• Sermon Notes

    Sunday, August 23, 2026

  • Lessons From An Unlikely Role Model

    Matthew 8:5-13

  • Centurion – a professional officer in the ancient Roman army who typically commanded a unit of around 100 soldiers known as a century

    Virtue – a good moral quality, trait, or habit that helps a person do the right thing; behavior that shows high moral standards

    5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” 7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment. Matthew 8:5-13

  • Key Points:
    The Centurion exhibited:

    a) Great . (Matt. 8:5-8)

    5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” 7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

    b) An understanding of both      and      .
    (Matt. 8:9)

    9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

    c) Well placed      . (Matt. 8:10-13)

    10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

    Action Steps:
    1) Take cues from the      .
    Anyone can follow Jesus regardless of nationality, ethnicity, age, or position in society.

    2)      to The Ultimate      .
    In the hierarchy of life, there’s no one greater and no one more worthy of our trust and obedience.

    Discussion Questions:

    1. The best leaders are often great followers as well. Why do you think that is?      
    2. Who is the most unlikely follower of Christ that you know? What makes their relationship with God so surprising?      
    3. Do you know anyone who “grew up in church” but is far from God? Are you that person?      
    4. What character trait(s) of the Roman official do you admire the most? How can you be a better soldier in God’s Army?      

       


    You Belong Here! Nobody is meant to stand alone in life.

       

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