The centurion and faith, holy communion and grace

2. 1. Did you ever feel shy?
2. Do you think grown-ups ever feel shy?
• Sometimes it’s hard to ask for a favor.
• Even grow-ups can sometimes be afraid to ask
for a favor.
• Look at his man; he is a Roman officer, an
important man.
• He is in charge of a hundred soldiers. This is
why he is called a “Centurion.
• This man was very good and kind.
• He loved the people he worked with,
• He specially liked one young boy, who work in
his house. The boy like him too,, and was very
loyal to him.

3. • One morning, the boy couldn’t get up. He ached
all over. He couldn’t move.
• When the officer saw how sick the boy was, he
called for a doctor.
• When the doctor arrived, he just shook his head and
said,
• I can’t do anything for him’ there’s no medicine for this. I am
sorry, but I don’t think anyone can help”
• But the officer didn’t give up. He looked at the
boy and thought to himself: “I’ve heard about
someone who can help. But I don’t know how to ask
Him.”

4. • Then he had a good idea. He said,
• “I know what to do!
• I’ll go to the synagogue, the house of prayer,
• and ask my friends there, to talk to Jesus for me.”
• The officer hurried to the synagogue to talk to
his friends.
• He found these 2 important leaders and told
them his problem.
• They listened to him, and nodded their heads.
• “Of course we will ask Jesus this favor for you,” they
said:
• “don’t worry , Jesus will help.”
• Then the officer went back to his house.

5. • By the time, Jesus had arrived in the town,
as usual, many people were following Him.
• The 2 men hurried to Jesus, and begged
Him to help their friend.
a) “Lord Jesus, please help,” they said,
b) “we know a Roman officer who deserves your
help. He loves people;
c) He help to build our house of prayer.
d) The young boy who works in his house is
sick. Please hurry to help him.”
• Jesus listened to them and started out
right away for the house of the Roman
officer.

6. • But before they reached the house, the officer himself
came to meet Jesus. He said:
• “Sir. I am not worthy that you would come into my house.
All I ask is that you say so, and I know that the boy who
works for me will be healed.”
• When saw the surprised look on the face of Jesus and
people, he was not shy, or afraid to explain what he
meant. He said:
• “I am an officer, when I call my soldiers they come; when I tell
them to go, they go.
• I believe that you, Jesus, can do the very same thing with life
and health.”
• Jesus was deeply touched. He said,
“I have never found such faith as this!”
• He looked at the officer kindly and said,
“Go home, what you have asked for, will be given to you.”

7. • The officer hurried home. When he arrived, he
found the boy up and well!
• The boy was so happy, he was jumping all
around!
• Everyone in the house was happy and rejoicing
with him!
1. Do you think the Roman officer, the boy, or
his friends ever forgot Jesus? NO!
2. Do you think Jesus forgot them? I don’t think
so either
• WE don’t know if they ever asked Jesus for any
other favor, but if they did,
• I am sure, they found it much easier to go to
Jesus themselves, instead of having someone

8. • It is good to know how kind Jesus is.
• It makes it much easier for us to go to Him, and
ask for His help.
• The Bible shows that Jesus is always willing and
ready to help us.
• All we have to do is ask Jesus.
• But when we ask we should ask with great FAITH
• Believing that Jesus can help, like this Roman officer
believed.
• We should also have great TRUST IN Jesus and
know that he wants to help us very much.

9. • When we have faith in Jesus and trust
Him, it’s not hard to ask Him for the
help we need.
• But then, let’s remember to thank
Him.
• If you don’t have anything special to
ask,
a) just talk to Jesus
b) and tell Him that you love Him.
c) He will be happy to hear it.

10. • You must realize that almost everyone is shy
sometimes.
1. Why do you think someone may be too shy
to ask a favor?
a) The savior may seem too great
b) We’re not sure the person will give us what
we ask for
c) We might feel that it’s no use asking, etc.
2. Do you ever heard of someone so sick that
even the doctors couldn’t help him?
3. Why didn’t the Centurion give up hopping,
even after the doctor told him no one
could help?

11. • Meaning of having “FAITH”: believing that
Jesus can help.
• This is what we are saying before HOLY
COMMUNION.
• What would you say to show Jesus that you
have faith and believe in Him?
• Let’s pray.
• SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Luke 7:1-10, Matthew 8: 5-13