1.
Roman
Centurion’s Servant (vs. 1-10)
a)
After teaching
- Sermon On Plain
b)
2nd year of ministry
c)
Vs 2 – His headquarters after hometown
rejection (Matt 4:13)
d)
Centurion in chrg. of 100 soldiers
e)
Understood authority essential (just say the
word) – Jesus impressed….bigtime!
2.
Jesus
Resurrects Widow’s Son (vs. 11 – 18)
a)
Full of compassion
b)
He just happened upon funeral procession.
c)
Jesus acting in His sphere of influence – Fully
man – could
Only deal with those in immediate area – not everyone in Israel.
d)
Jesus did
influence the world. Although He did heal and teach
Many, He did it within a radius of about 150 miles. He did not
Heal or teach everyone in the world at that time, just those within His
immediate sphere of influence.
(maps courtesy of Generation
Word)
e)
Power over death by Holy Spirit without
measure. (John 3:34)
f)
He had
not yet conquered sin and death but soon would. (Romans 6:, Rev 1:8)
3.
John
The Baptist’s Questions (vs. 19-20)
a)
John in prison (Matt
4:12)
b)
John must have wondered why he was in prison if
Jesus doing miracles.
c)
Perfect God, our understanding is imperfect
d)
The isolation of prison will make you question
many things; who your friends are, what they are thinking, why they do the
things you think they are doing, etc.
e)
John was a righteous man, committed to his
calling and knew Jesus well. At Jesus’ baptism he was sure Jesus was the
Messiah but the isolation of prison made him confirm what he once knew to be
true.
f)
I’m convinced John wanted to know whether his
ministry was over, if it was time to step aside or keep proclaiming the coming
Messiah.
g)
John became unsure if Messiah was military
leader as well as spiritual like everyone else?
4.
Jesus
Answers Questions (vs. 21 – 23)
a)
Jesus
understood where John was coming from and did not get offended.
b)
Jesus instead of a rebuke gave John a clear
answer from scripture. Jesus knew John knew the signs from The Law and Prophets
but just needed to be “coached” that he was right.
c)
Lesson on infallibility of Law. Is what New
Testament based on. (Luke 16:17, Gal. 3:24)
d)
Jesus came to fulfill Law, not abolish it. We
are not under Law because He kept it for us. Impossible for man to keep law in
fallen state. (Luke 16:17, Gal. 3:24)
5.
Jesus’ Testimony Of John The Baptist (vs. 24 – 29)
a) Jesus
not only pointing out character of John but also pointing out Johns
faithfulness to his calling
b)
Jesus once again pointing out infallibility of Law and Prophets (Isa 35:3-6)
c)
Prophesy fulfilled (Mal 3:1, Isa
40:3)
d)
John’s baptism and message was one of repentance – being sorry for not
keeping law and future purification through The
Messiah.
(John 1:26-27)
e) cannot be emphasized enough: Pharisees believed they had nothing to repent of,
5.
Jesus
On Unbelief (vs. 30 - 35)
a)
Pharisees reject baptism because they though
themselves had no need to repent and they did not want to acknowledge Jesus as Messiah. I believe they knew who He
was all along. To acknowledge Him would be to deny self – which is the whole
point. (Gall 2:20)
b)
vs. 35 even babies and children believe – faith
of a child (Psalm 8)
6.
First
Anointing (vs.36 – 40)
a)
I am always amazed at the fact that this woman
had the fortitude to go to that Pharisees’ house as he was a very powerful man
and had great social standing. Would this not be like crashing a party?
b)
Nothing could keep her from worshiping her Lord
and Savior.
c)
Not same event as in John, Matt or Mark
7.
Parable
Of Creditor (vs. 41 – 47)
a)
In eyes of Jesus, all are equal, all people are
precious an of same value.
·
Acts
10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
b)
All sin and forgiveness the same in eyes of
Jesus but not man. Man’s mind finite – must see in degrees to comprehend.
c)
Parables for those looking for truth – “those
with ears to hear”
8. Jesus Forgives Woman Of Sins (vs. 48 -50)
a)
Did
not speak in a parable, wanted to give clear answer so everyone would
understand.
b)
Jesus not snotty ever. Sometimes He seems to
give a snotty answer, but I am convinced that we think that because the
question was. I believe it was not in His nature to be rude.
c)
Jesus was of course critical of the Pharisees.
d)
He was annoyed by the fact that they were
controlling people through their position – in essence using God.
Once again shows Himself to be God
e) Shows compassion
f) Her
faith in and acknowledgement of Jesus as Lord and Savior cause Jesus to
forgive
the sin of her fallen state.
g)
The fact that she came there despite the disdain of the Pharisees, she wouldn’t
be stopped from worshiping her Lord and Savior.
