Faith comes by hearing
N.B. Pastor Elias from Portugal, preaching in English
Introduction
- Opening remarks
- We must have courage to preach the Gospel
- I am thankful that I heard the preached Gospel and was saved
- The fruits of missionary work is evident
- We live short lives - what are we doing for the Master?
- Examples of great men of God but now is our time
- Last time I was here I preached from John 4:46-54
- Continuing that message today
- Reminder of previous passage
Previous Passage
- Reading John 4:46-47a
- The nobleman heard about Jesus / someone told him
- He went to Jesus - a sign of his faith in action
- Reading v47b
- He believed that Jesus need to be near to heal his son
- 1 Thess 3:10 - to perfect what is lacking in you faith
- Reading v48
- We usually see before we believe - but faith is to believe first
- Reading v49
- He believes that Jesus can only heal the living
- Reading v50
- He had to believe in Jesus' word first
- Reading v51-53
- The man believed the person of Jesus (not the word of Jesus)
- Reading v54
- This was the second sign outside of Jerusalem
- The miracles and the story spread throughout the area
Today's text - Matt 8:5
- Reading Matt 8:5-7
- The Centurion does not ask Jesus to come to his house
- Reading v8
- He likely remembered the story of the nobleman
- Reading v9-10
- We see his faith
- Reading v11-12
- Many but not all will be saved
- However, the Jews will be saved [unless they trust in Jesus]
- Becoming a Jew will not save you
- Salvation does not come from your family - it is personal
- Reading v13
Application
- We learn several lessons in this passage:
- Do we say we believe in Jesus but limit His power in space or time?
- What God has done in the past - He can do today
- We must not limit the power of Jesus
- Faith is perfected through communion with Jesus
- These people's faith was perfected through contact with Jesus
- Phil 3:8-10 – Paul wants to know more of Jesus
- Seek first, not second [the kingdom of God]
- How is our bible knowledge?
- Faith comes by hearing the word of God
- Do we invite people?
- Do we tell people?
- Romans 10:13-15
- How are your feet - are they beautiful?
- Are we preaching?
- Are we more worried about our own lives?
- We must believe in order to see - but do you want to see before you will believe
- John 3:46 - everlasting life (immediately) to those who believe
- Matt 25:46 - those who do not believe shall have a life of punishment
- Will you live in heaven or the lake of fire?
- Do you believe?
- Where will you go when we die?