Sermon Response Guide
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 15:21-28 ESV
21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Key Points
- Faith acknowledges, endures, and overcomes opposition.
- Faith is believing not only that Jesus can do something about our obstacles, doubts, and fears, but that Jesus wants to do something about them.
- God does not intend for evil to rule and reign in the lives of people.
- What may feel like an obstacle to our faith, is often an opportunity given to us by God to strengthen our faith.
- Real faith fights – not with people, but with ideas, feelings, tensions, disbelief, and challenges.
- Praying, “not my will, but yours,” is a statement of faith.
- Feelings are subservient to faith. Living by faith means living according to what we believe is true, not according to what we feel is true.
- If we are going to follow Jesus, we may not always agree with him, but we must always submit to him.
- Our faith triumphs over our doubts when we welcome the way of Jesus to triumph over our own.
- Faith that overcomes has to be faith founded in the cross of Christ – otherwise it doesn’t work because it isn’t faith.
Memory Verse
Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
“’Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.’”
-Luke 22:42 ESV
Questions for Reflection
Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
1: We are encouraged to cast all our cares upon Jesus because he cares for us.
· Why is this sometimes easier said than done?
· Think about it, what keeps you from casting your cares upon Jesus?
2: In addition to bringing our obstacles, doubts, and fears to Jesus, we can also share them with our trusted community of faith.
· What value is there in this practice?
3: The Canaanite woman trusts in Jesus at his word, receiving no assurance beyond his word that her little girl is healed.
· How does this specific part of the story challenge and encourage you today?
4: How do you see your story in the Canaanite woman’s story?
· When was a time you called out to Jesus and felt like you received the silent treatment?
· When was a time you were hurting and you called out to Jesus, but you were dismissed by Christ-followers as an inconvenience?
· When was a time you did not feel good enough for Jesus, but you called out to him anyway?
5: What in your life right now feels like an obstacle to your faith?
· Pause and ask God to show you how that obstacle might be an opportunity hand-delivered by God to strengthen your faith.
· What did God show you?
· How has your perception of that obstacle shifted?
6: Our faith will never be strengthened if it is never challenged.
· Why might this be true?
7: When it comes to faith, our trust in Jesus often precedes our understanding from Jesus.
· How have you experienced this in your own life?
8: Grab a pen and paper or use the notes app on your phone to do the following exercise:
· Write down what you feel is true about God and your present situation that feels like an obstacle, doubt, or fear.
· Now, write down what you believe is true about God and your present situation.
· Will you choose to live according to what you feel, or according to what you believe?
Pray
Lord, we confess that on this journey of faith, we often feel surrounded by obstacles, doubts, and fears. By your grace, teach us how to acknowledge, endure, and overcome the opposition that comes our way as we seek to live according to your will rather than our own. We believe you are better, and so is your way. Help us trust that through this opposition, you are drawing out greater faith you already know dwells within us.
references
For those interested in further study, our pastors want to share resources that have aided them in their sermon preparation (in conjunction with the Bible and the Holy Spirit):
· The Silent Treatment (online discipleship resource) by Travis Cook
