Class lesson March 12, 2017

Andy Andrews - 50 Famous Parental Sayings

Click Here to Watch

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE 

When we’re children, we make a list of things we’ll never do when we “get big.” For example: “When I’m a parent, I’ll never tell my kids, ‘Because I said so.’” Then we grow up and have kids. And somewhere along the way, we say to them, “Because I said so!” 

This cycle may be mildly embarrassing, but it highlights a foundational truth of life: some people have the authority to make things happen just by saying so. Parents are a good example. But God is the best example. 

God spoke, and creation happened. Jesus spoke, and Lazarus was raised from the dead. Jesus spoke on another occasion, and a man was healed—without Jesus even being present.

Let’s look deeper at that last event. As we’ll see from the text, what impressed Jesus in this story was the faith of a centurion: a man who believed a sick servant would be healed simply because Jesus said so. That’s the key to true faith; it’s believing Jesus can do what He says He can do—and that should give us great hope.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Matthew 8:5-7 

5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, pleading with him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony.” 7 He said to him, “Am I to come and heal him?” 

From our perspective, there’s nothing really strange about this encounter. Who wouldn’t go to Jesus for help? Yet in the ancient world, this conversation would have been shocking for several reasons: 

• The man wasn’t Jewish. He was Roman. 

• He was a centurion, responsible for 80-100 soldiers in an army occupying a conquered territory. 

• Most of the time, Jewish people and Roman soldiers avoided contact with each other. Even if they weren’t openly hostile, they certainly didn’t ask each other for help. 

The soldier was desperate to get Jesus’ attention. He was willing to do anything to find a way to save his servant. For His part, Jesus was equally willing to cross ethnic or national lines if it meant helping someone. Yes, the gospel was delivered first to the Jews. But Jesus had ultimately come to save the whole world. 

Another surprising moment in this story came when Jesus told the centurion He would go to his home. In that day, it was considered unclean for a Jew to enter the house of a Gentile. However, Jesus wasn’t worried about appearances. In fact, Jesus later taught that it’s what’s inside a person that makes him or her clean or unclean, not any outside circumstances (see Matt. 15:16-20). 

Jesus was willing to honor the centurion by going to his home. If you want a one-sentence explanation of the Incarnation, that’s it. Through Jesus, God told a desperate world, “I’ll come to your house, and I’ll bring healing and hope with Me.”

Matthew 8:8-9 

8 “Lord,” the centurion replied, “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 

The centurion was grateful for Jesus’ attention, but he was also troubled that Jesus wanted to come to his house. What was the problem? This man knew who and what he was: “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.” He was surely aware of the impropriety of a Jewish man—and a rabbi no less—coming into the “unclean” home of a Gentile. Perhaps he even sensed his own sinfulness in coming before such a righteous person as Jesus. 

The centurion probably felt his unworthiness in another way. He had authority, but only so much, and only what had been conveyed to him. He’d likely seen greater authority displayed on the battlefield through generals and proconsuls, but Jesus’ authority went beyond even that. Jesus was different. Jesus had true authority, and the centurion likely felt unworthy to have Him in his house. 

Still, the centurion understood something crucial about authority. He was used to giving orders and being obeyed, and somehow he knew that all Jesus had to do was say the word to make something happen. Jesus had that kind of authority. 

Throughout His ministry, people tried to comprehend the nature and extent of Jesus’ authority: 

• Shortly before this encounter with the centurion, Jesus preached what we call the Sermon on the Mount. When He finished, “the crowds were astonished at his teaching, because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes” (Matt. 7:28-29).

• Early in his ministry, Jesus healed a demon-possessed man, and the people who witnessed the event “were all amazed” at His authority (Mark 1:23-30). 

• After Jesus cleansed the temple, the religious leaders wanted to know who had given Him the authority to do such things (see Matt. 21:23-27). 

• The first thing Jesus told His disciples as He gave them the Great Commission was, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). 

Jesus didn’t need to make the trip to the centurion’s home. He had all the authority He needed to heal the servant right where He was.

Matthew 8:10-13 

10 Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith. 11 I tell you that many will come from east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus told the centurion, “Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that very moment. 

Here’s the irony of this moment: a Gentile centurion, not the Jewish religious leaders, recognized the limitless nature of Jesus’ authority. A non-believer actually believed more than those on the inside.

In affirming the centurion’s faith, Jesus presented a wonderful picture of the all-embracing nature of faith and grace. People will come from every race, ethnicity, language, and nation to join in the feast celebrating the saving grace of Jesus the Messiah. These people, so very different at first glance, will all have one thing in common: faith in Jesus. Amazingly, it’s “the sons of the kingdom”— the very ones you would expect to be at the table—who will be thrown out as party crashers. With no faith, they have no place at the table. Not only are they thrown out of the party, they are thrown away from God’s presence. 

