Dr. Rob White - June 16, 2024
Keeping The Faith When Jesus Says, "No!"
Jesus looks for ways to help us, and rewards persistent, humble faith.
Scripture References: Matthew 15:10-28
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Keeping the Faith When Jesus Says “No!”
In the latest sermon at Athens Universal Life Church, Dr. Rob White delved into the profound message of maintaining faith even when faced with rejection from Jesus himself. Drawing from Matthew 15:10-28, the sermon emphasized that Jesus rewards persistent, humble faith and seeks ways to help us, even if his initial response is “no.”
The scripture recounts an encounter where Jesus addresses a crowd, emphasizing that it’s not what goes into a person’s mouth that defiles them, but what comes out. This underscores the importance of our words and their reflection of our hearts. Moving to a more challenging passage, Jesus encounters a Canaanite woman whose daughter is tormented by a demon. Despite her pleas for help, Jesus initially responds with silence and then seemingly harsh words, stating that his mission is to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” and implying that it’s not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.
Dr. White explained that Jesus’ harsh response can be difficult to understand, but it’s crucial to look deeper. The Canaanite woman’s persistence and humility shine through as she accepts Jesus’ analogy and cleverly responds that even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table. Her faith and determination impress Jesus, who ultimately heals her daughter, praising the woman for her great faith.
This narrative teaches us several key lessons:
- Persistent Faith: The woman’s unwavering faith, despite initial rejection, highlights the importance of persistence in our spiritual lives. We must continue to seek Jesus, even when faced with obstacles or silence.
- Humility: Her humble acceptance of her position and her clever reply show the power of humility in faith. She did not argue her worthiness but acknowledged her need for mercy.
- Jesus’ Compassion: Despite the seemingly harsh interaction, Jesus’ ultimate response demonstrates his deep compassion and desire to help those in need. He looks for ways to bless us, even if it requires testing our faith.
Dr. White concluded the sermon by reminding us that faith is most valuable during times of adversity. Jesus delights in our faith, especially when we remain steadfast amidst trials. While we may not always receive the answers we desire, our persistent faith opens channels for Jesus to work in our lives.
Let us carry this message into our week, striving to be blessings to others and remembering that in our moments of need, Jesus is always looking for ways to help us.
