Matthew 15:21-28 (NIV)
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
FIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF GREAT FAITH
Matthew 15:21-22 (NIV) Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
1. Great Faith Is In Jesus.
Saving Faith
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Life of Faith
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) For we live by faith, not by sight.
Pleasing Faith
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Matthew 15:22 (NIV) A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
2. Great Faith Is Often For Others
Matthew 8:10 (NIV) When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
There is power in proxy prayer.
When we care for the lives of others, it often strengthens our own faith.
Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)
A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.Matthew 25:40 (NIV) “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 15:23 (NIV) Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
3. Great Faith Is Persistent
There is power in persistent prayer.
Matthew 15:24 (NIV) He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
Matthew 15:23 (NIV) Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to Him and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
Sometimes the only way to hear something is through silence.
Psalms 46:10 (NIV)
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Matthew 15:24-25 (NIV) He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
4. Great Faith Is Humble
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV) Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
Humility is not arrogance.
Humility is not manipulation.
Job 13:15 (NIV)
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in Him;
I will surely defend my ways to His face.
Faith believes even when it does not receive.
Matthew 15:26-27 (NIV) He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
5. Great Faith Believes
Believe that Jesus is good.
Romans 8:37-39 (NIV) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Believe that Jesus has good things for you.
Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
COMMUNION
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 (NIV) So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
1 Corinthians 11:23-24 (NIV) For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 11:25-26 (NIV) In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
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