The obvious question is, “Do we have faith in Jesus like the centurion?” We say we have faith, but if that’s true, why do so many of us live our lives in defeat and frustration? I think it’s because we lack confidence. 

Let me explain what I mean. Hebrews 11 begins with these words: “Faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen” (v. 1). Faith is more than wishful thinking. It’s the firm conviction that Jesus Christ is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do. When we hold this conviction with confidence, it changes the way we live. Because Christ says He can forgive our sins and restore meaning to our lives, we believe Him. Consequently, we live in the joy of His forgiveness and the passion of His purpose. 

The trouble comes when we say we have faith, yet we fail to live with that level of confidence. We all make important choices each day, but what guides those choices? Is it fear of the world’s opinion? Is it trust in what we see? Or is it confidence that Jesus can do what He said He could do? 

Let’s trust the authority of Jesus and place our faith in Him. The centurion trusted Jesus’ word because he understood how authority worked. He trusted in Jesus and His ability to heal. As a result, he found hope for his servant and hope for himself. 

We can have that same hope, as well. It comes through faith— through confidence that Jesus can do what He says He can do.

LIVE IT OUT

How will you express your faith in Christ this week? Consider the following options: 

• Review the Word. One way to see God’s power and ability to work on your behalf is to see how He worked in the Scriptures. Look at the accounts of several heroes from the Old Testament and review what God did in their lives. 

• Review your past. Make a list of the major events in your life in recent years. Use that list to build your faith by praying through the different ways He has worked on your behalf. 

• Take a leap. Ask God to include you in something huge for His kingdom. Ask to be part of something that is “Godsized”—something that can only be explained by the fact that He is at work. 

God has the authority to say “Because I said so” in all spheres of life. He has the authority to bless your life with hope and joy. Embrace that truth by confidently seeking Him in faith.

Teacher Notes

The 10 Red Sea Rules from last week.

Victorious Hope

An interview was conducted 20 years ago, at Ali’s residence for "Young Muslim" magazine. It all started with an innocent question: You have beaten some of the toughest men in the world in the ring. What scares you the most?

Ali: Pointed to his wife while everyone laughed. 

Lonnie Ali: Come on, Muhammad, joking aside, tell them what really scares you.

Ali: Said … “Nothing.”

Lonnie Ali: Nothing on this earth maybe, but ... tell them Muhammad. And then there is a long pause. 

Ali: Then says … “Not going to heaven.” (Everyone there became silent. His sister Lonnie Ali had tears flowing down her cheeks. Others present were also shaken and silent. A few wiping their eyes. Then Malik Mujahid broke the silence, and patting Muhammad Ali on his arm…said: "No, Insha Allah, (if Allah wills it) you will enter Jannah (Islamic concept of paradise) because you have helped so many people."

Ali: Turned his face towards Malik Mujahid, looking at him as though asking: Are you sure? Are you sure about yourself?

Malik Mujahid: "The Mumin (faithful Muslim) lives between hope and fear."

 

Wow...what kind of Hope is that?? 

This is NOT a Victorious Hope!

The Christian lives between hope and faith!

When we come to Jesus in faith, we find hope.

In our lesson this morning, an unusual person comes to Jesus for hope and receives it because of his amazing faith.

Matthew 8:5-7 

5 When He entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony.” 7 He said to him, “Am I to come and heal him?” 

What is unusual about a centurion coming to Jesus for help?

• He wasn’t Jewish. He was Roman. He was a centurion, responsible for 80-100 soldiers in an army occupying a conquered territory. Most of the time, Jewish people and Roman soldiers avoided contact with each other. They certainly didn’t ask each other for help.
• Note that at no time did the centurion actually ask Jesus to heal the servant. He came to Jesus with a report of his servant’s suffering, but stopped short of making any request for healing. Why? He was trying to assess the Lord’s will in the matter, awaiting His response to the crisis at hand. He was hesitant of how Jesus would respond to the request of a non-Jew, especially since he was a soldier in the Roman army. Maybe he wondered whether Jesus would even consider taking the time to help a mere servant. 

What’s Jesus’ response?

• Without hesitation, Jesus voluntarily offered to the centurion, “I will come and heal him” (Matt. 8:7). There was no more question whether it was the Lord’s will to heal the servant. Not only was Jesus willing, but by his own suggestion, was ready to go out of his way to the centurion’s home to perform the healing. 

What can we learn from the way the centurion approach Jesus for help? 

