1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:14,780 The title of this message is Say the Word, and here in Luke chapter 7, we're going to 2 00:00:14,780 --> 00:00:21,560 be there for a second, and if you have a Bible, just open it real quick. 3 00:00:21,560 --> 00:00:31,880 We're going to read the first 10 verses and see a man who recognized Jesus for who he really 4 00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:39,320 was, and I just pray that there's some in this audience today, or maybe over the wall there 5 00:00:39,320 --> 00:00:47,800 in one of them homes that will recognize Jesus for who he really is, because he's power, and 6 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:52,420 he's life, and he's love, and he's all of the above. 7 00:00:52,420 --> 00:00:58,600 He's everything that you and I need, and it has been said that Jesus Christ is the inventor 8 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:07,700 of life, so I think you need to go to the inventor and get the owner's manual, but it says here 9 00:01:07,700 --> 00:01:08,600 in verse 1, it says, 10 00:01:08,600 --> 00:01:15,220 Now when he, Jesus, concluded all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum, 11 00:01:15,460 --> 00:01:20,640 and a certain centurion's servant who was dear to him was sick and ready to die. 12 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:26,800 And so when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, pleading with him to come 13 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:27,780 and heal his servant. 14 00:01:27,780 --> 00:01:34,740 And when they came to Jesus, they begged him, earnestly saying that the one for whom he should 15 00:01:34,740 --> 00:01:39,960 do was deserving, for he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue. 16 00:01:40,420 --> 00:01:45,880 And then Jesus went with them, and when he was already not far from the house, the centurion 17 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:51,800 sent friends to him, saying to him, Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy that you 18 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:53,340 should enter under my roof. 19 00:01:53,340 --> 00:01:59,940 Therefore, I did not even think myself worthy to come to you, but say the word, and my servant 20 00:01:59,940 --> 00:02:00,780 will be healed. 21 00:02:00,940 --> 00:02:06,300 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. 22 00:02:06,300 --> 00:02:09,000 And I say to one, go, and he goes. 23 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:10,880 And to another, come, and he comes. 24 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:12,360 And to my servant, do this. 25 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:13,540 And he does it. 26 00:02:13,540 --> 00:02:19,920 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him and turned around and said to the crowd 27 00:02:19,920 --> 00:02:25,000 that followed him, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel. 28 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:31,300 And those who were sent returning to the house found the servant well who had been sick. 29 00:02:31,300 --> 00:02:32,620 Let's pray. 30 00:02:32,620 --> 00:02:33,600 Lord, thank you. 31 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:36,080 Thank you for your authority, Lord. 32 00:02:36,080 --> 00:02:41,940 And as we look at that today, Lord, I pray that we would realize that our lives ultimately 33 00:02:41,940 --> 00:02:43,320 are under your authority. 34 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:48,040 But there's a intimate authority that you desire that we would all come to. 35 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:53,880 We would willingly step under the authority of our God and have him control and direct our 36 00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:54,300 lives. 37 00:02:54,300 --> 00:02:58,140 Just as Steve was talking about earlier, Lord, that you could direct our steps. 38 00:02:58,140 --> 00:03:02,260 We might have plans, but we know that your plans are so much greater than our own. 39 00:03:02,260 --> 00:03:05,840 So would you work your plan in each one of us today? 40 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:06,780 In Jesus name. 41 00:03:06,780 --> 00:03:07,540 Amen. 42 00:03:07,540 --> 00:03:14,620 And so, first of all, there's this centurion and most of the centurions were Roman. 43 00:03:14,620 --> 00:03:20,420 And, and, and, uh, uh, but as we look in the new Testament, every time we see a centurion, 44 00:03:20,420 --> 00:03:25,100 it's like, they've got this, um, they've got this wisdom about them. 45 00:03:25,100 --> 00:03:29,200 They got this, um, um, what would I say? 46 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:31,040 Uh, integrity. 47 00:03:31,040 --> 00:03:33,900 Uh, the one we see at the cross, right? 48 00:03:33,900 --> 00:03:38,780 You remember when it gets dark and there's an earthquake and, and the Bible says the graves 49 00:03:38,780 --> 00:03:42,700 opened and that, that saints who had died were walking about. 50 00:03:42,700 --> 00:03:47,120 And, and the centurion says, truly, this was the son of God. 51 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:53,380 It's like these centurions, they just have this knack of re recognizing truth. 52 00:03:53,380 --> 00:04:00,880 And, um, then in, um, in the book of acts, we see a dude named Cornelius that the Bible 53 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:02,460 said he was a, he was a faithful man. 54 00:04:02,460 --> 00:04:03,520 He feared God. 55 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:07,580 He, he realized no doubt that, that his life was not his own. 56 00:04:07,580 --> 00:04:09,560 And, and, and, but he didn't know Jesus. 