16, Damaris in Acts 17, and Priscilla in Acts 18.

 

 

2. Jesus loves women as demonstrated by His healing them, Luke 8:2b-3a.

2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna…

 

While it is true that women were not highly thought of in the Old Testament and in first century Judaism, that is very far from the truth with Jesus.  Jesus absolutely loved and valued women, and we can see that here in verses 2 and 3.

 

Again, it is highly unusual for Luke to mention these three women by name: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna.  These three women, along with others, were some of the first followers of Christ along with the twelve male disciples. 

 

Even though Mary Magdalene often carries a bad reputation as having been a prostitute, that is only speculation.  Folks have said that about her as they have connected her as the sexual sinner from the end of Luke 7. 

 

The truth is that all we know about her, other than she witnessed the resurrected Christ, is found her in Luke 8.  She was demon-possessed but then fully and complete healed by Jesus.  Remember, the number 7 is often times used to connote full and complete.

 

As for Joanna, she too was an eye witness of the resurrected Christ, and she was the wife of one of Herod’s men.  Evidently, the gospel had made it to the palace. 

 

As for Susanna, she is never mentioned again in all of the Bible.  However, her legacy and memory live on here and for approximately 2000 years.

 

 

3. Jesus loves women as demonstrated by their providing for Him, Luke 8:3b.

And many others who provided for Him from their substance.

 

The last part of verse 3 tells us that of these first century followers of Jesus, many were women, and they provided for Jesus from their substance.  Your translation may say, “them,” so that would be Jesus and the Twelve.

 

These women didn’t just receive from Him.  They gave back to Him and the twelve and their ministry.  Thinking back to last week and Self-righteous Simon and the Sexual Sinner, if you love Jesus, it will be proven more with your works than your words. 

 

Today, women in this church love Jesus, and they demonstrate that love by giving to Him and His ministry.  They give financially.  They give their prayers, and they give by ministering to so many. 

 

 

Invitation

As I close this morning, here me again.  Jesus loves women, and that includes you.  If you didn’t know that previously, maybe your response today is calling on Him to save you.

 

Because Jesus loves women, EBC needs to love women.  If this is the church that God is calling you to join, would you respond to this morning’s invitation?

 

Finally, Jesus loves women, but do you?  You may need to repent of your feelings and behavior toward women.  Our invitation is for you.

 

Filthy Sinner to Forgiven Saint

This morning we continue in our sermon series entitled, “Ordinary People with an Extraordinary God,” and we turn our attention to the New Testament.  Last month, we looked at the Old Testament and the lives of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and David.

 

Today we turn to the gospel of Luke and a story that is often confused with another.  This morning, you’re going to see a woman pour perfume on Jesus’ feet and wipe them with her hair.  Some believe this story is the same as one in Matthew 26 and Mark 14.  However, those happened during the last week of Jesus’ life.  This story in Luke 7 happens toward the beginning of His earthly ministry.  Those stories in the other gospels are about Mary, Lazarus’s sister.  The woman in Luke 7 is unnamed. 

 

In Luke 7:36-50, I want you make three observations with me.  Notice a party with a controversy, a parable of conviction, and a principle for consideration.

 

39. A Party with a Controversy, Luke 7:36-39.

Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to ^[a]dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. ^37 (A)And there was a woman in the city who was a ^[b]sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, ³⁸ and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were ^(B)a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a^[c]sinner.” 

 

In this first scene, we have two main characters other than Jesus.  They are sophisticated Simon and a sexual sinner.  Verse 36 tells us that Jesus was invited to a dinner party by a Pharisee.  His name is revealed as Simon in verse 40.  Therefore, Jesus came as requested and was reclining at the dinner table. 

 

Remember that the tradition here would have been for the guests to be on the floor leaning on their left arm with their head closer to the table, and their feet would have been further away from the table. 

 

Also, whenever a Rabbi visited a home, it was not uncommon for many different townspeople to drop in even though they may not have been personally invited. 

 

Verse 37 introduces our sexual sinner.  This sinner is a woman, and if you look at the footnotes in your Bible, it probably says she was an immoral person.  More than likely, she was a prostitute.  Even though uninvited guests could attend this dinner party, it took some courage for her to be here. 

 

We also see in this verse that she brought an alabaster vial of perfume.  This was probably a rounded container with a longer neck.  Once the neck was broken to pour the perfume, all of the perfume had to be used as there no way to use the container again. 

 

Perhaps she was going to pour the perfume on Jesus head, anointing Him with oil.  However, she could only get as close as His feet.  When she began to pour the perfume on His feet, she was overcome with emotion and began to cry.  She then perhaps was embarrassed and began to wipe His feet with her hair trying to clean off her tears.  Another reason she is considered to be a prostitute is because it was considered very immodest for a Jewish woman to have her hair down in public.  However, this woman doesn’t seem to be concerned. 

