The Touch of Sovereign Grace: 2016 Gospel of Luke #23
This is an exposition of Luke 7:1-17. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, July 31, 2016.
Intro:
They were from two different worlds. One a man of position, power and influence in a large metropolitan city. The other a widow from a small rural village, poverty-stricken, destitute and mourning the loss of her only son. Yet they had one thing in common. Their only hope was to be found in a traveling preacher with a reputation for the miraculous. Both received their miracle. Both have their stories recorded in the New Testament. Neither was ever heard from again. Their stories are powerful and instructive. They serve as object lessons in grace. For both individuals experienced the touch of sovereign grace. Our text this morning is found in the seventh chapter of Luke’s Gospel. Dr. Luke Luke 7 and Luke 7:1-17.
Text: Luke 7:1-17
Luke is writing to his Gentile friend – Theophilus.
He wants to make sure that his friend has an accurate account of the life of Jesus.
He wants Theophilus to know that Jesus is indeed the Messiah of the Jews but He is also the savior of the world!
Luke, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has put together a selective history designed to tell the story of Jesus in such a way as to cause his reader to put his faith and trust in Jesus.
With that in mind Luke includes the stories of two very different individuals in great need who experienced the touch of Christ. One of them a Gentile.
According to the language of Luke, these two incidents happened close together and both happened soon after His calling the 12 and instructing them and the gathered disciples on a level plain about life in the kingdom. Kent Hughes describes that sermon with a play on words. He calls it “The Sermon on the Level” because our Lord is so straightforward in his language. He pulls no punches. This life is a demanding life. Shortly after that sermon we have these two encounters. Together they serve to teach us a great lesson about the love and grace of God. They remind us of how:
Thesis: The sovereign grace of God responds to human need.
I’m convinced this is a much-needed message in our day.
It is needed because of a faulty view of faith that is common in our world.
Whole systems of theological thought are founded on this faulty premise.
We have what might be called “vending machine” theology.
You go to the machine – find what you want – see what it requires – put that in the machine pull the lever and you’ve got your miracle! This view says there are spiritual laws operating in the universe and you just need to plug into them. One leading preacher in the movement has even suggested you do not have to be a Christian for this to work. Just follow the system. God has set the system up and He is bound by it. If God is to be God He cannot violate His system.
As outrageous as that notion sounds thousands upon thousands, if not millions believe it!
Biblical faith is not about laws and principles and formulas – it is about a personal God who is involved in the lives of people! And the biblical God is sovereign. He is in charge. He is in control. He is not at our beck and call. He is not bound by our faith or by some formula He established. One of the subtle threats of this “vending machine” faith is that it makes God impersonal.
Let’s examine these two incidents and learn something about the God we serve.
First the account of the Centurion where we learn that:
- The touch of God’s grace is motivated by His love and not our worthiness. (7:1-10)
- The touch of God’s grace is due to the mercy and compassion of Christ and not our earnest plea. (7:11-17)
Conclusion:
Let’s make sure we have this straight.
The gracious touch of God is not about whether or not you are worthy – it is about Him.
It’s not about your fervent praying or your dynamic faith – it is about Him.
Are you in need of the touch of God’s grace today? Embrace Christ. Trust in Him. Believe on Him. Find in Him your all in all.