57 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:16,280 And so the Lord, uh, orchestrated a meeting between him and the apostle Peter and, and Cornelius 58 00:04:16,280 --> 00:04:18,840 and his house gets saved and filled with the Holy spirit. 59 00:04:18,840 --> 00:04:25,860 And, and, um, and then there's this guy, this guy that comes to Jesus because he, he has this, 60 00:04:25,860 --> 00:04:31,960 uh, this servant that he's, is, it says he's dear to him that he loves this guy, even though 61 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:37,520 he's his servant, he doesn't treat him like a, like a dog or like a piece of meat. 62 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:41,580 And, um, and he has, has compassion for him. 63 00:04:41,580 --> 00:04:47,580 And so, first of all, we see in this passage, we see three opinions of this guy. 64 00:04:48,540 --> 00:04:51,080 Uh, the guy has a reputation. 65 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:53,920 What, what's your reputation say? 66 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:58,200 I don't even want to think about what my reputation is. 67 00:04:58,200 --> 00:04:59,100 I don't really know. 68 00:04:59,100 --> 00:05:00,940 I don't really care though. 69 00:05:00,940 --> 00:05:03,300 I do if it's brought shame to the Lord. 70 00:05:03,300 --> 00:05:09,400 And I know I've probably been guilty of that, but, um, but this guy has, has a reputation and 71 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:10,600 others have opinions. 72 00:05:10,940 --> 00:05:18,680 No, the Bible says that, uh, the difference between, uh, sanity and insanity when it comes 73 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:26,120 to you is usually between what others say about you and what you say about yourself. 74 00:05:26,120 --> 00:05:33,460 What you say about yourself compared to what others say about you is usually insanity. 75 00:05:40,260 --> 00:05:44,380 Because you may not see you the way others see you. 76 00:05:44,380 --> 00:05:50,940 And that's why the scripture says, look, let another man's lips praise you and not your own. 77 00:05:50,940 --> 00:05:56,760 Because, you know, you're a super, super humble person. 78 00:05:56,760 --> 00:06:01,620 But as soon as you tell somebody that you're humble, you're not humble anymore. 79 00:06:05,220 --> 00:06:13,600 And so this centurion, he has compassion, uh, for his servant. 80 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:19,240 But the first opinion we see is the, the reputation that he has with the Jews. 81 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:20,520 He loves us. 82 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:22,940 Here's this Roman that loves us Jews. 83 00:06:22,940 --> 00:06:25,160 And the Jews and the Romans didn't like each other at all. 84 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:28,440 But this guy, this guy had been good to them. 85 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:36,960 It says, uh, you know, it says, so when they, um, when they heard about, uh, when he heard 86 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:40,840 about Jesus, he sent elders to the Jews pleading with them. 87 00:06:40,840 --> 00:06:45,540 Obviously they had a relationship with these Jewish people that they obviously believe different 88 00:06:45,540 --> 00:06:46,100 things. 89 00:06:46,100 --> 00:06:49,320 Do you have relationship with people that believe differently than you? 90 00:06:49,540 --> 00:06:51,040 I think it's really important. 91 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:58,360 Uh, not that you have to force your way all the time, but I think that they, they need 92 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:01,680 to hear what you have to say when the opportunity arises. 93 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:08,340 But if we just are so stuck or as pastor Gordon used to call it, we have hardening of the categories. 94 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:15,560 It's hard to get along with others that don't believe the way we do. 95 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:21,400 Now, it's not that we necessarily hang out with them all the time, but, but I love having, having 96 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:26,700 relationship with people in the community that are, have a much different view on God and 97 00:07:26,700 --> 00:07:28,540 life and death than I do. 98 00:07:28,540 --> 00:07:32,960 Because many times the Lord opens an opportunity for us to share with them. 99 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:40,080 And this guy was, was seemed to be fairly faithful to just be, uh, show kindness to the 100 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:42,560 Jews, though he may not have believed what they believed. 101 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:47,520 And so they said that, um, um, for he is deserving. 102 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:55,760 This guy's deserving of us to help him, of this Jesus to help him because he loves our nation and 103 00:07:55,760 --> 00:07:56,840 he built us a church. 104 00:07:56,840 --> 00:08:02,840 And so they had a awesome opinion of this guy. 105 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:08,380 They, they recognize that he was, he was, he was an intercessor, but because he cared about 106 00:08:08,380 --> 00:08:12,980 his servant, he, he had compassion and kindness and extremely generous. 