Tests of Faith: Embracing Compassion and Persistence
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into a fascinating and somewhat perplexing passage from the Gospel of Mark, focusing on an event in Jesus' ministry that seems out of character at first glance. The central question posed was, "Will you pass the test?" This question is crucial because our walk with the Lord involves a series of tests designed for our spiritual growth. Reflecting on my own experiences, I recalled the dreaded pop quizzes from school, which serve as a metaphor for the unexpected tests we face in life. These tests often reveal themselves only in hindsight, making it essential to stay spiritually prepared at all times.
We examined Mark 7:24-30, where Jesus travels to the region of Tyre and Sidon, seeking rest but encountering a Canaanite woman whose daughter is possessed by an evil spirit. Jesus' initial response to her plea seems harsh and dismissive, likening her to a dog. However, this was a test not just for the woman but also for the disciples. The woman’s persistence and faith ultimately led to her daughter's healing, demonstrating that great faith often requires enduring tests and overcoming apparent rejections.
The disciples, on the other hand, failed to show compassion and missed an opportunity to demonstrate what they had learned from Jesus. This failure serves as a reminder that we, too, often fail tests of compassion and inclusion. Yet, God's grace offers us repeated opportunities to get it right.
We also explored the importance of planting seeds of faith in our hearts through consistent engagement with God's Word. This Canaanite woman had clearly been in the Word, recognizing Jesus as the "Son of David," a Messianic title. Her knowledge and faith were the result of deliberate spiritual preparation.
Finally, we discussed the significance of not interpreting God's delays or silence as denial. The Canaanite woman's persistence in the face of apparent rejection teaches us to press in and hold on to God's promises, even when they seem delayed.
### Key Takeaways
1. Life's Unexpected Tests: Life is filled with unexpected tests that often reveal themselves only in hindsight. These tests are essential for our spiritual growth and maturity. Being spiritually prepared at all times through worship, the Word, and community can help us navigate these tests successfully. [02:31]
2. Compassion for the Outsider: We must recognize and intentionally make space for the "outsiders" in our lives. These are the people we might instinctively want to send away. Jesus' interaction with the Canaanite woman challenges us to extend love and acceptance to those who are often marginalized. [12:14]
3. Planting Seeds of Faith: Deliberately planting seeds of faith in our hearts through consistent engagement with God's Word is crucial. The Canaanite woman's recognition of Jesus as the "Son of David" shows the power of being rooted in Scripture. This spiritual preparation equips us to face life's challenges with faith. [20:28]
4. Interpreting God's Delays: Do not interpret God's delays or apparent silence as denial or defeat. The Canaanite woman's persistence despite Jesus' initial silence teaches us to press in and hold on to God's promises. God's timing is not our timing, and His delays are often tests of our faith. [24:37]
5. Desperation and Faith: Desperation and faith are not mutually exclusive. In fact, moments of desperation can drive us closer to God and lead to radical acts of faith. The Canaanite woman's desperate plea and unwavering faith resulted in her daughter's healing, showing that even the "scraps" from Jesus' table are enough for our miracles. [29:14]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:21] - Introduction: Will You Pass the Test?
[02:31] - Life's Pop Quizzes
[03:48] - Context of Mark 7
[05:08] - Jesus' Journey to Tyre and Sidon
[06:31] - Encounter with the Canaanite Woman
[08:01] - The Test for the Disciples
[09:32] - Disciples' Missed Opportunity
[11:00] - Recognizing Our Failures
[12:14] - Application Point 1: Recognize the Outsiders
[13:34] - The Longing for Acceptance
[14:49] - Personal Reflection: Junior High Experience
[16:14] - The Importance of Community
[17:39] - Application Point 2: Make Space for Outsiders
[19:05] - The Woman's Faith and Knowledge
[20:28] - Application Point 3: Plant Seeds of Faith
[21:47] - The Nature of Seed
[23:06] - Faith Comes by Hearing
[24:37] - Application Point 4: Interpreting Delays
[26:09] - Personal Conviction and God's Timing
[27:32] - The Parable of the Persistent Widow
[29:14] - Desperation and Faith
[30:45] - The Role of Desperation in Faith
[32:05] - Extreme Behavior and Radical Faith
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Mark 7:24-30 - Jesus and the Canaanite Woman
2. James 1:2-4 - Testing of Faith
### Observation Questions
1. What was Jesus' initial response to the Canaanite woman's plea, and how did she react to it? (Mark 7:24-30)
2. According to James 1:2-4, what should be our attitude towards trials and tests?
3. How did the disciples react to the Canaanite woman, and what does this reveal about their understanding of Jesus' teachings? [09:32]
4. What title did the Canaanite woman use to address Jesus, and why is this significant? [19:05]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus initially responded to the Canaanite woman in a way that seemed harsh? What was He trying to teach both her and the disciples? [08:01]
2. How can the Canaanite woman's persistence in the face of apparent rejection be seen as a model for our own faith? [24:37]
