Pay Attention to Jesus: A Call to Faith

This morning, we celebrated the powerful step of baptism with Patrick and Tucker, two young men who have publicly declared that Jesus is not just their Savior, but their Lord. Their testimony reminds us that life is not about achievements, accolades, or the things we can accumulate, but about who we are in Christ. The act of baptism is a symbol: the old self is buried, and a new life in Christ begins. Yet, the water itself does not save; it is faith, repentance, and trust in Jesus that brings salvation. As a church, we are called to walk alongside, encourage, and hold one another accountable as we look for the fruit of transformed lives.

Turning to Matthew 15 and 16, we see Jesus performing miracles—healing the lame, the blind, the mute, and feeding thousands. But the miracles themselves are not the point; they point to the greater miracle of the gospel, the resurrection, and new life in Christ. The question is posed: Are we satisfied with just a crumb from Jesus, or do we demand more—comfort, accolades, and material blessings? True faith is content with Christ alone, even if all we receive is a crumb, because He is enough.

Jesus warns against the leaven—the subtle, corrupting influence—of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Their outward religiosity, their works, and their traditions could not save them. They evangelized, tithed, and prayed, but neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The danger is that we, too, can become so focused on doing for God that we miss being changed by God. The gospel is not about what we can do to earn God’s favor, but about what Christ has done for us. We are called to repent, believe, and surrender all, allowing Christ to be the center of our lives.

The only sign we truly need is the sign of Jonah—the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. This is the foundation of our hope, the answer to our suffering, and the source of our new life. We are not called to come to Jesus on our own terms, but on His. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Our old self must die so that Christ can live in us. Let us beware of any teaching or influence that shifts our focus from the sufficiency of Christ and the transforming power of the gospel.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True faith is content with Christ alone, even if all we receive is a “crumb.” The Gentile woman’s faith in Matthew 15 challenges us to ask if Jesus Himself is enough for us, or if we are only satisfied when He meets our expectations for comfort and blessing. Great faith is not measured by abundance, but by contentment in Christ’s sufficiency. [36:06]
• 2. The miracles of Jesus always point beyond themselves to the greater miracle of the gospel—new life through His death and resurrection. Physical healing and provision are temporary, but the spiritual transformation Christ offers is eternal. We must not seek the gifts more than the Giver, but let every blessing draw us to glorify God. [40:15]
• 3. Outward religious activity—evangelism, tithing, prayer—can be empty if not rooted in a heart changed by the gospel. The Pharisees did many good things, but neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Our works must flow from a transformed heart, not as a means to earn God’s favor, but as a response to His grace. [70:25]
• 4. Beware the subtle influence of false teaching and self-reliance, the “leaven” that corrupts genuine faith. It is easy to slip into thinking we can control our spiritual destiny or dictate the terms of our relationship with God. The gospel calls us to surrender, to die to self, and to trust in Christ’s finished work alone. [65:05]
• 5. The only sign we need is the resurrection of Jesus—the sign of Jonah. In seasons of suffering or doubt, we are tempted to ask for more proof or assurance, but God has already given us the ultimate sign in Christ’s victory over death. This truth sustains us through every trial and calls us to live boldly and surrendered, knowing our hope is secure. [53:35]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [06:25] - Baptism Celebration
• [08:37] - The Meaning of Baptism
• [09:22] - Profession of Faith
• [33:24] - Family Weekend Announcements
• [34:29] - Radical Faith: The Crumb is Enough
• [37:25] - Jesus Heals and the Crowd Glorifies God
• [41:06] - New Life: The Heart Transformed
• [42:41] - Pharisees and Sadducees Demand a Sign
• [44:58] - Missing the Point: Seeking More Than the Gospel
• [47:34] - Coming to Jesus on His Terms
• [50:00] - Suffering, Hope, and the Sign of Jonah
• [54:30] - The Enemy’s Opposition and True Change
• [56:25] - The Disciples’ Forgetfulness and Jesus’ Provision
• [58:04] - The Leaven of the Pharisees: A Warning
• [65:05] - The Danger of Subtle Corruption
• [70:25] - Works Flowing from a Changed Heart
• [72:06] - Jesus: The Only Way, Truth, and Life
• [75:00] - Living for Christ Alone
• [76:01] - Closing Prayer and Surrender

Bible Reading

Matthew 15:21-31 (ESV) — > 21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 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.” 23 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.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
>
> 29 Jesus went on from there and walked beside the Sea of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain and sat down there. 30 And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, 31 so that the crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.

Matthew 16:1-12 (ESV) — > 1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.
>
> 5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

John 14:6 (ESV) — > Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 15, what was the Gentile woman’s response when Jesus said it wasn’t right to give the children’s bread to the dogs? What did Jesus say about her faith?
2. According to Matthew 15:30-31, what kinds of people did Jesus heal, and what was the crowd’s reaction?
3. In Matthew 16, what did Jesus mean when he warned the disciples about the “leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees”?
4. According to the sermon, what is the “sign of Jonah” that Jesus refers to? [[53:35]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus praise the Gentile woman’s faith, and what does her story teach us about being content with “just a crumb” from Jesus? [[36:06]]
2. The crowd glorified God after seeing miracles, but the Pharisees and Sadducees still demanded a sign. What does this reveal about the difference between seeking God for who He is versus what He can do for us? [[40:15]]
3. The “leaven” of the Pharisees and Sadducees is described as a subtle, corrupting influence. What are some modern examples of this kind of influence in our own lives or churches? [[01:05:05]]
4. The sermon says that outward religious activity can be empty if not rooted in a changed heart. How can someone tell if their service, giving, or prayer is coming from a transformed heart or just from habit or duty? [[01:10:25]]

Application Questions

1. The Gentile woman was content with just a crumb from Jesus. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to be content with Christ alone? What expectations or desires do you find yourself placing on God? [[36:06]]
2. The sermon warns against seeking the gifts more than the Giver. Can you think of a time when you were more focused on what God could do for you than on knowing Him? How did that affect your faith or relationship with Him? [[40:15]]
3. Jesus warns about the “leaven” of false teaching and self-reliance. Are there subtle influences—teachings, habits, or attitudes—that you need to be on guard against in your own walk with Christ? What steps can you take to recognize and reject them? [[01:05:05]]
4. Outward religious activity is not enough if our hearts are not changed. Is there a specific area where you are “doing for God” but not allowing Him to change you? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? [[01:10:25]]
5. The only sign we need is the resurrection of Jesus. In times of suffering or doubt, do you find yourself asking God for more proof or assurance? How can you remind yourself of the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work? [[53:35]]
6. The sermon challenges us to live for Christ alone, letting our old self die so that Christ can live in us. What is one practical way you can “die to self” this week and let Christ be the center of your life? [[01:12:06]]
7. As a church, we are called to walk alongside, encourage, and hold one another accountable. Who is someone in your life you can encourage or hold accountable in their walk with Christ this week? How will you do it? [[08:37]]