A Mother's Faith

Mother’s Day Sermon

A Mother’s Faith

Matthew 15:21-28

When Robert Ingersoll, also known as “The Great Agnostic” came into a town giving a series of lectures. Two college students attended his lectures, and one of them said, “I guess he knocked the props out from under Christianity, didn’t he?”

The other said, “No, I don’t think he did. Ingersoll did not explain my mother’s life, and until he can explain my mother’s life, I will stand by my mother’s God.”

There will always be those who doubt what the Bible has to say and Christianity, but the one thing they cannot doubt nor can they argue against is a changed and renewed life.

A poem by Luke Easter explains the difference between a strong woman and a woman of strength.

• A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape,

o but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape.

• A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything,

o but a woman of strength shows her courage in the midst of fear.

• A strong woman won’t let anyone get the best of her,

o but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone.

• A strong woman walks sure-footedly,

o but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.

• A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face,

o but a woman of strength wears grace.

• A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey,

o but a woman of strength has the faith that in the journey she will become strong.

What separates the two, that is, what separates a strong woman from a woman of strength, is Faith

Today I’d like to share with you such a woman of strength, a mother, and there’s something about her story that applies to all our lives, both men and women.

Her name is unknown, and I like that because this can be anyone of us, and there are plenty of stories of faith from the Bible where we’re introduced to such people, like the Samaritan woman at the well, the widow who gave her mite at the temple, or the Publican who entered the temple with the Pharisee, but stood in the back pounding his chest realizing how unworthy He was before a holy and righteous God. And the stories continue, like the Good Samaritan, or the Prodigal Son.

I guess what I’m getting at is that people don’t need to know our names for us to make a difference in the lives of others or in the community. Our problem is that we want people to know who we are, but really all they really need to know is that we’re a follower of Jesus and that by our godly example and speech we’re pointing them to Jesus.

But speaking of influence, there’s really no one more influential than a mother.

Throughout the ages most of our spiritual leaders have been greatly influenced by their mothers.

Consider Susannah Wesley, mother of John and Charles Wesley, founders of the Methodist denomination. Their names and the Methodist denomination may never have graced history if not for this godly woman. Her witness guided them as they were growing up.

She was a great woman of faith and prayer, and with 17 kids she had to be. Not only did she pray daily for each of her children, but she also would take an hour every week with each one to discuss spiritual matters. Is it any wonder that John and Charles Wesley were used by God to bring revival to England and America?

Solomon, whose wisdom spans the ages said not to forsake a mother’s teaching, Proverbs 1:8.

Abraham Lincoln said, “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my mother.”

What a treasure a godly mother is, and how effective are her prayers.

The mother we’re going to be looking at today isn’t some great woman of faith, nor is she one that sermons have been named after. She was just a mother who loved her daughter. And finding nothing and no one who could help she came to Jesus.

Read Matthew 15:21-28

Her faith is seen in how she came. Let’s take a look at her approach of faith.

1. By Faith She Overcame Barriers

This woman was desperate. I can imagine she had contacted almost anybody and everybody to see about helping her daughter. She probably went to the Jewish healers, priests, and rabbis wouldn’t have anything to do with her because of who she was, because of her barriers, but not Jesus, that wasn’t his way, but he made sure she knew of them to reveal her faith.

“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.’ But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she cries out after us.’ But He answered and said, ‘I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’”(Matthew 15:22-24 NKJV)