BibleScribbler

Coffee, a Bible, and a Napkin to Scribble On

  • Sermons
  • Videos
  • Bookshelf
  • About Me

Humble and Powerful Army Guy

Dan Sullivan · January 5, 2015 ·

[1] After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. [2] Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. [3] When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. [4] And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, [5] for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” [6] And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. [7] Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. [8] For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” [9] When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” [10] And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

(Luke 7:1-10 ESV)

The most subtle and passive thing stuck out to me as I read this today. Everybody said the Centurion was “worth” and “deserved” the help of Jesus. If there is anyone Jesus doesn’t show a lot of mercy too, it’s the people that think they deserve stuff. He has just spent time and after this He will spend more time explaining to the Pharisees why they really aren’t as worthy as they think they are, and that the Kingdom of Heaven doesn’t really belong to those that are self-worthy!

I think Jesus already knew what He was in for with this guy, because He goes to help him and is met by servants of the Centurion (pay attention to that! The man’s servants are doing exactly what he told them to do!) that say the Centurion isn’t worthy. The only people in this story that are not calling the Centurion worthy are those that serve under him that are under orders to do so. And what message does he have for Jesus?

“This sickness will submit to your authority, you can take care of it however you want.”

Not only is the sickness under the authority of Jesus, but by asking for Jesus’ help, the Centurion is also submitting to Jesus’ authority.

When you go to the doctor and tell him your problems and ask for his help, you are submitting to his authority.

When you show up at the cell phone store and ask him to switch over your phone, completely unlocking your smartphone with your privacy code and unlocking your account with your social security number, you are submitting to that 20-year old’s authority.

The Centurion here knew power and he knew authority. He knew how it worked, and the consequences of rebellion. His response to that knowledge was “Go ask Jesus for help here, but let Him help however He judges best.”

Jesus helped, and called the humblest Centurion in Israel the greatest man of faith He had seen.

Bible Study Centurion, faith, humble, humility, Luke, pride

WCAGLS Session 5: Chris Brown

Dan Sullivan · August 8, 2013 ·

Session 5 Chris Brown

For one month, Saul was getting called out and it was obvious to everyone that he was chicken.

Saul was supposed to be the guy that would go out after Goliath.

After 40 days of leadership being questioned, and it's because of you, any neck is better than yours.

They sent out the boy because he was the only one that would go.

Saul immediately claimed that hire!

Everybody bragged about how awesome David was.

Saul should have high-fived David and said, "We're the 11,000 club!"

"What more can he get but the kingdom?" Saul was jealous of David, didn't want his spot to get taken.

Saul had room in the kingdom for young eagles, but no room in his chariot. Saul thought it was HIS kingdom. How did you make this one about you?

The same way pastors and CEOs make it about "my team" and "My church" with the idea "I built this"

There was a pagan leader 800 years earlier that knew how to do this differently. He put Joseph in the chariot next to him.

Joseph thought they were his dreams, but they were God's dreams. Joseph needed slavery to learn the difference.

Jesus picked 12 guys, and at the LAST FREAKING SUPPER THEY WERE ARGUING ABOUT WHO WAS THE BEST!

"God shows up, I have one Son, you listen to Him, no Moses, No Elijahs, ONE SON."

The disciples just didn't get it, they were always trying to jockey for spot 2-11 (they knew Peter would be number 1)

James and John take Jesus aside to ask to be #1 and #2.

Over and over the leaders are struggling with who is going to be in charge of their peeps.

Jesus brought them all together and said the world lords their authority over each other.

Mark 10:42-45

the Son of man did not come to be served but to serve, and to offer himself as a ransom for many

you had higher hopes for your position than for the company or your church, that's why when somebody on your staff becomes great, you send them off to plant their own church.

The Jesus leader washes the feet of the great people on his team and serves them!

"Are you asking me to give away my platform? My title? My position? No. Jesus is!"

We need to call sin sin. Pride and ego are bad and we need to see that and call it out.

Chris Brown's mentor (the one everyone that knew him thought should give this talk) said "It doesn't matter who preaches this, as long as the message gets out!"

So many people practicing what they are preaching.

"this is not for every leader, only the ones that want to be great"

We are killing ourselves and our families trying to build our own kingdoms.

"i'm afraid that in 10 years, our cities are going to have incredible civic centers, incredible youth activity buildings. They used to be churches, until the personality left."

With the title I've been given, not as senior pastor, but as servant of all, what do I need to do? Who do I need to pull into my chariot?

When I have the choice, do I expand His kingdom, or my reputation.
Will you cheer for the other guy that gets invited to preach at the Summit about what you've been doing for 20 years?

If a non-believer had my exact same skill set, would they do my job differently? Your answer better be upside down.

After Jesus rose from the dead, He picked those guys that always argued to be picked, and sent them out.

Whatever you think it will cost you to empower others, it cost Jesus more. Follow Him.

I think that was the best talk yet.

Bible Study, Sermons david, Kings, leadership, pride, sermons

Bitter confessional religious literature

Dan Sullivan · June 22, 2013 ·

image

Bible Study, Featured, Handwritten Blog angst, faith, pride, Psalms, submission

Life Sucking Pride

Dan Sullivan · May 31, 2013 ·

image

Bible Study mercy, pain, pride, sin, struggles

Search Topics

Browse Topics

Acts apostasy Bible Study books CFC church community discipleship Ephesians faith forgiveness freedom glory God Gospel grace Holy Spirit Isaiah Jesus John Law life love Matthew mercy miracles mission notes NT OT poor power prayer Prophets quotes religion salvation Sermon Sermon notes sermons teaching thoughts WCAGLS work works

Listen

Copyright © 2023 · Hosting, Design, and Content by Dan Sullivan