107 00:08:12,980 --> 00:08:16,880 Some believe that he actually built it with his own money, the synagogue for the Jews. 108 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:24,060 The Bible says that's a, uh, the fruit of this spirit is, is love. 109 00:08:24,060 --> 00:08:30,320 But within that love is a, is a thing called kindness that we don't see a lot of today, but 110 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:31,480 it usually sticks out. 111 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:36,420 If somebody shows kindness, it, it's, it's rare. 112 00:08:36,420 --> 00:08:38,760 So it's, it's, it's very obvious. 113 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:42,840 The second opinion was this guy's opinion of himself. 114 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:50,480 In verse six, it says, uh, and when he was not already far out, he's from the house. 115 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:53,300 He sent friends out to him saying, Oh, don't, don't come to my house. 116 00:08:53,300 --> 00:08:55,160 Maybe his wife was in his ear. 117 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:56,760 You can't have this man come to our house. 118 00:08:56,800 --> 00:09:00,460 He said, mess girls. 119 00:09:00,460 --> 00:09:01,220 Have you ever done that? 120 00:09:01,220 --> 00:09:04,800 My wife looked at me, you did what? 121 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:09,980 I don't invite people over very often. 122 00:09:09,980 --> 00:09:13,760 Cause I lived there. 123 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:23,460 So it, uh, my wife said it was a full-time job cleaning up my messes, but he said, I'm, I'm 124 00:09:23,460 --> 00:09:23,980 not worthy. 125 00:09:23,980 --> 00:09:26,060 I've heard about you. 126 00:09:26,060 --> 00:09:30,640 I've heard about this Jesus and I'm not worthy. 127 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:33,360 And I'm with this guy. 128 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:34,900 I'm not worthy. 129 00:09:34,900 --> 00:09:39,140 We're not worthy of him at all. 130 00:09:40,260 --> 00:09:41,480 Not even close. 131 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:46,820 And my family members aren't worthy of him. 132 00:09:46,820 --> 00:09:50,280 You know what? 133 00:09:50,280 --> 00:09:51,520 But he's willing to come. 134 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:53,960 He's willing to come. 135 00:09:53,960 --> 00:09:56,240 He's willing to come to you and me. 136 00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:57,120 And he was willing. 137 00:09:57,120 --> 00:10:03,880 And, and, and this guy is just, um, he's examined himself. 138 00:10:03,880 --> 00:10:06,480 That's an important thing to do. 139 00:10:06,540 --> 00:10:10,940 I think I mentioned it last week and I know pastor Steve talked about it on, on Wednesday. 140 00:10:10,940 --> 00:10:18,700 He, he had examined, he knew that he wasn't worthy of this Jesus, but he did recognize something 141 00:10:18,700 --> 00:10:19,400 very powerful. 142 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:21,720 And that was the authority of Jesus. 143 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:27,500 And last of all was Jesus's opinion of this guy. 144 00:10:27,500 --> 00:10:28,860 He marveled. 145 00:10:29,920 --> 00:10:45,620 Jesus was impressed with this man's faith because this guy had an understanding of authority that I think maybe hardly any of us understand when it comes to Jesus Christ and his authority. 146 00:10:45,620 --> 00:10:48,680 The authority of Christ. 147 00:10:49,680 --> 00:10:51,700 It's, it's, it's second to none. 148 00:10:51,700 --> 00:10:53,380 To none. 149 00:10:53,380 --> 00:10:55,780 There, he has no rival. 150 00:10:55,780 --> 00:11:01,360 There is nothing that come, can come against his authority successfully. 151 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:06,380 It's impossible because of who he is. 152 00:11:06,380 --> 00:11:10,320 And this man recognized that, right? 153 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:18,600 He, he recognized the authority of Jesus and that you just speak a word and it, and it happens. 154 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:23,800 And, uh, and, um, the Bible tells us a lot about authority. 155 00:11:24,460 --> 00:11:31,600 If we'll read it, this word right here that we're reading is authoritative, right? 156 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:33,920 It's the authority of my life. 157 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:36,400 I either believe it or I don't. 158 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:45,920 And because I believe it, I try to read it and put it in there because it gives life to those who read it. 159 00:11:46,680 --> 00:11:57,520 And may I say, keep it, which is much easier or excuse me, much harder than reading it, much easier to read than to do. 160 00:11:57,520 --> 00:12:01,820 But the Bible says we should be doers of the word and not hearers only. 161 00:12:01,820 --> 00:12:05,920 Paul tells us that all authority comes from God. 162 00:12:05,920 --> 00:12:06,760 All of it. 163 00:12:06,760 --> 00:12:10,980 Every authority you see in heaven and on earth comes from God. 164 00:12:10,980 --> 00:12:14,800 Romans 13, one, let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. 165 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:17,980 For there is no authority except from God. 166 00:12:17,980 --> 00:12:21,320 And the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 167 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:28,460 You mean I got to submit to the sitting building department? 168 00:12:28,460 --> 00:12:33,800 Here we are. 169 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:35,480 That's why we're outside. 