Matthew 8:5-10 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him,… Christ knew all the man had gone through to arrive at faith. Faith is a hard work: and Jesus knows it. A man who is not a real Christian sometimes shows a trust which might well put to shame the truest child of God. I. WHAT COMPOSED THE GREATNESS OF HIS FAITH? 1. With few advantages the centurion had gone far in advance of the age. 2. Seizing the first opportunity with personal exertion, and on a loving purpose, he came to Christ. 3. Arrived in His presence, he was earnest, simple, devout. 4. At Christ's favour to him his faith rose higher, and his heart went lower. II. How DID THAT FAITH COME? By the ways you cannot see — a grace — a creation. What makes faith grow larger? 1. Look into the constitution of faith. First, it is a clear understanding of the truth; secondly, it is a converting of the abstract truth into a thing real in the mind; thirdly, it is an appropriation, a making your own the truth understood. To increase faith these three points must he cultivated. 1. Keep pure the affections; avoid sin. Faith grows by its own actings. 2. He who would enlarge faith must feed upon promises. 3. To have found Christ as a Saviour gives faith its best impulse. 4. The measurement of everything to a Christian is the falling and rising of his faith. (J. Vaughan, M. A.)It is evident that our religious attainments may not be equal to our opportunities of spiritual growth, and that we may be surpassed in moral excellence by those who have not enjoyed our mercies. I. OUR ADVANTAGES AS THE PROFESSED DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. "In Judah is God known; His Name is great in Israel." Our advantages may be considered as great. 1. In our birth and education. 2. That we have the inspired volume in our own language. 3. The ordinances of the Lord are with us. 4. That we enjoy religious liberty. II. CONSIDER THE ATTAINMENTS IN THE WAYS OF GOD. "What do we more than others?" 1. Encouragement. If we have a little faith, it is a great mercy. 2. Reproof. Have we not loitered in the ways of God? 3. Instruction. Learn to do better. (T. Wood.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,WEB: When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him, |
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