• The centurion came “pleading with Him” how do you typically approach God for help or even in your prayers? 
• Why do we sometimes come to Jesus as a last resort? We feel that we are “unclean” or undeserving we can approach Jesus. We are impatient … don’t want to wait. God is less tangible than a doctor or a person we talk to. We are not convinced that God understands or that God has the power to intervene we like to handle things on our own. We don’t want to “owe” someone or be in their debt for their help. Don’t like to do the asking … not a good communicator. I might see it as a sign of weakness.

Why was it surprising that Jesus said He would go to the centurion’s home? 

• It was considered unclean for a Jew to enter the house of a Gentile. However, Jesus wasn’t worried about appearances. In fact, Jesus later taught that it’s what’s inside a person that makes him or her clean or unclean, not any outside circumstances (see Matt. 15:16-20). Jesus was willing to honor the centurion by going to his home. 

How is this statement an explanation of the Incarnation?

• If you want a one-sentence explanation of the Incarnation: Through Jesus, God told a desperate world, “I’ll come to your house, and I’ll bring healing and hope with Me.”

Point: Jesus is willing to give us Hope.

Jesus is willing to give us hope in our time of need. He is approachable during our time of need and we need to take our concerns for others to the Lord not as a last resort but as a first response. Jesus is moved and this is important, by our compassionate intercession for others in dire situations.

Matthew 8:8-9 

8 “Lord,” the centurion replied, “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 

Why was the centurion troubled that Jesus wanted to come to his house? What was the problem?

• He was surely aware of the impropriety of a Jewish man—and a rabbi no less—coming into the “unclean” home of a Gentile. Perhaps he even sensed his own sinfulness in coming before such a righteous person as Jesus. The centurion probably felt his unworthiness in another way. He had authority, but only so much, and only what had been conveyed to him. He’d likely seen greater authority displayed on the battlefield through generals, but Jesus’ authority went beyond even that. Jesus was different. Jesus had true authority, and the centurion likely felt unworthy to have Him in his house. 

What connection did the centurion make between authority and faith? 

• He understood the principles of authority. It requires an understanding of the principles of authority in order to understand the elements of faith. 
• Power, or the authority of God in force, in operation, in manifestation. 
• Self-working, or dominion. When someone has dominion, it means he can act on his own.
• The centurion understood something crucial about authority. He was used to giving orders and being obeyed, and somehow, he knew that all Jesus had to do was say the word to make something happen. Jesus had that kind of authority. 
• Early in his ministry, Jesus healed a demon-possessed man, and the people who witnessed the event “were all amazed” at His authority (Mark 1:23-30). After Jesus cleansed the temple, the religious leaders wanted to know who had given Him the authority to do such things (see Matt. 21:23-27). The first thing Jesus told His disciples as He gave them the Great Commission was, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). Jesus didn’t need to make the trip to the centurion’s home. He had all the authority He needed to heal the servant right where He was.

What was so great about the centurion's faith? 

• Believing Jesus can do what He says He can do. “Because I said so!” Highlights a foundational truth of life: some people have the authority to make things happen just by saying so. Parents are a good example. But God is the best example. God spoke, and creation happened. Jesus spoke, and Lazarus was raised from the dead. Jesus speaks here and heals a man without even being there. 
• There is something unusual and exceptional that we can notice right away about the Roman officer – his concerned about his slave. In those days, a slave was nothing. An owner could do whatever he wanted with a slave without having to give an account. You can treat him like a piece of property. If he is good, you keep him. If he is not good, you get rid of him. This slave, being sick with palsy, would have been completely useless to the centurion. It would have been much less trouble to ignore him and let him die. And yet, the master did not reject the slave. The centurion took care of the sick slave because he loved him. Notice that this is the only recorded time that a person came to Jesus on behalf of a slave. We normally see parents bringing their children, or friends bringing friends. But this soldier brought his servant. This slave should have been meaningless to him. Yet he cared enough for him that he wanted him to be healed by Jesus. We can say that this centurion is an exceptionally loving and caring person and this moved Jesus.
• In this story, faith is described as an absolute practical reliance on Jesus’ power. Notice these words: ‘Just say a word.’ The centurion believed not only in the power and authority of Jesus’ word, but also that Jesus’ presence was not required for healing. It only takes a word from Jesus and the problem will be solved. 

What keeps people from having this kind of faith that God can meet our needs?

• Ignorance … my problem is too small for God. Lack of faith … my problem is too big for God. Pride … I can take care of myself. Lack of knowledge, understanding of God’s attributes … omnipotence, omniscience, love, wisdom, righteousness/justice, etc

How can we become more convinced of the authority and lordship of Jesus during crises?

