(What made Jesus to amaze at the faith of the Centurion?)

Three Characteristics of a Life Giving Leader

Luke 7:1-10

The Faith of the Centurion

When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. ² There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. ³ The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. ⁴ When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, ⁵ because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” ⁶ So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. ⁷ That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ⁹ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” ¹⁰ Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

The passage preceded a long teaching in Luke 6, where we see the

• Beatitudes (17-26)
• Love for Enemies (27-36)
• Judging Others (37-42)
• Tree and its Fruits (43-45)
• Wise and Foolish Builders (46-49)

Chapter 7 is on the contrary to teaching but filled with the actions of Jesus, we see of

• Healing Centurion’s Son (7:1-10)
• Jesus raises widow’s son (11-17)
• Jesus curing sickness and delivering demon possessed (18-23)

V.1 states that it was held in Capernaum – One of the three towns in Galilee where Jesus visited frequently. In Luke 10:13-15, Jesus cursed three towns where he ministered so often yet people did not believe Him.

We see some important characters in the passage Centurion, His servant and some elders in Jews (mediators to Jesus). What made Jesus to amaze his faith? He is a Roman commander – having the authority over 100 soldiers. He heard of Jesus, sent messengers to bring Jesus. Jesus amazed at his faith for the statement he made and the great faith he had on Jesus. The characteristics of a life giving leader must follow the same as the centurion!

1.      HE HAD AMAZING LOVE (VV 4-5)

Romans by nature oppressive – Remember they are in power now – Roman empire ruling over the know world. On the contrary he was a man possessed with amazing love towards people and nation. “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”

Remember Romans destroyed the temple in AD 70 (after Jesus’ time), they were all concerned of demolishing the worship places so that the Roman emperor can be worshipped and proclaim his superiority over the gods of the nations they conquered.

Amazing love looks beyond everything – all differences are put aside in amazing love. He is pleading for His servant – not for son or daughter or one of the family members or for himself. His concern and love was towards the least in his house.

We need to build the lives that are torn down and broken – look for people who are not being cared by anyone. Someone might ask you “Why are you doing this?” because God loves us! “With God’s love we are quick to forgive one another! Not bitter to one another – Bitterness is the attack of the enemy.”

Corrie Ten Boom, “How to Forgive” (Watch in Youtube) – “Jesus would have suffered as if you were the only person lived on the earth” (Mat 6:15 – Rom 5:5) The Love of God is poured unto us through the Holy Spirit.

A life giving leader must be known for his amazing love!

2.      HE HAD AMAZING GENEROSITY (VV. 4-5)

He was praised by the elders – He loves Israel AND built a synagogue. He doesn’t need to do so. Great leaders live with amazing generosity.

Generosity is an attitude – It is not how much you give. It is not determined or proportionate to how much you have. If generosity meant by how much you have then 60-70% of the people in the globe can give nothing to anyone who is in need!

Pastor Tom Milan had a poor unemployed boy in the congregation who came to church with dirty shirt and without shoes. As he noticed him purchased good cloths and pair of shoes asked him to wear it when he comes to the church. The next week he came to church wearing the shirt but not the shoes and jacket. The pastor got angry at him and said, “Why haven’t you wear the shoes I BOUGHT for you and the jacket?” he replied, “Pastor I put on all you gave it to me, but on my way I found a homeless man on the street having no shoes and shivering in the cold. I gave them to that man. Pastor if Jesus would be on the earth he would have done the same right?” That question from the boy struck the pastor and gave a new definition to generosity – Generosity does not come from plenty but the attitude of heart that longs to give, give and give.

During the death, people will be known by their generosity and love they had towards others. The centurion was known by his generosity – he didn’t have to do but his generous heart tends to do so.

A life giving leader must be known for his amazing generosity!

3.      HE IS A PERSON OF HONOR (6-8)

He said to Jesus, “I am not worthy of hosting you into my house.” He honoured the people of the society and most importantly JESUS.

The centurion though did not believe the Jewish customs yet honoured their ideas. It should be true to us sometimes – Even though you don’t believe what they believe yet honour THEM (people) – the centurion did the same to Jesus!

Jewish Rabbis don’t visit gentiles, by doing so they defile themselves. His house will be defiled too. Two understanding about defilement – people were defiled both by holy and unholy intention. The centurion admits that Jesus by entering into his house defiles himself and his house too (as Jewish understanding). God honours a person who honours others.