170 00:12:42,860 --> 00:12:45,320 But listen, it's all appointed by God. 171 00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:46,760 God's in control of it all. 172 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:49,100 Good, bad, and indifferent. 173 00:12:49,100 --> 00:12:51,600 God is in control of all authority. 174 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:59,960 And Jesus, after the resurrection, he proves his authority. 175 00:12:59,960 --> 00:13:02,660 Notice it's after the resurrection that he says this. 176 00:13:02,660 --> 00:13:04,720 In Matthew chapter 28, he says, 177 00:13:04,820 --> 00:13:10,040 This is after the resurrection. 178 00:13:10,040 --> 00:13:12,380 And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, 179 00:13:12,380 --> 00:13:16,760 All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 180 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:19,680 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, 181 00:13:19,680 --> 00:13:22,960 baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 182 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:24,880 All authority has been given to him. 183 00:13:24,880 --> 00:13:26,380 Very specifically. 184 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:29,980 And he proved his authority by what? 185 00:13:29,980 --> 00:13:31,300 By rising from the dead. 186 00:13:31,300 --> 00:13:33,460 Nobody else did that. 187 00:13:33,460 --> 00:13:41,360 That seals this statement that all authority in heaven and on earth is given to him. 188 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:42,620 The one who conquered death. 189 00:13:42,620 --> 00:13:45,340 The one who owns life. 190 00:13:45,340 --> 00:13:47,020 He owns it. 191 00:13:47,020 --> 00:13:47,680 It's his. 192 00:13:47,680 --> 00:13:49,240 Do you have it? 193 00:13:50,180 --> 00:13:52,220 Have you asked him to share his life with you? 194 00:13:52,220 --> 00:13:55,520 Have you given him the authority of your life? 195 00:13:55,520 --> 00:13:57,280 Because see, you have authority too. 196 00:13:57,280 --> 00:14:00,200 You and I, we have authority. 197 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:07,560 And in this part, neck of the woods, here in southeast Idaho, 198 00:14:07,560 --> 00:14:10,440 many of us preachers, we get asked all the time, 199 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:12,600 Dude, where do you get your authority? 200 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:14,740 Right? 201 00:14:14,740 --> 00:14:19,800 I mean, the answer is like, any preschooler can answer it, right? 202 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:20,220 Jesus. 203 00:14:20,220 --> 00:14:24,080 Where do you get his? 204 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:25,980 I get my authority from Jesus, right? 205 00:14:25,980 --> 00:14:28,440 And it's found in John chapter 1, verse 12. 206 00:14:28,440 --> 00:14:31,640 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right. 207 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:32,960 It's interesting. 208 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:38,760 That is the exact same Greek word that this authority word we see in Luke. 209 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:40,120 It's the exact same word. 210 00:14:40,120 --> 00:14:41,680 It's exosia. 211 00:14:41,680 --> 00:14:46,520 But it says, but as many as received him, he gave them the right or authority 212 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:49,840 to become the children of God to those who believe in his name. 213 00:14:50,440 --> 00:14:52,320 Do you believe in the name of Jesus? 214 00:14:52,320 --> 00:14:57,640 Not just that it's a name that J-E-S-U-S, that you can spell, 215 00:14:58,140 --> 00:15:07,900 but it's a name that is the foundation of your life, that has power in your life. 216 00:15:07,900 --> 00:15:11,640 Because at the name of Jesus, every knee is going to bow, 217 00:15:11,640 --> 00:15:14,980 and every tongue is going to confess to the glory of God the Father. 218 00:15:14,980 --> 00:15:15,700 Why? 219 00:15:15,820 --> 00:15:16,960 Because he's Mr. Authority. 220 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:17,000 Because he's Mr. Authority. 221 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:18,720 Jesus is. 222 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:33,680 And so this authority that we're under, it's ultimately we're going to be under his judgment. 223 00:15:34,360 --> 00:15:37,280 Every human being is under the authority of Jesus. 224 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:42,000 And you're either under his judgment or you're under his grace. 225 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:48,360 And you have eternal life existing in you even now as you walk with Jesus. 226 00:15:49,620 --> 00:15:51,340 Because everyone stands before him. 227 00:15:51,340 --> 00:15:53,540 He's going to judge the quick and the dead. 228 00:15:53,540 --> 00:15:56,780 Those who are alive and those who are dead. 229 00:16:01,340 --> 00:16:06,980 It's interesting that we're all born under authority, right? 230 00:16:06,980 --> 00:16:09,380 You're born under the authority of your parents. 231 00:16:09,380 --> 00:16:16,100 Being at the school for 20 years, my wife was a first grade teacher. 232 00:16:16,100 --> 00:16:23,320 And within that first week, she knew what kind of authority was in the home of that child that was in her class. 233 00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:24,760 There were exceptions. 234 00:16:25,380 --> 00:16:35,200 But for the most part, she could tell really quick those who were under authority and those who were vying for authority. 235 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:39,560 We call them them little rebels, right? 