“Greater Faith”
Luke 7:1-10
Sermon Series: “Greater”
Introduction: Luke 17:5 says, “And the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith’.” Do you ever feel like you need more faith? I do. Faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6) and brings us spiritual victory (1 John 5:4) so it is incredibly important. I want to have greater faith. What does that look like? Well, we have an incredible example of faith before us in the passage we are looking at today. In fact, Jesus told this man (who was a Gentile, a Roman soldier, in fact) that He had “not found such great faith, not even in Israel.” Jesus actually marveled at him, which means that he was amazed by his faith. Why was He so amazed by this man’s faith? Let’s look at four characteristics of this soldier’s faith that characterize a great faith and see if our faith has these same characteristics.
1. Great faith looks to Jesus (v. 1-4). The key to faith is its object. While I would like to have more faith, the object of our faith is much more important than the amount. We can have huge amounts of faith in things that are deceptive lies that will harm us instead of helping us. Jesus is the only worthy object of faith.
2. Great faith humbly depends upon grace (v. 4-7). Notice the contrast between the approach of the elders on behalf of the soldier and his personal message that he sent through his friends. The elders were basically trying to make a deal with Jesus. They were trying to convince Jesus that the soldier deserved a miracle because of what he had done for them. This is the worst approach we can ever take in approaching the Lord. We should never ask for what we deserve because what we deserve is hell. On the other hand, the centurion told Jesus that he was not worthy of Jesus coming into his house or for him to come to Jesus. In other words, he was looking for grace. He saw that he was unable and unworthy while Jesus is
able and worthy. That is faith! As long as we think we are worthy and able, we are trusting in ourselves instead of Jesus. We are proud instead of humble and “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). In order to be saved, we must admit our spiritual bankruptcy (Matthew 5:3). We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). God tells believers to humble themselves under His mighty hand so He can lift us up at the appropriate time (1 Peter 5:6).
3. Great faith trusts the Word of God (v. 7). The centurion said, “But say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Real faith is taking God at His Word and acting on it. It believes that God said it so that settles it.
4. Great faith submits to the authority of Jesus (v. 8). In other words, real faith produces obedience. That is why faith without works is dead (James 2:17). The test of our faith is actually acting on the Word of God by claiming His promises and obeying His commands. Jesus said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)?
Conclusion: Are you trusting Jesus for you salvation? Are you really living by faith in your day to day life? Do you have a weak faith or a great faith?