An Indian Hindu family in Kansas – Christ Church Members – children mingled with others and accepted Christ. They brought the parents, father attended the bible study and impressed about it, came to Pr. Dennis and said, “I attended the Bible study – It’s so impressive – But I don’t want to become a Christian – Can I keep coming to the church and be in your fellowship? – Pastor said certainly. The church was praying for the family – He became camera operator in the church – Got baptized after 3 years – 40 people from India witnessed his baptism – Now over 20 in his family accepted Christ – From Hyderabad.

He realized that he was not worthy of hosting Jesus – Jesus a person of Honour too – He broke all the Jewish practices in welcoming gentiles. V. 7, “But say the word, and my servant will be healed.” That led him to have great faith on Jesus.

A life giving leader must be a person of honoring others!

Jesus then said a word and healed him. We must be life giving leaders – must bother about the least one who is in need. The centurion was praised by Jesus, “I haven’t found even among Jews such a great faith.”

Let’s be life giving leaders, having…

Amazing Love

Amazing generosity

Person of Honor

Amen!

*(This sermon is adapted from Pr. Tom Mullins, Christ Fellowship Church, FL)

(A Response for Scrapping IPC article 377 by Supreme Court of India – In Christian Perspective)

Pr. Asap Singh

News: September 6, 2018 was a day of celebration for homosexuals in India as the Supreme Court of India ruled out article 377 which decriminalized the homosexuality as punishable crime. Earlier, the sexual acts between adults of same sex counted as unconstitutional. Therefore soon LGBT (Lesbians, Gay, Bisexuals, and Transgender) will be recognized as separate genders in all legal documents.

It did not surprise me as I heard about the judgment; in fact I was expecting it soon will take place in India. I follow up a conservative independent journalist “Mark Dice” in YouTube and educated myself about the liberal lunatic culture spreading throughout the world. You can watch some of his videos and understand how crazy and dumb the liberals who portray their “Right to Love” culture. The world is speaking progressivism in technology but afraid to judge people based on their behavior. They wanted to practice what they like and how they like.

Recently I read an internet article that Facebook included 71 gender options for the UK users, the same is 50 in the United States. One of my friends from the US recently said the utter craziness of this progressive culture in childbirth. He said that when a child is born in his state the parents can name the child and get the birth certificate but cannot include the gender – the gender will be determined by the individual when they reach 18 years. The reason they don’t add gender is because they don’t know how the child feels when it reaches to maturity and choose one among the 50 gender options which can later be added to the birth certificate. As a Christian I felt disgusted to hear such incidents. 

I also saw two diagrams in the recent past how the progressive (???) Christians reinterpret the scriptures in supportive of homosexuality. I am attaching both the diagrams namely “So you still think homosexuality is sinful” and “The inclusive explanation of marriage” both those diagrams disgusted me I hope every conservative Christians will be having the similar anger I have towards them.

Bible – The Word of God instructs social justice whole through the book. It is more intentional in the New Testament. Some of my social justice observations from the Bible are noted below,

• Don’t oppress the weak or poor (Mat. 25: 40 & 45)
• Men and women are equal (Gal. 3:28)
• Sick and under privileged to be given special care (John 8:1-11; 9:1-4; Mat. 8:2)
• Care for humanity and creation (Lk. 10:25-37; Rom. 8:19-22)

    The Bible records about the creation of human beings in Genesis 1. God created human beings in His image – He created them male and female (Gen. 1:27; 5:2; Mark 10:6). Instead of saying Man and Woman – the verses speak as of the genders God created them; it specifies that there is no “Third gender”. If not the third, the remaining as the progressive world calls it with numerous genders also out of God’s creation. God created human beings in two genders with the purpose of uniting them as one (in sexual relationship). Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife and they become one flesh.” The sexual union between man and woman is counted sacred, which is the intention of God in creating humankind. 

Apart from male and female all the so called sexual orientations are non biblical and originated out of sinful human heart. It is the sinfulness and rebellion of human nature that thinks opposite to what God intended on humanity. The following are few bible verses speaks of human heart that is opposite to God’s will and full of sexual intentions,

1. Genesis 6:5, 12 - The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways
2. Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
3. Mark 7:21-22 - For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.
4. Galatians 5:19-21- The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

    Besides the human thoughts bible also speaks about homosexuality as Perversion (Jude 7), Shameful act (Rom. 1:26-28), Wrongdoing (1 Cor. 6:9) and Detestable (Lev. 18:22; 20:13). The name Sodom and Gomorrah often related to homosexuality as the angels were asked to send out to “Know” (Heb. Yada) with homosexual intention (Gen. 13:13; 19:4-8; 2 Pet. 2:6; Jude 7). It is often noted as “Un natural desire” which is against the will of God. The Bible condemned it in the Old Testament, the New Testament and even today it is being condemned by the church.

