CHRIST-CENTERED FAITH
Part 1


MATTHEW 15:2

A. THE PLEA OF A MOTHER FOR HER SUFFERING DAUGHTER
  1. Her daughter was plagued by a demon:
  2. This woman, not of the Jewish nation, knew of the compassionate ministry of Christ, the son of David:
  3. She begged for help: "Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil"
B. THE ENCOUNTER OF THAT MOTHER WITH CHRIST
  1. He met her plea with silence:
  2. The disciples attempted to intervene, but how? "Send her away"
  3. His response to their suggestion: "I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel"
  4. The woman's attitude:
    1. "She came near him and worshipped him."
    2. She would have had cause to give up in despair; but no, she was in need of help and nothing could stop her from getting it.
  5. The final and climactic test came; it was more severe:
    1. Said Jesus, "It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to the dogs"
    2. That should have silenced every hope in the heart of that mother!
    3. But, no, she was more determined than ever; she had a ready and convincing answer. "Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table."
  6. Her argument was overwhelming and very convincing:
    1. Said the Master, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee as thou wilt."
    2. Victory over national prejudice and related obstacles had come at last. What a triumph in the hour of seeming hopelessness!
    3. What a lesson for the disciples, and for us, who may have similar difficulties because of race or religious prejudices!
C. THE POWER OF CHRIST-CENTERED FAITH
  1. This troubled mother recognized in Christ the great Healer:
    1. She knew that He had the power over demons and could cast them out.
    2. She believed that His heart of mercy would cross the race line and help her child.
    3. She saw in Christ the only hope for her daughter - Acts 4:12
  2. Her faith had four specific qualities:
    1. It was clear sighted: She understood the trouble of her child - demon possessed; she knew that medical science could do nothing for the child.
    2. It was great because it was humble; she cried for mercy; she made no claims to deserve God's mercy; she fell down and worshipped the Lord; she manifested humility under the most severe tests.
    3. It was earnest: She made use of the opportunity while the Master was near; she made the case of her daughter her own, "have mercy on me".
    4. It was great because it was persistent: It refused to be discouraged; it found in the very heart of discouragement, encouragement. Think of her argument in the face of seeming impossibility!
  3. The great lesson for us:
    1. It reveals to us the power of Christ-centered faith!
    2. Our need of salvation and our knowledge of the Saviour are a force that cannot be defeated - 1 John 5:4
    3. It ought to help us not to become discouraged when the answer to our prayers is delayed for a time.
    4. It ought to take all pride of "self" out of our hearts and fill us with humility.
    5. Finally, the faith of that mother triumphed; will our faith triumph?


Design © John Bryant 2011