A Gentiles Great Faith

A Gentiles Great Faith

2002027

Topic # 1329

Introduction:

A. Left off last wk w/Jesus & disciples on a boat – across sea of Galilee.

1. Land of Gennesaret – 6:54-56 – read of events here.

2. 7:1-23 – begins discussion/exchange w/Pharisees.

a) 7:6 – hypocrites – teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.

b) 7:20-23 – directed at the Pharisees who were more concerned w/the appearance of righteousness – than being righteous.

B. 7:24 – Jesus leaves & goes to region of Tyre.

1. only time in Jesus’ ministry that he left region of Israel.

2. Probably wanted to get some rest; teach apostles privately; get away from hostility of Jews who were greatly offended by His words.

3. 7:24c – yet he could not escape notice

C. 7:25-26a – Syrophoenician woman (Canaanite) woman approaches Him desiring a demon be removed from her daughter.

1. Some believe she had traveled a great distance. No doubt she had heard of Jesus & His ability to help.

2. Matthew’s account says her daughter was “cruelly” affected by this demon – meaning severely.

D. Note how she approaches Jesus:

1. Mt. 15:22 – addresses Jesus as Lord.

a) Indeed Jesus is LORD.

b) Isa. 9:6 – His name is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God.”

2. Mt. 15:25 – bows down before Jesus. Literally, she prostrated herself in homage.

3. Mt. 15:22 – appeals for mercy….

a) demon possession was a terrible thing.

b) Mk. 9:14-29 – symptoms explained in 9:18; 20, 22

4. Mk. 7:27-30 we find the rest of the story concerning this woman.

I. Let’s take a look at her great faith.

A. Starts out w/the odds against her.

1. Mk. 7:26 – a gentile. Not of God’s covenant people.

2. Matt. 15:22 – a woman of Canaan. Jews looked upon Canaanites w/disdain. Many Jews had absolutely no contact w/them.

3. In fact – her people were bitter enemies of Israel.

B. Mt. 15:23 – he did not answer her a word.

1. Imagine…approaching Jesus – imploring & getting no response!

2. He did this to test her faith.

C. 15:23 – disciples beg Jesus to send her away.

1. Imagine looks of contempt; disgust they must have had.

2. 15:24 – Jesus says….

3. This doesn’t stop her – she says, Lord, help me! Still Jesus says,….15:26.

a) “children” in 15:26 = the Jews. They were the chosen people of God.

b) Jesus is still testing her. Remember…Jews looked at Gentiles as dogs – would her prejudices send her away?

D. Mk. 7:28 – she answers w/quick wit…

1. her reply demonstrates her faith.

a) Lord…I’ll take the crumbs of the blessings.

b) We see her persisting in her faith – under what would have been a most discouraging situation.

2. We wonder…why did she keep on trying?

a) Jesus was the only one who could help her.

b) Words were not going to deter her – she wanted her child healed.

3. Riggs: What is discouraging to some people is not discouraging at all to the strong.

a) I want that kind of faith! I want to be numbered w/the strong!

b) Even though the circumstances appear that success is nil – I want to keep on!

c) Don’t want anything to discourage me from my spiritual life!

II. Her importunity pays off.

A. Mk. 7:29-30

B. She was the 2^nd gentile to obtain blessing because of a strong faith.

1. slap in the face to many of the Jews.

2. other was the centurion – Mt. 8:5-10

C. Jesus said she had “Great faith.”

D. There is power in persistence! What a huge compliment paid to her by Jesus!

1. Her faith triumphed over every difficulty & the seeming indifference of Jesus!

III. In this story we find the need for:

A. Respect for the Lord.

1. He is the Lord! Mighty God; Everlasting Father; King of Kings; Lord of Lords!

2. Do we approach Jesus w/the proper amount of respect? Love?

B. Humility

1. willing to take the lower seat?

2. How often do we get discouraged when we don’t get the praise or recognition we deserve?

C. Persistence.

1. Again…we consider Jesus’ silence; the disciples imploring Him to send her away; Jesus’ apparent negative reaction.

2. NONE of this discouraged her! NONE of this made her leave.

3. Likewise, we need to be persistent in our requests from God. God yields to the might of faith and the power of prayer.

D. A tested faith.

1. Faith tested is a richer/greater faith!

a) Jesus could have at once given her what she wanted. But He tested her.

2. She leaves with a fuller & richer faith in the end.

3. Would Js. 1:2-8 apply here?

4. What about Hebrews 12:10-11?

Conclusion.

A. Blessings will flow bountifully from the Lord.

1. Rom. 1:16 – the gospel is for all!

2. Zech. 13:1; John 4:14- fountain is open for all!

B. Jer. 29:13

1. let us seek the Lord in faith.

