FAITH THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

ALL NATIONS APOSTOLIC TABERNACLEJUNE 9,2013

Devon D. Dawson

Matthew 8:5–13 And when Jesus was entered into

Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

Matthew 8:5–13 9 For I am a man under authority,

having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west,

Matthew 8:5–13 and shall sit down with Abraham, and

Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

SCENES IN THE TEXT A centurion beseeching Jesus for his

paralyzed servant. Jesus’ immediate and unequivocal

answer. “I will come and Heal him”.

Centurion’s faith response. “Speak the Word only”

Jesus’ reply to the centurion’s faith. “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel”

CENTURIONA centurion is a commander of 100 men in the Roman army. There were generally 6 centurions in

each cohort and 10 cohorts in a legion. Each legion had 6 tribunes to whom its

centurions were subordinate. In Acts 22:26, for example, a centurion

appealed to his tribune for a decision concerning the apostle Paul.

CENTURION A centurion’s authority was actually

quite extensive because he was the working officer who had direct contact with the men.

He went to the field with them and made spontaneous decisions according to each situation.

The office of centurion was normally the highest one within reach of the ordinary soldier.

CENTURIONCenturions often rose from the ranks because of their experience and knowledge.

After one became a centurion, further promotion could come by transfer to positions of increasing responsibility.

The highest being senior centurion over the first of 10 cohorts in a legion.

Paralysis Paralysis is a caused by damage to

the central nervous system affecting the temporary or permanent loss of sensation and/or voluntary muscle control.

This degenerative condition was usually incurable.

The paralyzed servant of the centurion was described by Luke as very sick and at the point of death (Luke 7:2).

Paralytic. This man was the victim of this often fatal

disease of paralysis which begins in the legs and spreads rapidly upward through the rest of the body.

Paralytics were included in the group of ailing people seeking Jesus’ healing: in Galilee (Matt. 4:24), At Bethesda in Jerusalem (John 5:3), They were among those cured by Philip

in Samaria (Acts 8:7).

A MAN UNDER AUTHORITY

The centurion was a commander, but he had commanders over him as well.

He had authority, but others exercised greater authority than him.

In a sense, his authority was derived from others.

He therefore recognized the supreme authority of Jesus over his life. He said “I am a man under authority.”

UNDER AUTHORITY“I am a man under authority” meaning he knew how to obey orders.

To Jesus he said: “ONLY SAY THE WORD”.

He expressed belief not only in Jesus’ authority over sickness and disease, but also over time and space.

WHAT IS FAITHDr. G. Campbell Morgan said:“Faith is a conviction and an assurance of things hoped for.”

The conviction or the faith of the builder is the confidence that the building will be built. The work will be done.

FAITH The clearest Biblical answer is found in

the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, for this is the faith chapter of the Bible

Twenty‑three times the word faith appears in this chapter.

In this chapter we see: A declaration of faith. Whether in life or death;

whether in good times or in bad times; faith deliberately and definitely decides for God.

FAITH ACTSNotice the active words in this chapter.

Abel offered -v. 4 Enoch walked -v. 5 Noah prepared -v. 7 Abraham went -v. 8

Having faith means that I have made up my mind to do something, and I will not be distracted from doing it.

FAITH’S GREATEST CHALLENGE

Human logics or reasoning is the greatest obstacle to faith.

Faith that makes the difference is based on the hard facts of the Word of God. Faith does not change the Word or will of God Faith accepts God’s will under any and every

circumstance. Faith will always say, “Lord, not my will but

thy will be done”.

FAITH FAITH IN GOD has always been and shall

always be a requisite for someone to become a Christian, as well as for them to remain a Christian.

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)6 But without faith it is impossible to

please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a

rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

FAITH IN GOD Has accomplished more work

Established more homes Relieved more burdens Satisfied more hearts Fulfilled more hopes Produced more joy

Ministered to more needs than all other sources combined.

