A Look at Faith
I Will Build My Church: Luke & Acts Series • Sermon • Submitted
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Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests.
Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14–17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act of the will in addition to the act of the understanding. Assent to the truth is of the essence of faith, and the ultimate ground on which our assent to any revealed truth rests is the veracity of God.
Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests.
Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14–17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act of the will in addition to the act of the understanding. Assent to the truth is of the essence of faith, and the ultimate ground on which our assent to any revealed truth rests is the veracity of God.
Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests.
Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14–17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act of the will in addition to the act of the understanding. Assent to the truth is of the essence of faith, and the ultimate ground on which our assent to any revealed truth rests is the veracity of God.
Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true. Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. Faith is the result of teaching (). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith. Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes an act of the will in addition to the act of the understanding. (Easton’s Dictionary)
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Faith is the result of teaching (). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (; ). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act of the will in addition to the act of the understanding. Assent to the truth is of the essence of faith, and the ultimate ground on which our assent to any revealed truth rests is the veracity of God.
Our passages today deal with multiple events that occur during Jesus’ time of ministry in Galilee. I want us to look at how the aspects of FAITH are intertwined as Luke
The Centurions slave
A widows son raised to life
John the Baptist concerns and question
The Pharisee and the sinful woman
The concept of faith is extremely important throughout chapters 7 and 8. It is vital to believe who Jesus is (the Messiah) and what He said.
Warren Wiersbe introduces this chapter well stating…
“Compassion has been defined as “your pain in my heart.” What pain our Lord must have felt as He ministered from place to place! In this chapter alone, Jesus is confronted with the miseries of a dying servant, a grieving widow, a perplexed prophet, and a repentant sinner; and He helped them all. Jesus helped them all, because compassion does not measure: it ministers.”
Jesus helped them all, because compassion does not measure: it ministers. Bernard of Clairvaux said, “Justice seeks out only the merits of the case, but pity only regards the need.” It was compassion, not justice, that motivated the Great Physician who came “not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (). Let’s meet these four hurting people and see our Lord’s responses to their needs.…
Let’s meet these four hurting people and see our Lord’s responses to their needs...
The Centurion’s Faith
The Centurion’s Faith
Jesus says of this man, “not even in Israel have I found such faith.” Let’s look at this faith…
And a centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. When they came to Jesus, they earnestly implored Him, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this to him; for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue.” Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof; for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. “For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
A Gentile, a roman soldier, one with authority, reverence for God, even respected by the Jewish elders in his town
Did you catch that word “also” in verse 8?
He identifies the authority Jesus has, the power of His word… just say the word Jesus!
The officer had command over soldiers the way Jesus has command over disease!
A man with great earthly power, understands Christ’s power, yet approaches Jesus in such a humble way
A request for another knowing his unworthyness
Have you taken time to realize the power of Jesus’ word?
Remember knowledge is an essential of faith… it is through His Word we discover our knowledge of Jesus Christ!
Jesus hears of this man’s faith and responds to his faith and heals the slave!
Luke has us travel with Jesus 25 miles away to Nain for a Christ ordained appointment…
The Widows Son
The Widows Son
Picture two crowds converging for a God moment…
Jesus coming and the crowd following Him along with His disciples
The funeral procession of this young man along with his grieving mother who is now left alone as a widow
Look at ...
When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.”
COMPASSION: “Your pain in my heart”...
Jesus notices this woman, and her grief
There is no mention of faith, yet Jesus raises him from the dead
Never in scripture do we see secret formulas, special words, or certain steps to “make” God do a miracle
God will work when and how He chooses
God told Moses, He will have compassion upon those He chooses to have compassion
Look at the peoples reaction…
Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited His people!” This report concerning Him went out all over Judea and in all the surrounding district.
Luke shares these two miracles of Jesus as we prepare to look at John the Baptist… Luke here is setting the stage as he presents what Theophilus would already known and using these events to show that he can be certain this Jesus is the Christ!
John the Baptist
John the Baptist
is a messianic passage, looking ahead to the One who would come...
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,
John is a great prophet, the last of the Old Testament prophets, the forerunner of the Messiah!