 

Her final act was not only to anoint Jesus feet and wipe them with her tears, but she also began to kiss His feet again and again and again. 

 

All the time this going on, Sophisticated Simon is just watching, and in verse 39, he draws three conclusions.  First, Jesus must not be a prophet because He didn’t know who was touching Him.  Second, if He knew what king of woman this was, He wouldn’t let her touch Him.  Third, since He did let her touch Him, He is no prophet and shouldn’t be called as such. 

 

 

43. A Parable of Conviction, Luke 7:40-43.

⁴⁰ And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he ^[d]replied, “Say it, Teacher.” ⁴¹ “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred ^[e](C)denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² When they ^(D) were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”

 

As Jesus often did, He used a parable in the next four verses to illustrate a point.  A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, and He directs it as Simon.  A moneylender had two debtors.  One owed him almost 18 months worth of money.  The other owed him about two months worth of money.  They were both unable to pay.  Therefore, the moneylender graciously agreed to forgive both debts.  Jesus then asked who loved the moneylender more. 

 

Surely, this wasn’t a hard question.  The one that Jesus forgave more loved more, and Simon got it correct.

 

 

• A Principle for Consideration, Luke 7:44-50.

⁴⁴ Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you ^(E) gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You ^(F)gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.^46 (G)You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. ⁴⁷ For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ Then He said to her, “^(H)Your sins have been forgiven.” ⁴⁹ Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say^[f]to themselves, “^(I)Who is this man who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ And He said to the woman,“^(J)Your faith has saved you; ^(K)go in peace.”

 

The principle that Jesus taught the Pharisee and us is found in verse 47.  The person who has been forgiven much, loves much.  The person who has been forgiven little, loves little.  Simon the Pharisee embodied indifference.  Simon didn’t give Jesus any water to wash his feet.  He didn’t give Jesus a kiss as a greeting.  He didn’t anoint Jesus’ head with oil as was the custom of the day for hosts to do to their guests. 

 

This sexual sinner on the other hand demonstrated indebtedness.  She wet Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  She didn’t stop kissing Jesus feet, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with her perfume. 

 

She recognized that had sinned much and was forgiven much, and consequently, she loved much.  Simon only recognized that he had sinned little and was forgiven little, and consequently, he loved little. 

 

Jesus then turned to her and verbalized her sins being forgiven.  That action drew much ire from the crowd.  They didn’t recognize that He was God and could forgive sins.  He then dismissed the woman in peace and rightfully commented that her faith had saved her.

 

What caused Jesus to transform this woman from filthy sinner to forgiven saint?  It was her faith and can be your faith, and her faith was demonstrated in brokenness over her sin as she cried, gratitude for Jesus’ mercy as she kissed His feet, and worship of God as she anointed His feet with perfume. 

 

 

Conclusion

Jesus is ready to transform you this morning as well if you’ll believe.  If you’ll put your faith and trust in Him as Lord and Savior, He’ll save you…even sexual sinners can be transformed to forgiven saints.

 

If you here this morning, and you think you’re saved but have never been broken over your sin or grateful for Jesus’ mercy or genuinely worshipped God, you might not be saved.  It is debatable whether Simon was saved, but don’t worry about Simon.  What about you?

 

Every Parent's Greatest Fear

Whether you are a parent or a child, I think you will agree that the death of child is maybe the greatest fear every parent of every parent in the room.  Even some of you here today have experienced your child preceding you in death. 

 

My heart goes out to you.  I hope today’s message is encouraging to you.  Jesus feels your pain and is more than sorry for your loss.

 

Today’s story is only in Luke.  However, it is very similar to a story found in 1 Kings 17:8-24 that we will see in just a moment.

 

In our study of Luke so far, we have seen that is Lord and has authority over demons in Luke 4-5.  We have also seen that Jesus is Lord and has authority over disease.  We saw that just last Sunday.  Today, we are going to see that Jesus is Lord and has authority over death.

 

 

1. A Dire Situation, Luke 7:11-12

11 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. 12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.

 

Verse 11 tells us that Jesus went next to the city of Nain the day after He healed the centurion’s servant.  Nain was approximately 25 miles south of Capernaum.  That would have been a day’s journey beginning at sunup. 

 

Along with Him were His disciples and a larger crowd as well.  More than likely, it was closer to the end of the day, and at the edge of town, Jesus met a funeral procession. 

 

BTW…Here is another example demonstrating that all of Jesus’ followers were called disciples.  Disciples is not a more mature group or a more committed group.  All Christians are disciples of Christ.

 

This man probably died earlier in the day.  It was the custom of the day to bury your dead as soon as possible since they did not having the embalming technologies that we have today. 

