Mark 7:24-30
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Developing Mega Faith
Developing Mega Faith
24 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.
25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:
26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.
27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.
29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.
30 And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Without faith, salvation is impossible.
With faith we are able to do great things for the Lord.
Now He is God and can work through who and when He pleases. But if when we have Mega faith we will see great things happen.
Intro: What does it that to have mega faith?
First lets looks at Jesus talking to His disciples about their lack of faith.
20 “So then, you will know them by their fruits.
20 And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you.
Jesus gives two examples of faith, faith that is so great it can make the impossible possible.
a. When Jesus stilled the sea during the storm, when His disciples were afraid, He asked “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that you have no faith” ?
b.It was why do you have such little faith, you have no faith.
Jesus didn’t say if have the faith of a palm tree seed, but a mustard seed. That is the faith that does great and mighty things.
29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.
“For this saying” In other words “Because of your answer”
MATT
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Great is your faith:
(megˊ-as), source of the English prefix mega. This woman had mega-faith! From this story, notice the characteristics of mega-faith:
The word great has different meanings in the N.T This word for great is used when Jesus claimed the sea (Great claim) (Great earthquake) (Great tribulation) This the only place for great faith. He does say great faith in other verses (The Centurion)
1. This woman had mega-faith! From this story, notice the characteristics of mega-faith:
a. In this story Jesus left the Jewish area of Galilee for the seaport of Tyre, a pagan Gentile area. This was a very un-Jewish and this was not something Rabbi would do, but He knew there was a desperate mother there.
a. Notice the verbs describing her: she heard about Him, came, fell at his feet, and begged His help.
b. But Jesus answered her not a word. Her response to His non-response was to keep crying for mercy. She was desperate.
c. Desperate people do desperate things. When you’re desperate you don’t care what people think, nor do you give up easily. (panhandlers) They are desperate. Some, maybe are desperate to get out of the situation they are in, some may truly be hunger. But some are desperate to get that next fix.
d. PGBC. Are we desperate to reach the lost with the gospel?
e. The Bible shows us what we need to do.
1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,
II Chron
7 “But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.”
Galatians
9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
27 Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Lets look at the verses in our passage today, then we will come back and look at what it takes to have Mega faith.
Mark 7:
25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:
She heard about Jesus, (The women with the blood disease)people came to Jesus because they heard about him. she came to Jesus, and she fell at his feet. She begs Him to come heal her daughter.
a. Jesus gives no response, but she doesn't give up.
26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.
a. Jesus loved everyone. Gentiles and Jews did love each other. So for her a Gentile to come to Jesus, showed she was desperate, and it showed her faith.
b. She didn’t know how Jesus would react, but she had faith.
27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
27 And He was saying to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
Mark
1. Jesus finally said, in summary, “I’ve been sent to the lost sheep of Israel. My mission is the Jews. Why take the food of children and give it to dogs?”
1. Jesus finally said, in summary, “I’ve been sent to the lost sheep of Israel. My mission is the Jews. Why take the food of children and give it to dogs?”
a. The word dog would be better translated, little dog or puppy. “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their puppy.” Jesus was not being unkind, but making a theological point—His first priority was the Jewish people.
b. But His heart was deeply moved by this woman’s situations. He was testing her. He did not refuse her request.
c. He calls her a dog. This was a common way Jew spoke of Gentiles. Something we may not think Jesus would use, but it was just part of the test.
28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.
Mark 7:
She refused to be diverted by taking offense at being called a dog. She accepted it. We can’t let derivations get us discouraged. That is something the devil (his demons) likes to do.
a. “Yes, Lord,” the woman replied, “but even the puppies under the table get some crumbs.” In other words, “What you’re saying is true, but I don’t need the full meal. Just a few crumbs will be sufficient.”
Can you sense this woman’s faith?
Can you sense this woman’s faith?
b. This is kind of with we need in our lives, and as a church. The kind of faith that never gives up. The kind of faith passes the test. A great faith a MEGA faith. The kind of faith that when feel like giving up, you keep going. The kind of faith, that when you get knocked down, you get back up.
29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.
Jesus did. “Woman,” He said, “you have great faith!” The Greek word is μεγας (megˊ-as), source of the English prefix mega. This woman had mega-faith! From this story, notice the characteristics of mega-faith:
Mega-faith does not deny the problem
Mega-faith does not deny the problem
1. Mega-faith does not deny the problem. It is not the power of positive thinking or a way of looking at life through rose-colored glasses. Mega-faith is realistic, acknowledging the challenges, difficulties, struggles, and sufferings.
Mega-faith goes directly to the source of blessing
Mega-faith goes directly to the source of blessing
2. Mega-faith goes directly to the source of blessing. As soon as she heard of Christ, she came and fell at His feet. We sometimes depend too much on our own abilities and resources. But great faith knows that beyond our own resources is the source of all power and blessing—God Himself!
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Mega-faith throws itself at the feet of Jesus
Mega-faith throws itself at the feet of Jesus
3. Mega-faith throws itself at the feet of Jesus. This was an act of submission, carrying the idea of abandonment to the purpose, plan, and power of God. She didn’t come with her own plan and ask Jesus to bless it. She said, “Lord, I give this to You.” It’s frightening to give up control, but when we yield control to Christ, what freedom comes!
Mega-faith is persistent
Mega-faith is persistent
4. Mega-faith is persistent. At first, Jesus doesn’t answer this woman; and when He finally did answer her, His tone was discouraging. But she kept begging. We should always pray and not faint. Prayer and faith persist, even when God seems to respond not a word.
Mega-faith repeats the word of God
Mega-faith repeats the word of God
5. Mega-faith repeats the word of God. This woman took what Jesus said, repeated it back to Him, then added a request to it. Great faith is anchored in Scripture.
Mega-faith responds with submission
Mega-faith responds with submission
6. Mega-faith responds with submission. “Yes, Lord,” the woman said. Those are two very important words in our prayer vocabulary. They acknowledge Him who is in charge, like Jesus in the Garden, “. . . not my will, but Your will be done.” Great faith surrenders the outcome to God, Who knows what is best for us.
Mega-faith is always rewarded
Mega-faith is always rewarded
7. Mega-faith is always rewarded. Going home, this woman found her child whole and the demon gone. Great faith is always rewarded with divine intervention which comes either through a miracle or through a specific message from God that enables us on the journey.
Conclusion: Maybe you’re thinking, “That’s easy for you to preach, but you don’t know what I’m facing this morning.” The beauty of this story is that it was not the faith of the demon-possessed girl that brought healing, it was the faith of her loving mother. If you can’t muster mega-faith, learn to trust in the faith of those around you. God honors their faith on your behalf. Never underestimate the prayers and faith of others in your behalf. God, grant us great faith. Amen!