The Certainty Of Christ’s Power
Book of Luke 7
What is the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ?
The answer to every question is Jesus Christ!
The answer to every need is also Jesus Christ!
Jesus Christ bridges the gaps and the differences between all of mankind!
We have only one thing to do on our part and that is we must have “Faith”!
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
In order to see the power of God the one requirement is faith!
Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Faith begins with hearing and then believing the Word of God!
*****Luk 7:1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
Jesus had just finished teaching about having the right attitude.
The right attitude when attached to faith in the Lord gives God something to work with!
We know that Jesus was called a Nazarene because He was raised in Nazareth.
We know that Jesus had been rejected by His hometown of Nazareth and He had made His headquarters in Capernaum.
It can be understood that Jesus did not have a house in Capernaum but it was a place He could take shelter.
Mat 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Just as He and the disciples were returning to Capernaum, Jesus was approached by the elders of the city.
*****Luk 7:2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
Luk 7:3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
The first thing we see is that having great faith and the right attitude leads to those who have great care!
A Roman Centurion would be in command of at least 100 men.
A servant to a Roman Centurion would have certainly have been his slave.
What we see in this Scripture is a Roman Centurion who had a slave that he honored and considered him to be a precious human being.
This was in all probability a Jew!
In the society of that day, a slave was not much more than a tool to be used until it was worthless and they had absolutely no rights as a human beings.
A slave could be mistreated or even killed without repercussions.
This Roman commander had a slave that he cared very much about.
Most owners of slaves would have just gotten rid of that slave and just replaced him with another but this soldier seemed to care for people.
We also see that Jesus was well known by the government officials and the elders of the synagogue.
BUT, This soldier had something that was missing from the Jewish people, it’s called “faith”.
This soldier had heard of the things that Jesus had done and he simply believed!
Jesus the “Miracle Worker”, Jesus the “Great Physician”, Jesus the “Master Teacher” was coming to town.
It does not say that these Jewish elders had any faith at all. They only thought of this Centurion as someone who did not cause harm to the Jewish people.
**A lesson we can see as Christians, is that those of “great faith” will feel unworthy to approach the Lord.
Another lesson we can see is that the government always has it’s eyes on Christians.
But we must also understand that there are even some in the government that can be reached with the “Gospel” and it will change their relationship with the people for the better.
In contrast when a man that has been trained to take lives meets the Savior who is the giver of life, it is the Lord. our Savior, who always wins.
Most soldiers truly develope a brotherhood with those who fight by their side.
AND, The Lord Jesus Christ has a message of love and brotherhood!
This soldier knew he was a terrible sinner.
This soldier knew he was unworthy.
BUT, this soldier was not too proud to ask for help!
This soldier found someone to intercede on his part!
As Christians we simply must not ever allow our unworthiness and the fear of rejection to come between us and the Lord!
The truth is:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Our world today is filled with people who do not even want to hear the ‘Gospel” because they know it exposes them of the truth.
AND, The truth is we must humble ourselves before the Lord if we wish the blessings of God!
Isa 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
**Next we will see that great “faith” will seek out God!
*****Luk 7:4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
Luk 7:5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
A Roman soldier would have knowledge of all the pagan gods of Rome and if he sought them, which he probably did, he had found that nothing comes from false religion and hope is not a word that is used by false religion.
No doubt he had heard many times of the God of Israel and had heard of the great things He had already done and he had since heard many of the Jews speak of the Messiah who had authority over all God’s creation.
Hope will always draw us to our God!
Jer 32:27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
There are several times we see the Centurion soldiers in the New Testament and every time they are seen as favorable.
The one most remembered is Cornelius who reached out to Peter.
A Centurion at the cross who was convinced that Jesus was the true Son of God.
A Centurion to took the Apostle Paul to Rome.
It can be said that the God of Israel had made a great impression upon them all.
This Centurion had actually built s synagogue for the Jews of Capernaum to worship God and may have even worshiped with them there.
We see in this man a “man of faith” who “loved God”.
What is the truth of God?
1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
Those that see “typology” in the Scriptures can see this man who loved the Jewish people even though he is hated and despised by most all of them.
We see a “Gentile” who did what he could to aid in the worship of Jehovah God!
Even his Jewish enemies felt the need to intercede for him with the Lord Jesus Christ.
This Gentile, Roman Commander exhibited more faith in Christ Jesus than all those in Capernaum!
*****Luk 7:6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
Luk 7:7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
Luk 7:8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
We must understand that “faith” is the key that unlocks all the doors of Christianity and everlasting life!
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith comes from a belief in the truth and confidence in the Word of God and it’s truths.
