Sermons
June 1st, 2023 by Pastor Solley051423AM A Role Model for Mothers
Sub. Mothers
Theme: A role model.
Text: Matt 15:22-28
“A Role Model for Mothers” Matthew 15:22-28
Introduction
In honor of Mother’s Day we are going to look at a role model this morning. A role model for our ladies young and old, a role model for mothers and a role model for grandmothers. I have heard it said that everyone needs a role model and if that be true is there a better place to find a role model than the Bible? Role models for women have changed drastically over the years and what society holds up for women to be is not what God holds up for women to be. There was once a time when the majority of women in America, as well as the men, followed at least Biblical perspectives, but that has changed. This began during WWII when the men went off to war and the women went off to the factories. After the war the men returned home but the women did not. That led to the ERA which was a part of the DNC platform as far back as 1944. The ERA was ratified in 1972 and signed into law. Am I in favor of women being treated equal with men? No. I believe women should be treated better than men which is what the Bible teaches. Interesting that with the ERA came the right for women to murder their unborn children in 1973. Then there was the push to make it seem like men are weak and foolish and women wise and strong by Hollywood. As far back as the Dick Van Dike show this began and now today the smartest, the strongest are the women. And now today we find women don’t even want to be women, they want to change genders. Many mutilate their bodies in order to appear to be what they are not. And now women march in our cities and in WDC to claim they have the right to murder their children even after they are born. Things have certainly changed in America today.
I. But with God things have not changed: And God has a role model for all to see in the Bible of what a Godly women should be, of what a great value a Godly women is. Many of these role models we are familiar with. Hannah, Ruth, the virtuous women of Prov 31, Mary, Dorcas, and many, many more.
II. One of these role models is found in Matthew 15: Matt 15:22-28 We are not told the name of this woman, of this mother. But we are told something about her that follows her through eternity.
A. Jesus said she is a woman of great faith: Matt 15:28 It is a good thing to get a compliment and we hand them out easily at times and they are greatly appreciated when they come. But for us to compliment one another is not the same as when God hands out a compliment. A compliment from God, a compliment from Jesus carries a lot more weight than one you or I may give out.
1. There is a long list of men and women of great faith in the Bible: Hebrews chapter eleven records many men and women of great faith that serve as role models for us today.
2. But do you know how many Jesus said these words to? Matt 15:28 This is the entire list. Of the centurion Jesus said something similar. – Matt 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
B. But the entire list of people Jesus said these words about is found right here: Matt 15:28 We don’t even know her name but she made an impression on Jesus.
III. And this one stands as a role model for women young and old, for mothers and for grandmothers still today: She has been given this place in the eternal record of the Word of God for good reason, because of her great faith. – Matt 15:28 – There are several things concerning this woman we are going to look at this morning for I can say without any reservation that she was a good woman, a virtuous woman, a good and Godly mother.
PROP: This unnamed woman is to be used as a role model today. TS. So Jesus may repeat those same words in heaven of you.
Body
I. She was one of great faith because of her faith in seeking salvation: Matt 15:21-22 The first step in finding favor with God is to come out of sin and come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. How do I know she came first seeking salvation?
A. Note how she is identified and where she was from: Matt 15:22 She was not of Israel. Some of the Jews lived in Canaan but there were parts of that land at that time that were completely Gentile and parts of that land that was cursed by God. – Mark 7:26 – We find she is a Greek and the Greeks sought after wisdom, not after God. She was a woman lost in sin.
B. But note the titles she gives to Jesus: Matt 15:22 She calls Jesus Lord and the Son of David. Even the religious leaders of Israel would not give Jesus those titles. But this woman did.
1. Someone hade shared the gospel message with her: Perhaps she had even heard it from Jesus Himself which is more likely.
2. Like Nicodemus in John chapter three she came with a need of salvation: And she cried out to Jesus “Have mercy on me”.
3. Her first and greatest need was salvation and she cried after Jesus to have mercy on her: Matt 15:22
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3. There is another need as well that will be addressed: Matt 15:22 But that first need is one of salvation, in one of eternal life.
