Proper 4
Luke 7:1-10
May 29, 2016
“Four
statements concerning a great faith”
What does it take to have a
great faith? Jesus, upon encountering a Roman Centurion remarks “I have not
found such great faith even in Israel” (V. 9) How can this be? Let’s
consider four statements pertaining to a great faith.
I. A statement or word
of merit. The Centurion remarks, “I
don’t deserve to have you come under my roof...”
A. This man had a great faith for he
had a realistic view of Himself. He knew that he was a sinner and that he
deserved nothing from Jesus. Luther put it this way in his explanation of the 5th Petition
of the Lord’s Prayer: “We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven
would not look upon our sins, nor on their account deny our prayer; for we
are worthy of none of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved
them”.[1] But then he
concludes: “but that He would grant them all to us by grace; for we
daily sin much and indeed deserve nothing but punishment. So will we also
heartily forgive, and readily do good to, those who sin against us”.[2]
B. A great faith requires all to
acknowledge our own unworthiness before God. “...for we daily sin much and
indeed deserve nothing but punishment” No one can make excuses for
their sin. We can’t blame it on our environment. We can’t claim duress, or
temporary insanity. Of all the things that we own it is our sin, which is our
own personal possession. A great faith acknowledges sin and confesses it before
God. Denial is not an option. Confession is mandatory.
Transition: A great faith requires a statement of merit. Confession is an
obligation. We also need a statement of worth.
II. A statement or word of
worth. The Centurion continues “I
do not consider myself worthy”
A. The prodigal son prayed, “Father,
I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be
called thy son. (Luke 15:21) Jacob, as he prepared himself to meet
Esau after a long separation filled with years of hostility and separation
prayed to the Lord: “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You
have shown Your servant...” (Genesis 32:10a)
B. How should you and I pray? We
pray: “Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto
Thee that we are by nature sinful and unclean and that we have sinned against
Thee by thought, word and deed. Wherefore we flee for refuge to Thine infinite
mercy, seeking and imploring Thy grace for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ”
2
Transition: A great faith requires a statement of merit, it requires a
statement of worth, it requires a statement and a word of convenience.
III. A statement or
word of convenience. “Don’t trouble yourself”
A. Acknowledging and confessing his
own sin and unworthiness this Roman Centurion teaches us an important lesson.
When we approach God we must pray “Thy will be done Lord, Thy will be done.”
B. Prayer cannot be used to
manipulate God or to force our will upon Him. We are but mere beggars before
God. The man knew that he stood guilt before the Lord of life. There was no
merit within him. A great faith realizes that we are obligated to God – that He
is not to be used merely to satisfy our latest whim or fancy.
C. The amazing thing about the grace
of God found in Jesus Christ is that he grants us His perfect will in spit of
our sin. Jesus reminds us: “Which of you father, if your son asks for a
fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a
scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Sprit to those
who ask Him!” (Luke 11:11-13)
Transition: A great faith requires a word or statement of merit, of worth,
of convenience and also a word of trust.
IV. A statement or
word of trust. “But just say the word
and my servant will be healed”
A. Faith is trusting. Luther
commenting on the power of baptism in our lives remarks “it’s not the water
indeed that does this, but the word of God, which is in and with the water and
faith, which trusts such word of God in the water. For without the word of God
the water is simply water and there is no baptism. But with the word of God, it
is a Baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration
in the Holy Ghost as St. Paul says, Titus, chapter third: [According to His
mercy He saved us] By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy
ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that
being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of
eternal life. This is a faithful saying! [3]
It is the word of God which places these great blessings into Baptism; and
through faith, which trusts this word of promise, we accept the forgiveness,
life and salvation offered in Baptism and make theses blessings our very own.
B. Faith is believing. Faith is
taking Jesus at His Word. Faith is the assurance that the Holy Ghost is working
faith in us and thus creating in us new spiritual life.
“Precious
Jesus, I beseech Thee, May thy words take root in me; May this gift from heaven
enrich me. So that I bear fruit for Thee! Take them never from my heart. Till I
see Thee as Thou art, When in heavenly bliss and glory I shall greet Thee and
adore Thee.”[4]
[1] The 5th Petition Luther’s Small Catechism ©
1943 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis, MO
[2] The Confession of Sins from The Lutheran
Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis, MO
[3] The
Power of Baptism Luther’s Small Catechism © 1943 Concordia Publishing House St.
Louis, MO
[4] Speak,
O Lord, Thy Servant Hears, from The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing
House St. Louis, MO
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