1. The document summarizes a Bible passage where Jesus heals the sick slave of a Roman centurion after being asked by Jewish elders. 2. The centurion tells Jesus he is not worthy to have Jesus in his home, but that Jesus only needs to say the word to heal his slave from afar, showing great faith. 3. Jesus is amazed by the centurion's faith, greater even than in his own people, and heals the slave remotely as requested.

1. FAITH WHERE WE
LEAST EXPECT IT!
2nd Sunday after Pentecost
29th May 2016

2. Today…
What period of time are we living in?

3. Today…
What type of world are we living in?

4. Where is God in all this?
How do we have faith in times like this?
Where do we draw
strength?
???

5. • 7:1 After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.
• 7:2 A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death.
• 7:3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his
slave.
• 7:4 When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do
this for him,
• 7:5 for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.”
Luke 7: 1-10…

6. Quick contemplation…
PEOPLE ON THE SCENE
JESUS
ELDERS
CENTURION
SICK SLAVE
CENTURION’S
FRIENDS

7. • 7:6 And Jesus went with them, but when he was
not far from the house, the centurion sent friends
to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I
am not worthy to have you come under my roof;
• 7:7 therefore I did not presume to come to you.
But only speak the word, and let my servant be
healed.
• 7:8 For I also am a man set under authority, with
soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he
goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes,
and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it."
• 7:9 When Jesus heard this he was amazed at
him, and turning to the crowd that followed him,
he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I
found such faith."
• 7:10 When those who had been sent returned to
the house, they found the slave in good health.
Luke 7: 1-10…

8. Quick contemplation…
What was the centurion’s IDENTITY?
GENTILE! What else?
1. Elders of the community willing to speak to Jesus on behalf of an outsider.
2. He should be considered a friend of the Jews as he paid for their
synagogue.
3. He is willing to reach out to the rabbi on behalf of his slave. He cares
enough about this person to seek Jesus help.
4. The centurion has heard about and honors the power of this teacher and
healer.
5. He also respects Jesus enough to send another delegation to tell Jesus
that he does not have to come to the house.

9. Quick contemplation…
What did Jesus do?
He was AMAZED!
The amazing element of this story if that Jesus is the one
who is amazed -- not the centurion, not the various groups
that go to speak with Jesus, but Jesus himself.
Jesus is astounded at the faith of this “enemy”, this
gentile. This man’s faith engenders a “long-distance”
healing.

10. What did we learn?
This is a story about identity and authority.
The centurion recognized who Jesus was -- did the elders
and residents of Capernaum?
Jesus heals the slave of the centurion because of his
owner’s faith.
Are we willing to approach Jesus, for ourselves, for our
friends, for our enemies?

11. How then shall we find faith?
Knowing our IDENTITY:
“Children of God”

12. How then shall we live?
Build the Father – Child relationship
Learn
with
Him
Rest with Him
Experience
life with Him
Trust in Him