Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 8 November 2020
Text: Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30
Subject: “Great is your faith”

INTRODUCTION

1. There were only 2 recorded commendation of faith by the Lord Jesus

a) The faith of a Roman centurion (Matthew 8; Luke 7)

b) The faith of a woman of Canaan (Matthew 15; Mark 7)

2. Our Task

a) To analyse the faith of these people

b) To attempt to emulate their example

THE CONTEXT OF THE STORY OF A WOMAN OF CANAAN

1. Tyre and Sidon

a) These are called “twin cities”

b) Sometimes one is mentioned; but both are in mind

c) Tyre and Sidon (Matthew 15:21; Mark 7:24)

d) These were famous for their harbours

e) They were sea ports

2. The featured woman of Canaan

a) A woman of Canaan (Matthew 15:22)

b) She was a Greek Mark 7:26a

c) A Syro-Phoenician by birth Mark 7:26b

d) Mixed racial ancestry

i) Greek

ii) Syrian

iii) Phoenecia

3. The dilemma of the Syro-Phonecian woman

a) She had a daughter

b) Her young daughter was possessed by an evil spirit (Mark 7:25)

c) “Severely demon-possessed” (Matthew 15:22)

HEARING OF THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD JESUS IN TYRE AND SIDON

1. The Lord had planned this to be a quiet visit

2. But His fame preceded Him

3. The Syro-Phoenecian woman acted on this news

4. She found out where the Lord and sought His help

THE ENCOUNTER WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. The plea made by the woman of Canaan

a) Have mercy on me

b) O Lord, son of David!

c) My daughter is severely demon-possessed (Matthew 15:22)

2. The Non-Response of the Lord Jesus

a) This was not a negative response

b) It was a “non-response”

c) But He answered her not a word (Matthew 15:22)

3. The response of the Disciples

a) His disciples came and urged Him

b) “Send her away, for she cries after us” (Matthew 15:23)

c) Their response was Negative

d) They had not understood the Non-response of the Lord

e) They thought that the Lord would not extend His help to the woman

4. The persistence of the Syro-Phoenecian woman

a) She persisted
She kept asking (Mark 7:26b)

b) She fell at the feet of the Lord (Mark 7:25)

c) She worshipped Him (Matthew 15:25)

THE CONVERSATION OF THE LORD JESUS WITH THE SYRO-PHOENECIAN WOMAN

1. The woman’s words to the Lord Jesus Christ

a) She called Him, “Lord, Son of David”

b) This would be a Jewish term of address

c) Only Jews would use this term (technically)

d) But a woman of Canaan had no right to use this term

2. The Lord’s reply

a) I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24)

b) The woman of Canaan was not

i) A sheep of the house of Israel

ii) How could she then appeal to Him as the “Son of David”

c) It seemed as if the Lord would not help her

3. The Woman’s understanding

a) She was swift in understanding what the Lord said and meant

b) She had been wrong in her address of the Lord Jesus Christ

c) She changed her address

d) She called Him “Lord” (Matthew 15:25a)

e) She pleaded, “Help me” (Matthew 15:25b)

f) She appealed to His lordship

4. The Lord’s further word to her

a) It is not good to take the children’s bread

b) And throw it to the little dogs (Matthew 15:26)

5. What could have happened

a) She could feel insulted

b) She could feel angry

c) She could feel frustrated

d) She could be very upset with what the Lord had said

6. The reply of the Syro-Phonecian woman

a) Yes, Lord

b) Yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table Matthew 15:27

c) This word reflected much:

i) Her spirit

ii) Her humility

iii) Her earnestness

THE COMMENDATION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. O woman, great is your faith! (Matthew 15:28a)

2. Her faith

a) Examined

b) Praised

THE CONSEQUENCE OF HER FAITH

1. Let it be to you as you desire (Matthew 15:28b)

2. Her daughter was healed from that very hour (Matthew 15:28c)

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To find this kind of faith

2. Features of a great faith

a) Genuine

b) Humble

c) Undeterred

d) Persevering

e) Unwavering