Let God Grow in You, Work Through You

Communion frames the hope that Jesus brings order into a chaotic world. Revelation 21:3–4 casts both present suffering and future restoration in sharp relief: the current “old order” of tears, death, and pain will give way to God dwelling with people and wiping every tear away. Communion symbolizes not only forgiveness and the bearing of sin on the cross but also the promise that Jesus intends to fix what is broken in marriages, families, jobs, and communities. Worship and Scripture steer attention toward the coming consummation when instability and disorder finally end.

Life and spiritual growth follow a rhythm that requires both inward formation and outward action. A metronome metaphor highlights a beat to follow: let God grow in the heart so God can work through the life. The “in you” work—daily Bible engagement, prayer, small groups, and repentance—creates soil where faith can take root; the “through you” work expresses that growth as love for the lost and practical witness. The parable of the sower shows four soil types that shape whether seed becomes harvest, and harvest is the intended outcome of discipleship.

The Canaanite woman episode in Matthew 15 models gospel persistence and Christ-centered priorities. Jesus withdraws into Gentile territory, a move that surfaces questions about distance from lost people. The woman’s desperate plea and willingness to accept crumbs reveal a faith that Jesus praises and answers, producing immediate healing. That exchange reframes disciple making: the greatest mark of faithful influence lies not in biblical trivia or behavioral tweaks but in loving and engaging those far from God with persistent, humble faith.

Practical challenges follow: identify who sits in one’s Tyre and Sidon, pray persistently for doors to open for relationship and receptivity, and move toward tangible, long-term relationship building rather than quick conversions. Balance inward formation with outward mission so the rhythm of letting God grow in a life leads to a harvest through that life.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Let God grow in you Cultivate inward rhythms—daily Scripture, prayer, and community—so spiritual formation precedes effective witness. Growth dislodges the rocky, weedy, and hardened soils that choke the seed of the gospel. Without the “in you” work, attempts to influence others rely on technique instead of transformed character. Spiritual depth fuels sustainable, compassionate action rather than brittle performance. [36:48]
• 2. Identify distance to the lost Measure closeness to God by proximity to people who need Christ; distance shows where love has waned into comfort. Recognizing geographic or relational distance prompts intentional movement into places and relationships where gospel work seems risky. That distance reveals fear of contamination by brokenness and a need for courage shaped by compassion. Name the person who represents your Tyre and Sidon and begin to close that gap. [56:01]
• 3. Don't give up on them Persist when initial efforts fail; silence or setback often masks need and hunger rather than rejection. The Canaanite woman’s persistence models humility that accepts crumbs while holding to hope, and such grit draws out Jesus’ work rather than driving it away. Long-term investment, not one-off approaches, cultivates soil receptive to the Spirit. Renew attempts with prayer, presence, and patience. [60:29]
• 4. Desperate faith compels God's action Faith that recognizes utter need and clings to even crumbs provokes divine response and healing. The woman’s readiness to accept crumbs shows trust beyond entitlement—an orientation that admits unworthiness and clings to mercy. God honors such bold vulnerability more than polished religiosity or mere knowledge of Scripture. Faith moves God to grant what human effort cannot earn. [55:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [21:14] - Communion as stability in chaos
• [21:48] - Revelation 21:3–4 and future hope
• [23:05] - Sin, disorder, and restoration
• [31:36] - Desire to be used for God
• [36:48] - Let God grow in you first
• [39:24] - Parable of the sower recap
• [43:06] - Context: Matthew 14–15 transition
• [49:42] - Canaanite woman: silence and plea
• [54:51] - “Crumbs” response and great faith
• [64:54] - Strategy: find your “one”
• [71:18] - Closing prayer and next steps

Bible reading
Revelation 21:3–4 (ESV)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Matthew 15:21–28 (ESV)
And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

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Observation questions

1. What specific future realities does Revelation 21:3–4 promise will replace the current “old order” of things?
2. In the story from Matthew 15, how did the disciples initially respond to the Canaanite woman’s cries for help, and what did they ask Jesus to do? [51:39]
3. What was the woman’s response when Jesus said it wasn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs?
4. According to the sermon, what are the two parts of the spiritual rhythm or “metronome” that Jesus wants for our lives? [36:16]

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Interpretation questions

1. Why do you think Jesus initially remained silent and then seemed to push the Canaanite woman away with his words? What might he have been trying to teach his disciples through this interaction?
2. The woman said she would be satisfied with “crumbs” from the master’s table. What does this reveal about her view of herself, her need, and who Jesus is?
3. Jesus told the woman she had “great faith,” but he didn’t praise her Bible knowledge or religious activity. What does this say about the kind of faith that truly compels God’s action? [01:03:42]
4. The sermon proposes that “the greatest mark of being a disciple maker is whether or not you love lost people.” Why is loving the lost a greater indicator of spiritual maturity than simply knowing a lot of Scripture?

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Application questions

1. The spiritual rhythm requires both “in you” work (like daily Bible reading and prayer) and “through you” work (loving and engaging the lost). Which part of this rhythm is harder for you to maintain, and what is one practical step you can take this week to bring it into better balance? [37:57]
2. “Identify the distance” between yourself and those who don’t know Jesus. When was the last time you shared your faith with someone far from God? Who is the one person in your life right now that God is placing on your heart to intentionally build a friendship with for the sake of the gospel? [56:17]
3. The Canaanite woman didn’t give up, even when she faced silence and what seemed like rejection. Is there someone you have given up on because sharing Jesus with them felt too difficult or awkward? What would it look like to persistently pray for them and look for new opportunities to show them love this month? [01:00:29]
4. Her faith was desperate and humble, willing to accept even crumbs. Do you find yourself approaching God with a sense of entitlement or with a humble recognition that you are utterly dependent on his mercy? How can you cultivate a more desperate, crumb-like faith in your own walk with God? [01:01:56]
5. The goal isn’t a one-time conversation but long-term investment. What is one tangible way you can move toward building a deeper, long-term relationship with the person you identified, rather than just hoping for a quick conversion? [01:07:48]