236 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:48,280 And by the time they're in first grade, they kind of get an understanding of, oh, mom and dad, what they say, you know, goes. 237 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:50,400 What they say goes. 238 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:53,280 And that translates really well in the classroom. 239 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:54,540 Right? 240 00:16:54,620 --> 00:16:55,400 That translates. 241 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:58,040 They're under authority of mom and dad. 242 00:16:58,040 --> 00:17:00,020 They're under the authority of their teacher. 243 00:17:00,020 --> 00:17:02,560 But a lot of parents didn't want to do that. 244 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:04,220 It was. 245 00:17:04,220 --> 00:17:10,200 And I got a bum rap because they would wanted me to be the authority. 246 00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:13,680 Because, you know, for the most part, we still swung the rod there. 247 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:14,540 And they. 248 00:17:14,540 --> 00:17:17,420 So I was the I was their leverage. 249 00:17:17,420 --> 00:17:19,920 We're going to tell Pastor Scotty on you. 250 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:23,860 Your parents are going to tell Pastor Scotty on them for something they did naughty at home. 251 00:17:23,860 --> 00:17:26,000 That ain't right. 252 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:26,060 Right? 253 00:17:26,060 --> 00:17:31,360 Right? 254 00:17:31,360 --> 00:17:32,440 I had to whoop my kids. 255 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:33,480 You whoop your kids. 256 00:17:35,480 --> 00:17:45,540 But the fact is, his authority is going to rule over that kid's life, his whole life. 257 00:17:46,180 --> 00:17:51,120 So either his parents will usurp authority over his life and teach him right. 258 00:17:51,120 --> 00:17:52,340 Teach him right from wrong. 259 00:17:52,340 --> 00:17:54,920 Because he's a desperately wicked little fella. 260 00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:56,280 Right? 261 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:05,040 Or as the Minnesota Crime Commission statement from 1926 says, every child is born a little savage. 262 00:18:05,040 --> 00:18:06,880 Right? 263 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:09,240 And you better get a hold of him quick. 264 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:09,960 Right? 265 00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:16,660 But the thing about it is, is if parents don't discipline, then the school will. 266 00:18:16,660 --> 00:18:20,200 The school doesn't get anywhere disciplining them. 267 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:20,760 Right? 268 00:18:20,760 --> 00:18:23,680 Then truancy with juvenile courts will discipline. 269 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:27,680 If that don't work, then the police, right? 270 00:18:27,680 --> 00:18:31,640 They'll get chaped wrists from the handcuffs being on a lot. 271 00:18:33,320 --> 00:18:37,160 Or eventually a prison guard and warden will rule over their life. 272 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:39,880 Somebody's always going to rule over your life. 273 00:18:39,880 --> 00:18:50,000 And God comes along with the Lord Jesus Christ and says, hey, can I rule your life? 274 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:51,320 Will you let me? 275 00:18:51,320 --> 00:18:53,960 You ever been around them people? 276 00:18:53,960 --> 00:18:55,960 They just buck authority at every turn. 277 00:18:55,960 --> 00:18:59,980 It starts when they're little at home and it's all the way through their whole life. 278 00:18:59,980 --> 00:19:02,680 They get nowhere. 279 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:07,940 They get nowhere, but behind bars or in the grave, an early grave. 280 00:19:07,940 --> 00:19:21,320 I heard one pastor say that no man or no person can rule until they have been ruled. 281 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:22,840 Right? 282 00:19:22,840 --> 00:19:27,280 No person can rule until you've been ruled. 283 00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:28,260 Who rules you? 284 00:19:28,260 --> 00:19:32,620 Some people will say, well, nobody rules me. 285 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:34,400 I am an island. 286 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:37,380 Right? 287 00:19:37,380 --> 00:19:39,400 I'm my own man. 288 00:19:39,400 --> 00:19:42,540 Nobody rules me. 289 00:19:42,540 --> 00:19:43,820 Yeah, they do. 290 00:19:43,820 --> 00:19:44,920 You just don't know it. 291 00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:47,120 But Satan's got you by the throat, buddy. 292 00:19:47,120 --> 00:19:49,580 Or sister. 293 00:19:49,580 --> 00:19:51,300 Whatever the case. 294 00:19:53,180 --> 00:19:56,000 Because Paul talks about it. 295 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:56,220 Because Paul talks about it. 296 00:19:56,220 --> 00:20:01,160 In chapter 26, when actually it's Jesus that's talking about it. 297 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:05,120 Because he's talking to Paul about the call that he has on Paul's life. 298 00:20:05,120 --> 00:20:08,860 And Jesus says, I will deliver you from the Jewish people. 299 00:20:08,860 --> 00:20:10,000 This is what he's telling Paul. 300 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:12,960 Because Paul's kind of getting beat up a little bit since coming to Jesus. 301 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:13,740 Right? 