3. What does James 1:2-4 suggest about the purpose of trials in our spiritual journey?
4. How does the disciples' failure to show compassion to the Canaanite woman serve as a lesson for us today? [11:00]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent "pop quiz" moment in your life. How did you respond, and what did it reveal about your spiritual preparedness? [02:31]
2. Who are the "outsiders" in your life that you might instinctively want to send away? How can you intentionally make space for them? [12:14]
3. What are some practical ways you can plant seeds of faith in your heart through consistent engagement with God's Word? [20:28]
4. Have you ever interpreted God's delays or silence as denial? How can the story of the Canaanite woman help you to press in and hold on to God's promises? [24:37]
5. Think of a time when you felt desperate. How did that desperation affect your faith and actions? How can you allow your desperation to drive you closer to God rather than further away? [29:14]
6. Identify one specific person or group you find difficult to accept. What steps can you take this week to show them compassion and inclusion? [12:14]
7. How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness and promises during times of delay or apparent silence? What specific scripture can you meditate on to strengthen your faith? [26:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Life's Unexpected Tests
Life is filled with unexpected tests that often reveal themselves only in hindsight. These tests are essential for our spiritual growth and maturity. Being spiritually prepared at all times through worship, the Word, and community can help us navigate these tests successfully. Just as pop quizzes in school catch us off guard, life's challenges often come without warning. These moments are opportunities for us to grow in faith and reliance on God. Reflecting on these tests in hindsight, we can see how they shape our character and deepen our relationship with the Lord.
In Mark 7:24-30, Jesus' encounter with the Canaanite woman serves as a profound example. Her persistence and faith in the face of an unexpected test led to her daughter's healing. This story reminds us that our spiritual preparedness is crucial. By consistently engaging with God's Word, participating in worship, and being part of a faith community, we equip ourselves to face life's unexpected challenges with grace and faith. [02:31]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think about a recent unexpected challenge you faced. How did you respond, and what did it reveal about your spiritual preparedness? What steps can you take today to be more spiritually prepared for future tests?
Day 2: Compassion for the Outsider
We must recognize and intentionally make space for the "outsiders" in our lives. These are the people we might instinctively want to send away. Jesus' interaction with the Canaanite woman challenges us to extend love and acceptance to those who are often marginalized. In Mark 7:24-30, Jesus initially appears dismissive of the Canaanite woman, but her persistence and faith lead to her daughter's healing. This encounter highlights the importance of compassion and inclusion, even when it is uncomfortable or counterintuitive.
The disciples missed an opportunity to demonstrate what they had learned from Jesus by failing to show compassion to the woman. This serves as a reminder that we, too, often fail tests of compassion and inclusion. Yet, God's grace offers us repeated opportunities to get it right. By recognizing and making space for outsiders, we reflect the heart of Jesus and create a more inclusive and loving community. [12:14]
Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV): "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."
Reflection: Identify someone in your life who might feel like an outsider. How can you intentionally make space for them and show them the love and acceptance of Jesus today?
Day 3: Planting Seeds of Faith
Deliberately planting seeds of faith in our hearts through consistent engagement with God's Word is crucial. The Canaanite woman's recognition of Jesus as the "Son of David" shows the power of being rooted in Scripture. This spiritual preparation equips us to face life's challenges with faith. In Mark 7:24-30, the woman's knowledge and faith were the result of deliberate spiritual preparation. She had clearly been in the Word, recognizing Jesus' Messianic title and understanding His power.
By consistently engaging with God's Word, we plant seeds of faith that grow and strengthen over time. This spiritual foundation enables us to face challenges with confidence and trust in God's promises. Just as the Canaanite woman's faith led to her daughter's healing, our faith, rooted in Scripture, can lead to transformative outcomes in our lives. [20:28]
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Reflection: How can you make consistent engagement with God's Word a daily habit? What specific steps will you take to plant seeds of faith in your heart today?
Day 4: Interpreting God's Delays
Do not interpret God's delays or apparent silence as denial or defeat. The Canaanite woman's persistence despite Jesus' initial silence teaches us to press in and hold on to God's promises. God's timing is not our timing, and His delays are often tests of our faith. In Mark 7:24-30, Jesus' initial response to the Canaanite woman seemed harsh and dismissive, but her persistence and faith ultimately led to her daughter's healing.
This story reminds us that God's delays are not denials. Instead, they are opportunities for us to deepen our faith and trust in His timing. When we face apparent rejections or delays, we must press in and hold on to God's promises, knowing that His timing is perfect. The Canaanite woman's unwavering faith in the face of delay serves as a powerful example for us to follow. [24:37]
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: Think of a situation in your life where you are experiencing a delay or silence from God. How can you hold on to His promises and trust in His timing today?
Day 5: Desperation and Faith
Desperation and faith are not mutually exclusive. In fact, moments of desperation can drive us closer to God and lead to radical acts of faith. The Canaanite woman's desperate plea and unwavering faith resulted in her daughter's healing, showing that even the "scraps" from Jesus' table are enough for our miracles. In Mark 7:24-30, the woman's desperation for her daughter's healing drove her to persistently seek Jesus, despite initial rejection.
