How to Get What I Desperately Need From God

Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.” But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed. MATTHEW 15:21-28 NLT

IN ORDER TO GET WHAT I DESPERATELY NEED FROM GOD, I MUST:

NEVER MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH JESUS

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. COLOSSIANS 1:15 NLT

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. REVELATION 3:20 NLT

NOT INTERPRET GOD’S SILENCE AS MY FINAL ANSWER

But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. MATTHEW 15:23 NLT

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. EPHESIANS 3:20 NLT

REFUSE TO LET THE ATTITUDES AND OPINIONS OF OTHERS KEEP ME FROM JESUS

Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” MATTHEW 15:23 NLT

Don’t allow hurtful words from others to rob you of the help you need from Jesus.

BE WILLING TO BE DEEPLY OFFENDED BY JESUS

Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?” MATTHEW 15:12 NLT

Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.” But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” MATTHEW 15:24-26 NLT

BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS GOD AND HE HAS GRACE FOR ME

She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed. MATTHEW 15:27-28 NLT

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon and choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

START HERE: Who do you spend most of your time with outside of church? How are they influencing your faith?

START HERE: How do you respond when someone asks or even begs for your help, especially if it’s uncomfortable?

START HERE: When have you felt desperate for God to show up? What did you learn about yourself or Him from that experience?

KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 15:21-28 (NLT). Jesus’ response can seem harsh, even offensive, at first. Why do you think He tested the woman’s faith? What does this story teach you about times your faith has been tested?

KEEP GOING: Jesus called this woman’s faith great. How does her story encourage you to grow and persist in faith?

KEEP GOING: Think of a time God seemed silent. How did your faith grow or change during that experience? Have you been able to see how God was working through you or others?

KEEP GOING: The woman didn’t let God’s silence or people’s opinions stop her from pursuing Jesus. Are there any “voices” (even your own) who make it difficult for you to seek Jesus? Whose voices invite you closer to God?

KEEP GOING: Where in your life have you struggled to believe God has grace for you? What would it look like for you to begin living in His grace?

LIVE IT OUT: If there’s an area of ongoing discouragement, temptation or unanswered prayer in your life, what is a specific step you will take this week to reach out to Jesus again?

LIVE IT OUT: Who around you is walking through a difficult, even desperate, season? How can you come alongside them and encourage them to keep trusting in what Jesus can do?