Have Great Faith In Jesus!

“Faith is….” How would you finish that phrase? You might quote the classic Bible passage that defines faith. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Or perhaps you would come up with a string of synonyms for faith. You might say, “Faith is trust.” “Faith is belief.” “Faith is confidence.” In our attempt to explain faith we might describe it the way other believers have described it. Some have said that faith is the “hand” that receives the promises of God. Others have said that faith is being convinced about the reliability of someone or something. In a more colorful way, a song writer has declared that faith is “standing on the promises of God.” (Now you are thinking about Alan Jackson so I’ll never get your attention back.) Martin Luther said that faith is the glue which attaches our hearts to God’s promises.

“Faith is….” It’s not an easy thing to finish that phrase. Perhaps it is a little ironic that something that is so important to us is so difficult to explain. The Bible clearly teaches that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, as revealed in Scripture alone. We live our lives by faith, in faith, and through faith. And yet the whole concept of faith remains somewhat mysterious even to those who have faith.

Since faith can be difficult for us to understand and yet is essential for our salvation the Bible offers us more than just definitions of faith. It literally shows us what faith is. When we ask what faith is, the Bible shows us what it is through the lives and examples of believers. Faith is a centurion who came to Jesus and asked him to heal one of his servants. He said to Jesus, “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8) That’s faith! Faith is a synagogue ruler named Jairus who believed in Jesus even after he was told his daughter had died. In the Scriptures faith is a royal official who came to Jesus asking him to heal his son. John tells us that, “The man took Jesus at his word and departed.” (John 4:50) Throughout the Bible faith is given the face of a man named Abraham who believed in God’s promises even when all human hope was gone. Yes, instead of just telling us what faith is, the Bible shows us what faith is—through the lives of believers who have gone before us.

And so it is with our Gospel Lesson for today. We are shown what faith is through the example of a Gentile woman. In fact, Jesus pointed to this Canaanite woman as an example of “great faith.” For our sermon together let’s focus our attention on the faith of one Canaanite woman. To do that let’s ask God the Holy Spirit to enable us to:

“HAVE GREAT FAITH IN JESUS”

I. Faith that is Humble

II. Faith that is Peristent

Perhaps you have noticed that in June, July, and now August our Gospel Lessons have been progressing through Matthew’s Gospel. We have heard parables and witnessed miracles. There was a pivotal event that occurred just before the Feeding of the Five Thousand. John the Baptizer, Jesus’ cousin, had been put to death by King Herod. The Pharisees had begun to attack Jesus more frequently and more forcibly. Because of these events in Galilee Jesus had withdrawn to a foreign country bordering Israel. He went to Phoenicia which was located along the Mediterranean Sea. In an apparent attempt to let things settle down and to get some rest for himself and his disciples we are told that, “Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.” In Mark’s Gospel we are given the additional information that Jesus was in a house not wanting anyone to know where he was. But it probably doesn’t surprise us that Jesus’ presence could not be kept a secret. The news spread that the great miracle-worker from Galilee was visiting the area. And so one woman, with a demon-possessed daughter, went to Jesus for help.

I.

The first thing that we notice about the faith of this Canaanite woman is that she wasn’t too proud to beg for help from Jesus. Matthew tells us, “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.” This woman knew more about Jesus than just the fact that he could do miracles. She recognized him as the promised Savior when she called him “Lord,” and “Son of David.” From experience this Gentile woman also understood the spiritual battle that has been raging for thousands of years between Satan and his followers and Christ those who follow him. An evil spirit had taken possession of her daughter and was causing her to suffer terribly. So, she went in faith to the one person that she was convinced could help.