Learning from a Woman

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Learning from a Womans Faith

• Matthew 1521-28

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Matthew 1521-28

• Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region
  of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that
  vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of
  David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering
  terribly from demon-possession."

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Matthew 1521-28

•  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."
•  He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep
  of Israel."
•  The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help
  me!" she said.

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Matthew 1521-28

• He replied, "It is not right to take the
  children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
• "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the
  crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

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Matthew 1521-28

•  Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great
  faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter
  was healed from that very hour.

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Setting of This Story
Ruins of Tyres Wharf

• A 50 km walk to the area near Tyre Sidon

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Setting of This Story

• A retreat from the pressures of controversy and
  popularity
• To avoid opposition
• For private instruction
• To get some rest (?)
• No planned public ministry

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The Woman in the Story

• From Phoenecia
• A Canaanite
• A cursed race
• Displaced by Israel
• Had a demonized daughter

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The Womans Faith

• Jesus commended the woman for her faith (v. 28).
• She is the first person in Marks gospel to
  understand a parable.

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The Womans Faith

• There were three things that were true about her
  faith.
• We need to have the same kind of faith today!!

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Bold Faith (21-22)

• The woman had just heard about Jesus (Mark 725).
• She went to see Jesus uninvited.

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Bold Faith (21-22)

• She fell at his feet in desperation
• cried indicates a repeated appeal
• She had a correct understanding of who Jesus was.

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Do We Have Bold Faith?

• Do you pray boldly (Hebrews 416)?
• Do you have bold visions for Gods work?

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Do We Have Bold Faith?

• Do you know that you have a great God?
• Do you believe that He can do all things?

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Persistent Faith (23-25)

• Jesus did not answer her at first.
• The disciples picked up on Jesus silence, and
  requested that Jesus send her away.

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Persistent Faith (23-25)

• Jesus made it known that she and her problems
  were not part of his mission.
• But the woman did not give up.

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Do We Have Persistent Faith?

• Do you allow the response of other people to
  discourage you?
• Do you allow difficult circumstances to defeat
  you?

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Do We Have Persistent Faith?

• Have you thought about the example of the
  persistent widow (Luke 181-8)?

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Humble Faith (vv. 26-28)

• Jesus insulted the woman with His words. (This
  was a test.)
• The woman admitted her inferiority.
• She humbly reasoned with Jesus.

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Do We Have Humble Faith?

• Do we recognize that you are not as good as God?
• He knows more than you know.
• He is wiser than you are.
• He is more powerful than you are

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Do We Have Humble Faith?

• In your prayers, do you reason with God from an
  inferior position?

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The Womans Great Faith

• Caused Jesus to expand the scope of His ministry
  (Matthew 1526-39)
• And they praised the God of Israel (v. 31).
• Gentiles now would share in Israels blessings.

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The Womans Great Faith

• Shows us that all people can find fulfillment in
  Jesus
• He does not recognize your status.
• He only sees your need.

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Question for You

• What need will you boldly, persistently, and
  humbly pray to God about this week?

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• Will you pray for a needy person you know?
• Will you pray about a difficult situation you
  face?
• Will you pray about a challenging problem you
  have?