It is the word of God that stands for eternity not the human freedom or free will. It is giving freedom or free access to the LGBT viewed by many as social justice. Some developed countries in the world even want incest relationship and include it as a right between two consulting adults and their freedom. In my opinion sexual relationship between parent and child – brother and sister will soon be legalized as individual freedom. My question to those Christians who justify the LGBT as freedom and view the incest as disgusting – will you call incest a social justice and not judge them? It is the same point of view from the Bible that homosexuality is despicable and abomination before the Lord. Anything that is opposite to the will of God comes out of sinful human intention that cannot be justified as social justice. It is the stubbornness of human heart that always wanted to react against God’s will and eternal plans.

Conclusion: As I said it earlier, I am saying it now - I am not wondered of spreading the homosexual (evil) culture in India and in all over the world because Satan will deceive the world with lustful physical intentions and make an army to fight against the people of God. I even expect lot more such activities being legalized in the coming days. It is time for Christians to unite together and stand against this despicable act in the church. God is jealous for his church and people; he did not create people with 71 or 50 or LGBT sexual orientations / genders. The two genders that God created are Male and Female (Mark 10:6) which attracts each other by its nature of creation. Opposing the acts of homosexuality is not standing against social justice, let us recognize it and fight against such activities at least in the church. 

May God bless you.

(For any further doubts and enquires contact me at asapsingh@gmail.com)

WHOM SHOULD I BLAME?

Pr. Asap Singh, M.A, M.Th.

The tragedy of flood in Kerala from the beginning till the middle of this month (August 2018) was a big disaster nationwide. People groups, NGO’s and state governments came forward to support the state to do the rehabilitation works after the stoppage of the rain. More than 300 lives were lost and millions were moved from their homes and put them in relief camps. On the one hand people united to support Kerala by doing relief works individually and collectively, on the other hand they blame one another as the reason for flood. Following are some of the blames/accusations from different levels made as the reason for the flood.

• A Hindu priest in Kerala said that the court ordered to send women into one of the leading temples led that god anger on people and send flood all over the land.
• A Christian pastor preached that due to the increase of sin among the people (like the sins of people in the days of Noah) God provoked anger to send flood in the state.
• Kerala Government made a statement in Supreme Court of India stating that Tamilnadu government opened a dam (amidst 40 dams that were opened in the peak of rain) which brought disaster to the state.
• Tamilnadu government defended by saying Kerala opened 40+ dams without proper management of water that became the reason for flood

There is several more accusation claimed to justify their statements. By all above examples one thing is clear that people try to accuse (find fault / judge / blame) others by covering their own mistakes. Accusation in biblical understanding as “the result of sinfulness” Adam and Eve after the FALL accused others to claim that they were right (Gen 3:12-13) and someone is wrong who led them to sin. Sinfulness of people always leads to blame others – not admitting their fault (This is different from defending one’s right stand).

The word Devil or Satan means “Accuser or Adversary” there are verses in the bible interchangeably translated the word Devil or Satan to Accuser (1 Chr. 21:1; Ps. 109:6). Satan as a person in biblical writings said to be the “one who finds fault” several portions both OT and NT proves that as true (Job 2:1-6; Zech 3:1-2; Jude 9; Rev. 12:10)

Now the question: Is it right to accuse God / Satan / Government / People as the reason for disasters like flood / earthquake / Storms / Tsunami. Just like the recent flood happened in Kerala? My answer is NO!

Luke 13:1-5 Jesus quoted two incidents where people faced death miserably – and were people accusing them by saying that “They were sinners” Jesus opposed it – it was not the sins of people that led them towards that ending. In fact he was against all forms of accusations. Judging others (Matt 7:1-5) is none of human business, because the one who judges is also under the divine/eternal judgment of God. God is the judge for both living and dead. Jesus and John the Baptist were accused of their lifestyles (Luke 7:33-34).

Besides over 300+ death, there were millions who were rescued by the fellow people (Fishermen / Soldiers / Common people). Just like this physical rescue, there needs a spiritual rescue for people who are under the bondage of sin and darkness. Unless someone who is saved helps others out, they cannot be saved by themselves. As per the words of Jesus Judgment is waiting which is eternal. The sign of the covenant that is made with Noah is a rainbow (Gen 9:13-16) so also the new rescue done through Jesus Christ has the seal of indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). Repentance is the key to every individual regardless of those who are rescued physically from flood or who live normal life anywhere in the world. If you are still an accuser, Jesus calls you as a hypocrite (Matt. 7:5)

 

Tell me now! Whom are you going to blame? Is God? Is Satan? Is Government? Is People? If you still blame one of them – it is the sign that you are in your sins and in need of repentance (Luke 13:5). Jesus is the only savior who can rescue you from your sins and lead you to eternal life. 

