|
__Faith__
. What is it? The dictionary defines it as belief and trust in God. But did
you ever stop to consider there are different levels of faith or __unbelief__? In Jn. 20, doubting Thomas said “I will never believe unless I see Him.” Jesus
said,” because you have seen Me, you have believed, blessed are those who have
not seen and yet have believed.” In today’s lesson, we see two men with
different levels of faith or unbelief and we can see how Jesus confronts and
conquers each one.
I. The
Nobleman (John 4:43-54)
A. Three
levels of __faith__.
1.
The highest type.
Only demands the beauty of Christ’s __person__. Jn.1:36.
2.
Second type. Demands
the __words__ of Christ. Jn 4:42.
3.
Third type. The person and
words of Christ are not enough...the __works__ of Christ are necessary. Jn.
14:11.
Note: There is a forth level of unbelief that is found in the scriptures,
__hardened__ unbelief. Mat. 11:22-24; Jn. 11:45-53.
B. The
Nobleman and his great need...a dying __son__.
1.
Vs 43-46. His __rank__
meant nothing to him now...he was a __beggar__. He was a __father__. Ever just
hurt for your kids?
2.
Vs 47-49. His faith was
small. Capernaum was 16-20 miles away. Jesus __had__ to come and lay hands on
him. Ever put limits on God?
a. Fearing
faith...I hope you can heal him...a last resort.
b. Feeble
faith ...You’ve got to be __where__ he is.
3.
Vs 50. Jesus meets
his unbelief (I need a miracle) and moves him up to the 2nd level to believe
his __word__. He was faced with a decision. Now he believes His word! Ever
stop to wonder why? Jn. 7:45-46. Mat. 7:29.
4.
Vs 51-53. __Full__
faith! He moved from believing the words to believing in person and
revelation of who Christ is. Stage 1 faith!
II.
The Centurion (Matthew 8:5-13)
A. The
Centurion was a career military officer in the Roman army with control over
__100__ soldiers.
1.
Vs 5. A Gentile,
hated by the __Jews__.
2.
A man under
authority.
B. Vs
6. The Centurion and his great need, a suffering __servant__. But he had great
__faith__!
1.
Vs 7-10. He
absolutely trusted the __word__ of Christ. Vs 8, “but just say the word...”
2.
Vs 10. His faith
astonished the Lord. In such a hardened town, a man with proper perspective
of himself (I do not deserve...), and total trust in who Christ is (“just say
the word”).
3.
He puts to shame the
lack of faith of the Jews.
4.
Vs 11-13. He
demonstrates God’s grace to the Gentiles also.
a. See
the authority of His __word__. “Go, it will be done...”
b. See
the authority of His __works__. “And his servant was healed...”
Lessons For Our Lives
1. Jesus
always meets the demands of unbelief. Because of that we are all without
excuse.
2. What
keeps you or me from coming to Him in full faith?
3. Did you
see His Glory?
4. Do you
put limits on God's Power? We just need to trust Him and believe that He is the
Lord and that He will answer our prayers according to His will.
5. Don't be
a man of hardened unbelief.
|