302 00:20:13,780 --> 00:20:15,580 It wasn't too bad when he's beating up the church. 303 00:20:15,580 --> 00:20:20,740 But once he gets converted and starts telling people that, oh, this Jesus dude, he's real. 304 00:20:20,740 --> 00:20:22,800 And he knocked me to the ground. 305 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:25,100 And he proved he has authority over my life. 306 00:20:25,100 --> 00:20:26,820 And so I'm serving him now. 307 00:20:26,820 --> 00:20:28,060 And it didn't go well with him. 308 00:20:28,060 --> 00:20:30,740 And so Jesus says, I'm going to deliver you from the Jewish people. 309 00:20:30,820 --> 00:20:34,220 As well as from the Gentiles, the Romans who wanted to put him in prison. 310 00:20:34,220 --> 00:20:43,500 To whom I send you, listen, to open their eyes in order to turn them from darkness to light. 311 00:20:43,500 --> 00:20:48,900 And from the power, exosia, same name, authority, right? 312 00:20:48,900 --> 00:20:51,360 Of Satan to God. 313 00:20:51,360 --> 00:20:54,620 So you're under one of those two authorities. 314 00:20:54,620 --> 00:20:55,280 You and I. 315 00:20:55,280 --> 00:20:57,980 Have you given your heart to Jesus? 316 00:20:57,980 --> 00:21:00,280 Then you're under the power of Satan. 317 00:21:00,280 --> 00:21:03,060 I'm sorry you are. 318 00:21:03,060 --> 00:21:07,200 And he's going to kill, steal, and destroy you. 319 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:11,640 So why not come to Jesus? 320 00:21:11,640 --> 00:21:13,680 Who loves you? 321 00:21:13,680 --> 00:21:15,240 Who has a plan for your life? 322 00:21:15,240 --> 00:21:17,560 Who gives you everlasting life? 323 00:21:17,560 --> 00:21:28,840 And I will deliver you in order to turn them from darkness to light and from the power, authority of Satan to the authority of God. 324 00:21:28,840 --> 00:21:34,620 Because to be neutral is to be under Satan's control. 325 00:21:34,620 --> 00:21:43,600 Listen, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me. 326 00:21:43,600 --> 00:21:44,760 That's what Jesus told Paul. 327 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:46,080 He says, this is going to be your life, dude. 328 00:21:46,080 --> 00:21:49,820 You're going to lead people from darkness to light. 329 00:21:51,220 --> 00:21:53,700 That's my prayer for this building, that it goes from darkness. 330 00:21:53,700 --> 00:21:54,600 It's been pretty dark. 331 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:55,600 It's still dark. 332 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:01,200 But to light, the light of Jesus. 333 00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:03,180 The light of God. 334 00:22:03,180 --> 00:22:06,360 And from the power of Satan to the power of God. 335 00:22:06,360 --> 00:22:13,140 So, it's such a simple thing. 336 00:22:14,100 --> 00:22:16,340 And then this guy, right? 337 00:22:16,340 --> 00:22:22,720 Because he recognizes authority, he says, listen, Jesus, just speak the word. 338 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:29,820 Now, there's two accounts of this centurion servant getting healed. 339 00:22:29,820 --> 00:22:33,100 The one is in Matthew 8 and the other one is here in Luke 7. 340 00:22:33,100 --> 00:22:36,000 In Matthew 8, we get a little different picture. 341 00:22:36,100 --> 00:22:46,600 It appears that the guy didn't go to Jesus at all. 342 00:22:46,600 --> 00:22:51,200 But it was just his servants that represented him that went to Jesus. 343 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:56,880 And that when he heard Jesus was coming, he sent his other servants out there and said, 344 00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:57,660 Oh, no, don't tell him. 345 00:22:57,660 --> 00:22:58,900 I'm not worthy to come in. 346 00:22:58,900 --> 00:23:00,160 But to do what? 347 00:23:00,160 --> 00:23:01,200 Just say the word. 348 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:08,060 This guy recognized that if Jesus just said the word, be healed, that his servant would be healed. 349 00:23:08,060 --> 00:23:10,840 He says, because I understand this authority thing. 350 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:12,180 I say to this guy, go. 351 00:23:12,180 --> 00:23:12,680 And he goes. 352 00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:14,160 I say to this guy, come. 353 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:14,720 And he comes. 354 00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:16,140 And do this and do that. 355 00:23:16,140 --> 00:23:17,180 And they do it. 356 00:23:17,180 --> 00:23:18,520 At a word. 357 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:22,580 Do you believe that about God's word? 358 00:23:22,580 --> 00:23:24,920 That it's that powerful? 359 00:23:24,920 --> 00:23:31,260 That the word that Jesus says actually changes your life? 360 00:23:31,260 --> 00:23:36,160 Do you believe that he has the authority to change your life? 361 00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:40,000 To maybe break some of the bondages that you're in? 362 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:46,800 The power to forgive your sin and wipe them away, that they're gone forever? 363 00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:49,640 As far as the east is from the west, do you believe that? 364 00:23:49,640 --> 00:23:53,020 It's a powerful belief. 365 00:23:54,980 --> 00:23:57,080 It truly affects the way you live. 366 00:23:57,080 --> 00:24:03,840 And it's obviously causes you to reflect on your own life like this guy did. 367 00:24:03,840 --> 00:24:07,840 Just say the word. 368 00:24:07,840 --> 00:24:09,860 Now, it's interesting. 369 00:24:09,860 --> 00:24:12,380 I've been in a lot of prayer meetings over the years. 