C. Are you born again this morning? That is the first step in becoming one of great faith, being born again.
1. Salvation is a very simple thing: So simple even a young child can receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal savior.
2. One must acknowledge sin, acknowledge judgment, acknowledge Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, and cry after Him to be saved: Are you saved this morning? That is the first and the greatest need of all in this room today. Have you been born again?
D. She was one of great faith because of her faith in seeking salvation: Matt 15:21-22
II. She was one of great faith because of her worship: Matt 15:25 Worship is certainly what we are doing here this morning. Worship involves meeting with God, coming to the house of God, praise, prayer, singing and the preaching of the Word of God. What we are doing is in part worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ. But what we are doing is just a part of worship. She worshiped the Lord Jesus Christ. – Matt 15:25
A. Worship also involves dedication, submission, to be turned over to the authority of another: This woman gave her self, every part of self to Jesus Christ. This women submitted herself to the will of God. This woman was dedicating her life to Jesus Christ. That is what is meant when it says she worshiped Him. – Matt 15:25 – Jesus became not only her savior but the Lord of her life.
1. That means all the more when you consider what is transpiring here: Matt 15:22-25 As far as she knows her request is going to go unanswered. – Matt 15:23 – Jesus didn’t even acknowledge her request, He answered not a word. – Matt 15:23
2. Then the disciples urge Jesus to send her away: Matt 15:23 Now they are trying to get rid of her.
3. Finally Jesus tells her because she was not a Jew the request may not be answered: Matt 15:24
4. She is going through a lot right here: Disappointment after disappointment.
B. But she is determined to continue to worship the Lord Jesus Christ: Matt 15:25 This is what the Bible calls faith unfeigned. This is faith that is real.
1. This faith will withstand heartache, disappointment, trials, discouragement, weariness, this is faith unfeigned: Her faith was real.
2. Worship comes before the demon being cast out of her daughter: Her faith was real. Great is thy faith Jesus is about to say.
C. Is that your faith today, is that your worship today? Is yours a faith unfeigned?
1. When the storms of life arise do you continue to worship? She did.
2. When it seems as if no one is listening and no one understands do you continue to worship? She did.
3. When you are disappointed and discouraged do you continue to worship? She did.
4. Is you faith a faith unfeigned? Hers was.
D. She was one of great faith because of her worship: Matt 15:25
III. She was one of great faith because she would be satisfied with what Jesus would give her, great or small: Matt 15:25-27 This is quite a statement she makes here. – Matt 15:27
A. Her request is for a great miracle: Matt 15:22 no one is going to be able to help this woman, no one able to help her daughter.
1. Mark 5:1-5 Ever wonder why this man was living as he was? He was living as an outcast in a cemetery, he was often chained and tied up with ropes, and when it says no man could tame him it refers to many beatings given to him to beat the demon out of him. Every wonder why he was living like that?
a. Because nothing could be done for him.
b. There was no hope outside an unheard miracle for that man.
2. That is the same condition the daughter of this woman was in, no hope, no life: Matt 15:22
3. When this woman asked Jesus to help her it was for a miracle that went beyond the blind receiving their sight, or the deaf being able to hear, or the lame to walk, or the leper to be cleansed: She asked Jesus for a great, great miracle.
B. But she would be satisfied with whatever Jesus would give to her: Matt 15:27 She needed a loaf but would be satisfied with a crumb if that crumb was the will of God for her. That my friend is faith unfeigned, that is great faith.
1. What if her daughter were not healed, the demon not cast out: She would be satisfied with a crumb.
2. She would be satisfied with whatever Jesus would give her: There is going to be no complaint from this woman.
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C. Are you satisfied with what Jesus has given to you today, for what Jesus is doing for you today: Are you satisfied with a crumb as long as that crumb comes from your master’s table? – Matt 15:27
1. Or do you grumble and complain about your lot in life as if Jesus doesn’t care? She didn’t.
2. Do you complain when your needs are met but you did not get the selfish desires of your heart? She didn’t.
3. Does it make you angry when others seem to get more blessings than you do? She didn’t get angry.
4. Are you discouraged because the riches of the world are not poured out upon you? She was not discouraged.
D. She was one of great faith because she would be satisfied with what Jesus would give her, great or small: Matt 15:25-27
IV. She was one of great faith because she was consistent and persistent: Matt 15:22-23 The way the word crieth is used must indicate there was time, distance, or both involved here. – Matt 15:23 – She continued following after Jesus.
