Biblical Knowledge

September 7, 2025
🎯Title: The Marvel of Great Faith

📖Text: Matthew 8:5-13 (KJV)

📚Introduction: We encounter a powerful story of faith that astonished even Jesus Himself. A Roman centurion, a man of authority and likely a Gentile outsider, approaches Jesus in Capernaum. His servant is grievously ill, paralyzed and tormented. The centurion pleads, "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." Recognizing the centurion's understanding of authority—comparing Jesus' power to his own military command—Jesus declares, "Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." The servant is healed that very hour.
This passage isn't just a miracle; it's a sermon in action about the nature of true faith. It challenges us to examine our own belief in Christ's authority. Today, we'll expand on this through four truths Faith's Foundation, Faith's Focus, Faith's Force, and Faith's Fruit. Each point draws from the text and is bolstered by supporting Scriptures to deepen our understanding.

✍️ 1. Faith's Foundation:
Rooted in Humility

✏️ The centurion's faith begins not with demands but with deep humility. He acknowledges his unworthiness, saying, "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof" (Matthew 8:8 ). As a Roman officer, he held power over a hundred soldiers, yet he bows before Jesus, recognizing his spiritual poverty. This humility is the bedrock of genuine faith—it strips away pride and positions us to receive from God.

> James 4:6 (KJV): "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." Humility invites God's grace, just as it did for the centurion.
> Proverbs 22:4 (KJV): "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life." The centurion's humble approach led to honor and life for his servant.
> Luke 18:14 (KJV): In the parable of the Pharisee and the publican, Jesus concludes, "For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." The centurion's self-abasement mirrors this truth.

📣 True faith starts by admitting our need, not asserting our rights. In a world that prizes self-sufficiency, let's cultivate humility as the foundation for approaching Christ.

✍️ 2. Faith's Focus:
Centered on Christ's Authority

✏️ The centurion's plea reveals a sharp focus on Jesus' supreme authority. He explains, "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" (Matthew 8:9). He doesn't ask for rituals or presence; he trusts that Jesus' word alone can command healing from afar. This faith zeros in on Christ's dominion over sickness, distance, and even death.

> Colossians 2:10 (KJV): "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power." Jesus' authority encompasses all realms, as the centurion intuitively grasped.
> Psalm 103:19 (KJV): "The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all." The centurion's military mindset reflected this universal rule.
> Hebrews 1:3 (KJV): "[Christ] upholding all things by the word of his power." A single word from Jesus sustains the universe—why not heal a servant?

📣 Our faith often falters when we lose focus on Christ's authority, turning instead to our circumstances. Let this story redirect our gaze: Speak the word only, Lord!

✍️ 3. Faith's Force:
Demonstrated in Bold Trust

✏️ Jesus marvels at the centurion's faith, saying, "Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" (Matthew 8:10 KJV). This "great faith" isn't about quantity but quality—it's forceful, unwavering trust that bypasses doubt. The centurion doesn't hedge his bets; he declares with certainty that Jesus' command will suffice. This bold force propels faith beyond the ordinary, even surpassing that of God's chosen people.

> Hebrews 11:1 (KJV): "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The centurion's trust provided "evidence" of healing before it occurred.
> Mark 11:23 (KJV): "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith." The force of undoubting belief echoes here.
> Romans 4:20-21 (KJV): Speaking of Abraham, "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform." The centurion's persuasion mirrors this strength.

📣 Great faith exerts force against fear and skepticism. In our trials, let's exercise bold trust, knowing it moves the heart of God.

✍️ 4. Faith's Fruit:
Resulting in Miraculous Healing

✏️ The story culminates in the fruit of faith: "And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour" (Matthew 8:13 KJV). Jesus responds to the centurion's belief by granting the request, foretelling that many outsiders will enter the kingdom while some insiders are cast out. This fruit isn't just physical healing but a glimpse of eternal salvation through faith.

> James 5:15 (KJV): "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." Faith's fruit often manifests in restoration.
> Matthew 9:22 (KJV): To the woman with the issue of blood, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole." Similar to the centurion, her faith yielded immediate wholeness.
> Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith..." Faith itself is a fruit, but it bears even greater outcomes like healing and kingdom inclusion.

📣 Faith's fruit encourages us to persist. What miracles might unfold if we trust like the centurion?

🙏Conclusion: A Call to Great Faith
The centurion's story in Matthew 8:5-13 isn't ancient history—it's a living invitation. In a time of uncertainty, let's build on humility, focus on Christ's authority, unleash bold trust, and reap the fruits of faith. As Jesus said, "Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee" (Matthew 8:13 KJV). May our faith astonish Him today, drawing us closer to His power and purpose.