Jesus Heal a Centurion's Servant

Location: Ballard Campus
Preacher:Mark Driscoll
Date:4/25/10
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Tags: Death, humility, authority
Donovan from ABQ worship pastor
Event Prayer for healing and help for those who are hurting or those who know those who are hurting
Vid: Capernum
Luke 7:1-10
Jesus Heal a Centurion's Servant
Capernum is Peter's Hometown, near the sea of Galilee, sort of a base of ops for Jesus
The World is not the way it is supposed to be: Death, suffering, injustice
1. Suffering Servant
2.
3. Centurion
Death:
Miscarriages, Terminal Cancer
Brian Died Horribly
Matt Chandler
Dead in two years unless there is a miracle
Jesus cares for my relationship with him, our health, our safety, God cares about the whole person
Healthy stewardship of the body is an act of worship.

Centurion doesn't want to disrespect Jesus or put him in place where he has to say no to a man of power
Religious people blow it by saying, "Help him you owe him"
God owes no one, I can't say, "God I tithed, you can't give me cancer!"
Jesus responds with grace to the centurion because he is loving
Centurion: "One who rules over hundreds"
Dudes want to follow a Man's Man into war (Today a man like him would be a leader in business, sports, military, etc)
Today he would be a Captain
He looks to Jesus as a man of higher authority
He is not a terrible person, compared to other people, but not compared to Jesus

Centurion's Character:
Loving to his servant, loves the Jewish religious poeple
Generous, he built Capernum's Synagogue (Jesus preaches in the church that he built)
Slide of the foundation of that Synagogue that still sounds today
Humble, I'm not worthy for you to come to my house
Considerate, sends the Jewish, considerate of his position with respect to gentiles
Gets things Done, message successfully communicated to Jesus
Honorable, doesn't mind being under authority (Chain of command is understood)
*****Despite all these great characteristics, he still needs Jesus for salvation, Jesus is amazed at the centurion's faith
Single Men in their 20s, largest demographic at Mars hill (least likely to be in church nationally)
Soldiers' hearts resonate (because they are image bearers) with the message of sacrifice to liberate the oppressed
Things we learn about Jesus:
1 Jesus is the sovereign authority (divine commander)
2 Humble Initiator, travels to be with us
3 Global savior, service given to the rich and the poor, the Jews and gentiles
4 Faith seer, Jesus looks at the heart, DO I LOVE KNOW AND TRUST JESUS?, the religious people see the outward (he helped build our synagogue)
5 Grace Giver, religious people are shown niceness, agrees to come to the Centurions house, he heals the servant, he shows grace
6 Prayer Hearer, the communication via the religious person was a sort of prayer, God answers prayer
7 Transcendent Doer, he can heal from a distance
8 Ultimate healer, he heals the servant and the centurion's heart
9 Greater Centurion, Comes to battle satan, willing to die, secure freedom and life, does all this for the nations, concern shown to billions of servants, crushes his enemies who have picked a fight with him
10 Better Servant, becomes the suffering servant, who can empathize with me when I suffer

The Church: actively praying for healing

Community Group
- God call us to step out in faith when nothing makes sense (my rationality is insufficient)
Danger is we will forfeit our peace if we
- When I suffer, others will watch how I respond, anything can be used by God to draw all men unto himself
- In suffering, pray please heal this situation but "your will be done" - God is Sovereign
- Suffering is a great opportunity to get to know God better, grow a deeper faith
- God wants us to come to him, he is elated when we call