Introduction:
1. To have great faith is what men want (Lk. 17:5).
2. Earmarks of great faith as found in the woman (Mt. 15:21-28).
I. Informed faith.
She knew Jesus was the Lord from the root of Jesse and the possibilities he brought to the table.
A. Sadness of uninformed faith (Mt. 22:29; Rom. 10:17). I.e. Paul (Acts 9), Acts 17:22; Jud. 2:10.
B. Availability of scripture.
C. The word of God feeds faith and strengthens it (Col. 1:10-11).
II. Devout faith.
She acknowledged the Lord and fell at his feet.
A. Great faith believes in the Lord-Noah, Daniel, Elijah, Paul, Peter.
B. Trust wherever he leads (Heb. 10:22; Phil. 1:19, 20). Completely devoted to him (Gal. 6:14).
III. Persistent faith.
She did not let the barriers that the Lord erected stop her.
A. The difficulty of persistence.
B. Many obstacles that we face. Satan’s darts are many (2 Cor. 11:3).
C. It takes strength, determination, grit (Ja. 1:12; Heb. 13:9; 2 Tim. 4:6-8; Col. 1:23).
D. There is a charge to keep (Tit. 1:9).
IV. Selfless/humble faith.
Her motherly instincts overruled any concern she may have had for what people would think of her.
A. Faith is not concerned about the credit.
B. Faith looks upon the ways of others (Jn. 13:4-14; Mt. 20:26, 27).
C. Great faith takes the yoke (Mt. 11:29; Ja. 4:6, 10).
V. Active faith.
She sought out Jesus.
A. Great faith does not sit on the sidelines waiting for somebody or something. It is more than a cheerleader (Ja. 1:21-27; Mk. 2:5; Mt. 8:10).
B. Faith acts (Ja. 2). The parable of talents.
Entered on 5/3/2009
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