Proper Form

Proper Form Proper Form Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Faith; Humility; Compassion; Love / Luke 7:1-10 Introduction 1. CrossFit done correctly requires a focus on the basic things a. Without these basic things - the compound movements and exercises that you do will be detrimental i. More prone to injuries ii. You wont be getting the most out - cheating your exercise iii. Longer time to reach your goals iv. Lost of waste b. So what is it that is so needed? Proper Form i. With proper form and body alignment the movements become less injury prone ii. You get the maximum muscle contraction - which is what you want iii. Because you are getting the most out of your exercising - you are more efffective and efficient and so you reach your goals quickly - and soon have to set new ones iv. Less waste - now the energy you are expending is not wasted but every bit contributes to your workout 2. Luke brings us to the account of Jesus and the Centurian this morning. a. As we look into this account I cannot help but notice the parallel between Proper Form in Physical Exercise and Proper Form in Spiritual CrossFitness b. Lets take a look together and see what proper form as a CrossFit disciple of Jesus looks like so that we can insure we are using proper form and not wasting anything. › SLIDE Luke 7:1-3 CSB 1 When he had concluded saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion's servant, who was highly valued by him, was sick and about to die. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, requesting him to come and save the life of his servant. › SLIDE Luke 7:4-6 CSB 4 When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy for you to grant this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue." 6 Jesus went with them, and when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, "Lord, don't trouble yourself, since I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. › SLIDE Luke 7:7-8 CSB 7 That is why I didn't even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." › SLIDE Luke 7:9-10 CSB 9 Jesus heard this and was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel." 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant in good health. › SLIDE Proper Form Is Not What You Do › SLIDE Luke 7:1-5 CSB 1 When he had concluded saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion's servant, who was highly valued by him, was sick and about to die. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, requesting him to come and save the life of his servant. 4 When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy for you to grant this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue." 1. As a Centurian he was not just an ordinary man a. A Centurion is one who commanded a company from 50-100 men - each Regiment had six centuries and each legion had 10 Regiments › SLIDE Acts 10:1 CSB 1 There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. i. He is the equivalent of a regimental sergeant-major and the centurions were the backbone of the Roman army b. The centurions in the New Testament all seem to be fine men as historian Polybius states that only the best men in the army had this position. i. Whenever Centurions are spoken of they are spoken well of ii. Polybius describes the qualifications for centurions 1. Not so much men who seek danger as men who can command 2. steady in action 3. reliable 4. not overly anxious to rush into battle 5. when hard pressed they are ready to hold their ground and die at their posts 6. The centurion must have had the respect of his men or he would never have held the post iii. Centurions are mentioned four times in the New Testament - here in our passage and also › SLIDE - it was a Centurion who recognized that Jesus truly was the son of God Matthew 27:54 CSB 54 When the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" › SLIDE - A Centurion named Cornelius was the first Gentile converted and baptized in the Spirit Acts 10:1 CSB 1 There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. › SLIDE - the end of the chapter Acts 10:45 CSB 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. › SLIDE - Julius who befriended Paul Acts 27:1 CSB 1 When it was decided that we were to sail to Italy, they handed over Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Imperial Regiment. c. Nonetheless - he was a centurion i. Gentile ii. Roman Soldier iii. Instrument of Israel's oppression 2. The Centurion displayed a deep love and compassion a. We read that the centurion had a servant - this servant was highly valued i. Highly valued - entimos - precious, dear, held in honor, ii. This slave though a slave - was very dear to him b. This is completely peculiar and usual - especially for the position and times i. A master to be so kindly disposed towards a slave was unheard of practically ii. Under Roman law a slave was a living tool - he had no rights; a master had the right to kill his slave, and it was expected that he would do so if the slave became ill or injured to the point he could not work › SLIDE A Roman writer on estate management recommends the farmer to examine his implements every year and to throw out those which are old and broken, and to do the same with his slaves. iii. He loved this slave and would go to any trouble to save him 3. The Centurion has good works among the people and places of God a. Jews didnt like the Romans in general - centurions in particular - yet this centurion has the favor of Jewish elders i. The Jewish elders did not care for Jesus or believe His healing power - yet their care for the Roman centurion drove them to find Jesus in his time of need ii. Upon finding Jesus they pleaded with