Jesus Was Astonished

Mt 8:5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.  6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."  7 Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him."  8 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.  9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

I. Jesus was Astonished
A. KJ= Marveled  (Impressed)
B.  Impressed by this man's faith
C.  Jesus is blessed when we believe Him.

-  This Centurion had watched Jesus
-  He knew what Jesus heart was
-  The only question was would Jesus do it for him.
-  He chose to believe He would
-  "Just say the word and my servant will be healed"

II. Only One other Time when Jesus was Astonished

Mr 6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.  2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles!  3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.  4 Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."  5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.  6 And he was amazed/(astonished same Greek word as in Matt 8:10) at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.

A. Jesus was amazed that they were so thick headed.
-   They were impressed with Jesus teaching and miracles until they remembered who he was

III.  This Underlines the Great Importance of Faith in the Life of Every Christian

Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

A. Hebrews 11:1 gives us a definition of Faith.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. NIV

Heb 11:1 ¶ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. KJ

- Substance, Solid - ability to touch it now
- Evidence - proof of a reality

Happens internally: - We see it NOW - We have it NOW  Because we believe what God has said, and who He is.

(We've talked about this with Abraham,  The Land, the Sand, and the Stars )

The Holy Spirit in this word, and speaking to our spirit settles the issue.

IV. Paul's List of Why We Can Live by Faith

Eph 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

He is not waiting around to see how things come out for you!  He already knows.

Walk in confidence!

Paul's shows us how to see and what we have
Eph 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

We can pray for revelation of God.

 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

We can pray that our eyes are opened to see, the hope of heaven and our future with Christ

19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,

We can pray to see His unlimited power towards us.

 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,  23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (NIV)

- Quit worrying and fretting
- He is going to get you there - start walking in faith right now!

- All things are under His feet
- We are in Him

Eph 2:4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved.  6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

As you are in Christ you have authority and the enemy is under your feet.

Ro 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Lu 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

Paul's Faith Building List

1. You are no accident, he chose you before you were born.

2.  Our eyes can be opened to see: - Inheritance of heaven and future with Christ  (If I leave this world I win)
 
- Power and resources of Heaven are pointed right at me. (In Christ all His promises are yes and amen  2 Cor 1:20)

- I am seated with Christ at the right hand of God and all opposition is under my feet. (I need fear nothing - There is nothing I can't do if God is in it)

Only requirement: You believe it.

 

CLOSING:

Peter's lesson in faith

Disciples in a boat when a terrible storm comes

- Jesus comes walking on the water
- Peter gets inspired and asks Jesus a question.

Mt 14:22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.  23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,  24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.  25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.  27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."  28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."  29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"  31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Lessons
1. It is OK to ask God to do an outrageous thing
    - Even if you feel inspired it is good to ask God first.

2. Waited for Jesus word before He stepped on the water.  Knew God's will  - Didn't just belly flop into the water

3. Original focus upon Jesus and His word, was replaced by the waves when he allowed himself to get distracted

4.  MOST IMPORTANT POINT: PETER DID WALK ON THE WATER

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