A. No matter how far Jesus would go, no matter how much time would pass, she would continue to cry after Jesus: Matt 15:23 She was persistent and consistent.
1. What if Jesus walked a great distance? She would because she was determined to be consistent.
2. What if a great amount of time passed? Time would not matter because she was determined to be persistent.
3. Time or distance would not stop this woman: She was persistent and consistent.
4. This woman had her roots planted deep beside the still waters of the river of life and she would not be moved: Ps 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
B. Far too few willing to be consistent and persistent in their walk with the Lord today: Too many never finish their course much less finish their course with joy.
1. Matt 13:1-9 We all fit into this parable in one place or another.
a. Some who heard the gospel, believed it, claimed to receive it, but were never truly saved. – Matt 13:3-4
b. Some who are saved but have no real desire to follow the Lord and fall away. – Matt 13:5-6
c. Some who hare discouraged by trials and troubles and give up. – Matt 13:7
d. And some who will remain faithful and finish well no matter what. – Matt 13:8
2. This woman was determined to stay with Jesus:
C. Be determined to stay with Jesus and finish well: How you finish is what people will remember.
1. Sickness is no reason to give up on Jesus:
2. Age is no reason to give up on Jesus:
3. Trials are no reason to give up on Jesus:
4. Be determined to be consistent and persistent:
C. She was one of great faith because she was consistent and persistent: Matt 15:22-23
V. Her great faith was rewarded: Matt 15:28 There is something here that I had missed for a long time. Have you ever wondered what she asked for and what she was limited to?
A. We know the initial need: Matt 15:22 For the demon to be cast out of her daughter is the initial need.
1. The initial request was granted: Matt 15:28 We know then her daughter was healed.
2. Her great faith has been rewarded:
B. But Jesus tells her to ask whatever she would, not limiting her to the request He already knew about: Matt 15:28 It brings us to a Bible principal of Jesus going beyond what we ask and blessing in greater ways than we could ever imagine.
1. Eph 3:20
2. Luke 6:38
3. Do you ever wonder how many times we limit God because we lack the faith to ask for even greater things?
4. I am not sure that this woman put any limits on God:
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C. Her great faith was rewarded: Matt 15:28
IV. Young ladies, mothers, grandmothers, one day mothers, here is your role model: What a blessing those words said of her by Jesus are. – Matt 15:28 – A greater blessing would be if that were said of you by Jesus and by your children and grandchildren.
Body
I. She was one of great faith because of her faith in seeking salvation: Matt 15:21-22 The first step in finding favor with God is to come out of sin and come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. How do I know she came first seeking salvation?
II. She was one of great faith because of her worship: Matt 15:25 Worship is certainly what we are doing here this morning. Worship involves meeting with God, coming to the house of God, praise, prayer, singing and the preaching of the Word of God. What we are doing is in part worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ. But what we are doing is just a part of worship. She worshiped the Lord Jesus Christ. – Matt 15:25
III. She was one of great faith because she would be satisfied with what Jesus would give her, great or small: Matt 15:25-27 This is quite a statement she makes here. – Matt 15:27
IV. She was one of great faith because she was consistent and persistent: Matt 15:22-23 The way the word crieth is used must indicate there was time, distance, or both involved here. – Matt 15:23 – She continued following after Jesus.
V. Her great faith was rewarded: Matt 15:28 There is something here that I had missed for a long time. Have you ever wondered what she asked for and what she was limited to?
IV. Young ladies, mothers, grandmothers, one day mothers, here is your role model: What a blessing those words said of her by Jesus are. – Matt 15:28 – A greater blessing would be if that were said of you by Jesus and by your children and grandchildren.