 

He was now being taken outside the city where he would be buried and then covered with rocks to mark his grave.  Even though NKJV uses the word coffin in verse 14, more than likely, this was a bier (beer), which was an open coffin.  Therefore, you could see inside.

 

BTW…The traditional after-life process for the follower of Christ in the Bible was burial, and that is still true today.  However, the Bible does not prohibit cremation if that is your choice. 

 

Jesus saw this deceased young man on the bier (beer), and his mother was leading the procession along with many of her friends from the community.  Why is this a dire situation other than the obvious?

 

Notice how verse 12 describes this family.  This woman was a widow.  Therefore, we know that she already experienced the loss of her husband.  Now, it is her only son. 

 

She was in emotional trouble because she outlived her child.  That hurts.  This is a parent’s greatest fear. 

 

She was in physical trouble.  She didn’t have any male family to physically protect her. 

 

She was in financial trouble.  She had no income and no one to provide for her. 

 

She was in trouble.  Jesus recognized her trouble, and was about to change her situation.

 

Don’t overlook what this story tells us about those experiencing the death of a loved one.  They need friends during that time.  They need family during that time. 

 

They need others to help them make it.  Don’t neglect ministry opportunities like this. 

 

 

2. A Miraculous Demonstration, Luke 7:13-15

13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.

 

When Jesus saw this scene, His heart broke.  He felt compassion for her.  He felt pity for her.  He felt sympathy for her.  His inward emotions were distraught. 

 

Why?  Jesus cares for you.  He hates to see people hurt.  He hates to see you hurt, and this woman was hurting. 

 

In this day, the mother would be leading the way, and she was crying.  In verse 13, Jesus didn’t dismiss her hurt and pain by telling her to stop crying.  He told her to stop crying because He was about to change her situation. 

 

Jesus stopped the procession in verse 14.  He came up to the bier (beer), and touched it, and spoke to the dead body. 

 

Notice what He said.  “Young man, I say to you, arise!”  The corpse sat up. 

 

Can you even imagine this?  Jesus just brought death to life.  Jesus just did the impossible.  He just did the unbelievable. 

 

In order to prove this miracle was real, the young man spoke.  We don’t know what he said, but that is irrelevant.  He was alive and talking, and Jesus returned him to his mother.

 

BTW…You may think this morning that your situation is beyond hope.  You may think your marriage is dead or your relationship with your adult child is dead or your finances are dead or your health is dead and hopeless. 

 

Don’t be so sure.  Jesus can bring death to life.

 

 

3. A Positive Reverberation, Luke 7:16-17

16 Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” 17 And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 

As you can imagine, when the crowd saw the dead man alive, they were awestruck.  Verse 16 says fear gripped them.  That wasn’t fear as in they were afraid. 

 

They were fearful in the sense of reverence and respect.  They recognized and admitted that in fact Jesus was a great prophet.

 

This admission was not complete, but it was accurate in what it stated.  Not only was He a great prophet, they recognized and admitted that God had visited them. 

 

Consequently, this news spread throughout the surrounding area.  As I said previously, this story will be the basis for our next look at Luke’s gospel as some of John the Baptist’s disciples come on the scene.

 

 

Illustration: 1 Kings 17:8-24

8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”  12 So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”  13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’”  15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.  17 Now it happened after these things that the son of the woman who owned the house became sick. And his sickness was so serious that there was no breath left in him. 18 So she said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?”  19 And he said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him out of her arms and carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. 20 Then he cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?” 21 And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” 22 Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.  23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives!”  24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth.”

 

 

Invitation/Conclusion/Application

So how does story apply to you? 

 

First, the main point of this story is that Jesus is Lord over death.  Jesus can bring death to live any time and any place. 

 

Most applicable to us this morning maybe Him bringing the spiritually dead to life.  Jesus is ready to save you this morning who are spiritually dead and on your way to an eternity in hell separated from God.

 

Second, Jesus is full of compassion for those who are hurting this morning.  If you’ve lost a child, Jesus hurts with you and for you, and is here to comfort you. 

 

If you’re hurting because of your marriage, your relationship with your children, your health, your finances, whatever, Jesus wants to comfort you today.  He wants to help you today. 

 

Third, Jesus is worthy of worship and worthy of praise because of what He has done.  He is also worthy of worship and praise because of who He is. 

 

He is the Son of God and the Son of man.  He is the way, the truth, and the life.  He is our Lord and Savior and coming King!

 

 

 

Marvelous Faith

This morning, we have come to Luke 7.  If you have your Bibles, please stand in honor of God’s Holy Word. 

 

I want to share a message with you this morning entitled, “Marvelous Faith.”  Our text is Luke 7:1-10. 