2. let us seek the Lord in humility

3. let us seek God w/all our hearts

4. Let us seek God w/complete obedience.

C. Acts 3:19 – upon doing so – blessings will flow from the presence of the Lord.

D. I N V I T A T I O N



A Gentiles Great Faith 2002027 Topic # 1329 Introduction: A. Left off last wk w/Jesus & disciples on a boat – across sea of Galilee. 1. Land of Gennesaret – 6:54-56 – read of events here. 2. 7:1-23 – begins discussion/exchange w/Pharisees. a) 7:6 – hypocrites – teaching as doctrine the commandments of men. b) 7:20-23 – directed at the Pharisees who were more concerned w/the appearance of righteousness – than being righteous. B. 7:24 – Jesus leaves & goes to region of Tyre. 1. only time in Jesus’ ministry that he left region of Israel. 2. Probably wanted to get some rest; teach apostles privately; get away from hostility of Jews who were greatly offended by His words. 3. 7:24c – yet he could not escape notice C. 7:25-26a – Syrophoenician woman (Canaanite) woman approaches Him desiring a demon be removed from her daughter. 1. Some believe she had traveled a great distance. No doubt she had heard of Jesus & His ability to help. 2. Matthew’s account says her daughter was “cruelly” affected by this demon – meaning severely. D. Note how she approaches Jesus: 1. Mt. 15:22 – addresses Jesus as Lord. a) Indeed Jesus is LORD. b) Isa. 9:6 – His name is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God.” 2. Mt. 15:25 – bows down before Jesus. Literally, she prostrated herself in homage. 3. Mt. 15:22 – appeals for mercy…. a) demon possession was a terrible thing. b) Mk. 9:14-29 – symptoms explained in 9:18; 20, 22 4. Mk. 7:27-30 we find the rest of the story concerning this woman. I. Let’s take a look at her great faith. A. Starts out w/the odds against her. 1. Mk. 7:26 – a gentile. Not of God’s covenant people. 2. Matt. 15:22 – a woman of Canaan. Jews looked upon Canaanites w/disdain. Many Jews had absolutely no contact w/them. 3. In fact – her people were bitter enemies of Israel. B. Mt. 15:23 – he did not answer her a word. 1. Imagine…approaching Jesus – imploring & getting no response! 2. He did this to test her faith. C. 15:23 – disciples beg Jesus to send her away. 1. Imagine looks of contempt; disgust they must have had. 2. 15:24 – Jesus says…. 3. This doesn’t stop her – she says, Lord, help me! Still Jesus says,….15:26. a) “children” in 15:26 = the Jews. They were the chosen people of God. b) Jesus is still testing her. Remember…Jews looked at Gentiles as dogs – would her prejudices send her away? D. Mk. 7:28 – she answers w/quick wit… 1. her reply demonstrates her faith. a) Lord…I’ll take the crumbs of the blessings. b) We see her persisting in her faith – under what would have been a most discouraging situation. 2. We wonder…why did she keep on trying? a) Jesus was the only one who could help her. b) Words were not going to deter her – she wanted her child healed. 3. Riggs: What is discouraging to some people is not discouraging at all to the strong. a) I want that kind of faith! I want to be numbered w/the strong! b) Even though the circumstances appear that success is nil – I want to keep on! c) Don’t want anything to discourage me from my spiritual life! II. Her importunity pays off. A. Mk. 7:29-30 B. She was the 2^nd gentile to obtain blessing because of a strong faith. 1. slap in the face to many of the Jews. 2. other was the centurion – Mt. 8:5-10 C. Jesus said she had “Great faith.” D. There is power in persistence! What a huge compliment paid to her by Jesus! 1. Her faith triumphed over every difficulty & the seeming indifference of Jesus! III. In this story we find the need for: A. Respect for the Lord. 1. He is the Lord! Mighty God; Everlasting Father; King of Kings; Lord of Lords! 2. Do we approach Jesus w/the proper amount of respect? Love? B. Humility 1. willing to take the lower seat? 2. How often do we get discouraged when we don’t get the praise or recognition we deserve? C. Persistence. 1. Again…we consider Jesus’ silence; the disciples imploring Him to send her away; Jesus’ apparent negative reaction. 2. NONE of this discouraged her! NONE of this made her leave. 3. Likewise, we need to be persistent in our requests from God. *God yields to the might of faith and the power of prayer.* D. A tested faith. 1. Faith tested is a richer/greater faith! a) Jesus could have at once given her what she wanted. But He tested her. 2. She leaves with a fuller & richer faith in the end. 3. Would Js. 1:2-8 apply here? 4. What about Hebrews 12:10-11? Conclusion. A. Blessings will flow bountifully from the Lord. 1. Rom. 1:16 – the gospel is for all! 2. Zech. 13:1; John 4:14- fountain is open for all! B. Jer. 29:13 1. let us seek the Lord in faith. 2. let us seek the Lord in humility 3. let us seek God w/all our hearts 4. Let us seek God w/complete obedience. C. Acts 3:19 – upon doing so – blessings will flow from the presence of the Lord. D. I N V I T A T I O N