"...but speak the word only,"
Matthew 8:5-13
5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
The Following Insight establshed that there is power in the Word the Roman Centurion asked Christ to speak. This Centurion believed it, so.
Published on 1/12/2013
Creation: Forming the World
Memory text: Isaiah 45:18
For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens, who is God, who formed the earth and made it, who has established it, who did not create it in vain, who formed it to be inhabited: 'I am the Lord, and there is no other.
Last week the focus was Genesis 1: 1. When we look at the implication of Genesis 1:1, we end up with Jesus at the center of everything. It is Jesus who created all; this said, we need to know why this is important. And, while last week many reasons were given, it would behoove us to see this in the context of the Great Controversy. Specifically, it would help to know what was going on then, historically. Very, briefly, we know from Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy that there is enmity between Christ and Satan. We know that Satan, then Lucifer, had issues with Christ being God. How could Christ prove that He was God? One way is to create the world with all the heavens witnessing the event. Could anyone have any doubts about Christ being God after this event? We know that Heaven rejoiced when Christ finished the earth (Job 38:7). Could it be that one reason they rejoiced is because now there was proof beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Christ is indeed God?
How would they know that Christ was God? Because only God could speak the Word and things happen. We read in Hebrews 11: 3 that "… the worlds were framed by the word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." Peter agrees with Paul. He says in 2 Peter 3:5 that "by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water." The Psalmist had said long ago, "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." "For He spake, and it was;" "He commanded, and it stood fast." Psalm 33:6, 9. The expression "And, God said…" is used nine times in Genesis 1. We can see here that His Word was instrumental in creating all things in this planet. Interestingly, all through the Gospels many are healed, resurrected, and forgiven by and with His Word.
Some define faith in terms of the Word, "Faith is trusting that the word will do what it says it will, and waiting for the Word to do it." Paul writes in Romans that "faith comes through the hearing of the Word" (Romans 10:17). Jesus says that man shall live by this Word (Matthew 4: 4). And, it is His Word that sanctifies us (John 17: 17).
If we think about it, one of the most important things that come across in Genesis 1 and throughout the Bible is the power of His word. The best way to the power of His Word describe is in the book of Isaiah,
Isaiah 55:10 - 11
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Anyone that professes to believe in Christ would agree God's Word is powerful and truth. But, many have trouble believing His Word. And, herein lies our problem, it is only effectual in us if we believe.
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Our lesson states:
"Also, look at what Jesus says in Matthew 8:11-12."
Matthew 8:11-12King James Version (KJV)
11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
"What a stern warning to those who have been given great privileges. We, as Seventh-day Adventists, also are greatly privileged, and should take heed."
Indeed, we should!
Raul Diaz
