Gann's Commentary on the Bible

Luke 7:1 See Topic Notes "Sermons_Gann" for sermon on

Faith That Turns the Savior’s Head

Luke 7:1-10

1. What does it take to amaze you? Something above the average. In sports – regarding talent–

2. What would it take to amaze Jesus? What would turn his head?

Not to get tangled in theology of Deity being amazed at anything. Luke 7:9 ... [NIV]

"... when Jesus heard this, He was amazed."

3. Read Luke 7:1-10 – Faith that turns Savior’s head

1. A Faith That Loved Across Barriers

1. v. 2 – Gentiles & Roman army– "dogs" enmity

Most centurions were brutal – Jewish zealots would loved to stab him in back.

2. V. 3-5 – Jewish elders’ opinion of this man v. 4-5

a. What is wrong with this picture?

3. A man that had overcome all prejudice and hatred that separated Jews and Gentiles.

a. He had faith to come to the God of heaven.

Overcame barriers of society, religion, & race.

b. Matthew 5:46-48.

2. A Faith Excited About God’s Work.

1. v. 5 –Luke 7:5 He built a synagogue. May have used his men, & money?

a. If he had "attended" the synagogue it wold have merited amazement.

b. WHO built this building? Who provided the pews? Songbooks?

Someone did! Who teaches the classes? An excited faith!

A faith excited and active.

3. A Faith That Works for the Good of Others

1. What do I get for my faith? Heaven, riches, success, happy? Get? Many wonder, What is the minimum required of me?

a. This man not concerned about such.

2. V. 2. A servant [Matthew 8:6] "... paralyzed , suffering great pain." (Maybe one who taught him?? This may have been a different story, or else he considered his servant a son??)

3. William Barclay @ status of slaves – p. 83.

4. Philippians 2:3-4. Humane treatment of slaves - their freedom is by-product of the gospel.

Today = selfish; self-centered; But @ "US" here.

4. A Faith That Understood & Practices Humility

1. Centurion understood about command & authority.

a. Others opinion - v.4(b) Luke 7:4; his own v.6(b) Luke 7:6

b. Was he a student of Proverbs 27:2? YES

c. Didn’t vie for prominence.

5. Faith Showed Confidence in Power of Christ

1. Extra-ordinary confidence in Jesus. One man’s definition of Faith "... the willingness to bet your life on the promises and character of God."

Conclusion:

1. Illustration of a man greatly blessed who claimed it was due to his "large asking." He told story of Alex the Great who gave much to the man whose daughter he wanted to marry. He asked a tremendous sum. Alex told his treasurer, give him all he asks, "... he honors me, believing that I am both rich and generous." Give him all that he asked for!

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Luke 7:3 Note in parallel in Matthew 8:5-13 records the same event, but Matthew did not record the sending of messengers. He presented the account as if the centurion were present himself. Matthew was reflecting what the centurion meant when he noted that his messengers do his bidding as if he were there himself (Luke 7:8).

Luke 7:11

From events recorded in Luke 7:11-17, Matthew 17:14-21; and John 5:2-13 we see that faith was not a requirement on the part of the recipient of the miracle, but on the part of the one performing it. Acts 3:16

Luke 7:30

See James 2:24 note for more on baptism.