Sitting in a prison waiting to be executed
He preached the Kingdom, but the only one ruling is still Rome & Herod still gives orders
If the Messiah is to set prisoners free, John is a great candidate!!!
If the Messiah is to set prisoners free, John is a great candidate!!!
So John, knowing the scriptures, knowing Christ, ask a question…
When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?’ ”
It is not easy to look at situations around us, to ponder things we can bot answer, and not come to points where we have questions or doubts.
I appreciate what said Oswald Chambers states: “Doubt is not always a sign that a man is wrong, it may be a sign that he is thinking”
Warren Wiersbe has this to say on the matter: “There is a difference between doubt and unbelief. Doubt is a matter of the mind: we cannot understand what God is doing or why He is doing it. Unbelief is a matter of the will: we refuse to believe God’s Word and obey what He tells us to do.”
Jesus’ Response
Jesus does not shame John for his doubt
Jesus does not say how dare you question...
Jesus, aware of John’s situation, questions, and even doubt, responds both in a gracious and compassionate yet POWER way!
Jesus even commends John with His words!
At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them. “Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.” When the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? “But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces! “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet. “This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ “I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Jesus’ answer to John’s doubt as Luke records it for us is to confirm WHO He is is and WHAT He is doing and did… So you you and I, Theophilus, and others may KNOW WITH CERTAINTY that Jesus Christ is the Messiah!!!
The Pharisee and Sinful Woman
The Pharisee and Sinful Woman
How much sin must one commit to be a sinner? Both here are sinners, one understands this better than the other...
Religious leaders invite Jesus for dinner
A woman comes into the area and begins weeping, cleaning His feet, and perfume on His feet
Pharisee doubts Jesus is a prophet… He would have known (Jesus saw both hearts that evening)
Parable is not on the amount of debt, rather the forgiveness and correct response to forgiveness...
Look at the contrast
Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Louw & Nida express this idea of forgiveness so beautifully...
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 40.8 ἀφίημι; ἄφεσις, εως; ἀπολύω
It is extremely important to note that the focus in the meanings of ἀφίημιf, ἄφεσιςa, and ἀπολύωe is upon the guilt of the wrongdoer and not upon the wrongdoing itself. The event of wrongdoing is not undone, but the guilt resulting from such an event is pardoned. To forgive, therefore, means essentially to remove the guilt resulting from wrongdoing.
Some languages make a clear distinction between guilt and sin, and terms for forgiveness are therefore related to guilt and not to the wrongdoing. Therefore, ‘to forgive sins’ is literally ‘to forgive guilt.’ Though terms for ‘forgiveness’ are often literally ‘to wipe out,’ ‘to blot out,’ or ‘to do away with,’ it is obviously not possible to blot out or to wipe out an event, but it is possible to remove or obliterate the guilt.
“Go in peace” into when Christ forgives us of our sin we are able to enter into His peace!
When Jesus healed the centurion’s servant, just by His word, a great miracle.
When Jesus healed the centurion’s servant, just by His word, a great miracle.
An even greater miracle was when He raised the widow’s son from the dead.
But in in our passages today the greatest miracle of all was Jesus saving this woman from her sins and making her a new person.
The miracle of salvation has to be the greatest miracle of all, for it meets the greatest need, brings the greatest results, and cost the greatest price.
In 1830, a man named George Wilson was arrested for mail theft, the penalty for which was hanging. After a time, President Andrew Jackson gave Wilson a pardon but he refused to accept it! The authorities were puzzled: should Wilson be freed or hanged? They consulted Chief Justice John Marshall, who handed down this decision: “A pardon is a slip of paper, the value of which is determined by the acceptance of the person to be pardoned. If it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must be hanged.”
They consulted Chief Justice John Marshall, who handed down this decision: “A pardon is a slip of paper, the value of which is determined by the acceptance of the person to be pardoned. If it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must be hanged.”
Salvation is a gift of God through Jesus Christ, it is recieved by Faith, nothing earned. We can see clearly and know through scripture Jesu is who He says He is. Will you trust Him today if you never have, and if you have trusted Him for your eternal life, can you trust Him for today as well?