370 00:24:12,380 --> 00:24:15,660 And, you know, we need a little cash or something. 371 00:24:15,660 --> 00:24:17,140 Lord, we need five bucks. 372 00:24:17,620 --> 00:24:20,860 Oh, Lord, you know, I know you could provide five bucks. 373 00:24:20,860 --> 00:24:25,880 In fact, I might even find a five dollar bill walking across the parking lot. 374 00:24:25,880 --> 00:24:27,960 Lord, I know you can do that. 375 00:24:27,960 --> 00:24:29,560 But how about 25,000? 376 00:24:29,560 --> 00:24:31,840 Oh, Lord, 25,000. 377 00:24:31,840 --> 00:24:33,500 I mean, you're on your face. 378 00:24:33,500 --> 00:24:34,840 No, just say the word. 379 00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:36,160 Lord, we need 25 grand. 380 00:24:36,160 --> 00:24:37,900 Right? 381 00:24:37,900 --> 00:24:40,040 Just say the word. 382 00:24:40,840 --> 00:24:42,060 You don't have to get weird. 383 00:24:42,060 --> 00:24:47,780 Or just like, you know, we got to convince God now. 384 00:24:47,780 --> 00:24:49,280 The five dollars is no big deal. 385 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:50,600 But 25,000? 386 00:24:50,600 --> 00:24:51,740 Yeah. 387 00:24:51,740 --> 00:24:56,520 We're pathetic people. 388 00:24:56,520 --> 00:24:57,740 You know? 389 00:24:57,740 --> 00:25:02,360 Or then you pray and God does something. 390 00:25:02,360 --> 00:25:04,560 And you go, oh, he did what? 391 00:25:04,560 --> 00:25:07,260 Well, didn't you say a word? 392 00:25:07,260 --> 00:25:08,960 Didn't you pray and ask him? 393 00:25:10,520 --> 00:25:13,860 Well, I got an awesome report from Rosemary, her daughter-in-law. 394 00:25:13,860 --> 00:25:15,280 We've been praying for her. 395 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:19,360 She's had stage four breast cancer that has metastasized to her bones. 396 00:25:19,360 --> 00:25:23,400 And she, Tuesday, got a report that all the cancer is dead. 397 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:24,280 It's just dead. 398 00:25:24,280 --> 00:25:31,300 And we've been praying, you know. 399 00:25:31,300 --> 00:25:36,060 And then Rosemary said, well, how do you say thank you? 400 00:25:36,060 --> 00:25:37,920 Thank you just seems so cheap. 401 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:39,460 You know? 402 00:25:40,200 --> 00:25:45,260 The power of words, right? 403 00:25:45,260 --> 00:25:47,420 Isn't words powerful? 404 00:25:47,420 --> 00:25:48,680 So powerful. 405 00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:52,060 In fact, I did a ceremony last night. 406 00:25:52,060 --> 00:25:56,780 And all of a sudden, these two became something with the word of their mouth that they've never been before. 407 00:25:56,780 --> 00:25:59,840 It was like their metamorphosis assistant. 408 00:26:02,340 --> 00:26:03,480 She became a wife. 409 00:26:03,480 --> 00:26:03,480 She became a wife. 410 00:26:03,480 --> 00:26:04,460 She'd never been a wife. 411 00:26:04,460 --> 00:26:05,440 He became a husband. 412 00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:06,480 He's never been a husband. 413 00:26:06,480 --> 00:26:08,620 With the word of their mouth. 414 00:26:08,620 --> 00:26:09,120 Right? 415 00:26:09,120 --> 00:26:12,880 What you say. 416 00:26:12,880 --> 00:26:14,600 Be careful what you say. 417 00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:18,520 That's why the Bible. 418 00:26:18,520 --> 00:26:20,140 Solomon, right? 419 00:26:20,140 --> 00:26:23,480 Solomon was a pretty wordy fella. 420 00:26:23,480 --> 00:26:27,660 But when he came before the Lord, he says, you are God in heaven. 421 00:26:28,220 --> 00:26:29,840 And here am I on earth. 422 00:26:29,840 --> 00:26:31,120 So limited. 423 00:26:31,120 --> 00:26:35,600 And so I'm going to let my words be few. 424 00:26:40,380 --> 00:26:48,340 But there is a time for you and I to come and bow down before Jesus. 425 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:52,220 And with your words of your mouth saying, Lord, I need you. 426 00:26:52,220 --> 00:26:55,000 Just like the song we sang just a little bit ago. 427 00:26:55,000 --> 00:26:57,240 Lord, I need you. 428 00:26:57,240 --> 00:27:07,660 And as simple as that sounds, it's much like the I do that that bride and groom said last night. 429 00:27:07,660 --> 00:27:12,420 In front of God and all those witnesses, they said I do. 430 00:27:14,080 --> 00:27:30,680 And so for this man to see the power of Jesus, for him to really see the power of Jesus, he had to come to him. 431 00:27:30,680 --> 00:27:34,080 And he did it by representative. 432 00:27:34,080 --> 00:27:36,260 But he came to Jesus. 433 00:27:36,260 --> 00:27:39,480 That's what Jesus invites you and me. 434 00:27:39,480 --> 00:27:41,160 He says, you guys come unto me. 435 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:43,860 All of you who are weary and heavy laden. 436 00:27:43,860 --> 00:27:45,500 And I'll give you rest. 437 00:27:45,500 --> 00:27:49,120 And he's powerful enough to do that. 438 00:27:49,120 --> 00:27:53,320 But do we have the brass to come to him? 439 00:27:53,320 --> 00:28:00,240 Well, I don't know what people think of me if I come to Jesus. 440 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:02,400 Who cares? 441 00:28:02,400 --> 00:28:08,520 They're not going to be there on the day of judgment when you stand before him and give an account for your life. 442 00:28:08,520 --> 00:28:09,700 They're not going to be there. 443 00:28:09,700 --> 00:28:12,260 You're going to be there all by yourself. 444 00:28:13,660 --> 00:28:20,420 And maybe he'll ask you, hey, what did you do with that invitation that I gave you to come to me? 445 00:28:20,420 --> 00:28:22,520 How come you didn't come to me? 446 00:28:22,520 --> 00:28:26,560 It's like the scripture we read last week, right? 