The Gospel of Matthew
A Trip to Pagan Land
Matthew 15:21 (NLT) 21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went
north to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
Judges 10:6 "Then the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, ...".
1 Kings 16:31 "And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him".
What can we learn from Jesus trip to Pagan Land?
I. We Can Learn to Ask Largely
Matthew 15:22–22 (NLT) 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”
Matthew 7:7–8 (NLT) 7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
II. We Can Learn to Shake Rejection
Matthew 15:23–24 (NLT) 23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”
24 Then Jesus said to the woman,
“I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”
III. We Can Learn to Stay Persistent
Matthew 15:25–27 (NLT) 25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”
26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”
27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”
IV. We Can Learn Faith Has Benefits
Matthew 15:28 (NLT) 28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.
Matthew 21:22 - And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
Luke 1:37 - For nothing will be impossible with God.
2 Corinthians 5:7 - For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Mark 11:22-24 - And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Psalm 37:4 (NLT)
4 Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.
