Sermon: The power of faith in God.
Introduction: It tells us an interesting story, that there was a brave captain whose sword was feared by his enemies, because it was the herald of war and victory. This man was once asked by his king to show her his sword, he took it, carefully examined it, and returned it saying, “The truth is that there is nothing special about this sword.”
History tells us that this captain replied to his king: “Your Majesty has deigned to examine the sword; but I did not send her the arm that manages her, and the heart that directs her, that is where the answer is.”
Definitely, our life does not depend on material things, but these must be subject to our faith and trust in the Lord, good results walk guided by faith in the promises and power of our Lord.
1) God saves us from rejection.
The word of God tells us in Matthew 15:21-22 that “Jesus left there and went to the region of Tire and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman who had come out of that region cried out to him, saying: Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me. My daughter is being tormented by an unclean spirit.”
The Lord Jesus went to the land of Tire and Sidon, Phoenician land, he was not then Hebrew. The phrase: “Canaanite woman” reminds us that the Israelites were very selective with the covenant and called the Gentiles “dogs”. Therefore, in the eyes of the Israelites this woman was unworthy of the Lord’s blessing. But, God is no respecter of persons.
two) God’s silence should encourage us to persevere.
The Scripture tells us in Matthew 15:23a “Jesus did not answer him a word” why sometimes God is silent? The Bible itself tells us several things about it:
a) God is silent out of love, the prophet Zephaniah 3:17 tells us “The Lord is in your midst, mighty, he will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will be silent with love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
b) God makes silence to provoke in us a greater search for His presence.
c) Sometimes there are silences of God in which our hearts are tested.
d) God is silent sometimes to make faith grow in us.
3) God helps us in the face of discouragement and double-mindedness.
The word of the Lord tells us in Matthew 15:23b, 24, 26 that “his disciples approached and begged him, saying, Send her away, for she cries after us. Answering him, he said: I am not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel… Answering the Lord Jesus said: It is not good to take the bread of the children, and give it to the little dogs”.
As we can see, this woman had to face the opposition of the disciples, the specific commission of Jesus, who had been “sent to the lost sheep of Israel”, and the test of her determination before the words of the Lord Jesus: “it is not right take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” There were several obstacles.
We must keep in mind here that the people of Israel were tested in the desert; David was too; and Abraham was tried walking to Moriah to deliver his son Isaac; the Syrophoenician woman was being tested. In trials it is faith in God that sustains and encourages us.
It is important to keep in mind that the Lord Jesus had already said: “I am not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”, but verse 21 tells us that the Lord went to the land of Tire and Sidon (Phoenician cities, not land of Israel), so there was a profound lesson from the Master for all the people who followed him and who believed in him.
This event also reminds us that when someone believes in the Lord Jesus and perseveres, they will see the supernatural and powerful hand of the Lord in their favor, God is faithful and nothing can stop him.
4) Solid fellowship with God is evidence of genuine faith.
a) We see it for example in an intense clamor.
The word of God tells us in Matthew 15:22b “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me. My daughter is severely tormented by a demon.”
We must highlight here the word “Clamaba” translated from the Greek term “kraugázo” which also means: Shouting, shouting. This mother of a family cried out for mercy for her and interceded for her daughter.
The Bible tells us that she said to the Master: “my daughter is tormented by a demon”, although she was a Syrophoenician, it is very important to note that she had a basic understanding of the spirit world. This also reminds us of the great value of the prayer of parents for their children.
b) Genuine faith is expressed in our worship of God,
Scripture tells us in Matthew 15:25 “Then she came and prostrated herself before him, saying, Lord, help me.”
In the passage it does not tell us textually “worship”, let us remember that the term “worship” both in the Hebrew and in the Greek translates: to bend, humiliate, prostrate, stoop, and precisely she did this. Before the Lord.
5) Through faith in God we achieve victory.
a) When we persevere we are expressing the deep desire for victory.
The gospel according to Saint Matthew 15:27 tells us: “And she said to Jesus: Yes, Lord; but even the little dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters.”
Our good God strengthens us and helps us always. It is very important to use all the resources that God has given us to persevere towards the goal that the Lord has set for us, in this case we see this woman use her intelligence, her spiritual discernment, her faith in Jesus although she was a Canaanite. We also see that with respect and great wisdom she speaks to the Master.
b) Faith helps us persevere to the end.
He does not keep saying the word of the Lord, Matthew 15:28 “Then Jesus answered and said, O woman, great is your faith; be done to you as you wish, and his daughter was healed from that time.”
It is very important to see that the Lord Jesus qualifies the faith of this woman as “great”. What led him to this excellent qualification?
As we can see, the unique faith of this woman showed: perseverance, actions, expressions, insistence, “and her daughter was healed from that hour.” The Lord Jesus Christ was glorified, her mother received the miracle from her and her daughter was freed from the spirit that tormented her. There is nothing difficult for our God.
Final reflection: Trust in God, and do not give up your hope in him, do not lose heart in your search for God, strengthen yourself in the power of the Lord, with him you can overcome obstacles, he wants to act in your favor, the Lord continues to perform miracles.
Written by Pastor Gonzalo Sanabria.
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