Faith and Persistence in God's Silence
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the theme of God's silence and how it intersects with our faith and persistence. We began by reflecting on the busy and relentless nature of Jesus' ministry, noting that even Jesus needed moments to retreat and recalibrate. This led us to the story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15, who approached Jesus with a desperate plea for her daughter's healing. Despite Jesus' initial silence, she persisted, demonstrating a profound faith that ultimately led to her daughter's healing.
We delved into the significance of God's silence, emphasizing that silence does not equate to absence or indifference. Even when God seems silent, He is still at work in our lives, often in ways we cannot immediately see or understand. We drew parallels to biblical stories like Abraham negotiating with God, Elijah's encounter with God on the mountaintop, and Jonah's time in the belly of the whale. Each of these stories illustrates that God's silence can be a period of preparation and unseen activity.
We also shared a personal testimony about Violet and her husband Matthew, who experienced a long period of illness and silence from God. Through persistent prayer and faith, they eventually witnessed God's healing touch, reinforcing the message that God's silence is not a sign of abandonment but a precursor to His miraculous work.
The Canaanite woman's story teaches us the importance of persistence in faith, even when faced with silence. Her relentless pursuit and humble posture before Jesus serve as a model for us to follow. We are encouraged to remain faithful, keep our lamps burning, and trust that God is at work, even in the silence.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Silence is Not Absence: When God is silent, it does not mean He is absent or indifferent. Just as Jesus heard the Canaanite woman's plea despite His initial silence, God hears our prayers and is at work behind the scenes. This period of silence can be a time of unseen preparation and growth. [40:10]
2. Persistence in Faith: The Canaanite woman's relentless pursuit of Jesus, despite His silence, highlights the importance of persistence in our faith journey. Her unwavering faith and humility eventually led to her daughter's healing, teaching us to remain steadfast and trust in God's timing. [50:50]
3. God Works in Silence: Even when we do not see immediate results, God is still at work. The story of Jonah in the belly of the whale and Jesus' time in the tomb illustrate that God's silence often precedes significant breakthroughs and transformations. [46:49]
4. Faith in Action: The Canaanite woman's faith was not passive; it was active and demonstrative. She approached Jesus with a clear understanding of His power and authority, showing us that our faith should be lived out through our actions and persistent prayers. [51:55]
5. Hope in God's Plan: The story of Violet and Matthew reminds us that even in prolonged periods of silence and struggle, God's plan is unfolding. Their eventual experience of healing and restoration serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and the importance of maintaining hope and trust in His plan. [55:22]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[31:10] - Offertory Prayer
[32:11] - Vacation Reflections
[33:01] - Jesus' Ministry and Retreat
[34:37] - Feeding the Five Thousand
[36:16] - The Canaanite Woman's Plea
[37:41] - Turning to Christ in Desperation
[39:20] - The Silence of God
[41:00] - God Hears Our Pleas
[43:08] - God Works in Silence
[46:49] - Persistence in Faith
[50:50] - The Canaanite Woman's Faith
[53:10] - Testimony of Violet and Matthew
[55:22] - God's Faithfulness in Silence
[57:00] - Prayer and Closing Song
[01:02:02] - Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 15:21-28 - The story of the Canaanite woman and her encounter with Jesus.
2. 1 Kings 19:9-13 - Elijah's encounter with God on the mountaintop.
3. Jonah 2:1-10 - Jonah's prayer from the belly of the whale.
### Observation Questions
1. What was the Canaanite woman's request to Jesus, and how did He initially respond? ([36:16])
2. How did Elijah experience God's presence on the mountaintop, and what was God's initial response to him? ([42:25])
3. Describe Jonah's situation when he prayed to God from the belly of the whale. How did God respond to his prayer? ([46:07])
4. What personal testimony was shared in the sermon about Violet and Matthew, and how does it relate to the theme of God's silence? ([53:10])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus initially responded with silence to the Canaanite woman's plea? What might this teach us about God's silence in our own lives? ([39:20])
2. How does Elijah's experience on the mountaintop illustrate the idea that God's silence does not mean His absence? ([42:25])
3. In what ways did Jonah's time in the belly of the whale serve as a period of preparation and transformation? How can this be applied to our own periods of waiting? ([46:07])
4. How did Violet and Matthew's story of persistent prayer and eventual healing reinforce the message that God's silence is not a sign of abandonment? ([55:22])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's silence in your life. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([39:20])
2. The Canaanite woman demonstrated persistence in her faith despite Jesus' initial silence. How can you cultivate a similar persistence in your own faith journey? ([50:50])
3. Elijah experienced God's presence in a gentle whisper rather than a dramatic display. How can you become more attuned to the subtle ways God might be speaking to you? ([42:25])
4. Jonah's time in the belly of the whale was a period of transformation. Is there a challenging situation in your life that you can view as an opportunity for growth and preparation? ([46:07])
5. Violet and Matthew's story highlights the importance of community and persistent prayer. How can you support someone in your community who might be experiencing a period of silence from God? ([55:22])
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of maintaining hope and trust in God's plan, even during prolonged periods of silence. What practical steps can you take to strengthen your hope and trust in God's timing? ([55:57])
7. The Canaanite woman's humble posture before Jesus was key to her receiving His help. How can you practice humility in your relationship with God and others this week? ([51:20])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Silence is Not Absence
Even when God seems silent, it does not mean He is absent or indifferent. The story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 illustrates this truth. Despite Jesus' initial silence to her desperate plea, He was fully aware of her situation and ultimately responded to her faith. This period of silence was not a sign of neglect but a time of unseen preparation and growth. Similarly, in our lives, God's silence can be a time when He is working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for our good and His glory. We are encouraged to trust that He hears our prayers and is actively involved in our lives, even when we cannot see immediate results. [40:10]
Isaiah 45:15 (ESV): "Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt God was silent. How did you respond? Can you identify any ways in which God was working behind the scenes during that period?
