Topic: Encountering Jesus
Text: Mark 7:24-30
Introduction
Last week we started a new sermon series called Encountering Jesus where we are learning lessons from different Bible Characters who encountered Jesus in order to help us have our own encounter with Jesus. Last week we started with Apostle Paul/ Acts 9. We saw that encountering Jesus is the greatest thing that could happen to us. We also said that encountering Jesus is dangerous business and that Jesus will ask us to do things that we might be afraid to do
Today’s message
Since today is Mothers Day we are going to look at someone who was a mother and who had her own encounter with Jesus.This mother’s encounter with Jesus is told in both Matthew and Mark’s Gospels ( Matthew 15:24-30 and Mark 7:24-30). Here is a story of a mother who encountered Jesus even when it looked impossible
Thought to ponder
How do you feel your changes are of encountering Jesus? Most of us never think we are going to church to have an encounter with Jesus. Instead we are going to church to sing songs/hear a sermon
Today’s Text (Mark 7:24-30)
“Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
“First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, for it is not right to take the Children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
“Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”
She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.”
Here is a woman who should never have had an encounter with Jesus
A.She lived in the wrong place
“Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it;
Jesus went to the vicinity of Tyre because it was a place for him to withdraw from encountering people. He wasn’t going to this place looking to encounter people. He entered a house and didn’t want anyone to know he was even there! When Jesus crossed over from Israel into Tyre; All encounters with Jesus for that day were over!
B She belonged to the wrong race
Matthew tells us in his gospel that she was an Canaanite woman. From the beginning the Canaanites and the Israelites were sworn enemies. Matthew tells us that when she first asked Jesus to heal her daughter…Jesus did not answer her a word.Why? I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. When she kept on pleading with him for help… He called her a dog. “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
How do you have an encounter with Jesus when he doesn’t want you to know where he is or when you ask him for help he won’t say a word to you?
Thought to ponder
Maybe you identify with this story? Maybe you think Jesus is deliberately hiding himself from you today? Maybe you think Jesus won’t say a word to you either? How can you encounter Jesus if he is not returning calls?
Lessons from a mother who encountered Jesus when it should have never happened
She may have lived in the wrong place. She may have belonged to the wrong race…
Yet she had one thing going for her that made all the difference. She had great faith
Because she had great faith
A. Jesus couldn’t keep his presence a secret from her
He entered a house and didn’t want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence a secret.
Why could Jesus not keep his presence a secret? Is there actually something Jesus can’t do?
Jesus can’t hide from someone who has great faith! Great Faith always finds Jesus!
Thought to ponder
Maybe if I have great faith I will encounter Jesus too!
What is faith and how do I use it to help me encounter Jesus?
Heb 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see
A.Faith is being sure of what we hope for
B.Faith is being certain of what we do not see
This mother was sure of what she was hoping for! She was sure she was hoping to have an encounter with Jesus and she was sure she was hoping for Jesus to heal her daughter
Thought to ponder
We are often not sure of what we’re hoping for.What are you hoping for today? I’m not sure? I’m not hoping for anything? Just hoping to make it through the day?
Instead what would happen if we got up every morning and said to our self’s. I’m sure I’m hoping to have a fresh encounter with Jesus today. I’m certain I’m hoping to have a fresh encounter with Jesus today?
Jesus is going to test us to see how real our faith is.He is going to try and hide from us.He is going to try to not say a word to us. Why? To test us and see how much we really want to encounter him.
When he sees that we really do want an encounter with him he no longer hides from us. He no longer tries to not say a word to us.He wants to reward our faith!
Thought to ponder
How determined are you to encounter Jesus? Do you give up too easily?Do you press on in faith until you encounter Jesus?
Thought to ponder
This woman could not have encountered Jesus if he had not crossed over to where she lived.
You might think you are living in the wrong place.You might think that you are not the religious type. Jesus has come to you today. You may not see him but he is here. He waits to see if you will come to him in faith.
Do you want an encounter with Jesus? If you do he will give you one.
Just repent of your sins and receive the free gift of salvation today