May God bless you!

Credit:  The above is written based on the concept shared by Rev. Andrews @ AGM of YMCA (Salem) on August 25, 2018.

If I have to say the one thing that grieved the world in July 2018 but had joyful ending is the saving of 12 boys (and their coach) from “The Cave in Thailand.” For further details about this news read the below articles (If you are unaware about it)… 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/07/18/thai-soccer-team-leaves-hospital/794889002/

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/08/asia/thai-cave-rescue-who-are-boys-intl/index.html

There is a connection to this cave to another cave which brought rescue to the entire humanity from Sin and darkness. I was so encouraged by reading the below article which was published in “A Slice of Infinity” from RZIM ministries. Read it and spread the good news of Redemption.

THE (OTHER) ALLEGORY OF THE CAVE

Posted by Aniu Kevichusa, on July 12, 2018
Topic: A Slice of Infinity

The story of the twelve Thai boys in the cave, which gripped the attention and held the breath of the world for over a fortnight, has, thankfully, ended happily. One is quite aware that this real-life story, as all such poignant stories, should be taken in its own unicity and integrity. Real stories are not mere stories to be insensitively and carelessly “used” for analogical or allegorical purposes—an infraction of which (we) preachers are often guilty.

And yet, irresistibly, the 18-day saga of the “Dingy Dozen” is an almost-perfect dramatic enactment of the gospel story. In the first place, we have the twelve members of the “Wild Boars” football team, who went on a “wild boar” into the cave. These boys were no ordinary boys. They were all ably-gifted with fine genes, ample talent, and bright futures. But through a mixture of daredevilry and delinquency, chance and circumstance, they ended up where they ended up, precariously perched on a ledge, helpless and hopeless—“between a rock and a hard place” and “between the devil and the deep blue sea” rolled into one!

This ordeal and predicament of “The Twelve” is a snapshot of the human condition, as diagnosed by the Bible. “Twelve Tribes” or “Twelve Apostles” created good and glorious, but invariably “foolish, disobedient, led astray, enslaved,” find their way into lostness.(Titus 3:3) They got there on their own, but they can no longer get out on their own. No way forward. No way back. No light. No food. No air. No help. No hope:

“Out of the depths I cry out to you, O LORD!”(Psalm 130:1)

Then suddenly: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”(Isaiah 9:2) Not unlike the two British cave-divers—strangers from a distant land—who came searching for, shone their light on, and spoke to the boys, God, the Stranger, comes to us, shines his light on us, and asks: “Where are you?”(Genesis 3:9)

The search has ended. But the rescue has only begun. The tragic death of the Navy SEAL diver, Saman Kunan, brings us close to what is at the heart of the gospel—namely, sacrifice. In the process of supplying oxygen canisters to the boys, this hero ran out of air himself. Jesus, too, came into the world to give us life, and, in the process, laid down his own. Jesus did not just give us life. He gave us his life. For greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

“When you go home, tell them of us and say: For their tomorrow, we gave our today.”(This is the famous epitaph in the World War II Cemetery in Kohima, Nagaland. The authorship is credited to John Maxwell Edmonds.) Even then, the boys still had the waters to traverse, a baptism to undergo, and the serpentine tunnel to navigate—not unlike the people of Israel, who, although they had been redeemed from Egypt, still had to face and pass through the chaos of the sea, navigate the dry and dreary wilderness, suffer from snakebites, and cross the Jordan River.

So also is the life of those who will follow Christ. We have been reached and redeemed. But we have a baptism to undergo. We have to negotiate the rocky perils, pitfalls, and pains of life, face the chaotic waters of chance and necessity, and endure the choking of the serpentine enemy of our souls. We often do not see the light at the end of the tunnel.

But like the boys, we have now been supplied food, drink, and air: God’s word, the Lord’s Table, eternal life. 

And, as each boy was led and accompanied along the journey back by two expert Navy SEALs, alongside us have also come the seal of God’s Spirit and the sealed Bride of Christ—the Church to guarantee, to guard, and to guide. “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’”(Revelation 22:17)

We may be crawling, but we are moving. We may even be bleeding, but we are still breathing. We are not out of the tunnel yet, but we are on our way home. And “creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God”—so that the world, too, may breathe again. (Romans 8:19)

Kethoser (Aniu) Kevichusa is a member of the speaking team at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Nagaland, India. 

Original Source: https://rzim.org/a-slice-of-infinity/the-other-allegory-of-the-cave/