Monday, May 22, 2017
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Spock, Scotty, a doctor called "Bones", the Starship Enterprise, the transporter, the Klingons: they're all part of a universe millions of people know as Star Trek. And if the oft-repeated TV shows weren't enough, the Star Trek crew became the stars of several major movies. And then came the new crew, set even farther ahead in our future. It was called "Star Trek - The Next Generation." They were still boldly going where no one had gone on the Starship Enterprise. But "Star Trek version I" and "Star Trek version II" had something more than a ship in common. They both had a strong captain in command. First, Captain Kirk, who always seemed to have things under control. But then along came the "Next Generation" skipper, Captain Picard. He had a lot less hair than Capt. Kirk, but he seemed to be even more in charge. There was never a question as to who was in charge of the ship, the crew, or the situation. And when Capt. Picard would give an order, he would follow it with three "no argument" words that were always the bottom line, "Make it so." "Yes, Sir!"
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Knowing Who's In Charge Here."
Actually, that was the issue in our word for today from the Word of God which introduces us to the only person the Bible says actually amazed Jesus. Luke 7, "There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die." This Roman officer sends a delegation of Jews to Jesus, who ask Him to come and help this man's dying servant.
"So (it says) Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to Him, 'Lord, don't trouble Yourself, for I do not deserve to have You come under my roof...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.' When Jesus heard this, He was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following Him, He said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.' Then the men who had been sent re-turned to the house and found the servant well."
This says that Jesus was amazed by this man's faith - more so than by any faith He had seen among the "faith people", the Jews. And while Jesus was continually disappointed by His disciples' faith - which He called "little faith" - He praises a Roman officer, of all things, for "such great faith." And great faith gets great results. Miraculous results.
So what is the secret of faith that Jesus thinks is great? Well, it clearly has to do with authority. This man knew he had authority over his soldiers, like Capt. Picard over his Star-ship crew. "Make it so", and it gets done. The centurion said, "If I say 'Go', my soldiers go." But now he was facing a situation over which he had no authority - the impending death of his beloved servant. But he said, "Jesus, you can do with this illness what I do with my soldiers. If You tell it to go, it's gone! If you say, 'Do this', the disease will do it." In other words, he's saying the disease is not going to decide the outcome here. You are, Lord."
Which brings us to your impossible situation. Who's going to decide the outcome? Great faith acts as if Jesus will decide it - not the disease, not the company, not the finances, not any other person. You have turned it over to Jesus, and this obstacle, this person, this crisis will do what Jesus tells it to do!
Great faith recognizes the total authority of Jesus Christ over your situation. Great faith moves the heart of Jesus and sets the stage for a miracle. And great faith says, "Lord Jesus, if You say, 'Make it so!', that's how it will be."