Encountering Encountering ChristChrist

Jesus Encounters Great FaithJesus Encounters Great FaithLuke 7:1-10Luke 7:1-10

Grace Community Church December 14, 2008Grace Community Church December 14, 2008

Luke 7:1-5Luke 7:1-51 1 After he had finished all his sayings in After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Capernaum. 2 2 Now a centurion had a Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by of death, who was highly valued by him. him. 3 3 When the centurion heard about When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. servant. 4 4 And when they came to And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, this for him, 5 5 for he loves our nation, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” synagogue.”

Luke 7:6-8Luke 7:6-8You better watch out You better watch out You better not cry You better not cry Better not pout Better not pout I'm telling you why I'm telling you why Santa Claus is coming to town Santa Claus is coming to town He's making a list He's making a list And checking it twice; And checking it twice; Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice Santa Claus is coming to town Santa Claus is coming to town He sees you when you're sleeping He sees you when you're sleeping He knows when you're awake He knows when you're awake He knows if you've been bad or good He knows if you've been bad or good So be good for goodness sake! So be good for goodness sake!

““He is worthy, therefore do this for He is worthy, therefore do this for him…”him…”

This paradigm is toxic to your soul.This paradigm is toxic to your soul.

1.1. Must be worthy to approach God.Must be worthy to approach God.2.2. Fosters a poor me faith witch never Fosters a poor me faith witch never

draws near.draws near.3.3. Limits possessor in what they can ask.Limits possessor in what they can ask.4.4. Unanswered prayer deep source of Unanswered prayer deep source of

trouble.trouble.5.5. This paradigm glorifies self, not God.This paradigm glorifies self, not God.

Luke 7:6-8Luke 7:6-86 6 And Jesus went with them. When he And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under not worthy to have you come under my roof. my roof. 7 7 Therefore I did not presume Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. let my servant be healed. 8 8 For I too am For I too am a man set under authority, with a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Luke 7:9-10Luke 7:9-109 9 When Jesus heard these things, he When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” such faith.” 10 10 And when those who had And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.found the servant well.

How can we have this faith?How can we have this faith?

Understand & Believe 3 Understand & Believe 3 TruthsTruths1.1. God does not justify the worthy, God does not justify the worthy,

only the unworthy. Romans 4:5only the unworthy. Romans 4:52.2. We approach God on the basis of We approach God on the basis of

grace. Hebrews 4:16.grace. Hebrews 4:16.3.3. Our worth is defined by whose we Our worth is defined by whose we

are not who we were. 1 are not who we were. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11Corinthians 6:9-11

Come Ye Sinners – Joseph Come Ye Sinners – Joseph HartHartCome, ye weary, heavy laden,Come, ye weary, heavy laden,

Bruised and broken by the fall; Bruised and broken by the fall; If you tarry 'til you're better, If you tarry 'til you're better, You will never come at all. You will never come at all.

Not the righteous, not the righteous;Not the righteous, not the righteous;Sinners Jesus came to call. Sinners Jesus came to call.

Let not conscience make you linger,Let not conscience make you linger,Nor of fitness fondly dream; Nor of fitness fondly dream; All the fitness He requirethAll the fitness He requirethIs to feel your need of Him.Is to feel your need of Him.

This He gives you, this He gives you,This He gives you, this He gives you,'Tis the Spirit's rising beam.'Tis the Spirit's rising beam.