If we cannot believe that there is a God, we have nothing to base our “faith” upon!
If we cannot believe in a Supreme Being, then we have to admit that everything we see happened by accident, which in itself is impossible!
Jesus Christ is the sovereign Lord of all creation and “ALL” power is subject to Him!
Jesus Christ is the “Rewarder” to “all” those seek Him and He will use His power in behalf of those that seek Him!
This Centurion had diligently sought our Lord.
This Centurion had believed in the power and the authority of our Lord.
This Centurion had “great faith” because he believed that Christ Jesus could just speak and things would happen!
This Centurion understood the Genesis record of creation!
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
This Centurion understood the truth because he believed that the Word of Christ was all that was needed!
The Lord Jesus Christ does not have to be present for our needs to be met!
This is why our prayers are so important!
This is the reason we should ask in the name of Jesus!
Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
This Centurion understood what the word authority really meant!
Authority is the right to command!
This Centurion could issue an order and it would be carried out, whether he was there or not was not important.
He understood that Jesus need only to speak and whatever He said would be done.
This is the “faith” that is lacking in our prayer life today!
This is the “faith” that is lacking in our churches today!
Psa 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
What could Jesus do but only do as He said He would do, by the Word of God.
*****Luk 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Luk 7:10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
This Gentile Roman Centurion had exhibited greater “faith”in the Word of Jesus Christ, than most all the Israelites to whom He had first come.
This Gentile Roman Centurion had caused the hand of God to be moved, a great example for us all!
Notice Jesus did not embrace this man for who hew was or what he had done in his past. Jesus embraced him for His “faith”!
Even today it is hard to find the same “faith” this soldier exhibited, even in the Church.
The Lord Jesus healed this servant because He could!
The Lord Jesus is truly the Messiah!
The power of the Lord Jesus Christ has not diminished in all these years. It is our lack of “faith” that has made the church weak in this day and time!
For Jesus to meet our needs, we must believe that He can meet our needs, after all why pray if we do not believe that God is who He says He is!
AND, The power of God is in His Son Jesus!
Mar 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
There are still many doubters in the world so Jesus decided to help a mother.
*****Luk 7:11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.
Nain is 6 miles from Nazareth and a day’s journey from Capernaum.
Nain is also the same area where Elisha had raised the son of a Shunammite woman.
2Ki 4:34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.
2Ki 4:35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
We know that the most phenomenal event in history is the resurrection of the dead.
Every believer shares this promise of God!
1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Many people just have a hard time believing this thing so God, by the Holy Ghost, included this resurrection in the Word of God.
In this incident in Nain there were many eyewitnesses this day and this miracle could not be denied!
We must first understand that a widow left entirely on her own had very little chance of survival at that day and time.
The loss of this son would probably be a loss this widow would never overcome!
In the middle east today, it is only Israel that gives women the freedoms they deserve so they can in fact survive in this world.
As Jesus entered into Nain, He came upon a funeral procession.
*****Luk 7:12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
Luk 7:13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
Aren’t you glad we serve a God with compassion?
Compassion is the suffering of one for another and a sensation of sorrow for some one else’s sorrows.
Aren’t you glad we serve a God who can be touched with our own sorrows?
Jehovah God will get close and personal with those He loves!
The Lord Jesus Christ was touched by the broken heart of this mother.
She was already a widow with only one son and she had outlived her son which we all expect not to happen.
None of us want to bury our own children!
She was a woman alone in a world that was already harsh and rough on women!
The family name would die out with the death of her son but the Lord Jesus had compassion of her.
The size of the crowd told Jesus how much this mother had been loved in the community.
We can see that she had loved and cared for many of them throughout her years.
Throughout the Word of God we see our Lord who is always touched and moved to help all those who have helped others!
Psa 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
We also notice that in this case no one asked Jesus for His help.
We have a God who will at all times act on His own compassion!
After all God sent His Son to save us while we were all yet sinners!
Normally Luke used the name Jesus but on this occasion, by the Holy Ghost, Luke writes that it was the Lord who saw this woman who was so loved by this community.
It is the Lord who holds the sovereign power of the universe!
It was the Lord of compassion who had seen this woman!
It was the Lord of all power who could do something about it!
We have a God who can have compassion on a single individual, located in an unknown place, totally out of touch to the rest of the world!
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It was the Lord who spoke to this woman and gave her assurance.
Thank goodness we have a God who is not way off but a God that is near enough to see the troubles we have!
Jer 23:23 Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
Jer 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
Thank goodness we serve a God of mercy!
Lam 3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
Lam 3:22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Lam 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lam 3:24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Our Lord is also our example of the compassion we are to have for one another!