• We must have input into our minds of these truths … you have to be reading and applying God’s Word. Learn to trust God on daily basis. Make a practice of seeing God at work, attributing to Him the solutions to your problems.

Point: Jesus has the authority to give us Hope.

Jesus meets us at our point of need even if we see ourselves as unworthy of His attention. In truth, no one is worthy of the compassionate response of Jesus, but then He never acts on the basis of who we are but on who He is. Because Jesus has unequaled, unmatched authority over all others, situations, and things, we can find hope in Him.

Matthew 8:10-13 

10 Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith. 11 I tell you that many will come from east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus told the centurion, “Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that very moment. 

Why was Jesus amazed? 

• A Gentile centurion, not the Jewish religious leaders, recognized the limitless nature of Jesus’ authority. A non-believer actually believed more than those on the inside. He had more faith than anyone in Israel.
• Jesus is amazed at the centurion’s faith. It is a strong word used of Jesus only here and in Mark 6:6 where it was used because of the lack of faith among the Jewish people (He is amazed because of their unbelief). 

What is the relationship between having hope and having faith?

• Hope is trusting in something or someone that will make it happen. 
• Faith is trusting in God, in what He says, in His power and authority and love to make it happen in His time and His way. Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.”

Jesus Christ asked a question in Luke 18:8: “when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” The fact that He even had to ask is a good indication that faith will be scarce at the time of His return; it always has been.

WHAT IS FAITH?

Faith is defined in the first verse of the faith chapter of the Bible, Hebrews 11: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The Greek word for faith means persuasion, conviction of religious truth, conviction of the truthfulness of God, or reliance on God. It comes from the meaning to convince, to assent to evidence or authority, or to rely on by inward certainty.

Faith is an assurance that we will receive the things for which we hope, and it supports the knowledge that we will receive them. The Bible has promises for blessings in this life if we obey God, and it also contains promises for eternal life in the kingdom of God. Faith is the assurance that we will receive those promises.

Faith is also the evidence or proof of what we cannot see or what we have not seen yet. By faith we know that God made the universe, although we cannot see God and we were not present at the creation. Faith is the evidence or proof that God exists, and it is also the evidence that He will keep His promises, even though we have not seen those promises yet.

Jesus makes a remarkable prediction. What was it and what did He mean by it?

• He draws a contrast between Jews and Gentiles. Many “from the east and the west” – that is, from non-Jewish nations – would be welcomed into God’s kingdom. Many “children of the kingdom” (Israelites) would be cast into hell. Our national or ethnic heritage will not determine where we spend eternity. That depends strictly on our faith in Jesus (Eph. 2:8-9). We may be surprised at who gets into heaven and who does not.

How can we know we have a faith in Jesus like that of the centurion? 

• We say we have faith, but if that’s true? Are we confident? Are we sure? Let me explain what I mean. Hebrews 11 begins with these words: “Faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen” (v. 1). Faith is more than wishful thinking. It’s the firm conviction that Jesus Christ is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do. The centurion trusted Jesus’ word because he understood how authority worked. He trusted in Jesus and His ability to heal. As a result, he found hope for his servant and hope for himself. We can have that same hope, as well. It comes through faith—confidence that Jesus can do what He says He can do. 

Point: Faith in Jesus brings Hope.

The Lord commends and honors our faith in Him. The kingdom is prepared for those who place their faith in Christ. Those who presume on the Lord, rest on their own merit, and claim their own rights to the kingdom shall be cast out and suffer the pain of eternal separation from the presence of God. Faith in Christ leads us to hope in Him.

Remember that “great faith” is not something that we generate from within ourselves. Great faith is faith in a Great God … faith is only as effective as the object of our faith … Jesus!

Close: The Lord who gave hope to the centurion and his servant is the same Lord who can give us hope in our greatest hour of need. 

Remember there were two criminals crucified with Jesus, one on each side. Jesus gave each of them the choice and hope of salvation, the same choice He gives us. He’s not going to force us to love Him. He’s not going to force us to trust Him, and He’s not going to force us to accept Heaven. There were two responses. One criminal rejected Jesus, and the other accepted Him in faith. We make the same choice.

The greatest HOPE we can have is knowing for sure that we have been saved? How do you know you’re going to Heaven when you die? How can you be certain? 

• Your assurance is not by your works, is not by your feelings, because feelings come and go. Your assurance of salvation is the promise of God’s Word. If God says it, that settles it, because God cannot lie. You can trust the promise of God’s Word. 
• Remember Young Christian held a key called “Promise” that would open any lock in Doubting Castle.

