“O valley be raised up. O mountain be made low,” we sang to the LORD because He is able to do more than we can ever consider. Pastor Josiah and Ashley have served as the lead pastors for one year, and the staff presented them with a card, flowers, and video messages where people stated their love and admiration for them. What a blessing to see the staff unified in the LORD. After the presentation, Pastor Alyssa led us in more worship to the LORD. We were in His presence, and He drove the schedule.
Pastor Josiah reminded us, “FC’s mission is to culture like Christ, and our vision is Jesus.” As
Jesus leads us, we follow. The Red Letters help us see how Jesus modeled what we should do as Christ followers. Last week Pastor Josiah finished the Sermon on the Mount with the Rock Solid message. Our foundation needs to be Jesus. When the rains come with Jesus as the foundation, “We will not be shaken.”
This week we learned of a Roman officer and his faith in the Lord.
“When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came
and pleaded with him,’Lord, my young servant lies in bed,
paralyzed and in terrible pain.’
Jesus said,’I will come and heal him.’” Matthew 8:5-7 (NLT)
The Roman officer approached Jesus and called him,”Lord.” Romans generally were polytheists and believed in Zeus, Mars, Poseidon and other mythological figures, but this Roman called Jesus “Lord.” Lord is a title that indicates submission. The Roman officer came humbly to Jesus Christ. “How you communicate acknowledges His Lordship,” stated Pastor Josiah. Think through the posture you have when you approach God for anything. Is your posture one of entitlement or surrender?
The Roman replied to the Lord Jesus Christ,”Lord, I am not worthy to have you come to my
home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:8
(NLT) We often think of Roman officers as haughty, treacherous, and proud, but this officer
approached Jesus humbly. He acknowledged his unworthiness and emphasized Jesus’ power- that He could perform miracles from a distance. The new wineskin is humility for the Roman. New wineskin can hold new wine whereas old, hardened wineskins burst with new wine. Jesus is responsible for the wine being poured out; we’re responsible for the condition of the wineskin.
As Jesus stands at the door and knocks, we just need to let Him into our hearts and lives, into our minds and desires. Jesus’ love contrasts from satan’s disparaging words such as,”You are a trash can and a dumpster fire.” But God says, “Beloved.” God wants to come in and change what needs to be changed. Yield to Him. Let His grace transform you.
As the conversation continued, the Roman said,
“For I am a man under authority, having others 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.’
When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to those who followed,
‘Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in
Israel!’ Matthew 8:9-10 (NKJV)
The Roman officer understood authority. He had officers above him, and he was an authority to his soldiers and his servants. This conversation astonished our Lord because it indicated how much faith the Roman had in the Lord Jesus. May we learn to surrender to Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. You’ll never walk in what you don’t come under. There’s a
connection with faith and authority. Kingdom authority is the driver’s license for the vehicle
of faith.
Our greatest obstacle is sin. Jesus leveled the mountain of sin through his life, death and
resurrection. The greatest connection is authority and faith. For example, when satan tried to
tempt Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus repelled satan with God’s word.
“The tempter came to him and said, ’If you’re the Son of God, tell these
stones to become bread.’
Jesus answered, ’It is written: ’Man shall not live on bread alone, but on
every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:3-4 (NIV)
Satan tried two more times to tempt Jesus to no avail because Jesus said, ”Away from me,
Satan! For it is written: ’Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Matthew 4:10
(NIV) The devil left. That is our Jesus who defeats satan with the word of God. That is kingdom authority!
Going back to Matthew 8:10 where Jesus marveled, ”Assuredly, I say to you, I have not
found such great faith, not even in Israel.” Jesus responded to the Roman’s faith and
understanding of authority. The word used was marveled. I love that Jesus was astounded at
the Roman’s faith. May we be faithful to the Lord and acknowledge His mercy and grace.
The centurion’s faith honored Jesus, and Jesus responded to him,”Go your way; and as you
have believed, so it will be done for you.“ Matthew 8:13 (NKJV) Authority sends the word;
faith sees it abound,” stated Pastor Josiah. The servant was healed. Do you believe something will happen in authority and faith?
The Paramount Point:
In response to being sent with His authority-we must build a faith culture. We need to
contend for a faith culture. We are not just hoping for it, but we are doing it. For example do you sit and wish for Door Dash to come with carne asada fries or do you get in the car, order the carne asada and bring it home? In the same way we need to keep going after it. We cannot tolerate the enemy.
Pastor Josiah recounted his recent dreams. The first one was where satan came into his home and was roaming around. Satan said,”There you are.” Pastor Josiah was filled with fear. He woke up and began to pray in the Spirit. Ashley woke up and prayed with him. James 4:7 states “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (ESV) Pastor went back to sleep. Then he dreamed again, but this time Pastor Josiah was looking for satan. Pastor said,”There you are. You have no power here.” Satan fled. Kingdom authority comes with faith. May that faith help us to be salt and light in this dark world.
Submitted by
Larry & Annette Linthicum
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