Faith, the currency of heaven!

Rev Enoch Thompson | MARCH 7, 2023 | MATTHEW 8:5-13

KEY VERSE:

When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. Matthew 8:10 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

We have discussed the place of prayer in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His instruction to us, as His followers, to use God’s gift of prayer to access God’s provision. However, when we pray, we are expected to have faith, to believe that God is able and willing, according to His will to do the things we ask Him for.

In our text today we see the faith of the centurion from His initial decision to go to the Lord Jesus, and His actually taking the steps to do so. He was a foreigner in the first place, besides he was an agent of the occupying force of Rome, and these facts could have served as barriers for Him, to make him wonder if the Lord would receive him. He overcame these barriers and by faith trusted in the loving grace of the Lord Jesus and went to Him.

When the Lord Jesus offered to go to the place where the servant was in order to heal him, the centurion raised the faith bar further by indicating that he was convinced that Jesus did not need to move to the location of the sick servant; in effect the centurion expressed the faith that the power of the Lord Jesus was such that it could take effect at a distance and that there was no distance in the power of God. He acknowledged the spiritual power of the Lord and compared it to his own power as a top military officer, whose commands are obeyed by all under his command.

Certainly, the Lord was impressed with the faith of the centurion, and used the opportunity to challenge the lukewarm attitude of the Jews who were not responding that heartily with the ministry of the Lord. The Lord gives us the divine arrangement for God answering our prayers;

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 (NIV). Could it be stated any more simply? When you desire whatever (which is in line with the word and will of God), pray about it. When you pray believe God that you HAVE RECEIVED IT, and then YOU WILL HAVE IT!

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Take your prayer life to another higher level. Do not pray as a mere formality and empty religious exercise. Intentionally tell yourself, God is real, God cares about my needs, God is listening for my prayer, God is able to meet my need, and my need is met! Then look forward to your prayers become reality before your very eyes. We have tasted and can say, GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS!

PRAYER:

Dear Lord in Heaven, thank you for the gift of prayer. I believe in you, please help my unbelief, and usher me into a life of asking God and receiving answers from God.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!