A Gift for the Dogs

Today's sermon entitled a gift for the dogs. My name is Reverend Eric Gilbert. And the senior pastor McKees Mill Baptist Church. What's a special? Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule today Merry Christmas. Oh how this phrase rolls off our tongues this time of year. Just ultimately hearing the phrase Merry Christmas Canon still in us a wonderful wonderful thoughts of turkey ham potato dressing cranberry eggnog and all you can eat puddings Donuts fruit cakes pumpkin. Mince Apple cherry and lemon pies. It's not just the food that makes Christmas so joyous, but also the heartfelt hugs in the sharing of life stories with family and friends that brings a smile to our faces and warms the cockles of our hearts. Despite all these positive thoughts about Christmas time. There's also some negative ones as well. What also comes to remind is it not the hustle in the bustle of trying to fit everyone into our visitation schedule the insufferable car jams and the never ending search to find the right gifts while we tolerate the pushy and downright rude Shoppers that are in our way and still for others this season Christmas. Actually. There's a lot of feelings. I think of an adequacy injustice, especially amongst the poor of this world. As I describe these mixed feelings relating to this time of year. I can't help but wonder if Christmas has become a worldly buzzword that rolls off our tongues. I wonder if it's devoid of any mean we usually say Merry Christmas to those that we me but rarely do we ever think about nor do we promote Christ lying in a Manger? We spend countless hours trying to find the best gifts money can buy in hopes of impressing our family and friends and yet we leave at the foot of the cross nothing more than platitudes of indifference as we hurry to visit someone else somewhere else. That's not the Creator in the savior of of this universe have everything seen and unseen. Does he not deserve our very best gift on his birthday Molina sovereignty. Jesus doesn't need anything from us the gift that he wants us to share with him is our Allegiance. This is the first part of a four-part sermon series and it's going to review the story of the Canaanite woman and doing so going to reveal that the first step in claiming the true meaning of Christmas Is To Remember share the gift that ice dogs got Mercy from Jesus Christ with the entire world, and I'm going to explain here in a moment, but dogs actually means but first, let's look at the story of the Canaanite woman. Leaving that place Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and sidon. I can tonight woman from that vicinity came to him crying out Lord, son of David have mercy on me. My daughter is demon possessed and suffering. Terribly Matthew, 15:21 222

Here's a picture of the area that I'm talking about in this verse and you'll see considerate which is way down by the Sea of Galilee towards the bottom of the picture and then you'll see tyre and sidon both go up along the coastline and you can see that it is a substantial distance so I can keep that in mind as I tell you the story when Jesus left the Jewish reason to consider it and we find that in chapter 14 34. He traveled between 20 and but proximately 30 to 50 Mi depending on what, Terry Reid but to the region of Tire inside, but some believe Jesus was merely seeking a retreat from the pressures of controversy with the scribes and Pharisees and the draining effect of ministering to very large crowds the length of this journey, which probably would have taken months more likely points to Jesus motive was to evangelize the Gentiles in other words Jesus. He was an itinerant Pastor so to speak he was a minister he went from placed. Place telling everybody about the good news and he spent most of his time around the sea Galley with the Jewish people after all it says in Scripture that Jesus came to his own first. Well, I think this is an indication that Jesus at this particular point in time was actually gone to his own people that I was going to the gentile people to tell them the good news as well shortly after Jason gets the Border tyre and sidon I came that woman comes out from the Regent and she meets him where his ministry and ask him what you heal my daughter. She would you help her. Here's the thing about this tonight people were actually sworn enemies of Israel. So far only went to the Jewish people first and say I need some healing I need you to heal. My daughter is remarkable. But for this woman to be a can of night person to come out a sworn enemy of it. Quran say Jesus. I know your dude bought I need healing for my daughter. That's even more remarkable to take that risk anyway. The significance of these first two verses I thing is that it represents the beginning of Jesus ministry to the gentile people because we know in scriptures that very clear Jesus died once and for all people not just for the Jewish people, but for the gentile people as well and I think this is the beginning of Jesus letting the world know. Yes, I come to all people everywhere for you are all potentially my children, you're all made in the image of God as the first thing that we want to grab ahold of in this story. Very remarkable what Jesus did now let's take a look at this point to effectively promote Christ lying in a Manger. We must be willing to go and tell the world that the mercy that we have received has been offered to them as well regardless of whom they are in other words. It doesn't matter but genealogy George antheil doesn't matter whether you're male or female. It doesn't matter whether you are younger old. It doesn't matter whether you're rich or poor Jesus offers salvation to all people are Simply is not enough merely to give Jesus platitudes of symbols of Allegiance by attending church a church service or two at Christmas time. I think with the comfort that we have received. We need to give to the Gentile and the Jewish people of this world. We need to go out and tell him there is hope there's great. Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ and nobody is beyond Redemption. We must not only be ready to give the reasons why we have this hope we must physically go and make disciples of all Nations. Jesus been a couple of months turn turning to the gentile people. So when Jesus comes knocking at your door and says, oh by the way, I want you to spend a half an hour or an hour talking to one of your friends or or party gear somebody from your family. We should say. Yes Lord. Absolutely. Yes, I'll take that time because you took a lot more time for me. Then that definitely Lord. I want to do this for you. Absolutely. The unbelievers in this world are entangled by sin. They are suffering greatly and they Dash I need ice Christians to see the image of God in them and you care enough to point them to his mercy and to tell them I was a rich and I would save so can you be you are registered as well? But that's okay. God can save you too as well through his son Jesus Christ. I think we need to have an attitude adjustment one that goes from being indifferent to Christmas to one who is so overwhelmed with the mercy that we thought that we were in the world and say I know a cure for your disease called Cent the currents called Jesus Christ God in the cross for you. We need to tell this world that message because they are there since I think that's so very important. I want to make make the time I know Christmas is busy, but make the time for whatever God sent your way. Tell him all about Jesus. That's my first point and that brings me to my second point. A world this world is suffering and this world needs to have hope for the one in 10 teenagers and young adults that have depression in Canada for the 80% of of this world living on less than $10 a day. But a 24 people per minute that are victims of rape or physical violence and for the 125,000 Canadians who just filed for bankruptcy and for the 1.7 million people United States. I just got diagnosed with cancer in the midst of their suffering. They need to know there is hope they need to know they need to know the great physician Jesus Christ who is Auburn overall things are seen and unseen can heal her broken Minds bodies and souls instead of ignoring their price for Mercy This Christmas by continuing to walk on the other side of their street. We need to be Good Samaritans by first feeding clothing and comforting them James to 1418. And that my telling them that they too can join into the kingdom of God by having faith in Jesus Christ. This is important. We need to tell the world someday to get to go to heaven and someday there's going to be no more Sorrell pain or Injustice while in heaven and they can go there. They need to know that I will send the comforter to teach them the truth and will give them Living Waters that will flow inside of the and turn their misery and unspeakable joy scriptures. We got to be careful doesn't say that Jesus always takes away. The pain is not always that certainly true but what it does say in scripture is that Jesus will share his love with us and admits that pain we could feel great joy the dying their suffering under all sorts of ailments. They need to hear that Jesus Christ. The son of God loves them and wants to comfort them and wants to have a relationship with them. They need to hear that this Christmas and that's my second Point. What's the Bible scripture? Jesus did not answer work. So it's disciples game two in there and Ship Center away for she keeps crying and after us the answer I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel before in help me. She said, you know, this woman is is insistent. You know, the first time she said Jesus, of course, the answer is nothing Jesus didn't say a single word to say you don't get rid of her. I don't care how you doing. Just get rid of her. She's annoying. Then Jesus says, you know what probably right I guess in a way I can quote my own words and Jesus.

You know Jesus here is testing this woman. We're going to find that out just in a moment that he's definitely testing her. But the point that I want to make care of my third point is is that we need to proclaim the true meaning of Christmas. We've got to rely on God for the Harvest. I want you to see what the woman's response was to both Jesus silence and a statement. I've only come to the lost sheep of Israel and the disciples saying to go away. I want you to see her response here in a second. But first in response, Jesus is silent in response to the disciples requesting her to go away quickly either because she was an absolute nuisance her because she was an enemy of sworn enemy of Israel and response only come to Israel. Anyway, what does a woman do you are my Lord? She makes an appeal board surely you will do something for me because you are my heart. You are my savior. You are my king. You are my God. I think we got to understand that the fields are ripe out there. I know going out and telling your friends and family, but Jesus is not an easy nor. Will it be a popular thing to do we are sent out into a sheep out into the world and it says we will be amongst the wolves and these walls will be not very nice to us either one of two things either disregard the message we have about Christ and remain so you're lucky if that's what they do and you tell him about Jesus but more likely what they're going to do is persecute. They're going to come back and bite you and they're going to quickly you're going to lose a relationship with me. If you keep talking about Jesus never had that experience you ever gone into one of your family members and say I want to tell you about Jesus and they said look what mean you are going to be longer for very long. If you keep telling me about Jesus Christ. Have you had that experience and I'm sure if you're spreading the gospel news, you certainly have had it. Words fall on the grounds of a difference wasn't her phone off to have a friend or family member come right out and say I don't want to hear anything about Jesus or me. And you are going to be friends. We're not going to be family. That's not that's really tough to take. The reality is is world hates light because it exposes their evil deeds and they are going to say bad things about us. We must be ready to plant the seeds of righteousness, even if we hear silence or persecution because ultimately we're not responsible for the fruit goddess. Jesus is responsible for fruit where we were planning to see to righteousness, wherever we go to whomever God sends us to that's our responsibility in the face of an inevitable hardships of sharing the good news at Christmas. We are to remain steadfast in the face that Jesus Christ is Lord of all people and he's responsible for those fields. He's responsible make the seeds grow. Tell your friends. Christmas Time by Jesus and let him work in the lies and he may or may not do Miracle by for those he does my goodness. What a beautiful gift beautiful gift that we get to have it Christmas, especially for them cuz it getting better gift salvation on their souls.