Day 2: Persistence in Faith
The Canaanite woman's relentless pursuit of Jesus, despite His initial silence, highlights the importance of persistence in our faith journey. Her unwavering faith and humility eventually led to her daughter's healing. This story teaches us that persistence in faith is crucial, especially when faced with silence or delays. We are called to remain steadfast, continually seeking God and trusting in His timing. Our persistent prayers and actions demonstrate our faith and reliance on Him, even when the answers are not immediate. [50:50]
Luke 18:1-8 (ESV): "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, "Give me justice against my adversary." For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, "Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming."'"
Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you have given up praying or seeking God? How can you renew your persistence in faith today?
Day 3: God Works in Silence
Even when we do not see immediate results, God is still at work. The story of Jonah in the belly of the whale and Jesus' time in the tomb illustrate that God's silence often precedes significant breakthroughs and transformations. These periods of silence can be times of preparation, where God is working in ways we cannot see or understand. We are encouraged to trust that God is active and present, even in the silence, and that He is preparing us for something greater. [46:49]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God was silent but later realized He was preparing you for something significant. How can this perspective help you trust God in current silent seasons?
Day 4: Faith in Action
The Canaanite woman's faith was not passive; it was active and demonstrative. She approached Jesus with a clear understanding of His power and authority, showing us that our faith should be lived out through our actions and persistent prayers. Her example teaches us that faith requires action and that we must actively seek God, demonstrating our trust in Him through our deeds and prayers. This active faith is a testament to our belief in God's power and willingness to intervene in our lives. [51:55]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively demonstrate your faith today? Consider specific actions or prayers that reflect your trust in God's power and authority.
Day 5: Hope in God's Plan
The story of Violet and Matthew reminds us that even in prolonged periods of silence and struggle, God's plan is unfolding. Their eventual experience of healing and restoration serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and the importance of maintaining hope and trust in His plan. We are encouraged to hold on to hope, knowing that God's timing is perfect and that He is working all things together for our good. This hope sustains us through difficult times and strengthens our faith in God's ultimate plan for our lives. [55:22]
Romans 15:13 (ESV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
Reflection: Think about a current struggle or period of silence in your life. How can you hold on to hope and trust in God's plan during this time? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of His faithfulness?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "How many times do we get afflicted in some way and that we find that the real option that we have before us is we've tried all of these circumstances to rid ourselves of the situation that we find ourselves in, and let me turn to Christ. Let me finally turn it over to God. Let me finally get to a place where I can go no further and I need to approach Christ." (28 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The first thing, even though Jesus is silent, Jesus hears. As we plead our case to the Lord, as God responds in a moment of silence or with a moment of silence, God hears our plea. God hears our requests. God hears our language and He hears us." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Just because God is silent, does not mean God is not working. That God is still working in silent time. God is still working even if God is not vocal. God is still at work in our lives even if we don't see it or feel it or hear it." (26 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God's silence doesn't mean that God doesn't hear us. Doesn't mean that God doesn't have a plan. Doesn't mean that God's not at work. Doesn't mean that God has thrown in the towel for our life. God's silence may just mean that God is not ready to reveal His plan at this moment in time. Or maybe there's more work to be done." (26 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Silence. Times that we go through our lives where we don't see how God is making a way. But God is faithful. And he's promises that what he has in store for us will be good. But he invites us to hang in there and to stay strong, to keep those lamps burning because you don't know when he may show up. You don't know when he may answer a prayer of our hearts." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "And Jesus and his disciples are not prepared to feed five thousand people. So they borrow a boy's lunch. And if my mom packed me five loaves and two fish, I would be willing to give it away. Completely. Take this. What else do you have? And then Jesus walks overnight on the water." (22 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The Canaanite woman though is not afraid of Jesus' silence. She is not afraid of Jesus' silence. His disciples come to Him. To Jesus. Saying, Jesus, can you send her away? For she keeps shouting after us. Jesus' silence doesn't silence her. She continues to pursue Christ. Send her away they say for she keeps shouting after us." (40 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And she says, Yes Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table. It's a really odd saying. It's hard to wrap our minds around. But there is this given forth back and forth that Jesus and this woman have that displays this great faith. And Jesus finally relents saying, Woman, great is your faith. Let it be done for you as you wish. And her daughter was healed from that moment. The Canaanite outsider." (34 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The invitation for us to be relentless in our faith and our dogged determination that Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives. And the ability for us to lay down everything and put it into His hands. Trusting Him with everything that we are. God I give you this." (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Silence could mean that you're at work in ways that we don't see. And that is a cause for us to be hopeful. May we be faithful. Do a good thing in us, Lord. May we continue to trust you with all that we are." (20 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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