447 00:28:26,560 --> 00:28:30,960 Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and you don't do what I tell you to do? 448 00:28:31,880 --> 00:28:32,280 Why? 449 00:28:32,280 --> 00:28:32,340 Why? 450 00:28:32,340 --> 00:28:33,460 Why? 451 00:28:33,460 --> 00:28:34,560 Why? 452 00:28:34,560 --> 00:28:36,380 It's a great question. 453 00:28:36,380 --> 00:28:39,440 But he had to come to him. 454 00:28:39,440 --> 00:28:41,120 And he did. 455 00:28:41,120 --> 00:28:45,940 He recognizes that Jesus could fill his every need. 456 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:48,960 So come to Jesus and live. 457 00:28:48,960 --> 00:28:51,880 Come to Jesus and be healed. 458 00:28:51,880 --> 00:28:54,140 Come to Jesus and be delivered. 459 00:28:55,500 --> 00:28:58,400 Come to Jesus and find rest for your soul. 460 00:28:58,400 --> 00:29:03,020 And so we're going to have a time of baptism. 461 00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:06,000 But first, I want to just give you an invitation. 462 00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:08,620 If you've never received Christ as your Lord and Savior. 463 00:29:08,620 --> 00:29:10,380 Right? 464 00:29:10,380 --> 00:29:12,780 You say, well, I've been coming to church and I've really been thinking about it. 465 00:29:12,780 --> 00:29:14,160 But okay. 466 00:29:15,920 --> 00:29:17,040 You've had your opportunity. 467 00:29:17,040 --> 00:29:18,320 Now come. 468 00:29:18,320 --> 00:29:20,680 Come to Jesus. 469 00:29:20,680 --> 00:29:26,160 And you can put the icing on the cake by getting baptized. 470 00:29:26,160 --> 00:29:29,080 Saying, Lord, I identify with your death, burial, and resurrection. 471 00:29:29,080 --> 00:29:33,400 I realize you are the ultimate authority. 472 00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:36,540 And I need to be submitted to you. 473 00:29:36,540 --> 00:29:39,360 The Bible says count the cost. 474 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:40,200 Right? 475 00:29:40,200 --> 00:29:41,760 Think about that. 476 00:29:41,760 --> 00:29:44,220 Might take a while. 477 00:29:44,340 --> 00:29:48,740 Of you kind of letting that ruminate and stew in your heart, in your mind. 478 00:29:48,740 --> 00:29:54,740 But ultimately, we're all going to stand before him and give an account. 479 00:29:54,740 --> 00:30:00,120 And some may even have to give an account for this very day. 480 00:30:00,120 --> 00:30:07,920 This 28th, 29th, I guess it is now, of June, 2025. 481 00:30:07,920 --> 00:30:10,580 So would you pray with me? 482 00:30:10,580 --> 00:30:13,480 If you've never received Christ. 483 00:30:13,480 --> 00:30:15,920 Here's your opportunity. 484 00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:18,380 Maybe you've just been struggling. 485 00:30:18,380 --> 00:30:19,620 Maybe you're backslidden. 486 00:30:19,620 --> 00:30:23,380 Maybe you just want to surrender it all. 487 00:30:23,380 --> 00:30:28,260 I want to give you an opportunity to do that right now as we pray. 488 00:30:28,260 --> 00:30:35,140 And if that's you and you just feel like you know that you need Jesus or more of him. 489 00:30:35,540 --> 00:30:37,100 Can I just ask you to stand to your feet? 490 00:30:37,100 --> 00:30:37,900 Right where you're at. 491 00:30:37,900 --> 00:30:38,900 Just stand to your feet. 492 00:30:38,900 --> 00:30:41,600 Somebody says, I'm already standing. 493 00:30:41,600 --> 00:30:42,220 That's fine. 494 00:30:42,220 --> 00:30:45,520 I'm standing with you. 495 00:30:45,520 --> 00:30:48,940 You just want to go deeper. 496 00:30:48,940 --> 00:30:52,980 Lord, I want you to have my life, not just some of it, but all of it. 497 00:30:55,560 --> 00:30:59,740 Lord, we thank you that, Lord, you offer yourself to us. 498 00:30:59,740 --> 00:31:03,020 Willing to walk to this man's house. 499 00:31:03,020 --> 00:31:09,900 And yet you didn't take his unworthiness, nor were you offended at it. 500 00:31:11,960 --> 00:31:16,960 Lord, nor is there any degree of difficulty that you're limited by. 501 00:31:16,960 --> 00:31:20,740 And that's even saving our wretched hides. 502 00:31:20,740 --> 00:31:24,860 And so, Lord, I just pray for those standing. 503 00:31:24,860 --> 00:31:28,660 Lord, that you would give them your strength and your power. 504 00:31:28,660 --> 00:31:33,760 Lord, that they would realize that, Lord, you have more and better for them. 505 00:31:35,040 --> 00:31:44,760 Lord, that you came to give us this authority that greater are you that is in us when we come to you than he that is in the world. 506 00:31:44,760 --> 00:31:52,160 Because honestly, all of us at one time or another were children of darkness under this way of the devil. 507 00:31:52,160 --> 00:31:57,740 And it's time to come to Jesus and to be freed from that. 508 00:31:57,740 --> 00:32:04,160 And live a life of freedom that we don't even understand until we're in a relationship with him. 509 00:32:04,160 --> 00:32:16,440 So, Father, as we enter into this baptism time, I pray that you would, Lord, touch lives. 510 00:32:16,440 --> 00:32:21,740 You might even be knocking on the door of someone's heart that hasn't done it yet. 511 00:32:21,740 --> 00:32:24,060 Maybe they've been saved for years but never been baptized. 512 00:32:24,060 --> 00:32:29,580 Lord, that they would follow you and identify with that incredible power and authority 513 00:32:29,580 --> 00:32:33,500 that you have given to us because you overcame the grave. 514 00:32:33,500 --> 00:32:38,540 And you purchased and paid for our sin on that cross. 515 00:32:38,540 --> 00:32:40,900 So, Lord, we love you. 516 00:32:40,900 --> 00:32:41,680 We praise you. 517 00:32:41,680 --> 00:32:45,220 Pray that you would bless now in Jesus' mighty name. 518 00:32:45,220 --> 00:32:46,740 Amen. 519 00:32:46,740 --> 00:32:47,560 Amen.