Jesus replied he is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs smarter than the lady comes back. She said she acknowledges that even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master's table, but I can't put a beautiful and in this one here. I want to bring it to my fourth point and my fourth point is that if we want to be effective in telling others about the true meaning of Christmas that we must have faith that they can be safe. We must believe that we tell our friends are family, but Jesus Christ there is that possibility that they'll say yes to Jesus and we'll see them become saved will see that great miracle that possibility When compassion is eyes that would have robbed his words of all in salt and all bitterness Jesus ask the Canaanite woman if it was right to take the Continental blessings of God's children and give them to the Infidel that is a gentile docks. And that's what they used to call us back that Gentile dogs in at that time. Is it right? Moshiri bejesus of the children of Israel have priority and therefore should be fed first Shirley a sovereign. God has a crumb left over for those who have a recognized placed in his house and are under his care shortly and believing that Jesus was Lord of both his own and the other sheet mentioned in John 10:16. This Canaanite woman pass. Jesus has the faith in Jesus said, but I really give up Chrome to what I really feed the dogs another one. That's what you're asking me to do. I really do that to the dogs just was testing her. It wasn't saying, you know what I love the Jewish people better than he wasn't saying that all but nobody's Beyond Redemption. Do you believe that I came for all people? Jesus was saying do you believe that and the lady passed the test with flying colors course, I believe course I do. I think like the Canaanite woman will be going into this world to proclaim. The good news. We must have faith that the master has bird nobody from entrance inside of his kingdom no matter how evil or Wicked they might appear to be no matter how in different they might be Jesus George Jesus. We got believe that if we share the gospel message, they might come to become a Christian even though there is no one righteous not a single one anyone who receives a crumb of bread of life from the master's table will be safe. To believe that believes all their strange ideas what they have today and especially their hostility towards Christianity. It's really tough to get out there and say I love Jesus it's really tough to believe that when we do go out there that somebody is going to get saved or several people are many people. It's hard to believe that but Jesus says you don't have the faith of this game. Get out there and tell everybody about Jesus Christ. Tell them about me because you'll never know what crop will come from that I'll never know. But the great part is is that Jesus loves now. Let's go on the last part. Then Jesus said to her woman. You have great faith. Your request is granted then her daughter was healed by that very moment. And this brings me to my final point. I think we should expect a miracle of Christmas. Army deodorant, indomitable persistence springing up from her uncomfortable. Hope she had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and because of that Faith her daughter was the Canaanites woman womans request was granted to a gentle dog so to speak because that's not the way Jesus felt towards gentile people of all he didn't see the culture of that time saw them. He saw the message children potential children. He died once and for all people Jesus, hang on the cross. This is what he knew was going to happen. And I want some for everyone. Nobody was a dog in his kingdom and nobody was privileged in his kingdom. We get our Salvation because of what Christ has done because of what we have. So when we go out in this world, nobody is beyond Redemption anyone can be saved. Absolutely anyone. The king Merry Christmas from becoming a buzzword the rolls off our tongues devoid of any meaning we as Christians must learn to be our needs to our Lord and prepare for him the very best gift that we have to offer. That's our legence. You see Jesus Christ is our Lord when he says go and make disciples of all Nations at Christmas time. Should we do we should go and try to make those disciples. We should go to plant the seeds of righteousness because our Lord Savior and King I asked us to well the food in the visitation of the season are really nice and we seek after those things. There's nothing wrong with that. I think we should seek after the unbelieving souls that are suffering without any hope we should seek them to or sharing. This message will often be met with indifference or hostility. We must have faith that those you take a single Crumbs from the master's table will be miraculously and eternally changed. So I parent off this Christmas series. I start this Christmas Series today with Glee whatever attitude adjusted this Christmas as Christians, I do think we need Nana to Jasmine. We need to no longer see Christmas as the world does as just a buzz were I think we need to see Christmas as our opportunity to serve our Lord and savior and King by telling the whole world. I got some good news. I know you're suffering. I know you're great pain and anguish Jesus Christ died for you and loves you and Jesus Christ want you to know him and he's holding his hand at this very day for you. And if you say yes to him if you believe in him, he's going to become his child and you will feel unspeakable joy in the midst of your pain. This world needs to know that they're not too far gone. The Jesus Christ no matter how much people they done Jesus Christ died for all their sins. He will forgive them if they ask cleanse them from all unrighteousness and they will be whiter than snow the world needs to know that Jesus hasn't given up on them and still loves him and it's our responsibility in our duty to our Lord to get out there and say Jesus loves you. He really loves you and wants to know you will you do that this Christmas will you work on that? We work on that attitude adjustment that we all need. We should really put Jesus Christ first, especially on his birthday.