The Hope of a Mother - May 10, 2020

The Hope of a Mother

 

Text: Mark 7:24-30

Thesis: Our HOPE should be in Jesus Christ alone. If our life choices do not pass the “Jesus litmus test” avoid them at all cost.

 

1. Jesus once again seeking solitude went into the border region called Tyre. (vs.24)
2. Jesus could not be hidden. People need the light of Christ!

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Mathew 5:14-15)

1. Parents, we are called to let the light of Christ shine in our homes.
2. We read in I kings 17: 8-23 that Elijah came to this same area where he performed the great miracle of raising a widow’s son to life.
3. God is concerned about a mother’s great responsibility in raising children, especially the single mother.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)

 

1. Jesus was confronted by a woman who put her entire hope in Jesus. (vs.25-26)
2. The mother was fervent in her appeal to Jesus to heal her daughter.

     “She fell at His feet…and begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.”

1. The Bible teaches that God is aware of our level of fervency in prayer.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16 KJV)

2. Fervency is not only evident in our emotions but in our persistence in prayer.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Mathew 7:7)

3. Fervency also precludes that your heart is right before God.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:17)

 

III. Jesus tested the mother’s faith and it was found to be strong.

1. The mother would not be detoured by Jesus ‘factual statement.

 Jesus said, "First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take   the children's bread and toss it to the dogs." (vs 27)

1. Jesus was pointing out that the Gospel was first given to the Jew and then to the Gentiles. Since She was a Gentile her time would come.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

2. Jesus toned down his comment, not wanting to sound harsh and used the Greek word for dog meaning “a small cute little house dog.”
3. This persistent loving mother, because she put her hope in Jesus, continued to make her request.

    "Lord," she replied, "even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." (vs 28)

1. She acknowledged Jesus as “Lord” and She acknowledged the power of God to be so great, that even the crumbs would be enough.

“Prayer is the Key to Power”

2. What Jesus has to offer is sufficient!!!

Mothers’, “you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.”

                    (Philippians 4:13)

1. “Then Jesus told her, ‘For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” (vs 29)