Jesus Impressed

Jesus Impressed (Faith) Matthew 15:21-28 Victory Bible Class 09.10.08 Faith Baptist Church

I love the metaphor of a chair... Find the chair closest to you. Look at it closely. Examine its design. Is it structurally sound? Is it sufficiently engineered? Will the materials chosen by the manufacturer support your weight? Most likely, you picked a chair that you believe will support you. That's belief. You applied logic, knowledge and experience to make an informed intellectual decision. Now sit in the chair... That's faith! At one point, intellectual assent only goes so far. True living requires that we put our beliefs into action. Intellectual belief without actionable faith is hollow and meaningless...—Randall Niles

21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed." 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us." 24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" 26 But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." 27 And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15:21-28

Note Jesus’ reaction to this woman:

· He ignored her 23

· He said no 24

· He called her a “dog” (pet dog, little dog under the table) 26

· He praises her faith 28

· He answers her request 28

What were the obstacles this woman faced?

· She was a woman 22

· She was a gentile 22

· She risked rejection from her family and friends

· She was not encouraged by the disciples 23

What were the elements of this woman’s faith?

· She understood who Christ was 22

· She acted on this belief Christ 25

· She showed humility 27

My Faith

• In what ways do I exercise my faith?
• What obstacles do I face?
• When was the last time I acted on my faith?

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6