The Centurion's Amazing Confession

In this part of the sermon: This section identifies the centurion as a Roman military officer in charge of 100 soldiers, likely a man of unusual character, appointed by God's providence to oversee Jesus'…

Martin notes that Roman centurions were often men of unusual character, citing biblical examples of centurions open to the Christian faith, to suggest this centurion was likely a man of integrity.

He is described only as the centurion who stood over against him. Now a centurion, and you get the hint from the word centurion, in the last century, a hundred years, a centurion was a Roman military officer in charge of a hundred soldiers. And with all of the particular sins and weaknesses of Rome at that time, we are told from those who have studied the records that in terms of its military personnel,

9:00 - 9:42 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Just as, there are many, sitting here, today, who have heard, the record, of these things, opened up, and expounded, and depicted, before you, and in some, it has moved, you, to say, of this one, truly, he is a righteous…

Martin explains that crucifixion was reserved for the vilest criminals (murderers, brigands, muggers), highlighting the centurion's amazement that Jesus, unlike others he executed, was utterly righteous, underserving of such a death.

Now, we read that, and say, big deal. But, my friends, think for a moment, of what an amazing, vindication, of Jesus, character, this was. He knew, that, crucifixion, was reserved, as that form, of capital, punishment, for the vilest, of criminals. Which, you did, to slay, all, from their masters.

28:08 - 28:41 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Confessing him, to be a righteous man, he agrees, with God's, assessment of Jesus.

He explains that glorifying God means saying the same things about reality that God says, just as denying God's truth is not glorifying Him. Thus, the centurion's confession of Jesus' righteousness glorified God.

And in what sense, was he doing this? Well, there are many ways, in which we glorify, God. But one of them is, when, we say, the same things, about reality, that God, says. When they knew, God, but became, vain, in their, they changed, the truth of God, into a lie, and worshiped, and served, the creature, more than the creator.

31:04 - 31:31 Read in full sermon

The point: Believe in the gospel. That is, believe that I am the Son of God and the only Savior of sinners. Give yourself to me. Embrace me as your prophet to teach you, your priest to forgive and intercede for you, and your king t…

Martin expresses frustration at a young boy (under 15) not paying attention during the sermon, using it to illustrate the danger of ignoring Christ's claims and the limited patience of the Son of God.

Your priest to forgive and intercede for you. And your king to rule over you and to reign over you and protect you and take you at last to heaven. I tell you, it cuts me to the quick to look out and see even this morning, someone that hasn't even seen his 15th birthday, not even looking at me as I preach about my Savior.

52:43 - 53:06 Read in full sermon

Driving home: That you had every gracious God-given opportunity to flee from your sins and trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. You chose your sin. You chose your past. You chose your own way.

He uses the metaphor of the 'worm that never dies' to describe the eternal torment of remembering rejected opportunities to trust Christ, including specific details of the sermon and preacher.

You may, but you will not when he calls you to judgment and consigns you into everlasting punishment. But you'll heed his voice, and you'll say truly this was God's. The heart of the worm that never dies will be the memory of Sundays like this when a preacher stood before you and simply and plainly and passionately preached Christ

54:26 - 55:10 Read in full sermon