Hi! My Name Is Jesus! Seeking Faith!

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Hi! My Name Is Jesus! Seeking Faith!     Matthew 15:22-28   1-3-21

Bottom Line: Jesus loves to see hearts that honestly desire a deeper relationship with God.

Introduction:

 A. 2020 was a year of challenges! Not all of them were fun!

   1. We grow through challenges!

   2. We create memories through challenges!

   3. We are motivated by challenges!

 B. What challenges are you facing in 2021?

   1. Is it all a matter of coping & surviving? Reacting?

   2. What are your plans to grow, improve, & just be better?

 C. What are your plans for deepening your relationship with God? Are you looking for some different results?

   1. Plagues vs. possibilities? God changing your mind or you changing your mind? Which will it be?

   2. To have no plan is to have a plan to fail?

 D. Jesus traveled to the coastal area of Tyre & Sidon. Mt.15

   1. Approached by an interesting woman called a Canaanite, a Gentile, or the Syrophoenician woman

   2. Crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon- possession.” vs.22

 E. She is already dealing w/ many challenges!

   1. Distraught, a non-Jew, maybe a widow, begging for help

   2. Hurting for her daughter who is suffering – Mom’s love!

 F. Jesus presents her w/ even more challenges! Why? Test!

1. The challenge of silence! Vs.23

 A. Am I being heard? The challenge of all who pray!

 B. Dismissal and rejection from the apostles! Get rid of her!

 C. Persistence is and act of faith! Ignoring others can be too!

2. The challenge of changing minds! Vs.24

 A. The plan was to only go to Jews! Told apostles -Matt.10:6

 B. Does God ever change his mind? Yes! Jesus did too!

 C. The biggest reason for change is an honest heart!

          * James 5:16 – Powerful and Effective!

3. The challenge of integrity!

 A. Begging & pleading meets prejudice! Vs.25-26

 B. Would she return historic & institutionalized hate with hate? Most would! She had the right! But would it help?

 C. She responded with control and common-sense decency! Vs.27 The difference between passion and reaction!

   1. Anger, retribution, and hurt are not acts of faith!

   2. Jesus helped reveal her heart, and he loved what he saw! Vs.28 Great faith leads to great healing!

Conclusion:

A. How will you deal with the challenges of 2021? Plan yet?

B. Turn challenges from struggles to opportunities!

C. Some challenges for 2021 – can you accept all of these?

   1. Read the New Testament

   2. Begin and end every day with thanks to God

   3. Encourage at least one person every day

   4. Read one inspirational book this year

   5. Control and schedule your smart phone use

   6. Connect with someone in our church family every week

   7. Set up a time to talk with God every day. Start a prayer journal!  (Don’t write, unless you want to, but make lists!)

D. We all need to connect with God! Prayer for 2021!

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Bible Study for Sunday, January 3, 2021

Hi! My Name Is Jesus! Matthew 15:22-28

1.  What has been the most difficult part of 2020 for you?

2.  Do you have any challenges or goals for 2021 yet? What are they?

3.  The Canaanite woman of Matthew 15:22-28 was already dealing with what kinds of challenges?

4.  Can we learn something from Jesus being silent to her request?

5.  How do we know that God wants to see some persistence in our prayer requests? Give examples.

6.  Why do you think Jesus challenged her by saying he was only supposed to go to Israel?

7.  Does God ever change his mind? When? Why? Did Jesus?

8.  Was Jesus being mean or challenging in verse 26, about taking children’s bread and tossing it to the dogs? Why did he say that?

9.  What does her response say about her?

10. How did Jesus react to her response? Why?