ADVICE FOR LIFE (series) ADVICE FOR FOLLOWING JESUS MATTHEW 8:5-13

IT IS THE LENTON SEASON What does this mean? What does this mean for my life?

“Now when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, and dying. And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said , Lord I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word and my servant will be healed.

“For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me “For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And 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.’…. Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way and as you have believed, so let it be done for you. And His servant was healed that same hour.” Matthew 8:5-13

Take a look back: THE ROMAN EMPIRE DECLARED: KURIOS CAESAR (Caesar is Lord) THE CHRISTIAN FAITH DECLARED: KURIOS JESUS (Jesus is Lord)

I. FOLOWING JESUS MEANS RECOGNIZING WHO JESUS IS AS A PERSON! IT MEANS RECOGNIZING THAT HE IS LORD! “…He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even to death on the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..” Phil. 2:8-11

“If you confess with your mouth that JESUS IS LORD, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

WHO WAS THIS CENTURION? He was a proven man of valor in battle He was a man of great responsibility He was a man of great authority

HOW DID THE CENTURION VIEW JESUS “For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And 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…’

HOW DID THIS CENTURION VIEW HIMSELF? In order to view Jesus correctly, It is important to view ourselves correctly! “I am a man of authority….” vs. 9 “I am not worthy of you coming under my roof…” vs. 8

II. FOLLOWING JESUS MEANS RECOGNIZING WHAT JESUS CAN DO BY HIS POWER AND HIS AUTHORITY! “Just speak a word and my servant will be healed.” vs. 8

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MY LIFE? FOLLOWING JESUS MEANS THAT HE IS LORD! THE FACT THAT HE IS LORD, MEANS HE HAS ALL AUTHORITY! THE FACT THAT HE HAS ALL AUTHORITY MEANS WE OBEY! TO OBEY MEANS THAT WE HEAR HIS WORD AND WE DO WHAT HE SAYS!

HOW THEN SHOULD I RESPOND WHEN GOD SAYS TO ME… That relationship you are in isn’t good for you Your priorities are up-side down… You are not being wise with your money… You are not being the leader you should be… You are not treating others the way you should… You are not spending enough time with Me… You are not being faithful in little things…

TRUTH TO LIVE BY: A faith that pleases God is a faith that goes beyond the status quo! “When Jesus heard this, He was astonished (He marveled) and said, ‘I have not found such great faith in all of Israel.” vs. 10 What would Jesus say about your faith and my faith today???

TRUTH TO LIVE BY Jesus Christ, as Lord of your life today, can meet every need that you have! “Then Jesus said to the Centurion, ‘Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.’ And his servant was healed that very hour.” vs. 13 What do you need God to do in your life today that you can believe Him for?

TRUTH TO LIVE BY 3. One of the keys to being a follower of Jesus Christ is to confess Him openly to be the Lord in your life and believe that God has raised Him from the dead! “If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Rom 10:9