him 1. plead - parakaleo - beseech him continually, urging, imploring with the utmost of need 2. earnestly - diligently hurriedly b. They told Jesus and testified to the centurion being worthy and deserving i. He loves the nation 1. Centurion who is loyal to Rome - loves the nation of Israel - this is truly peculiar ii. He has built a synagogue 1. This Roman solider built a synagogue - not of the money from Rome not of taxes but from his own pocket - he personally provided the funds to build a house of worship for the Jews. › SLIDE Proper Form Is How You Do It › SLIDE Luke 7:6-9 CSB 6 Jesus went with them, and when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, "Lord, don't trouble yourself, since I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I didn't even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 9 Jesus heard this and was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel." 1. Humility a. The centurion did not consider himself worthy i. to even go to Jesus 1. He sent a group of Jewish Elders ii. To have Jesus under his roof 1. Again he dispatched friends b. The centurion more than likely was aware of the laws preventing observing and practicing Jews from entering the house of a gentile or even speaking to them at all in public. i. He did not want Jesus to defile himself as was the belief and custom ii. Dwelling places of Gentiles were considered ceremonially unclean › SLIDE Acts 10:28 CSB 28 Peter said to them, "You know it's forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner, but God has shown me that I must not call any person impure or unclean. › SLIDE What humility on display - imagine a Roman officer admitting he was unworthy to a poor Jewish Rabbi The Romans were not known for displaying humility - especially to the Jewish subjects. This man who was accustomed to command what he wanted had amazing humility. 2. Faith in Christ a. The centurion displayed a great faith in Jesus authority i. Say the word and my servant will be healed 1. He didnt say might be - to him it was definite if Jesus said it it would happen › SLIDE Jesus's word heals just as powerfully as His touch ii. He knew Jesus authority extended beyond His immediate presence 1. Jesus had the power to heal and it wasnt a trick requiring the presence of the trickster 2. It was complete faith Jesus had true authority and could command things to be done and see them completed outside His presence b. The centurion understood authority i. True authority means that the one with it - merely has to command something and those under obey it ii. As a centurion he has authority over soldiers and if he commands something they must obey and carry it out 1. Go 2. Do 3. Come iii. Though in authority he recognized someone with greater authority - complete authority 1. He knew even sickness and disease obeyed Jesus's authority 2. He did not consider himself worthy but had faith Jesus could heal by word alone c. The centurions faith was great i. Jesus was amazed - marveled at it and even declared that he hasnt even found so great a faith in Israel 1. The centurions faith was great and free of any need or reliance on external things or superstitions 2. His understanding of authority and confidence in the ability of His mere word made Jesus marvel › SLIDE This Gentile soldier who did not have all the spiritual privileges of the Jews, is a rebuke to our own small faith Conclusion Proper form for CrossFitness - Humility and Faith in Christ How do we apply the proper form to our CrossFitness? › SLIDE Humility requires knowing your proper place The centurion as a Roman solider - understood his helpless situation. For all that he could command and control - no amount of effort would have changed the situation for his servant from his own strength - being humble means knowing also our need and inability to meet it Humility is also recognizing we need help from someone else - the centurion knew Jesus could help Humility recognizes the greatness of others - in seeing the authority of Jesus the centurion never once tried to demand Jesus to come - never tried to prove his worthiness for Jesus - He claimed he was unworthy He did not even consider himself worthy of a personal meeting with Jesus - so he sent representatives. In contrast we can come directly to Jesus without representatives - even if we are unworthy › SLIDE Romans 4:5 CSB 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes on him who declares the ungodly to be righteous, his faith is credited for righteousness. Jesus makes the ungodly/unworthy worthy and righteous Humility is not letting a sense of unworthiness keep us from Jesus - it is recognizing we desperately need Jesus › SLIDE - Charles Simeon Let us then learn to plead earnestly for ourselves; nor let a sense of unworthiness keep us from carrying our wants to Jesus - Let us also sympathize with and intercede for others. › SLIDE Faith in Jesus comes from understanding His authority The centurion came with that perfect confidence that looks to Jesus and says 'Lord I know you can do this.' If we displayed a faith like that - what would we see Jesus do? › SLIDE Matthew 17:20 CSB 20 "Because of your little faith," he told them. "For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Without proper form - humility and faith - we cannot do anything to catch Jesus's eye Everything we do - love, giving, good works - must be in the form of humility and faith in Christ › SLIDE Christian Standard Bible Chapter 5 All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.,o CONCLUSION 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time › SLIDE Hebrews 11:6 CSB 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:45 AM January 18, 2020.