 

Today’s story is found here and also in Matthew 8.  In both instances and in Acts 10, we find God’s Word highlighting the faith of Roman Centurions. In the gospels, it is faith at which Jesus marvels. 

 

 

Exposition

In verse 1, Jesus had finished His Sermon on the Mount, or some would say, “Sermon on the Plain.” Then, He moved onto Capernaum. 

 

It was there that we are introduced indirectly to a Roman Centurion.  A centurion was a member of the Roman Army who had approximately one hundred men in His battalion and under his leadership. 

 

This particular centurion mentioned in verse 2 must have also been somewhat wealthy since he owned a slave.  We also find out that this slave was sick and about to die.  Matthew’s gospel tells us that he was paralyzed. 

 

We also see in verse 2 that this centurion loved his slave dearly.  This slave was highly regarded by his owner, and must have been extremely valuable beyond utility. 

 

In verse 3, the centurion had heard about Jesus healing many people and must have thought He could help in this situation.  Therefore, he wanted to be in contact. 

 

However, because he was a Gentile, he may have been afraid that Jesus wouldn’t respond if he spoke to him directly.  Therefore, He sent some Jewish elders with is request.  These may have been religious leaders, or they may have been simply older Jewish men that the centurion knew well.

 

When these Jewish elders met Jesus, they begged Him to come and save this slave’s life.  Notice their reasoning in verses 4 and 5. 

 

This centurion was a trusted friend in their eyes. From their perspective, he loved Israel and these Jews.  He even helped build their synagogue either physically or financially. 

 

Some commentators call him a “God-fearer.”  While he hadn’t been circumcised and thus converted to Judaism, he did fear the God of Judaism and respected the followers of that God.

 

In verse 6, Jesus started on His way to answer the request of the centurion and heal his slave.  In the mean time, the centurion had another thought. 

 

Realizing more of who Jesus truly was, he recognized that he was not worthy to be in His presence.  Therefore, he sent another delegation of friends to intercept Jesus and ask Him to simply command the healing of this slave.  Notice the message the centurion sent in verses 7 and 8. 

 

In verse 7, he said he wasn’t even worthy to speak with Jesus directly.  He had so much respect and reverence for Jesus’ authority to heal that Jesus could simply speak the words and his slave would be healed.

 

In verse eight, he explained further his understanding of authority.  He was one under authority and one with authority in the Roman Army. 

 

BTW, Do you recognize Jesus’ authority in your life by obeying Him?  If Jesus said it, does that settle the issue for you, and does your life reflect it? 

 

Take this little quiz from Matthew’s Gospel.  See 10:32, 12:36-37, 16:24-25, 18:8-9, 18:15-17, 18:21-22, 19:6, 24:42, 28:19-20. 

 

In verse 9, Jesus responded to this man’s respect and reverence for His authority.  Luke says that Jesus marveled at him. He was amazed at what He just heard.  You might even say this centurion had marvelous faith.

 

But why?  This man was an uncircumcised Gentile.  He was not raised in a believing covenant community.  His parents had not raised him going to the synagogue and reading and studying the Torah. 

 

However, he had faith.  He had marvelous faith. 

 

In verse 10, Jesus then turned to the crowd that included His disciples and most likely included some Jewish religious leaders and said that He had not found faith like this among religious Jews.  His comments served two purposes: to chastise the Jews and to commend the centurion.

 

When the second delegation got back to the centurion’s home, the slave was well.  He had been healed. 

 

 

The Centurion

In this text, we might first look at the centurion.  Notice his character.  He was compassionate with his slave.  He was kind to the Jews.  He was reverent to Jesus.

 

We have already spoken of his marvelous faith. He had faith that Jesus would could heal.  He had faith Jesus would heal.  He even had faith Jesus could heal and would heal from a distance by just speaking a word, and He did. 

 

 

The Savior

We also need to make sure that we focus on the Savior.  Notice that He cares for all.  He cares for the Gentile and his servant, and He cares for the Jew.  He also cares for the wealthy and the poor. 

 

Second, Jesus has authority over all.  We have seen already from Luke, and we will continue to see that He has authority over demons and disease (today), and death (next Sunday). 

 

Third, Jesus loves all.  He loved this centurion.  He loved the Jews that the centurion sent, and He loved the centurion’s servant.  We know that because He healed him, and He wants to heal you too.

 

 

The Sinners

Jesus is inviting you sinners today to come to Him. Come to Him just like the centurion, but come humbly recognizing your sin and Jesus’ holiness.

 

Jesus is inviting you sinners to ask of Him just like the centurion. Ask Him to save you.  Ask Him to heal you.

 

Finally, Jesus is inviting you to believe in Him just like the centurion.  Believe in Him as your Savior.  Believe in Him as the Lord of your life.