College & Career: 2nd Quarter 2016

By Dr. Jerry B. Madkins

College and Career is the young adult quarterly directed toward students ages 18–24. The lessons are designed to address the unique experiences of African- American young adults as they venture into the world of higher education and work.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Dec 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781681671093

Book preview

GOOD AS NEW

Unifying Topic: Renewed Health

LUKE 7:1–10

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: LUKE 7:1–10

Luke 7:1–10

INTRODUCTION

Some people believe it takes long and elaborate prayers in order to gain a great miracle from God. But God can do great things with just a few words from His people. All Christians should have a fervent prayer life. But a short and sincere prayer can be just as effective as an hour-long prayer if it is spoken from the heart. Truly it is the quality of the prayer, not the quantity of the words, that matters. According to a German proverb, sometimes attributed to Martin Luther, The fewer the words the better the prayer.

EXPOSITION

I. THE CENTURION AND HIS SERVANT (Luke 7:1–5)

No matter who you are, sooner or later you will need help from Jesus Christ. There are forces in this world that only God can control. In today’s text, a Roman centurion’s servant had grown very ill. This centurion had the faith to recognize that even though he was a powerful man by this world’s standards, he was in dire need of Jesus’ aid: When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave (v. 3, NRSV). Like him, we can access God’s help when we trust Jesus for whatever need may arise.

A Christian who has come to know the peace of God in his or her life knows that there is nothing better than to have Jesus protecting him or her from all evil. Real help truly comes from the Lord: I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth (Ps. 121:1–2, NRSV). God does all things well for the Christian who lets Him have full rule in his or her life.

A Christian must have God’s peace guiding him or her every step of the way upon this earth. As Zechariah sang at the birth of his son John, By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:78–79, NRSV). Jesus is truly in control of all things of this earth. God never takes a break or vacation when it comes to His care for His people: He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand (Ps. 121:4–5, NRSV).

Life.Point

To learn to seek assistance from others without losing faith.

Lesson.Point

To know the facts of the story of the centurion’s faith and Jesus’ healing of the his servant.

Section I

Why do adults worry about the illness of a loved one?

Section II

How can everyday experiences strengthen our faith?

Section III

How can Christians display more faith in their daily lives?

God will not let His people down when we need Him the most. He will not let the world consume us as we walk with His only begotten Son. He is aware of every situation His people are about to be involved in.

II. THE CENTURION’S FAITH (Luke 7:6–8)

The centurion did not feel worthy to be with Jesus in his own house, saying, ‘I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed’ (v. 7, NRSV). Leon Morris noted that the centurion was plainly a humble man. He had not met Jesus but knew enough about him to accord him a high place. Probably also he realized that a religious Jew might have scruples about entering the house of a Gentile (Luke [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988], 151).

One of the most natural human emotions is fear. Christians, though, should not succumb to the fears in our lives. As the Apostle Paul wrote, For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom. 8:14–16, NRSV). When children are frightened, they cry out for their parents to save them. In the Kingdom of God, when Christians come under the attacks of Satan, then we should cry out to our Heavenly Father to save us. There is security for Christians in trusting God in the face of fear. As the psalmist said, Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me (Ps. 23:4, NRSV). There is wonderful solace in serving the Almighty God and knowing we are on His