Her story teaches us that desperation can be a powerful catalyst for faith. When we find ourselves in desperate situations, we are often more open to seeking God's intervention and trusting in His power. The Canaanite woman's faith, even in desperation, led to a miraculous outcome, reminding us that God can work powerfully in our moments of greatest need. [29:14]
Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV): "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt desperate and turned to God for help. How did that experience strengthen your faith? How can you approach God with the same desperation and faith in your current circumstances?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Life is filled with some pop quiz moments. Now, the problem with the testing is your faith is you don't really realize it's a test until you're almost through it. Right? You're just about to come out. You're like, oh, this was a test. If only I'd have known. I would have got my worship game together, been in the word more, been to small group, got my people around me. Wouldn't it be great if there was a, what's that deal, the emergency broadcast? The emergency broadcasting system. You ever watching your show, and all of a sudden, you get interrupted with, doo, really an annoying noise. This is the emergency, you know, for the next 60 seconds. How many know we need one of those from heaven? Like, ooh, for the next three weeks, you're entering a test. Buckle up, get on your armor, because it will determine the outcome of your life." [02:31] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "All faith is tested, and great faith is greatly tested. But you can indeed pass the test." [03:48] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We all have folks that our first response is, Jesus, send them away. And this is the test that disciples go through. We'd rather do that than pull out a chair. You know, there's something that we all long for, and it's this. Acceptance, unconditional love, and community. And that's the purpose of the church. That's why the Father's house exists, to pull out a chair, not for religious pre-church people looking for a better meal. Although I know it's good to leave dying churches and get into life-giving church, no condemnation on that. But we exist primarily for people who've never been to the table." [13:34] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Do not let your desperation drive you further from God. Allow your desperation to press you into him and to do something unprecedented in your life. Because the word tells us all those who come to him, he will in no wise, that means no way, no way, no way cast out. When you come to him in your desperate situation, he's not going to say, you haven't been to church long enough. I saw what you did. Two weeks ago, let me show him his sin resume. How many know there's none of that at the cross? It doesn't matter what you bring to him." [30:45] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "All I need, all I need in my life is for Jesus to look in my direction. Turn your face toward me, Lord. And I'll be satisfied. The word in the Hebrew, panim, presence and face, same word. We sang about it here in Vacaville. Show me your face. And here's the deal. When God turns his presence, his face toward you, you know what that means? His favor, his healing, his forgiveness. I don't need much in this world. God's been so good to me. I'm blessed in a lot of ways. But I tell you what I can't live without. I can't live without you." [32:05] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Now, the disciples failed this test. They would go on to pass some tests. They would fail again. They would deny him on the night of his betrayal. But in this moment, they missed the what if moment. I want to give you four application points. The first one is this. We got to recognize the people in our life, recognize the people in your life that you would ask Jesus to send them away. Who is it in your world that when they come to your table, your provision, your company, your airspace, your personal space, your first response is, Jesus, could you get rid of that guy?" [12:14] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Another way to say it is this. Faith comes by hearing what God is saying and what God is saying is revealed through what he said. If you're not in the word, you're probably not going to hear from God. Now, there are some rare exceptions, okay? God can knock you to the ground with a blinding light. Refer to Acts chapter nine. God can do whatever he wants. That's called sovereignty. But the overwhelming, overarching pattern in scripture is this. As you dig into seed, as you spend time in the word, what God has said becomes what God is saying." [23:06] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The delay in your life is not denial. It's a test of your faith. The apparent silence of God is not a rejection of you. It's a test of great faith. When she finally made that statement, Jesus said, oh woman, the oh pronounced in Greek. Oh, I looked it up. Like what are they going to do with this one? Oh, it's a term of passion. And Jesus heart was full of emotion. He said, oh woman, what great faith you have. Mega is the word. You got mega faith. And because of your faith and your confession, your daughter will be delivered from this very moment." [27:32] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Desperation and faith are not mutually exclusive. It's like, well, if I have great faith, I'm not going to be desperate. Oh, no, no, no, no. We all hit moments of desperation. What I'm talking about is the scenarios in your life that are the only God moments that cause you to do something radical, cause you to press into him in a way that maybe the religious guys at the table, they're going to reject you. The average church person doesn't get it. And Mary busts into the living room with all the men and she breaks open the vial of perfume, breaking so many laws and rules and traditions all at once and pours it upon the head and then the feet of Jesus and washes his feet with her tears and with her hair. It was a radical, unprecedented moment, but there was something in her. When this woman came and fell at the feet of Jesus, it was because of desperation." [29:14] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Maybe for parents who have sons and daughters you love so much and they're running from God and they're a mess. Have you considered a three-day fast to break the chains? The spiritual strongholds off their life. Extreme behavior. Maybe you're in a financial tight spot and the Holy Spirit says, I need you to make a radical, active generosity and watch what I'll do. See, there's some extreme behavior for all of us. God is saying, let faith and desperation push you into that moment and see what I will do. Because the scraps from the table are enough for your miracle." [32:05] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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