If JESUS did not say a Word
Prayer
Text: Matthew 15:21-28 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Greeting
Purpose: Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Focus: Matthew 15:22-23 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
Introduction: Chapter fifteen begins in the city of Gennesaret where JESUS had healed many that were sick. After the festive event, scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came quarreling with JESUS over a violation of the law, but JESUS rebuke them by reminding them that they have been ignoring their violation of the law without remorse (Explain briefly). JESUS and his disciples left and proceeded to the border or coast of Tyre and Sidon where they had an interesting encounter with a Syrophoenician woman. What is strange about this encounter is the fact that Syrophoenicians and Jews did not associate with each other nor honor one another. But, here we see a genital woman submitting herself and honoring a Jew, the Jews promise MESSIAH, when she referred to JESUS as LORD, and as the Son of David. Understand, recognizing JESUS as LORD place a Jew over her life without consideration for herself; and as the Son of David is a statement of announcing royalty. Why would a woman who normally will not have a relationship with Jews make JESUS LORD over her life. Because she has been hurt badly by her daughter who was grievously or unmercifully control by the devil (Briefly explain). The situation had to be serious since she was willing to violate all the rules in their society to obtain salvation for her problem. No longer were big mama and Dr. Phil counseling any good. No longer did racism and hate block her from help because of pride and bigotry. No longer had money had the value to purchase her problem away. No longer was prestige and popularity important enough to make her ashamed to ask for help. No longer could drugs, alcohol, sex, or the television had the ability to blind you from the fact your child is a tool of the devil, mama and daddy can not take two steps without fighting, and baby sister just rob you for crack money knowing she is pregnant with her fifth child. She needed, and we need, something or someone greater that can solve her problem; and that was GOD. She needed Him right there and right now; and we need Him right here and right now.
Now, why did she believe that JESUS would help her? Well, she had to hear the testimony of those who have encounter JESUS and how they were healed by his preaching.
Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
She had to know there is power in the Word of GOD, and she wanted to experience it and believe it also.
Romans 10:14-17 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
She must have heard and kept in mind a situation from Luke chapter five, and how JESUS spoke to Peter at the lake in Gennesaret, Peter believed and follow instruction, and received a blessing that was too much for him to received alone. So, she understood there is power in the Word of GOD.
(General for the youth) Now, some youth will ask, after reading this story, “how does this apply to my life? Well, I need you to know, first before I go any farther, as a youth, you are not too young to know GOD; your are not too young to praise and testify about the goodness of GOD; and you are not too young for GOD to bless you.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
I am fully aware that the youth are just as stress out as the adults, and unfortunately, many adult takes their problems lightly. But, how much longer do the youth have to continue to shoot each other before we believe they have a problem. How much farther does the suicide rate have to rise before we believe they have a problem. How many more babies do your daughters have to bring into the house refusing to be a mother; how many more pants must hang down because he is confuse about his sexuality; or how many more venereal diseases do they have to bring into the house before we believe they have a problem. Just like this Syrophoenician woman, many of our youth are outcast by society, even at their local church, and are desperately trying to fit in with their crowd, but never accepted. Just like this Syrophoenician woman they are bruise by the devil. Some are bruise by divorce parents that are constantly fighting; not sure of his masculinity because he has a genetic disposition to act like his daddy; or think sex is a good measure of a man since that was her mother measure of a good man who ran in and out of her life. However the youth feels that foolishness, drugs, alcohol, and sex is the solution of daddy, mama, or them being punch and kicked under a table. But, just like the Syrophoenician woman we to know that one word from GOD can solve an of our problems.
Psalm 22:8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
Now, I know many of us have prayed and waited on a Word from GOD, but your problem is still persisting. What do you do if JESUS did not say a word? You must do like the Syrophoenician woman:
1. She worship him
a. She continue toward GOD
John 6:37-38 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
b. She knew he was the only one that could help her
Job 1:20-21 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
Job 14:13-14 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! 14If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
2. She ignored he place in society
a. She realize she did not deserve grace
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
b. She proves the desperate need of the world for GOD salvation
Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
3. She had great faith
a. Maintain the faith
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
b. he will honor your request
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Conclusion: JESUS spoke into her life because of her faith. (Take it to the Cross)