FAITH THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE MEANS:

Serving GOD when you don’t feel like it, as well as when you do

Depending on GOD when you don’t understand, as well as when you do

Trusting GOD in the shadows, as well as in the sunshine

Believing GOD when the going gets tough, as well as when it is easy

FAITH IN GOD MEANS Relying on Him through the bad times, as well as through the good

Obeying Him when others don’t, as well as when others do; and

Confiding in Him when the cupboard is empty, as well as when it’s full and overflowing

FAITH IN GOD GIVES US Salvation from sin

Renewal of strengthRestoration of health

Victory over our doubtsVictory over our fears

Victory over SatanDeliverance from temptation

FAITHBelieves the Word of God

Obeys the commands of GodRelies on the mercy of GodTrusts the wisdom of GodAccepts the will of God

Stands on the promises of GodEnjoys the fellowship of God

FAITH BELIEVES THATGod’s Word is accurate

God’s mercy is abundantGod’s grace is sufficient

God’s presence is assuringGod’s sacrifice is adequate for full

forgiveness!

FAITH SEES Joy, in spite of the present sorrow

Glory, in spite of the present gloom

Peace, in spite of the present turmoil

Light, in spite of the present darkness

Healing, in spite of the present sickness

Comfort, in spite of the prevailing pain Mountain tops, in spite of the present valley

Future crown, in spite of the present cross!

FAITH NEVER FAILsWhere feelings have failed, FAITH IN

GOD has conquered.Where emotions have frustrated,

FAITH IN GOD has sustained.Where appearances have deceived,

FAITH IN GOD has assured.Where sensations have disappointed,

FAITH IN GOD has rewarded.

FAITH NEVER FAILs Where impressions have fooled,

FAITH IN GOD has enhanced. Where passions have fatigued, FAITH

IN GOD has strengthened. Where enthusiasm has misled, FAITH

IN GOD has always proven true. Faith is tough! Fire can’t burn

nor consume, and water can’t wash away!

HAVE FAITH IN GOD JESUS challenged his disciples to have faith in

God when He spoke to the fig tree and it dried up from the root.

Mark 11:14 (NIV)14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again”. And his disciples heard him say it.

Mark 11:20-24 (NIV) 20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.

HAVE FAITH IN GOD 21 Peter remembered and said to

Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” 22 “Have  faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

FAITH ALWAYSBelieves for the unbelievableReaches for the unreachable

Looks for the inexplicableAsks for the unthinkableHopes for the impossibleLives for the incredible

Prepares for the unexplainable!

FAITH CANWhat Philosophy can’t do, FAITH IN GOD

can!What humanism won’t do, FAITH IN GOD

will!What reasoning is afraid to do, FAITH IN

GOD DOES What positive thinking fails to do, FAITH

IN GOD doesWhat religion comes short of doing, FAITH

IN GOD does!

FAITH What rationalism is not sure of doing,

FAITH IN GOD is sure that He is “Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think!” Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

FAITH MOVES GOD When God sees faith He acts:

Matthew 9:2 (KJV)2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Matthew 9:22 (KJV) But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

FAITH MOVES GOD Matthew 9:29 (KJV)

29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

Matthew 15:28 (KJV)28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN

A fear that FAITH could not face A temptation that FAITH could not

overcome A doubt that FAITH could not destroy A burden that FAITH could not carry

A ministry that FAITH could not perform

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN

A job that FAITH could not tackle A cross that FAITH could not bear A battle that FAITH could not fight

A mountain that FAITH could not climb A darkness that FAITH could not dispel An enemy that FAITH could not defeat

FAITH TRUMPs EVERYTIMEFAITH does not go back, turn back, or even

look back. Faith keeps looking unto Jesus Christ, it’s

Author and it’s Finisher! When there was no way, FAITH found a way When there was no hope, FAITH created hope When there was no joy, FAITH discovered joy When there was no peace, FAITH brought peace When there was no strength, FAITH provided strength When there was no remedy, FAITH produced a remedy!

FAITH THEN AND NOWIt was through FAITH that:

Abraham offered his son as a sacrifice Noah built and entered the ark Jochebed hid the infant Moses Joshua marched around the walls of

Jericho David slew the giant of the Philistines The three Hebrews were not burnt in the

flames of fire Daniel was not eaten by the hungry lions

FAITH DID IT THEN, AND CAN DO IT NOW!

IT WAS BY FAITH THAT Moses entered into the courts of

Pharaoh The Israelites passed through the

midst of the Red Sea They lived on manna and quail for 40

years Their clothes lasted throughout the

wilderness wanderings They followed the pillar of cloud by

day, and the pillar of fire by night

SHOW GOD YOUR FAITHMatthew 15:21-30 (NIV)The Faith of the Canaanite Woman 21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”

SHOW GOD YOUR FAITH23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

SHOW GOD YOUR FAITH

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

28 Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.