Jesus tells the one criminal that accepted Him, “I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43b NLT). Your assurance of salvation is the same: God’s promise that you will be in Heaven with Him one day if you believe in faith.

Jesus gives us four characteristics of salvation that we can believe:

1. He said “today.” Salvation is immediate. The moment you ask Jesus Christ to save you, it is done. 

2. Salvation is certain. “Today you will.” Not “You might,” not “I hope.” Not “Let Me think about it.” When God says, “You will,” you will. When you accept Christ, you can be certain of your salvation.

3. Salvation is a relationship. “You will be with Me.” Salvation is not a religion. It’s not rules or regulations or rituals. That relationship doesn’t begin when you get to Heaven. It begins here on Earth. God made you for a relationship with Him!

4. Jesus said, “Today you will be with Me in paradise.” Heaven is a real place, and it is forever.

How will you express your faith in Christ this week? Consider the following options: 

• Review the Word – why? One way to see God’s power and ability to work on your behalf is to see how He worked in the Scriptures. Look at the accounts of others and review what God did in their lives. 
• Review your past. List the major events in your life in recent years. Use that list to build your faith by praying through the different ways He has worked on your behalf. 
• Take a leap. Ask God to include you in something huge for His kingdom. Something that can only be explained by the fact that He is at work. 

John Piper once quoted Billy Graham, saying, "God will not reward fruitfulness, He will reward faithfulness." The centurion was faith-full. I want to be like him when I grow up.

The story of the healing of the centurion’s servant in Luke 7 ends with a remarkable statement by Jesus: “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”

What was so great about the centurion’s faith? 

I think the answer lies in the contrast between the statement of the Jewish elders (vv. 4-5) and that of the centurion himself (vv. 6-8).

This centurion, evidently a generous man and a good citizen, was able to convince some Jewish elders to speak to Jesus on his behalf. So, as Luke records it.

When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”

The Jewish elders were impressed by him. “Jesus, he is worthy of Your attention. He deserves to have You help him. He is a good man. He loves God’s people. He gives back to the community. He helped build the synagogue!” Even in those days I guess making a contribution to a building fund was a good way to win friends and influence people.

Notice that Jesus doesn’t say anything, but He does go with them.

And now the story takes a twist. Jesus never makes it to the centurion’s house; He is stopped in the street. And there a new set of messengers approach Him – friends of the man. They deliver a message from the centurion, and it is quite different from the message the centurion himself sent.

“Lord, don’t trouble Yourself, for I do not deserve to have You come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You.”

There’s quite a difference between “Lord, this man deserves to have You do this…” and “Lord…I do not deserve to have You come under my roof.” The elders were praising his worth, and he is denying it. He continues, “But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 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.”

The centurion, by implication, has just made a very strong confession of faith in Christ. When he says, “But say the word, and my servant will be healed,” He recognizes that Jesus’ word is as good as His deed; more than that, he knows that Jesus can accomplish whatever He pleases, just by saying the word. The centurion is saying that whatever Jesus says, will come to pass. Who has that kind of power? There is only One.

Whenever I read this story and hear the confession of the centurion, I think of Isaiah 55:10-11 

As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

“But say the word, and my servant will be healed.” This is a confession of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Only God could provide what the centurion was asking for.

What’s interesting about this story is that the centurion says this at a time when the disciples still don’t understand who Jesus is. They weren’t quite sure what to make of Him at this point. They knew He was special – obviously, they were following Him around – but they didn’t realize He was divine. It is not until two chapters later that Peter declares Jesus to be the Messiah of God.

It is truly amazing that this Roman officer – a pagan – has a better sense of who Jesus is than the religious people. The Jewish elders haven’t figured it out. The Pharisees and teachers of the law haven’t figured it out. It’s this foreigner who has to teach them a lesson in faith.

And so, it is very fitting then that Jesus says at this point, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” He has been spending all His time with the people of God, and yet none of them have recognized Him as the Son of God. They question Him, they argue with Him, they reject Him…but this non-religious soldier recognizes Him and shows great faith in Him.

And the greatness of his faith is found precisely in the fact that he trusts not in his own worth, but in the power of God’s Word.

The elders say, “he deserves it”; the man says, “I don’t deserve it, but say the word”; And Jesus says, “now that’s faith!”

The feet of faith walk forward believing God is, “and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him,” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith in its highest form removes all worldly shackles and just rests in the truth that if it is His will, there is nothing that can hinder God from performing a miracle in one’s life. Ethnicity, background, and prestige all fall away in the eyes of our Savior whose only view is that of an opened heart filled with belief.

Hope to see you on Sunday! 

In His Love, 

David & Susan