![]() ![]() ![]() The Centurion says he is “senseless with pain.” His servant has palsy, which in this case is a form of painful paralysis. The Centurion doesn’t seek out witches, wizards, or diviners for his servant’s cure, but comes to Jesus. He is what some might call a “God Fearer”…that is, a Gentile who worships the God of Israel. The Centurion is a gentile, a non-Jew, and is equally despised for his being an occupying soldier in Israel. What you have believed has happened." And the young servant was healed that same hour 12 But many Israelites – those for whom the Kingdom was prepared – will be cast into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, "Go on home. Turning to the crowd, he said, "I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all the land of Israel! 11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. And if I say to my slaves, ’Do this or that,’ they do it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. I only need to say, ’Go,’ and they go, or ’Come,’ and they come. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed! 9 I know, because I am under the authority of my superior officers and I have authority over my soldiers. Matthew 8: 5 When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6 "Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and racked with pain." 7 Jesus said, "I will come and heal him." 8 Then the officer said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. The Centurion:- Lets look at a Centurion who understood the nature of authority and expressed his faith based upon that understanding.Ī. ![]() It is the ability to control and influence people and events.Ģ. Indeed, authority is the right to exercise power. To be of any value authority must be coupled with power and proved valid by worthwhile results. Democratic leaders are voted into authority. Authority is usually conferred upon a person by someone of higher rank. The dictionary defines ’authority’ as the power or right to give orders and make others obey, or to take specific action. This morning I hope to guide you in an understanding of what spiritual authority is and isn’t, how you get it, how you use it and how you can lose it.Ī. We are so used to someone abusing authority, ruling over someone else, that we cannot imagine there is an alternative. Women expect a sermon about “submission,” deacons expect a message on “getting in line behind the pastor’s vision,” youth imagine being told they better “stop dying their hair purple,” and most protestants envision a papal decree.Īs I researched this message, I found that spiritual authority had much less to do with “submission” to those in authority over them than it did to understand the nature of Jesus and how he gained and used authority in His ministry. When a pastor begins to speak about “spiritual authority” in a church, there is always a cringe on the part of the congregation. ![]()
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