The Syrophoenician Woman: A Woman with Great Faith

Introduction:

There are varying degrees of faith

Jesus More Than Once Rebuked This Disciples for Having Little Faith

Matt.8:26

Matt.14:31

Matt.16:8

Jesus Complimented Others for Having “Great Faith”

MATTHEW 8:10

Luke 7:9

Matthew 15:21-28

1. Her Faith Was Great Because It Was An Informed and Devout Faith

True Faith Is Based on God’s word – It is Not Blind

Heb.11:1

Rom.10:14,17

That Her Faith Was Informed Is Seen in Her Address to Jesus as “Lord, Son of David”

“son of David” has its roots in the Old Testament

prophets had announced that the Messiah was of the lineage of David – 2 Sam.7:12-16; Isa.11:1

To identify Him as the “son of David” is to identify Him as the Messiah

She Acknowledged Jesus as “Lord”

It is true that sometimes the term “Lord” was simply used as a common term of respect – Jn.4:11; 9:36

This woman uses it as a term of devotion

Mark 7:25

Matt.15:25

2. Her Great Faith Is Seen in That She Took Her Problems to the Lord

She had a problem – Her Daughter Was Severely Demon Possessed

Demon Possesion

It could cause people to be fierce – Matt.8:28

It could cause people to be mute – Mk.9:17

It could cause people to be deaf – Mk.9:25

It could cause people to be blind – Matt.12:22

It could cause one to be epileptic – Mt.17:15

It could give outstanding strength – Mk.5:3-4

It could cause one to be insane – Mk.5:5,15

If we have great faith we will take out problems to the Lord

Contrast of some kings

Asa – 2 Chron. 16:12 / Ahaz – Isa.7:1-9

Hezekiah – Isa.37:14-20; Isa.38:1-ff

David – 2 Sam.12:16ff

1 Peter 5:7 – Phil.4:6

3. Her Faith Was Great Because It Was Persistent

The Lord’s Initial Response Was “To Answer Her Not A Word” – Matt.15:23

The Lord’s Silence Should Not Be Taken As A Lack of Concern – 2 Cor.12:7-10

The Women Must Have Had Faith that Jesus Would Eventually Respond

Psalms 86:7

Psalms 143:6-7

Psalms 27:13-14

4. Her Faith Was Great Because She Did Not Allow Others to Discourage Her

Consider the Disciples’ Response to This Canaanite Woman

“Send Her Away” – Matt.15:23

Jesus said, “I was not sent expect to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”

Great Things Can Be Accomplished If We Don’t Listen to the Voice of Discouragement

We Often Hear Discouraging Words

Ezra 4:4

Sometimes we can allow discouragement to cause us to give up - 1 Kings 19:9-10

5. Her Faith Was Great Because She Did Not Allow “Hurt Feelings” to Get In Her Way

She was called a dog and an outsider

Matt.15:24,26

Some are “overly sensitive” and easily get their feelings hurt – 1 Cor.13:11

Some have allowed hurt feelings to effect their faith

This woman did not allow anything to stop her faith