It is only this same compassionate, loving God, who holds the power of resurrection!
*****Luk 7:14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
Luk 7:15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
**We must clearly understand that the Lord Jesus Christ has the power to by-pass all religious beliefs without compromising on the Word of God!
Jesus has the sole power over life and death!
**We must clearly understand that Jesus has the power to stop a death processional without speaking a Word.
Jesus simply walked over and touched the bier.
Our lesson is that we to must be obedient if we wished to be raised from the dead!
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
**We must clearly understand that Jesus has the power to raise the dead just by saying “Arise”.
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Joh 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
This mother, who could already see death in her own future because of cruel world now saw life because of Christ Jesus.
*****Luk 7:16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
Luk 7:17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
What is it to fear God? The truth is we should have absolute fear of the power of God but to those that know Him, our fear is coupled with love and hope.
We truly serve an awesome God!
If we have a reverent fear of the Lord it will keep us from being so careless with the Word of God but also be an incentive to live as Jesus and as an example to all others in the righteousness of Jesus.
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
When this young man sat up, who was dead, the city of Nain saw something they had never witnessed but had only been talked about since the days of Elisha.
What is the truth? God is the giver of all life and it is only God who can restore life!
Our lesson should also be that we serve a God who is always ready to show His compassion.
Jesus was only glorified as a great prophet because Elisha had done a similar thing many years before Jesus.
BUT, more important these people realized that after more than 400 years God had again visited His people!
This is the thing that was broadcast throughout the region!
Israel might not know who Jesus is but they certainly know they have a compassionate God!
Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased
What these people missed was the “Grace” of God.
What the world of today misses is the power in the Word of God!
AND, more important when will people realize that the Lord Jesus Christ will return just as He promised!
Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
We can be certain of the power of Christ Jesus!
Most of our world today question the Messiahship of Jesus Christ.
John the Baptist was locked up in prison by this time and He did not so much doubt the Lord Jesus as He wanted proof that he had not wasted his time as a preacher of the Word of God.
We will all suffer doubts from time to time.
*****Luk 7:18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.
Luk 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
Luk 7:20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
None of us will ever go through this life, even after salvation, without an occasional period of doubt.
John the Baptist was experiencing such a time.
The one thing we should always remember, when it comes to the Word of God, honest questions never disappoint God.
God only judges rebellion against His Word!
God will meet and answer every honest question from those who trust Him in “faith”!
It seems that while John was in prison some of his followers began to follow Jesus and they had returned to tell John what they had seen.
John was truly enthused about what he had heard but we must remember John was still expecting the King of Kings to restore Israel to her glory as the prophets had said.
What John heard was that when people tried to encourage Jesus to be king that He would withdraw and discourage their actions.
Luk 5:15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
Luk 5:16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
John needed assurance that Jesus was much more than some prophet or some healer but truly the Messiah.
John sent two of his disciples just to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah.
Just as in the temptations of Satan, Jesus answered them with the Word of God.
*****Luk 7:21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
Luk 7:22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
Luk 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
When we look back on the “Gospels” of the Lord Jesus Christ in faith we can see that the ministry and the message of Jesus Christ proved that He was the Messiah!
One thing should be very clear to us in the end, it is sin to question the methods God uses to accomplish His will on this earth or in this universe.
**Jesus first demonstrated His powers. Jesus cured many and restored sight to man who were blind.
Jesus was saying, “if you want to judge Me, judge Me on what I do”.
Jesus confessed to be the Messiah.
Jesus proved He was the Messiah with His actions.
Jesus demonstrated to the world that “there is a God”.
A God that is above all the natural world.
A God that could heal any and all disease.
A God that truly loves His creation and had compassion for sinful man.
A God who had the perfect plan of salvation for all those that would believe.
**Only Jesus and not some prophet could fulfill the prophesies of the Old Testament.
Jesus was saying to the disciples of John, that God’s idea of the Messiah is far different from what man had made it out to be!
Jesus said to the disciples of John, there are far greater things than the things of this earth.
Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
**Jesus said to John’s disciples, there far more people than just the people of Israel.
**Jesus said, before the wrath of God comes, must come the blessings of God.
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
**Jesus told the disciples of John to tell him to be patient!
The personal ministry of Jesus the Savior must be complete before the political ministry of King Jesus can begin!
And Jesus ends by saying blessings comes to those that are patient waiting on the Lord to complete His ministry of salvation.
Before the Kingdom Jesus can be established, those who will live there must be established!
1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
The power of God is certain through the testimony of Jesus Christ!
Questions?
Let’s Pray!